Prologue

Nice and quiet.

That was life in Ixtenco, Mexico, up until yesterday. Which was when the cyclone hit.

“Nick,” Maria Hill said, getting out of the car. “This was a tragedy, but it’s not why we’re here. What are we, fighting the weather now?”

Nick Fury pulled his tall frame out of the car, and surveyed the damage. Everywhere he looked, buildings were in ruin. What few people remained were salvaging through the rubble, looking for family heirlooms, irreplaceable mementos.

“Locals say the cyclone had a face,” Nick reported matter-of-factly.

“Well, people see things when they’re under stress,” Maria replied. “Okay? That does not mean that this is the start to some other big world-ending——”

Suddenly, Hill and Fury turned around, only to see wind whipping along the ground, swirling up behind them, rising. Something was forming.

Something with a face.

Then, as if from out of nowhere, a strange figure appeared in a cloud of green-hued smoke. Dressed in a green jumpsuit, he wore a domed helmet and cape. The helmet retracted, revealing the bearded face of a tired-looking, battle-weary man.

“Who are you?” the man asked. “You don’t want any part of this.”