Tales of Suspense #78 "THEM!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Letterer: Artie Simeck

Nick Fury pays an overdue visit to Captain America at Avengers Mansion where they quickly discuss the new threat known as THEM. Soon a humanoid creature makes its way to the mansion and attacks both heroes. With the mysterious AIM watching them from their headquarters, the creature battles Cap and Fury until it finally succumbs to a S.H.I.E.L.D. knockout pill. The creature dissolves and Fury and Cap ponder the meaning of the attack. Both reaffirm their friendship and Fury offers Cap a spot in S.H.I.E.L.D. but the Avenger declines. The S.H.I.E.L.D. ramrod takes his leave and gives a Cap a communicator pin to reach him whenever he needs to.

• Continuity
• Cover appearance
• Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. follow up on the origin of the android assassin in Strange Tales #146-149
• First appearance of THEM
• Reprinted in:
  • The Essential Captain America #1
  • Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

Review
Nick Fury and Captain America, the team-up everyone had been waiting for at last arrived with this issue; another chapter in the convoluted saga of THEM which would eventually spawn AIM, the return of the Red Skull and lots of other villains that today have nothing to with each other. I'm still confused to this day with all the double-crosses and who was really in charge but this issue is simply a standard Marvel fight issue, with two of the greatest on the planet joining forces. Stan Lee plots another fun fight but its King Kirby who really comes through with his kinetic art. Its funny to see Nick Fury pulling rank on Cap, something that today would come across very differently. Its not life-changing but its a great issue.

Rating: