Story #2Them!
Writer: Stan Lee. Penciler: Jack Kirby. Inker: Frank Giacoia. Colorist: ?.
Synopsis / Summary / Plot
On a visit to
Avengers Mansion,
Nick Fury walks in on
Captain America dodging flying
Shock rollers. Annoyed, Fury grabs one and receives a shock, as he was unaware they were designed to test agility the hard way. The two WW2 vets quickly get their greetings out of the way and down to business. Fury shows Cap a
miniature human brain, captured from a secret organization known only as "
Them." Dropped into a hydroponics tank of chemicals it would soon grow into an artificial man. At that moment, an aircraft lands outside and a
gleaming-white android emerges. The creature turns into acid and burns his way through the walls of the Mansion. Fury opens fire on the android which is carrying chemicals and able to change the composition of its body. It fires flames from its fingers at the two heroes. Cap activates the frigid-defense circuit, freezing the monster which only slows it down until it can secrete a de-icing mixture. Fury tries karate but the monster turns to iron, so Cap uses judo to knock the creature down. It sprays a gas irritant into Cap’s eyes subduing the Avenger, to the delight of its masters in Them who are watching on a viewscreen. Nick Fury’s grenade won’t stop the android, who electrifies himself. Cap uses his shield to hold the monster at bay while Fury forces a knockout chemical down its throat, putting it to sleep. Before their eyes, the android reverts to its basic form, an inert figure. Fury, who had come to ask if the Avengers knew anything about Them, orders Cap to keep silent about this incident. Cap mentions how he had considered going to work with
SHIELD but was unable to contact them and now he is committed to the Avengers. As he leaves, Fury gives Cap a badge granting him priority access to SHIELD.