Secret Empire (comics)

For the supervillain group, see Secret Empire (organization).

"Secret Empire" is a 2017 Marvel Comics storyline. This limited series event addresses the aftermath of the crossover event Avengers: Standoff! and the ongoing series Captain America: Steve Rogers, in which Captain America has been transformed into a sleeper agent loyal to Hydra and has been covertly setting the stage to establish Hydra as the main world-power.

Publication history

The initial groundwork for Secret Empire was laid in the 2016 limited crossover series Avengers: Standoff! by Nick Spencer, Mark Bagley, and Jesus Saiz. In Standoff there was a moment that Captain America was transformed into his "former" self by Kobik, reverting him from a 90-year-old man to a young fit adult.^[1] This transformation was explored further in the ensuing ongoing series Captain America: Steve Rogers in which the transformation is revealed to have been masterminded by the Red Skull altering Captain America's memories making him a HYDRA agent and set forth a plan to bring the American government to its knees and enable HYDRA to become the world-power that it was always meant to be.^[2] Throughout the rest of 2016 and the first half of 2017, subsequent issues of Captain America: Sam Wilson, Thunderbolts and Captain America: Steve Rogers along with certain issues of Uncanny Avengers and U.S.Avengers and the limited series event Civil War II unveiled how Captain America planned to alter the playing field covertly without the rest of the heroes becoming aware of his plan.

One of the many posters that was released as a teaser for Secret Empire

In early 2017 Marvel began to release teaser posters in anticipation for the Secret Empire event.^[3] One month after the posters were released it was announced that the limited series would be sold bi-monthly and would be a total of nine issues including a prelude issue serving as #0, with issue #1 set to be released in May 2017 and issue #8 would end the limited series in August that same year.^[4] Editor-in-chief Axel Alonso went on to mention that one of the main purposes for this event was to bring the heroes within Marvel back together ever since the divisive events of the Civil War II and the Inhumans vs X-Men storyline as a unified group against a common foe as the Avengers, Defenders, Guardians of the Galaxy, Inhumans, X-Men, Ultimates, and Champions would all have a stake in this event.^[5] In March it was revealed that some of the members of the creative team included Steve McNiven (Monsters Unleashed), Nick Spencer (Captain America: Steve Rogers), Andrea Sorrentino (Old Man Logan), and Leinil Yu (Star Wars).^[6] In April it was announced that following the close of Secret Empire would be an 18-month hiatus for Marvel from big crossover events, the company's longest consecutive gap without any major crossovers in twelve years.^[7] Issue #0 was released on April 19, 2017 and the first issue was released on May 3.

Premise

The storyline deals with HYDRA's takeover of the Marvel Universe after Captain America is revealed to be one of their agents ever since the sentient Cosmic Cube Kobik affected his memories upon Red Skull's clone using her powers on him.^[8] This causes the rest of the superheroes to join forces and rebel against their former leader and friend to prevent the world from falling under Hydra's control.

Plot

Issue 0

Since the incident at Pleasant Hill, Captain America's memory was rewritten by Red Skull's clone using the powers of the sentient Cosmic Cube Kobik where he was made to think he was a Hydra sleeper agent during World War II. As Chitauri forces launch a massive attack on Earth, Steve Rogers is now head of S.H.I.E.L.D. where he is appointed head of Earth's defense forces during the assault. He dispatches Captain Marvel, the Ultimates (Blue Marvel, America Chavez, Spectrum), the Alpha Flight Space Program, the Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot), Hyperion, and Quasar to intercept the Chitauri outside Earth's atmosphere as Riri Williams and the A.I. based on Tony Stark's consciousness prepare an attempt to establish an indestructible forcefield around the planet. At the same time, the Defenders (Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage), Doctor Strange, Spider-Woman, and Cloak and Dagger oppose an assault by various members of Baron Helmut Zemo's Army of Evil. While Hyperion and Quasar are taken out of the battle by the Chitauri, Nitro explodes defeating the Defenders. The villains disappear upon the Avenger Unity Division's arrival. Just as the shield around the Earth is brought online, Steve Rogers reveals his allegiance to Hydra trapping Danvers' forces outside of Earth's atmosphere. Meanwhile, all of Manhattan is imprisoned within the Darkforce after Baron Helmut Zemo uses the Darkhold to enhance Blackout's abilities. Riri Williams' Tony Stark A.I. sends a signal out to the other Marvel heroes to meet in Washington, D.C. as fast as they can.^[9]

Issue 1

Hydra's influence has spread to various facets of American society. Inhumans now must submit for registration as soon as their powers manifest or face arrest. A section of western California is developed into New Tian for all mutants to reside. A hacker named Rayshaun Lucas is entrusted with key data by Rick Jones that Jones says will prove the truth about Captain America. Lucas successfully makes contact with the Champions who have Ironheart and Falcon II in their group. The Champions lead him to a base in Las Vegas housing various heroes who make up a underground resistance to the HYDRA regime with the Resistance consisting of Hawkeye, Ant-Man, Black Widow, Giant-Man, Hercules, Quicksilver, Rescue, Stingray, Thing, Tigra, Wonder Man, and others. Manhattan remains trapped in the Darkforce and Carol Danvers' team of heroes remain trapped in space as she sends a distress signal for any space heroes to come help her. Captain America leads Hydra's version of the Avengers consisting of Black Ant, Deadpool, Odinson, Superior Octopus, Scarlet Witch, Taskmaster, and Vision who ruthlessly deal with the monster Krigorrath. At a meeting with the Hydra Council, Captain America rejects the option to reaffirm control of the populace through mental manipulation. Both Sharon Carter and Rick Jones refuse to believe that Steve Rogers is truly loyal to Hydra. To make a statement, Captain America has Rick Jones sentenced to death by firing squad and dispatches Hydra Helicarriers to raze the city of Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Madame Hydra and Captain America continue seeking a Cosmic Cube to reverse the Allies' victory in World War II.^[10]

Issue 2

Having received and analyzed Rick's data, the Tony Stark A.I. determines that the Cosmic Cube used to alter Rogers' mind has been scattered around the world, speculating that they can restore Rogers to himself if they can bring the fragments together. While Hawkeye agrees with this theory, assembling a strike force of Hercules and Quicksilver to find the Cosmic Cube fragments, Black Widow sets off to kill Rogers herself reasoning that even if Rick's theory is true, the man Rogers was would prefer to die than be used in this manner. She finds herself followed by the Champions as she establishes her version of the Red Room. In New York, Dagger fights to maintain light in the city, demons are running free, Claire Temple tends to the ill civilians, and the Kingpin uses his political clout to provide supplies to the locals after saving those in the church from the armed robbers that he killed trying to raid the church for medical supplies. Rogers grimly reflects on his recent actions where he revealed that he actually turned the final decision for Rick's execution and the assault on Vegas over to Madame Hydra. Baron Zemo assures him of his value as a symbol. An unidentified woman is being pursued through an unknown forest by the Serpent Society members Bushmaster, Puff Adder, and Viper in the wilderness. They attack her until she is rescued by a haggard, bearded man in torn World War II army uniform who introduces himself as Steve Rogers and states that he is trying to get home.^[11]

Issue 3

As the second Steve Rogers—the one in tattered fatigues—escorts the woman he rescued through the forest, she reveals she’s been poisoned during the resulting battle and is dying. This Steve reveals that his only memories are of what is implied to be his basic training days. Meanwhile outside the safety of Earth’s force field, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot try to enlist representatives of the Skrulls, Kree, Brood, Shi'ar and Spartax empires that are on the Galactic Council in helping against the Chitauri hordes and to break down the Planetary Defense Shield and get rid of Hydra. Realizing they are now facing a galaxy without human interference, the Galactic Council refuses aid and the three Guardians of the Galaxy members have to run for their lives as the aliens even shout "Hail Hydra" after them. As Star-Lord tells Captain Marvel what happened amongst the Chitauri attacks, Quasar is still in her coma. Back on Earth, Black Widow makes her way to a safehouse owned by Boomerang who is now a crime boss in Newark, New Jersey. Boomerang is hiding Maria Hill who is working with the criminal underworld to hide her rebellion. Maria Hill and Black Widow begin training the Champions, pushing them to learn what it takes to kill a dangerous enemy when necessary. While the resistance seeks a Cosmic Cube shard, Steve Rogers is called away from attending a Hydra science fair alongside a reluctant Sharon Carter by news from Kraken that another shard has been located in Atlantis. As Hydra's Avengers invade and destroy the Atlantean temple, they discover that the shard they’ve tracked down is a fake planted by Namor to keep them from discovering the real one. This is the second failed attempt to recover a shard after an ill-fated mission into Wakanda to retrieve another. Before Steve can take the failure out on Hydra's Avengers, he receives word that another shard has been located. Sam Wilson is leading an Underground task force to find Mockingbird. They come across the base of operations for the Ultron/Hank Pym who decides to give his "family" a warm welcome. As the second Steve Rogers and the woman travel through the forest, the woman dies of her wounds in front of a waterfall. But before she passes, she promises Steve he’ll find his way home if he “stays true to himself.” With a quick jump back to Newark, Boomerang awakens to discover a bomb in his safehouse. Though he survives the blast, a mysterious figure puts a gun in his face demanding knowledge of his criminal enterprises and of the resistance. Boomerang protests as it’s revealed that the figure is the Punisher who is now apparently in the employ of Hydra.^[12]

Issue 4

Confronted by Batroc the Leaper, Living Laser, and Whirlwind, the tattered Steve is assisted by what appears to be Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes- albeit a Bucky with both arms- who suggest that they stick together. It has also been suggested the two characters coming to Steve's aid are the both recently deceased James Rhodes and Rick Jones.^[13] Meanwhile, Black Widow is training the young heroes in interrogation techniques. Even though the others argue that the victim is too low-level to know anything, Black Widow kills the Hydra Agent when he attempts to escape. Having tracked the next fragment of the Cosmic Cube, the Tony Stark A.I.'s team and Captain America alongside Hydra's Avengers confront each other, but they are captured by the Ultron/Hank Pym, who forces both teams to sit at a dinner table. During the "dinner," the Ultron/Hank Pym revealed info about Hydra's Avengers like Odinson working with Hydra to reclaim Mjolnir, Scarlet Witch being possessed by Chthon, and Vision being affected by an A.I. Virus. The Ultron/Hank Pym argues that he is doing this because the Avengers have become less of a family over the years as so many of them jump to obey Captain America or Iron Man despite past experience confirming that this should be a bad idea, but the Tony Stark A.I. counters that the only reason the team failed as a family was because of Hank Pym's attack on Wasp. Outraged, the Ultron/Hank Pym nearly attacks the other heroes, but Scott Lang is able to talk him down by arguing that Hank Pym remains his own inspiration. The Ultron/Hank Pym allows the Tony Stark A.I.'s team to leave with the fragment, arguing that he will leave Captain America's plans with Hydra alone as it appears to be the best chance for world peace. Back in America, Captain America has put Namor in a position where he will be forced to sign a peace treaty that gives Captain America access to the Cosmic Cube fragment in Atlantis, but Captain America muses that he is unconcerned about who will acquire the fragments as he has an inside man in the Tony Stark A.I.'s team.^[14]

Issue 5

While doing business with some men, Viper is told by a Hydra agent that they have apprehended Black Widow. This is part of a diversion so that the Champions can infiltrate the Hydra base. When Viper figures out that Black Widow is planning to kill Captain America, Viper tries to persuade Black Widow to join up with her enterprise. When the Champions find a specific person and doubt that it's the person that they are looking for, Black Widow assures them them that this is the person they are looking for. Travelling together through the woods, "Bucky" and "Sam" are accompanying "Steve Rogers." While on the Underground's transport, Ant-Man sends Stinger the updates on the quests for the Cosmic Cube fragments. As the Tony Stark A.I. speaks with Black Panther, he tells the Tony Stark A.I. that he is remaining neutral as the Tony Stark A.I. states that Hydra will not rest until they have all the Cosmic Cube shards. When Black Panther states that he can have the Tony Stark A.I. give him the Cosmic Cube shards that he has, the Tony Stark A.I. declines and takes his leave. After recapping a fight with the High Evolutionary and breaking into vaults, Ant-Man arrives with the Underground in Madripoor where they are attacked by the Hand that are under the control of Hive. As the Tony Stark A.I. defeats Hive, Gorgon is knocked down by Hercules who turns into stone afterwards due to Gorgon's stare. When the Tony Stark A.I. frees Hydra's prisoner Shang-Chi, he reveals to the Tony Stark A.I. that he doesn't have the Cosmic Cube fragment anymore. A flashback revealed that Emma Frost stole it from an unconscious Shang-Chi. Captain America meets with New Tian's ambassador Beast in the site where Mjolnir is. He claims to Beast that there is a Cosmic Cube in New Tian before being called away. While on a helicopter, Madame Hydra tells Captain America that Scarlet Witch has become unhinged from Chthon's possession, the A.I. Virus made by Arnim Zola is still keeping Vision under control, and Odinson is still praying to Odin about his troubles where it was mentioned that Jane Foster is trapped in an alternate dimension and that she and Doctor Faustus can't subvert him. Back at the Underground, Giant-Man, Rayshaun, and the Tony Stark A.I. confirm that they don't have a Cosmic Cube-tracking device. It is then revealed that Mockingbird is Hydra's inside person as she gives the signal for Hydra Helicarriers to strike. As Arnim Zola mentions that their attacks won't bring down their defenses, Captain America states that they will unleash their secret weapon. Back in the mysterious forest, "Steve Rogers," "Sam," and "Bucky" encounter the Red Skull's clone who plans to take them "home." Back at the Hydra Helicarrier, Arnim Zola tells Captain America that their subject in the vault is awake but disoriented and that the procedure they did on him is temporary as his condition will degrade quickly. After brushing off Arnim Zola's concerns, Captain America states that they need their subject for a short time to bring the Underground down. When the vault opens, it is revealed that the person that they are talking about is a temporarily-revived Bruce Banner.^[15]

Issue 6

As the other Steve Rogers is hanging from a rope tied to a tree, he finds himself next to a rambling man. As Red Skull takes the rambling man away, he tells the other Steve Rogers that his time will come soon. Back in a Darkforce-covered Manhattan, Claire Temple and Cloak are trying to get Dagger to light up. Doctor Strange arrives at a monstrous library in order to find a spell that would get rid of the Darkforce. When Daredevil attacks some men, Kingpin clears things up with him stating that the men were taking supplies to Mercy General Hospital. Back in the mysterious forest, the other Steve Rogers asks Red Skull where he is as Red Skull claims that they are in "Hell." He also states that they are nothing but ghosts that are fading remnants into death. Red Skull then uses a barbed bat on the other Steve Rogers' chest stating that the only path to peace is death. At the Red Room's safehouse in Maryland, Nadia Pym is leaving upon expressing her indignation the Champions want to talk Black Widow out of killing Captain America. Miles Morales tells Black Widow to believe in hope. During the siege at the Mount, Captain America talks to Bruce Banner in order to get him to help during the little time that he has left. The Tony Stark A.I. is sure that someone in the Underground has tipped off Hydra. Mockingbird claims that Quicksilver is working for Hydra in exchange for Scarlet Witch's return while Quicksilver claims that Mockingbird led them on a wild goose chase. Back on the Hydra Helicarrier, Bruce Banner rejects Captain America's offer only for Captain America to reveal that he was talking to Hulk as Bruce turns into Hulk. Ant-Man reveals that he is Hydra's mole and explains that Hydra is using his daughter Cassandra Lang for leverage just as Hulk penetrates the fortress. As Thing fights Hulk, Mockingbird snaps Hawkeye out of his guilt in order for him to help evacuate the Mount. As Giant-Man unleashes a set of A.I.vengers to help in the fight, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and the civilian members of the Resistance run into Odinson who allows them to board their jet. While Sam Wilson takes off, Mockingbird notices that the Tony Stark A.I. hasn't left the base. As the Tony Stark A.I. prepares to leave, he is caught by surprise by Captain America who uses Ultron-derived technology on the Tony Stark A.I.'s armor to keep him from transferring his A.I. form elsewhere. While the Tony Stark A.I. is stuck fighting Captain America, the A.I.vengers help in the fight against Hulk. As the final effects of Arnim Zola's revival of Bruce Banner starts to reach the decaying part, he collapses the roof over the Tony Stark A.I. and Captain America. As the Tony Stark A.I. activates the Mount's "Clean Slate Protocol," he persuades Captain America to remain behind so that he can apologize to him. Back on the Hydra Helicarrier, Madame Hydra detects an unusual amount of energy in the Mount and rushes in. As the Tony Stark A.I. expresses his grief over what happened to Captain America after the first superhero civil war, he stated that he didn't want to fail at helping Captain America again. Madame Hydra arrives and teleports Captain America away at the last second as the Tony Stark A.I. explodes, destroying the base and Madame Hydra. Back in Maryland, Black Widow hears about what happened at the Mount and cries while spilling her vodka. She informs the Champions about what happened and that they will kill Captain America tomorrow.^[16]

Issue 7

Opening at the Alpha Flight Space Station, Captain Marvel is receiving an overall negative status report from Monica Rambeau. While they are able to make inter-dimensional supply runs and have found the location of the Chitauri Queen Eggs, the waves of Chitauri and their Leviathans are increasing in size and frequency leaving the technicians without enough time to fix the severe structural damage to the station. Monica suggests that America Chavez relocate the heroes and people stuck outside the Planetary Defense Shield to an alternate reality given the Intergalactic Council in their reality are unsympathetic to Earth's plight. Captain Marvel rejects this idea stating the heroes were charged with a mission to protect the Earth against the Chitauri invasion and they are the only thing standing in the way if the Planetary Defense Shield were to go down for some reason. Captain Marvel then turns her attention to a comatose Avril Kincaid who we find out did survive being swallowed by the Leviathan and was pulled out of the wreckage by Nova. Captain Marvel admits her fault in the situation and the raising of the Planetary Defense Shield and pleads for Avril to wake up because the team desperately needs the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, Red Skull's clone is torturing the other Steve Rogers with a burning, thorn-wrapped, piece of wood. Red Skull's clone claims he is granting Rogers "peace". Miles Morales and Black Widow about to proceed with their mission to assassinate Captain America. This is the moment everyone has been dreading ever since Ulysses Cain foretold the event during the second superhuman civil war. In her effort to prevent the future from coming true, Black Widow locks Miles in the Hulk-proof transport section of the van and sets off to kill Captain America instead of letting Miles turn into a killer. Black Widow heads out to the rubble of the Capitol Building in Washington DC and orchestrates her team to create diversion which will allow her time to assassinate the Supreme Leader. It is at this moment we learn that the old man the team had rescued earlier was actually the prison used to hold the Inhuman Mosaic. Black Widow frees Mosaic from the dying old man and he goes on to possess the Hydra Guards long enough for Black Widow to take down Captain America. Their diversion is successful, but Punisher shows up right before Black Widow can take the shot and the two begin to fight. Miles is still stuck inside the Hulk-proof van as he has the idea of starting a fire and hoping that one of the emergency evacuation mechanisms will be activated. When the computer prompts him for the password to escape, Miles assumes he will guess correctly because of Ulysses' vision. Miles has escaped from the burning van and is on his way to the Capitol. Punisher and Black Widow continue to battle until Black Widow stabs Punisher in the shins. Punisher explains Captain America's overall plan to use the Cosmic Cube is to put everything back to the way it was. Not just the Axis victory in World War II, but bringing back all of the dead as a result of Hydra like Rick Jones, Jack Flag, and Frank Castle's family. Black Widow rejects this idea and sees Miles approaching Captain America causing Black Widow to stop Captain America and Miles. She fights her way through several Hydra guards, but somehow gets between Captain America attempting to strike Miles with the pointed edge of his shield. Black Widow is stabbed in the neck, falls to the ground, and seemingly dies. Her death enrages Miles who shatters Captain America's pointed shield with one punch. Miles begins to pummel Steve to a bloody pulp and realizes now why he was the one who killed Captain America in the vision. Right before he moves to impale Cap on the pointed rock from the vision, Nadia Pym intervenes and dissuades Miles from killing Captain America by reminding him that he is not a killer and that Black Widow did not want him to become one. The Red Room team is subsequently arrested by Hydra. Weak from the attack, Captain America asks to be taken to Sharon onboard the Helicarrier. Onboard, Steve reveals to Sharon his plan to set things right with the Cosmic Cube and asks for her support while he is struggling with Madame Hydra's death. Sharon replies by attempting to stab him in the neck with a homemade shiv. She manages to prick Steve's neck, but is stopped by him before she can inflict any real damage. As the guards take Sharon away, Steve asks them to alert the Hydra High Council that tomorrow they would be declaring war. Meanwhile, Red Skull's clone is about to deliver the killing blow to the other Steve Rogers. Before he can strike, the other Steve Rogers sees the beautiful blond girl he saw at the beginning of the series who was the same one that was poisoned and he thought died. He realizes there is still hope and evades the Red Skull clone's attack. The other Steve Rogers then tackles the Red Skull's clone and they both plummet off the cliff into the water below. Red Skull's clone calls Rogers an idiot for his actions. Out in Arizona, Hawkeye, Tigra, Giant Man, Mockingbird, Wonder Man, Quicksilver, and those with them have survived Hydra's attack on the Mount. Still, the team seems defeated and are now despondent learning the news that Black Widow was killed. It is at this time that we see Sam Wilson take up the original Captain America shield and mantle again and inspires the team that they must go on for the war is not over yet....^[17]

Issue 8

While sinking to the bottom of the river, the other Steve Rogers gets a glimpse of light from the surface enough to break free from his ropes. In the middle of a desert somewhere in Nevada, Rayshaun Lucas and Giant-Man are burying the time capsule that Giant-Man put together that has been scheduled to reach the Alpha Flight Space Program's space station and Manhattan in the past. Once that was done, the message makes it to Manhattan and the Alpha Flight Space Program's space station in the present where they are informed of Hydra's rule over the United States while also mentioning that most of the Cosmic Cube fragments are in Hydra's possession. As Sam Wilson takes off in order to get between the Earth and the dome, the Tony Stark A.I. and Hawkeye break into Crossbones and Sin's super-prison to free their captive friends. On the Alpha Flight Space Program's space station, Captain Marvel is approached by Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon where they have plans for a Nullifier Bomb where they would use the space station to detonate the charges. In the Darkforce-covered Manhattan as the Defenders wonder how they can help, Doctor Strange states that he has obtained a spell which he obtained in exchange for regaining control of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Though the spell would also amplify Dagger's abilities in unison. Miles above the oceans, Sam Wilson is dodging the Hydra jets. While he managed to shoot one down, Sam Wilson got shot down by the remaining Hydra jets and fell into the ocean much to the shock of Misty Knight. Back in Manhattan, the spell appears to be having no effect while Sam Wilson continues to sink into the ocean. On the Alpha Flight Space Program's space station, the Alpha Flight Space Program, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Ultimates have evacuated with the explosives charged up to explode upon collision. Quasar awakens from her coma and helps to take down the Planetary Defense Shield. With the Planetary Defense Shield down, Captain Marvel flies to the location where the Chitauri eggs are. Back at the super-prison, Maria Hill slips by the Tony Stark A.I. and Hawkeye where she finds a brainwashed Blackout in his Pleasant Hill identity of Bob Hofstadder. As Maria Hill shoots Blackout, the Darkforce surrounding Manhattan disappears enabling Manhattan to be free. After emerging from the water with the Cosmic Cube fragment in his hand, Sam Wilson meets up with the other heroes at the Triskelion which included those who were trapped in the Darkforce dome and those trapped outside of Earth. Namor also arrives with a still-alive Winter Soldier. As the Underground plans to spring into action, they know that the battle is still in Hydra's favor with Black Panther still a captive of Hydra and Captain America having most of the Cosmic Cube fragments. Back at the mysterious forest, the other Steve Rogers encounters the glowing woman who Steve identifies as "Sharon." After the woman disappears, the other Steve Rogers encounters Kobik who states that they are all alone.^[18]

