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Strange Tales #135: the first appearance of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerStrange Tales #135 (August 1965), by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, reintroduced Nick Fury as the modern-day director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and, in the same issue, introduced S.H.I.E.L.D. itself, the Helicarrier, the Life Model Decoy and Hydra. It is a Silver Age key whose importance grew with the organisation's central role in Marvel's films and television.

The issue

Strange Tales had been split between the Human Torch and Doctor Strange. With #135, the Torch's feature was replaced by "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", with Fury (from Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos) recruited by Tony Stark to lead an international espionage agency against Hydra. Kirby designed the Helicarrier and the gadgets in a single 12-page story.

Firsts in this issue

  • S.H.I.E.L.D. (then Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division)
  • Hydra
  • The Helicarrier
  • The Life Model Decoy
  • Nick Fury as a present-day character

Collecting

Strange Tales #135 was a modest key until the films; it is now one of the better-known Silver Age Marvels. A CGC 7.0 copy is in the store, alongside Sgt. Fury #1, Fury's true first appearance, and Strange Tales #110, the first Doctor Strange. See First appearance of Nick Fury and First appearance of Doctor Strange.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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SaleKey issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Strange Tales #135

CGC 7.0 · Universal Blue

First appearance of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

(0)
$1,203$1,473
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Silver Age

Strange Tales #110

CBCS 5.0 · Universal Blue

First appearance of Doctor Strange

(0)
$2,301

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