Original Sin

Lore & Background

Uatu the Watcher, who had observed Earth for eons without interference, is found dead on his Moon base with his eyes missing. His son, Sam Alexander (Nova), had recently learned that Uatu’s father once gave nuclear technology to the Prosilicans, an act of charity Uatu hoped would one day be proven right across parallel universes. The killer used a special bullet—gamma-irradiated and capable of harming a Watcher—to commit the crime. Investigations reveal that many of the “monsters” found dead were actually threats neutralized by Nick Fury in secret over decades, operating under orders from Howard Stark following the 1958 Tribellian invasion. These actions, hidden even from S.H.I.E.L.D., paint Fury as both protector and executioner.

In Their Own Story

The story begins when Sam Alexander discovers Uatu’s weapons cache before Uatu is murdered by gunshots to the head on the Moon. Captain America, Wolverine, Black Widow, and Nick Fury respond to Thor’s distress call and find Uatu dead. Three investigative teams form: Emma Frost, Scott Lang, and Black Panther explore Earth’s core; Moon Knight, Winter Soldier, and Gamora travel into space; Doctor Strange and Punisher journey to another dimension. They uncover giant monster corpses killed by the same gamma-irradiated bullets used on Uatu. The Orb activates one of Uatu’s eyes during a battle with evolved Mindless Ones, revealing hidden truths. Eventually, it is revealed that Nick Fury—now elderly due to depleted Infinity Formula—was the killer. He explains he murdered Uatu because the Watcher refused to name criminals before they could act, violating his oath. After overloading Doctor Midas with Uatu’s powers, Fury seemingly dies but survives as The Unseen, having absorbed Uatu’s abilities.

Reader's Guide

The event kicks off with Uatu’s murder on the Moon and the discovery that his eyes were stolen. Investigators follow clues left by a shadowy source later revealed to be an elderly Nick Fury using LMDs. They trace gamma-irradiated bullets across dimensions, uncovering dead monsters and eventually realizing Fury was behind it all. Key turning points include Winter Soldier decapitating what they believe is Fury (only for it to be an LMD), the revelation that Fury killed Uatu to learn the identities of criminals before they acted, and Orb’s collapse after absorbing stolen Watcher powers. In the climax, Fury confronts Doctor Midas, forces him to absorb a Watcher eye, and kills him in an explosion. Though presumed dead, Fury survives as The Unseen, while Winter Soldier takes up the mantle of “Man on the Wall.”

Did You Know?

• Sam Alexander, while training with Uatu, learns that his missing father, Jesse Alexander, is alive.
• The bullets used to kill Uatu were gamma-irradiated and capable of harming a Watcher.
• Nick Fury operated as an extrajudicial executioner for decades, unknown even to S.H.I.E.L.D., after being recruited by Howard Stark in 1958.
• Winter Soldier kills what appears to be Nick Fury, only to reveal it was a Life Model Decoy (LMD).
• After absorbing Uatu’s powers, Nick Fury becomes The Unseen and appoints Winter Soldier as the new "Man on the Wall."