Nick Fury Sr. is back in Marvel Comics, and he is not alone. The original S.H.I.E.L.D. director returned in Avengers: Armageddon #5 on October 21, 2026, standing over a resurrected Bucky Barnes. That surprise sets up Immortal Soldiers #1, a one-shot by Chip Zdarsky and Christian Rosado arriving on January 13, 2027. For readers who have followed the Samuel L. Jackson version on screen, this is a different Fury entirely: the grizzled World War II veteran who has been absent from Marvel’s main timeline for years.
What Happened in Avengers Armageddon #5
The finale of Avengers: Armageddon changed the Marvel Universe in several ways. Red Hulk had turned into a living nuclear weapon, and the battle devastated the Russian settlement of Plesetsk. Bucky Barnes appeared to die in the blast. Tony Stark and Reed Richards examined the powers of David Colton, a new hero connected to Miracleman, and uncovered a larger mystery about other heroes who might exist on Earth-616.
The final pages delivered the biggest shock. Bucky’s body began to heal two weeks after the Plesetsk incident. A dazed Bucky woke up to find Nick Fury Sr. standing over him. Fury called the resurrection a miracle and told him to pull himself together.
“Now pull yourself together, soldier. You and me… we gotta save the godddamn world.” — Nick Fury Sr., Avengers: Armageddon #5
What Immortal Soldiers #1 Is About
Immortal Soldiers #1 picks up directly from that moment. Marvel’s official description confirms that Nick Fury Sr. is responsible for bringing Bucky back, but the reason remains hidden. The one-shot explores the circumstances of the resurrection and sets up storylines for the wider Marvel Universe.
The creative team pairs Zdarsky, who wrote Avengers: Armageddon and the upcoming Avengers #1, with artist Christian Rosado. Ben Harvey provides the main cover, with variant covers from Mark Chiarello, ACO, and Declan Shalvey. The issue was first announced at New York Comic Con 2026.
“Armageddon didn’t end the war, it started one! Bucky Barnes died during the battle with Red Hulk, only to mysteriously return to life. Now, the circumstances surrounding his resurrection take center stage as Nick Fury Sr.’s involvement raises new questions about what’s coming next for the Marvel Universe.” — Marvel’s official solicitation for Immortal Soldiers #1
Who Nick Fury Sr. Is in Marvel Comics
Nick Fury Sr. is the original version of the character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963. He led the Howling Commandos during World War II, later became the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and served as one of Marvel’s central spymasters for decades.
Marvel Comics sidelined the classic Fury several years ago to focus on his son, Nick Fury Jr., a character designed to look like Samuel L. Jackson. The elder Fury was written out of the main timeline, and many readers assumed he had been retired for good. Screen Rant noted that Fury Sr. had spent the last decade away from global intelligence while his son handled ground-level espionage on Earth.
The Infinity Formula is central to Fury’s long life. The serum slows ageing and has kept him active far beyond a normal human lifespan. The same formula is the leading theory behind Bucky’s return, with ComicBookMovie reporting that fans believe Bucky has been imbued with it. If that theory holds, both men now share a kind of immortality that changes how they fit into the Marvel Universe.
What This Means for the Wider Marvel Comics Line
Immortal Soldiers #1 is not an isolated story. It spins directly out of Avengers: Armageddon and into the new Avengers era. Avengers #1, also written by Zdarsky with art by Marco Checchetto, arrives on November 4, 2026, with a lineup that includes Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Wolverine, Luke Cage, and Miracleman.
The new Avengers era follows a world that has turned against superheroes. A United Nations-backed S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Nick Fury Jr., has been tasked with enforcing a “Superpowers Resolution” that brings superhumans under control. Fury Sr. and Bucky are operating separately from that official structure, which puts them on a collision course with Fury Jr. and his agency.
Mephisto is also in play. Avengers #3, arriving on January 27, 2027, begins a storyline called “Chase the Devil” in which Spider-Man and his team go after Mephisto after he unleashes Hell on Earth. The events of Zdarsky’s Captain America run, where Steve Rogers and Doctor Doom joined forces to overthrow Mephisto, feed directly into this conflict. Immortal Soldiers #1 sits between those two storylines and lays groundwork for both.
Fan Reactions to Nick Fury Sr.’s Return
Reader response has focused on two things: the surprise of seeing the original Fury again and the contrast between him and the MCU version. Screen Rant coverage of the return drew attention to the gap between Fury Sr. and the Samuel L. Jackson portrayal that general audiences know best.
Discussion around the announcement has also centred on the idea of a Fury versus Fury conflict. ComicBookMovie noted that many readers believe Marvel is building toward another Civil War, with the elder Fury and Bucky working outside the system while Fury Jr. runs the official S.H.I.E.L.D. operation.
“The fact that they replaced Og Nick Fury… legit pisses me off.” — a reader reaction cited in coverage of the character’s return
Bucky Barnes’ New Role and Design
Bucky Barnes emerges from Armageddon with more than a resurrection. Marvel has revealed a new design for the former Winter Soldier, and the Immortal Soldiers cover shows him alongside Fury Sr. in a look that moves away from his recent appearances.
The Miracleman connection adds another layer. ComingSoon reported that Bucky may be the Earth-616 equivalent of Miracleman, the hero whose powers were tied to the origin boxes examined by Tony Stark and Reed Richards. That theory has fuelled speculation about what Bucky’s resurrection actually means beyond the one-shot.
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Release Details for Immortal Soldiers #1
Immortal Soldiers #1 goes on sale January 13, 2027, from Marvel Comics. The one-shot is written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Christian Rosado and a main cover by Ben Harvey. Variant covers come from Mark Chiarello, ACO, and Declan Shalvey. The issue is available to preorder through comic shops now.
Readers outside the United States can order through local comic retailers or digital platforms that carry Marvel titles. Marvel Unlimited subscribers typically receive new issues after a delay, though the one-shot will be available in print and digital on release day. Avengers #1 arrives earlier, on November 4, 2026, and Avengers #3 follows on January 27, 2027.
Also Read: Winter Soldier New Superpower Confirmed: Bucky Barnes Heals From a Nuclear Blast
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