Issues involved

Reception

Secret Empire #0 and #1 both received largely positive reviews. IGN rated Secret Empire #0 a score of 8.9 out of 10, calling it "great", with a verdict stating that "Secret Empire probably isn't going to be for all readers. If you haven't been won over by Captain America: Steve Rogers over the past year, Secret Empire #0 likely won't change your mind. But for those who can roll with the concept of Marvel's brightest hero becoming its greatest betrayer, this issue serves as a strong start to what promises to be a very epic and emotionally charged conflict." The review also praised the artwork on the book.^[27] James Whitbrook of io9 called it "Confusing," "gutwrenching," and "baffling," praising the dark tone of the story, saying "the sense of unease and despair that pervades Secret Empire #0 is phenomenal," and stating that "while Secret Empire’s 0-issue nails the gut-wrenching feeling of inevitable doom, it’s also perhaps tackling a little too much all at once" and noting that the series would likely be confusing for new readers.^[28] IGN called Issue #1 "great", stating, "While the art in this issue isn't quite as consistent as it needs to be, in general Secret Empire is shaping up to be one of the rare crossover events that actually delivers on the hype. This opening chapter sets the stage well, establishing a drastically different Marvel Universe that's already feeling the influence of Hydra's reign. It offers a winning blend of character drama, superhero spectacle, and even significant humor to balance out the darker moments. If that balance can be maintained over the long haul, readers are in for a treat this summer."^[29] ComicsVerse also gave the first issue a positive review, praising Nick Spencer's writing, calling it "fearless" as well as praising Steve McNiven's artwork, saying, "the team behind this book took a huge chance and it paid off. Lovingly crafted and obviously a passion project, this issue was worth the wait."^[30] The Comics Beat stated of Issue #1, "Secret Empire delivers as Spencer and McNiven devote the time and attention to their craft to deliver on the absurd premise baked within this massive crossover.". IGN ranked Secret Empire #2 with a score of 8.3, and once again called it "great" with the verdict that "Secret Empire continues to impress in its second issue, with a story that's both epic and intimate."^[31] IGN gave issue #3 a 7.4 score saying that "Secret Empire becomes a little too overstuffed in its third issue as more key players enter the stage".^[32] Matthew Mueller of comicbook.com gave the fourth issue 4 out of 5 stars.^[33]

Commercial performance

The series was a commercial success, with issues #0 and 1 being the third best-selling comic books of April and May, respectively.^{[34][35][36][37][38]}

Controversy

One of the cover variants by Dan Mora featuring Magneto was met with controversy by fans. The backlash was due to the fact that Magneto, a Jewish Holocaust survivor with a hatred for Nazis, was in a lineup of villain covers featuring Hydra members, despite being a neutral party in the main storyline^[39] Another note of controversy came from the announcement of the event, with fans being angered considering Captain America's creators were of Jewish heritage, while also noting Hydra's connection to the Nazis after their creation, despite the original creator's usage of Captain America manipulated by Nazis in the past.

In other media

Season 4 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. aired concurrently with the early issues of Secret Empire and featured the "Agents of Hydra" story arc that shared many similarities with it. Both depict an American society being successfully taken over by Hydra after a heroic character was made to believe his allegiance was to Hydra his whole life due to a reality-altering device (although, in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. case, it was a virtual reality) Both storylines also feature lines that could be interpreted as references to then-current American politics as well as exploration of the lives of everyday citizens under the fascist regime. Although Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. focused on a different cast of characters, the similarities between two storylines were noted by several reviewers.^[40][41] Additionally, Secret Empire #1 made reference to the Malick Corporation which is named after Powers Boothe's character Gideon Malick from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. who had previously appeared in The Avengers.

References

External links

• Secret Empire at Marvel Wiki