Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Empyre is a novel written by Will Murray[1] and published by Berkley Books and Marvel Comics in 2000.[2] It is the first appearance of the character of Nick Fury in novel form.[3] It features illustrations by longtime Nick Fury artist Jim Steranko.[4] The plot revived the concept of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s psychic sensory division from the old Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comics.[5]
 Coverart by Joe Jusko. | |
| Author | Will Murray |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jim Steranko |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Nick Fury, Agent of Shield |
| Subject | Nick Fury |
| Genre | Spy fiction |
| Published | 2000 |
| Publisher | Berkley Books Marvel Comics |
| Media type | Hardcover and paperback |
| Pages | 48 |
| ISBN | 978-0425168165 |
Background
Murray is an longstanding author within the pulp genre and had written over 40 novels in the Destroyer series and many Doc Savage novels before taking on the assignment.[1][6] The book was part of a line of Marvel novels in 2000 published by Berkley Books.[3][5]
Plot
Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Starla Spacek of the new Special Powers Division investigate a global threat as a series of planes mysteriously crash, culminating in the disappearance of an Empyre Airlines jumbo jet. Suspicion initially points to the involvement of terrorists in the Neo-Nazi organization HYDRA, but Fury soon learns that the true villain is the insane leader of the nation Quorak - who wants nothing less than world destruction.
Sequel
A sequel novel pairing up Nick Fury and Wolverine was planned but never came to fruition.[7][5]
Reception
The reviewer of NickFuryAgentofShield.com described the book as a solid but ultimately unspectacular affair.[7][8]
See also
- 2000 in literature
- 2000 in comics
- Spider-Man: Down These Mean Streets, another novel based on a Marvel comics character
- Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours, another novel based on a Marvel comics character