Review by Solomon Yeoh

Fury: My War Gone By is a continuation of Garth Ennis’ reinterpretation of superspy Nick Fury. As seen in Vol. 1, it reimagines the character as a CIA agent deeply involved in many of the U.S. covert operations during the Cold War.

This second volume continues to follow Nick Fury’s exploits around the third world, first in Vietnam and then in Nicaragua during the 1970s and 1980s. It also continues the strong polemic that Ennis began against American Exceptionalism and U.S. intervention, notions thoroughly dismantled via every mission Fury undertakes ending in failure. Representatives of the U.S. government are portrayed as self-serving and ruthless, trampling upon their victims with glee in pursuit of the dollar bill. These traits are exacerbated by Ennis’ choice to involve characters from his Punisher MAX run. These are tasteful inclusions and each character is present to serve a thematic purpose. Ennis believes this corrosion extends to the homefront with corrupt Senator Pug McCuskey playing a major role in morally reprehensible activities.

Goran Parlov continues to be exceptional, illustrating the worst of U.S. military intervention with elegance. The widescreen approach to the page layouts is very effective in conveying momentum and movement, resulting in dynamic illustrations. Ennis is also in top form, turning in more razor-sharp dialogue that cuts to the core of a characters’ motivations. Many of the seeds planted throughout the preceding issues blossom into fruition in this volume and the payoff is endlessly satisfying which is a testament to the well-honed skill and patience of Ennis. 

Ennis’ message is continually relevant and likely will always be. The current U.S. hegemony continues to violate the sovereignty of states for monetary gains, paying the price with human blood. This powerful series can be considered a high point for Ennis’ established career as he works through complex international concerns with nuance and grace, never taking the foot off the neck of the oppressor as he attempts to sympathise with the victims. 

Both paperback volumes of My War Gone By are also combined in a hardcover edition.