SECRET EMPIRE

I bought and read the comiXology version of this comic. I heard it was quite divisive among comic fans, and misunderstood by some casual fans. No, Captain America was not always a Hydra Agent; any comic fan would tell you that reveal of him being one would eventually be explained or reversed. But there in was an interesting subject! A "what if" scenario, but interacting and taking place in the Marvel Universe proper! It was an intriguing idea, and the political commentary of today's wild politics certainly contributed to the message in this story. It's a good and engaging read!For the $10 price I paid for the digital version, there was a TON of content in this one tpb! A whole GB of data on my iPhone!While the story was good and enjoyable, there where certain plot devices that are implemented that don't go explained for nearly the entire storyline. The series is also dependent on you knowing a wee bit of recent Marvel Universe history. If you don't know much, though, the main dynamic of the story of Hydra winning and taking over everything is strong enough that casual readers can get by; just remember there might be some "oh, did that happen in another comic?" moments of revelation. There are some moments and events though that Even a big comic fan like me didn't understand, and a few seeming lapses in storytelling logic (I was very confused who the traitor was, when revealed; as it conflicted with what I saw previous issue)The way the story is told has flaws, but the main delimia of a false Captain America turning Hydra and taking over the USA is engaging and terrifying! More could've been focused on the change to American culture, instead of focusing just on rebelling super heroes, but that said it still makes for a fun and engaging story!For the price I paid for the digital version, I was quite happy with what I got.Art is varied, with different artists rotating in and out. Usually the art is stunning, but every so often a lesser artist comes in. Over all it's a pretty package though.

The following contains some spoilers.This is the best crossover story Marvel has produced.The ultra loyal familial bonds (brotherly between Baron Zemo and Hydra Steve Rogers; mother/son between Madame Hydra and Hydra Steve Rogers) is incredibly compelling. Sam Wilson's elevation is truly a highlight (one of many in this story). I love what Nick Spencer did with this. Steve Rogers is the focal point of the story. He comes out of the story shining even more as the ultimate hero. At the same time, in the scenes Sam Wilson is in, he is displayed as every bit Steve Rogers's equal. They both do things in their own way. Secret Empire elevates Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers.Hydra Steve Rogers may be the most formidable villain now in the Marvel universe. He is written so well by Spencer. Much of his dialogue is written in such a top quality way. It helps to let the reader see the way he thinks and creates an understanding that overall makes sense.The art is excellent.Hopefully Marvel will put out more stories like this. It shows a creative freedom that is often times missing within the context of American comic book story telling.

Bought this because the kindle price for the “size” was good. But the story itself is ridiculously boring. There’s no depth whatsoever to this story. Spent two afternoons reading it and felt like it was a complete waste.

This event is incredible. Nick Spencer tells one heck of a tale. It does help to know a little beforehand. Steve Rogers, Captain America, has been changed by the Red Skull by a cosmic cube into believing he is and has always been a member of Hydra. Spencer starts this story off in epic fashion as Cap is now in charge of S.H.E.I.L.D. Behind the scenes Hydra has been busy putting together events to lead to the U.S. government giving Cap full command as a bunch of catastrophes break out. That's when the knife is thrust and turned. Captain America is really a monster.The art is top notch all throughout. There a lot of artists but all are A listers like Daniel Acuna, Andrea Sorrentino, Steve McNiven, Leinil Francis Yu, Rod Reis, and more.Spencer's whole Captain America run plus this event has a lot of social commentary going on which I like. Make art with meaning. Even if it is a "silly" superhero book. Our democracy can be lost. And we the people may be the ones to give it away to demagogues. Such a true take on today's political climate.Such a great event and the culmination of a crazy exciting Captain America saga for the ages.

I didn’t mind this story. I just don’t understand why we needed it. This was a very large, all encompassing, sprawling tale. It was well written, but it really came across as more of a “what if” alternate reality type story rather than an adventure in the Marvel Universe we know and love. Characters weren’t really themselves but perhaps it was the sense of desperation they were feeling. They were in hiding, hunted and and/or running for their lives. That would certainly be enough to bring you out of character. Again, I just didn’t understand why we needed this big event. It kind of felt like it was just something for us to do between Civil War 2 and Generations, which ultimately lead us to a major reboot in 2018.I believe this is something everyone should read for reference, and again it is pretty well written, but it’s possible that it’s no longer completely relevant.

A good story with good art work that fits the story and style of the comic perfectly. However there were issues with this.Start rant:One thing I really hate is when a character is featured prominently on the cover and is not in the comic. I hate that. Now using my favorite character in that way pushes my annoyance level to 11. The Spider-man on the cover is Peter Parker, the Spider-man in the story is Milles. Peter is in possibly 10 panels, and contributes nothing to the story.Rant over!!The one person you always believed in more then anybody else betrays you. How do you recover from a betrayal live that. However he has not just betrayed you but the world making him the more powerful person in the world. Some will hide, some fight, many will die. How many time can heroes rise to be knocked down again. This is the story of what heroes are made of.This rant and other issues. Suddenly heroes have been away the whole book suddenly appear like nothing has happened. Even finishing the book I am not sure if it what if or from the now rebooted and merged Marvel Universe.A great but slow story, a little slow at the beginning but all this built up to the big heroic fight at the end. An epic story that does not just reboot the scars and damage remain. A great final battle and good epilogue, but I don’t think all the characters got enough time in this book.

This won’t go down as one of my favourite Marvel books, but it’s a beast of collection which’ll take a while to finish, and I enjoyed it.You might wanna read “Captain America: Steve Rogers Vol. 1 Hail Hydra” before tackling this one, as it acts as a great prelude to what kicks this Secret Empire book off...

Very well written. A perfect story!Very relevant to modern politics in the era of Brexit and Trump.Really impressed.

I've yet to read the book, so I'm reviewing this purely on the quality of the product, not it's content.It arrived with a damaged spine and slightly damaged edges on the cover. Disappointed but it's still perfectly readable.

Very well written and the end argument gets you thinking a lot, is it what we all do to fight ourselves, food for thought.