Avengers Week Post #7: Commanders and Their Agencies Poll

With Avengers week we couldn’t forget about Nick Fury and SHIELD, and since it was time for another poll, we figured this was the time.  All Avengers fans aside, we ask that you vote seriously in this poll, and not just because you might be an Avengers fan.  So who is the superior commander and agency?  Marvel Comics Gives us General Nicholas Joseph Fury (pictured above right) and S.H.I.E.L.D..  DC Comics brings Amanda Waller (pictured above left) and her Checkmate agency.  Finally, we at sCrypt Comics give you Liz Powers and M.U.T.S. (no picture available as so far only mention of them has made the transfer to graphic novel form).  Here is the breakdown (keep in mind, if you have another commander and agency that should be included, feel free to add it to the poll below by voting for “other” and commenting with your decision.)  Remember, the more votes the better.

Nick Fury has changed over the years, and though I grew up with the original version of the character as a colonel, this battle will consist of the Ultimates version.  During World War II, Sgt Fury and his howling commandoes had a long run in the original comics.  Around the time that Captain America was given the super soldier serum, they needed a test subject to try it first.  Project Rebirth had its first success with Fury.  The aftermath gave him a slowed, maybe even halted, aging process, enhanced strength, and endurance.  To add to this, he is a master combatant and skilled soldier.  Even without his left eye, he is completely aware of his surroundings.  When he rose in the ranks, he eventually became the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. (The current acronym stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.)  They are an intelligence agency with special operatives skilled in multiple techniques from espionage to combat to infiltration.  There is not much that happens in the world without SHIELD being aware of it.  First appearance of S.H.I.E.L.D. was in Strange Tales #135 in 1965.  The Original Nick Fury’s first appearance was in Sgt Fury and The Howling Commandoes #1 in 1963.

Amanda Waller has played more of the antihero role in the comics, though her intentions are understandable.  Her goals to monitor superhero and villain activity have left her often with difficult decisions.  She has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to strategics, espionage, and military tactics to name just a few.  After a career in the White House as well as other high up government units, she formed the Agency.  The purpose of this was to have a stand alone group that complete tasks no one else could.  Eventually the Agency became known as Checkmate and has metahumans in its ranks.  Amanda Waller’s First appearance was in Legends #1 in 1986.  Checkmate’s first appearance as the Agency was in Action Comics #598 in 1988.

Liz Powers has been hard at work for years defending not just the United States, but the whole world from supernatural threats.  Known as “The Speaker” to some, she is an expert medic and has connections and technology in the highest places within United Nations countries.  There is almost nowhere in the world that she can’t gain access to with a few phone calls.  No one really knows the extent of her physical abilities, as she keeps her identity to herself for the most part.  She is a master planner, and commander.  Taking the best of each branch of service in the United States, she has taken command of a group of black ops soldiers that’s existence is only a rumor to the public.  This small group of men and women are known as M.U.T.S. (Military Underground Tactical Specialists).  They are there to do the jobs that no other soldier wants to or can do.  Liz Powers and M.U.T.S. first appear in “Flesh And Leftovers” the novel.

Nick Fury is played by Samuel L. Jackson in the Avengers movie.