AGENT OF 1,000 FACES

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human (World War II era)

Occupation: Spy

Group Membership: Nazi Germany

Affiliations: Adolf Hitler, Hans von Reichardt

Enemies: Howling Commandos, Maulers

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Impersonated John Barrywell, Winston Churchill, Timothy "Dum-Dum" Dugan, Nick Fury, Joseph Goebbels, Franklin Roosevelt, agent Pierce, Captain Samuel Sawyer

Base of Operations: Mobile in the ETO during World War II

First Appearance: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#58 (September, 1968)

Powers/Abilities: The Agent of 1,000 Faces was a secret agent who could disguise himself as virtually anyone. He could speak 15 languages, perform quick costume and cosmetic changes, alter his voice, and was a student of psychology. He used various handguns in combat, but preferred to drug his enemies.

History: (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#58) - The Agent of 1,000 Faces disguised himself as Joseph Goebbels in order to suggest to Hitler that he acquire the aid of the Agent of 1,000 Faces in defeating the Howling Commandos. When Hitler demanded that "Goebbels" prove that the Agent could do this, he removed his mask. Hitler was delighted, and the agent demonstrated his impersonations of Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Nick Fury to him. Hitler happily allowed him the assignment of destroying the Howling Commandos.

Assuming the identity of British actor John Barrywell arranged to have Dino Manelli of the commandos sent to see him. He drugged Dino and turned him over to a German aircraft carrier. Assuming the identity of O.S.S. agent Pierce, he told Captain Samuel Sawyer of Dino's capture and revealed that Dino was being held nearby Norway and Denmark. He insisted that the Howling Commandos rescue Dino, and that Sawyer relocate the Howlers' base of operations to prevent a security leak.

When the Howling Commandos found the aircraft carrier, "Pierce" revealed himself as the Agent of 1,000 Faces to the Howling Commandos. He and Nick Fury fought, and their struggle ended when Fury dodged one of the Agent's blows, causing him to fall past him off the carrier. The Howlers destroyed the carrier, but found no trace of the Agent.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#60 (fb) - BTS) - The Agent of 1,000 Faces captured Captain Sam Sawyer and took his place at Able Company base.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#59) - Disguised as Sam Sawyer, the Agent of 1,000 Faces had "Dum-Dum" Dugan arrested and set him up for a court martial for having disobeyed an order.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#60) - Dugan was court-martialed, and each of the Howlers testified on his behalf, but "Sawyer" was determined to throw the book at him. Dugan was found guilty, but Fury realized that "Sawyer" was an imposter because his eyes were colored brown, and Sawyer's were blue. He exposed him as the Agent of 1,000 Faces, causing a reversal of the court's decision on Dugan. The Agent of 1,000 Faces offered himself as a trade for Sawyer, but the Howlers were determined to rescue Sawyer themselves.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#83) - The Agent was brought back to England by Nazi spies to aid them against the Howling Commandos. Disguising himself as "Dum-Dum" Dugan, the Agent tricked the Howler's sparring partner "Man-Mountain" McCoy and the real Dugan into a trap, and took them both hostage.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#84) - The Agent was joined in his efforts by Hans von Reichardt, head of the local spies, and they imprisoned McCoy and Dugan within von Reichardt's base. The Agent tricked the Maulers and Howling Commandos to come to their comrades' aid, intending to catch them in a trap, but McCoy and Dugan broke free and helped their friends defeat the Nazis. The Agent of 1,000 Faces fled the scene to avoid capture.

Comments: Created by Arnold Drake, Dick Ayers and John Severin.

"John Barrywell" is an obvious reference to the famed British actor John Barrymore.

In the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#19, the Red Skull was said to have impersonated the Agent of 1,000 Faces during World War II. This is probably in reference to Sgt. Fury#25, in which the Skull was uncharacteristically portrayed as a master of disguise.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Agent of 1,000 Faces should not be confused with:

• The Agents of Anarchy, terrorists who freed Ranger, @ Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#1
• The Agent of Fortune, dedicated to the rebirth of demons, @ Defenders I#58

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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