It’s 1971, there is a war raging in Vietnam, and Nick Fury has been captured by the Viet Cong. At this moment, they don’t quite understand that they have in their possession a man who knows enough secrets to damage the United States beyond comprehension. The C.I.A., however, DOES realize this and they can’t risk their enemy getting those secrets, so they dispatch the most deadly man in the U.S. Army – LT. Frank Castle. Get Fury #1 delivers a debut that bleeds classic Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows delivering a great concept and over the top shocks.
When it comes to Garth Ennis mature rated comics, be prepared for shocks. They’re usually over the top stepping into comedic levels that is hard to take seriously. Get Fury #1 builds to those moments in what is a really solid concept and debut.
Set during the Vietnam War, Fury has been captured by the Viet Cong and holds so much information in his head, the U.S. is afraid he’ll be tortured for it. So, they send Frank Castle in, not to free Fury, but to eliminate him. Now, why can’t they rescue Fury? That’s explained. Why send Castle? That’s explained too. Ennis does an amazing job of not only setting up the concept but answering questions that might take readers out of it and does so in a very natural way.
Ennis also gives us some human elements to it as well. Fury is the leader we’d expect and want instructing his men on how to survive and delivering some key details. There’s some emotion as things go south for his team where you feel his anger. Castle’s introduction is one of the best I’ve seen with a moment that’s just fantastic as he goes back and forth with some other soldiers. It shows how… off… Castle is but also a code he goes by and how he’ll stand up for his men. It throws into question how he’ll handle the mission he’s presented with.
The art is solid with Jacen Burrows’ usual style. With ink by Guillermo Ortego, color by Nolan Woodard, and lettering by Rob Steen, the comic feels like it builds to the crazy with an ending full of bloody shocks you’d expect from this duo. What begins as horror goes to levels that are so excessive it’s almost comical and pulls the reader from being grossed out to entertained.
There’s a rawness to the comic in both its art and dialogue. It has its feet planted in the world of Ennis/Burrows and of the time. It’s full of dialogue and words that’ll make readers cringe at times with racist terminology which, while outdated today, is right at home considering the setting. But be warned, it’s there.
Overall, Get Fury #1 feels like a lost Rambo script in some ways. It takes classic characters, a real setting, mixes it up with a pretty straightforward mission, and adds in some ultra-violence. Altogether, it’s classic Ennis fans will enjoy.
Story: Garth Ennis Art: Jacen Burrows
Ink: Guillermo Ortego Color: Nolan Woodard Letterer: Rob Steen
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
