Nick Fury is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the world's leading international military espionage agency. First introduced in Iron Man and then appearing in Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, he became the driving force that eventually sees the different heroes become an unique response team known as the Avengers. While his past at the current time is unknown, he is a gifted leader and a capable operative on his own.
Abilities
Nick Fury's past is shrouded in a mystery, but it is generally known that he was capable enough to obtain the rank of Colonel in the United States Armed Forces. Fury is a master strategist and an astute judge of character. He uses these talents to great effect in his leadership of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury has done what would be called questionable tactics over his years but nonetheless, he will ultimately do what is right. Point in case, when the Council ordered him to strike the city with a nuke, but he wouldn't; even going as far as disabling one of the planes ordered to strike the city with a rocket launcher and warning Stark about it. At this time, it is unknown but more than likely, he does have a fairly extensive military background but it is not revealed in full at the moment. Nonetheless, he is a seasoned unarmed- and armed-combat veteran expert as he was able to take down two brainwashed agents with ease. He is also trained to use U.S. military firearms (standard and automatic).
Equipment
S.H.I.E.L.D. Uniform: made from 9-ply Kevlar (able to withstand ballistic impact up to .45 caliber bullets) and a fire-resistant material whose kindling temperature is 1,700 °F (930 °C). It includes numerous S.H.I.E.L.D. paraphernalia such a radio-link tie.
Smith & Wesson M&P: Fury carries a Smith & Wesson M&P pistol as his sidearm, using it to fire at Loki while he escapes after having obtained the Tesseract for the first time, and when the Helicarrier is attacked. Also, Fury has access to an array of S.H.I.E.L.D. weapons, conventional and otherwise. In addition, due to him being the leader of a secret but covert/military organization, he has access to the most cutting-edge technology S.H.I.E.L.D. has to offer.
