SHIELD [Nick Fury and His Agents of SHIELD] 1973 #1 - 8.0 - $18.00

Aboard the Heli-Carrier Count Royale, a representative of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) a society of the world's greatest intellects, is offended by SHIELD's security measures. Fury uses a sonic vibrator to blast into an underwater base but is trapped between electric energy waves. A stalemate occurs when Fury reveals he has fission bombs that would blow up the base. A group of androids escape and trample AIM's hordes. Royale tells SHIELD's directors he cannot offer AIM's services and technology under their current leader. Defeating the androids Fury suspects A.I.M behind the operation.

Returning from their latest mission, Fury catches hell from the military brass. Count Royale continues bad-mouthing Fury to SHIELD's board of directors. A general explains to Fury how A.I.M. has technology they desperately need, but refuse to do business as long as Fury's in charge. This confirms Fury's earlier suspicions that A.I.M. is not legit. Royale has returned to an A.I.M. observation post and watches as a squad invades the SHIELD barber shop. Fury, Dum Dum & Jasper save the day. Royale, meanwhile, feels Fury's rash actions have put the last nail in his coffin.

On-sale date from The Comic Reader #90, October 1972.

• They Are the Unliving! - Cover depicts a scene from Strange Tales #146 (July 1966). Fury's pose is a variation of the one from Page 5, Panel 4 of Strange Tales #166 (March 1968).
• When the Unliving Strike! - Part 2 of 5. Story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966), and presumably the flashback in STRANGE TALES #160-161 (Sept-Oct 1967) which was "too secret" for anyone to talk about. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). 1st published appearance of Count Royale; based on the dialogue the story takes place after his appearance in this month's TALES OF SUSPENSE #79 (July 1966) since his motivations in this story are questionable (his guilt is confirmed in the Captain America episode). Stark's problems with the Senate in TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-84 (December 1965-December 1966) are mentioned; his plant is forcibly shut down in SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966) presumably allowing A.I.M. to offer their technology to SHIELD.
• Awsome Announcements for You to Conjure with, Ponder Over ? and Yawn at! - Stan Lee's Soapbox, Items, Marvelous Marvel Mini-Items, Mighty Marvel Checklist.
• The Enemy Within! - Part 3 of 5. Ayers inks per Nick Caputo, via the GCD Error List (24 July 2005). Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo) is incorrectly listed in the credits. Henry Kujawa confirms (7 August 2007). Story is edited, cutting out splash page with title to form one continuous story.