Marvel Comics is gearing up to release Immortal Soldiers #1 in January 2027, a new one-shot that will follow the conclusion of the Avengers: Armageddon limited series. The announcement, made at New York Comic Con, signals a shift in the Marvel Universe's superhero landscape and introduces a significant mystery surrounding one of its most iconic figures.
The creative team behind Armageddon, Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto, will also helm Immortal Soldiers. This one-shot is designed to set the stage for upcoming storylines in 2027, hinting at a period of uncertainty and change for Earth's heroes. The broader context for this new narrative involves a public increasingly distrustful of superheroes following the events of Armageddon. This sentiment has reportedly led the current Avengers roster—featuring popular characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain Marvel—to operate with a considerably lower profile. Filling the void, the new Maximum X-Men are poised to take on the mantle of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
The most intriguing element of Immortal Soldiers is the apparent return and central role of the original Nick Fury. For years, Nick Fury Sr. has been operating in a cosmic capacity, notably after the Original Sin event in 2014, where he became The Unseen, an entity with cosmic awareness akin to the Watchers. Although he later lost these powers, he continued to serve the Watcher in safeguarding the multiverse. His last known status saw him departing for another universe, leaving his son, Nick Fury Jr., to handle Earth's espionage as the 'Man on the Wall.'
However, the solicitation for Immortal Soldiers #1, accompanied by Ben Harvey's main cover art, strongly suggests Fury Sr.'s return to Earth. The cover depicts what appears to be a skeletal Nick Fury, strikingly, clad not in his traditional S.H.I.E.L.D. attire, but a HYDRA coat. This visual immediately raises questions, given Fury Sr.'s long-standing dedication to dismantling the terrorist organization throughout his career. HYDRA's recent history saw it briefly controlled by Doctor Doom before being left in disarray, adding another layer of mystery to Fury's potential allegiance or disguise.
The solicitation teases that the one-shot is "setting the stage for a new year of stories and mysteries" and poses a critical question for a world without reliable superhero saviors: "Who will step up to the plate and keep watch over the planet when we need it the most?" This narrative setup, combined with Fury's enigmatic appearance, suggests a darker, more complex role for the character. It remains unclear whether the title Immortal Soldiers is a direct reference to the Infinity Formula, a substance that has historically granted both Nick Fury Sr. and Jr. extended lifespans, further deepening the intrigue around his skeletal depiction.
Specific plot details are expected to emerge after the publication of Avengers: Armageddon #5 later this month, but the initial tease promises a compelling and mysterious new chapter for the Marvel Universe, with Nick Fury at its enigmatic heart.