ILSA KOENIG

Real Name: Ilsa Koenig

Identity/Class: Human (German, World War II era)

Occupation: Former resistance fighter

Group Membership: Former member of the German underground movement

Affiliations: Howling Commandos, "Rickets" Johnson, "Bull" McGiveney

Enemies: Butch Barker, Gerta Heinz, Nazis

Known Relatives: Eric Koenig (brother)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: London and Able Company Base, England
Formerly Germany

First Appearance: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#35 (October, 1966)

Powers/Abilities: Ilsa was a trained resistance fighter, and espionage artist.

History: (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#35) - When Ilsa's brother Eric assisted Sgt. Nick Fury, Sgt. Bull McGiveney and "Rickets" Johnson on a mision to save the Howling Commandos from public execution in Berlin, they came to Ilsa's home after bailing out of their plane, and Ilsa provided them with clothing. While they were gone, Ilsa snuck into a Nazi base and took photos of secret documents. They were successful in their mission, and returned to Ilsa's home on their way out of Germany. The Howling Commando Dino Manelli had been wounded during their escape, and Ilsa helped tend his wounds. The photos she supplied the Howling Commandos with would help them justify their mission into Germany, as it had been unofficial.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#42) - On another mission in Germany with the Howling Commandos, Eric came to Ilsa to help her escape with him back to England, having realized that the Nazis knew he was a traitor, endangering her life. Ilsa was now under close watch by the S.S., but Eric's friends Manelli and Fury appeared to help in the rescue. Ilsa was glad to see Dino again, having become attracted to him in their earlier encounter. However, Dino was haunted by the recent death of his lover Nina Bergson. As they fled, Ilsa helped against pursuing Nazis by hurling grenades at their cars. She also assisted them in the destruction of a Luftwaffe munitions factory. When they returned to England, all of the Howling Commandos were chewed out by Captain Samuel Sawyer for having gone AWOL, but he happily welcomed Ilsa to England.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#43) - Now serving in an unidentified capacity on Able Company's base, Ilsa encountered the Howling Commandos as they were on their way to another mission, and invited them to dinner with her when they returned.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#45) - Ilsa was having dinner with Fury one evening when the American soldier Paul Ryan entered the establishment and started a fight with Fury. It was finally broken up by Ryan's father, General Ryan and Captain Sawyer. Afterward, Sawyer and Timothy "Dum-Dum" Dugan joined Ilsa and Fury for some socializing.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#47) - Ilsa went on a date with Fury to a pub, with the other Howling Commandos in attendance. When Fury left momentarily to find the missing Percival "Pinky" Pinkerton, Butch Barker tried to pick Ilsa up, and she slapped him when he tried to kiss her. He nearly struck her, but Dino came to Ilsa's rescue. Dino won himself a kiss from Ilsa. Later, the pub was destroyed by a bomb planted by Nazi spies, but the Howlers and their dates all made it out safely, including Ilsa.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#65) - Ilsa and Dino went on a date, but Dino was as withdrawn as ever. Fury came upon the scene and asked Ilsa to dance, figuring that it would make Dino jealous. It worked, and Dino and Ilsa seemed to have finally fallen in love with each other, but their romantic moment was broken up by Eric, who had seemingly become a Nazi. Eric kidnapped Ilsa and Dino to use them in a trap for Fury. The trap succeeded, and Eric took off with Fury, although the Howling Commandos rescued Ilsa and Dino.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas, Dick Ayers, and John Tartaglione.

In Sgt. Fury#58, Eric proclaimed that he would have revenge on the Nazis who killed his sister. Naturally, Ilsa was not dead and had more appearances to make. That's what happens when you use a fill-in writer.

Eric wanted Ilsa to wind up with Fury, suggesting he was unaware of how strong her feelings were for Dino.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
Ilsa Koenig should not be confused with:

• Jim Koenig, interrogated by Black Widow, @ Black Widow IV#3
• Koenig and Strey, Manhattan front for A.I.M., @ Identity Disc#2

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