The Marvel Universe’s premier superspy has fallen victim to one of the darkest heroes, and he only narrowly escaped it thanks to a Bruce Wayne trick.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for “Infinite Fury Part VI” from the pages of Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 2021, available now from Marvel.
A new hunt for the Infinity Stones has been playing out in the pages of the “Infinite Destinies” crossover, and it could very well change the landscape of the Marvel Universe. Nick Fury Jr. has been unwittingly caught up in Nighthawk’s search for the Infinity Stones after falling victim to a trap set by the former Squadron Supreme hero. Nighthawk may have been able to make Fury into a pawn in his shadowy game, but the Batman-esque mastermind’s efforts were just undone as soon as they started.
When “Infinite Fury Part VI” by Jed MacKay, Juan Ferreyra, Nick Lowe and VC’s Joe Caramagna begins, Nick Fury Jr. is on a high-speed chase with multiple police cars on his tail. This isn’t necessarily a shocking scene for the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to appear in, but the reason behind this appearance is more than a little suspect. Shortly after escaping the pursuing officers, Fury is picked up by Nighthawk, and the two return to their safehouse. With the equipment stolen by Fury from a Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. lab, his latest partner will be able to finally track those imbued with the Infinity Stones in the hopes of using their power to remake the world in Mephisto’s image once again.
Nighthawk is so impressed with Fury’s success that he even extends to him an offer to become the new Falcon at his side. But before Fury can try on the new suit, he is paralyzed by his own reflection. He begins to spout off a series of seemingly random phrases, his body locked in place and his mind unable to take control. As Fury loses himself in whatever is happening, the tattoo on his chest comes into focus, making it perfectly clear that the superspy had long ago prepared for precisely this situation.
Nick Fury Jr. may not have the same number of years under his belt as his father, but he has learned quickly just what it takes to stay one step ahead in the world of superpowered espionage. With a bit of self-programming, Fury has given himself a built-in lock against brainwashing and other types of mind-control with that tattoo, which triggers a kind of mental shut-down sequence. It’s a rather genius personal safeguard, though not one that longtime comic fans haven’t seen before. In fact, it’s almost exactly the same tactic that Bruce Wayne employed to secure Batman’s place in Gotham City even if his own mind was lost somehow.
Although the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh had first appeared all the way back in 1958’s Batman #113 in the story “Batman – The Superman of Planet X!,” the concept would later be reimagined by Grant Morrison leading up to and following the events of Batman R.I.P. This time around, the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh was an idea that Bruce had implanted in his own mind to keep Batman active as a hero no matter what happened to his own mental state or memories. As delusional as this version of the hero was, the plan proved itself a general success.
Now that Nick Fury Jr. is free from Nighthawk’s influence, there is no telling what his next move will be. Instinct would likely tell him to run, but Fury isn’t one to act on his impulses alone. What’s more likely is that Fury will try to make a move from within Nighthawk’s operation. Of course, with one of the keenest and most calculating vigilantes in the Marvel Universe on his case, the efficacy of that decision is plenty questionable. Whatever happens next is sure to be thrilling, so here’s hoping it works out for Fury before his new “partner” discovers this most recent development in their relationship.
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