Damage Control #4 "The Agent of SHIELD Affair"
Writer: Dwyane McDuffie
Penciler: Ernie Colan
Inker Marie Severin
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: Rick Parker

The organization that cleans up the mess after super heroes and villains duke it out, Damage Control has gone on strike. In steps Nick Fury, an old friend of D.C. employees Hoag and Gene, to settle matters before NYC crumbles to the ground.

• Continuity Notes
• Cover appearance
• Appearance by Alexander Pierce. Fury also has a brief appearance in the previous issue
• "Slim" Hoag is an old friend of Nick Fury
• SHIELD is now part owner of Damage Control
• Reprinted in Acts of Vengeance Crossovers Omibus

Review
Better then-average guest appearance by Fury and SHIELD, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek. The art is nothing to write home about, but it matches the irreverent style of the story; although Pierce fans may wince. Likewise his characterization is not great; serving as a minor comic relief at times in the regular title, here he's just a buffoon. Fury on the other hand comes off quite well with a light touch, never sending him completely at the expense of the character. In fact Fury ranks above the dull cameos of other like Captain America and Thor. The interaction between SHIELD and Damage Control is actually quite good and I'm surprised its never been done again. Its worth a look just for the scene where two kids try to figure out what SHIELD stands for.

Rating: