FCBD 2017: Secret Empire #1

Secret Empire (Single Issues)

by Nick Spencer, Chip Zdarsky, Mark Brooks (Cover Art)

As Hydra puts their plans into action, Nick Spencer and Andrea Sorrentino bring you the opening salvo in a story that will rock the Marvel Universe and leave fans' jaws on the floor!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).

Reviews

[Alejandro]

The Secret Empire begins here!


This single comic book is part of the Free Comic Book Day event in 2017.


Creative Team:

Writer: Nick Spencer

Illustrators: Andrea Sorrentino


SWIMMING AGAINST THE CURRENT… SELLS

Even if you haven’t read this comic book event, even if you’re not fan of Marvel, even if you’re not into comics in general, only of being active in social networks and digital newsfeed, it’s very likely that you have heard the “bomb”…

…Captain America was a Nazi.

Yes, I know. Yes, I understand. Believe me, taking in account that Captain America was created by two men, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, who happened to be Jews; turning his most famous joint creation into a Nazi sympathizer should revolt the stomach of any person with common sense and respect about the Holocaust.

Captain America debuted in 1941 and the first thing that he did in the very cover of his first comic book issue was punching Adolf Hitler in the face! And now Steve Rogers, was he a Nazi even before becoming Captain America?

With similar controversial comic book events by Marvel in the past like Spider-Man’s Clone Saga, one would think that the House of Ideas, already should learn its lesson and not touching certain angles, but one can’t deny that controversy sells, and controversy involving real life events like WWII is quite efective to sell, since while I’m pretty sure only comic book fans (hey! I am one!) are talking about the involvement of The Watchmen in the Rebirth timeline of DC Comics, I have noticed that turning Captain America a Nazi has been trending in many different type of social groups. And certainly the morbid curiosity sells.

So, as Oscar Wilde said once: The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

In this FCBD issue, you’re introduced to the shocking invasion by Hydra forces to Washington DC, where the Marvel heroes are defeated and Captain America (aka Steve Rogers) is leading the invasion and...

...he is able to do something that due his “new status” shouldn’t be worthy of doing.

The Secret Empire began!

This comic book issue is just the starting point for this Marvel event, so I think we all should wait to find out how it will be resolved, for beginning to complain, but trust me, anybody with common sense should be ofended for the very premise of this event, but again, I can understand the cunning movement by Marvel, since I’m sure that not matter if it’d for morbid curiousity or blunt hate, this comic book event will sell, and at the end, Marvel Comics is a business company whose goal is selling as many comic books as possible, and with this event, they’re doing its job.

I only hope (and that’s Captain America, a symbol of hope) that the creative team would have a secret card on their sleeves for resolving in a satisfactory way this event.


P.S.

The FCBD issue includes too an excerpt from Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 where Spidey battles a Vulture, wearing a new type of flying suit (all indicates as a stolen SHIELD design), and where a new character got in the middle of the fight.

[Lör K.]

This was great until I realised this was the comic series that turned Captain America, the hero created by Jews as a source of empowerment during/after WWII and the horrendous things that happened to them, into a HYDRA member, mostly commonly known as Neo-Nazis in the movies! Whether they're NNs in these comics is unknown but shitty move man. Shitty. Move.

The artwork is good, the story is REALLY well written but for the first paragraph of this review, enjoy a 1.5/5 star review.

[Dimitris Papastergiou]

HAIL HYDRA!

[Kim]

This was entertaining but only really because of the spidey prelude at the end... which I'll be picking up this week ;)

As for secret empire- bit hard to follow since I'm not up to date on marvel bits so have no clue what's really happening. Except for that little while ago when there was an outcry of death threats towards the writer who made Captain part of hydra or something... is that still a thing?!? Apparently so...

[Grace Arango]

CURRENTLY FREAKING OUT!

OH MY GOSH THE SECRET EMPIRE IS SCARING THE CRAP OUT OF ME!

It's official, this is my favourite free comic book day issue!

The art style in this was so strikingly different and it set the tone of it being so dank! I am scared about what is going to happen next in this alternate universe. I honestly can't.

[Lauren]

why’d they do my boy cap dirty like that :(

[Mert]

3/5 Stars (%64/100)

I hated Captain America from the beginning. Chris Evans is a really good actor so he made me like the characters a bit but I continued to hate the comic version. This free version of Secret Empire deals with Captain America's supposed enemy Hydra. Though I don't really remember it vividly, I quite enjoyed this one mainly because of its length. Also, it was free so it's a win-win.

[The Bibliophile Doctor]

Good to read!!

I don't want to give spoiler but the very unexpected person turned out to be Hydra. I have been told about this but even then I was shocked.

[James DeSantis]

Man I loved the shit out of this. So it's broken into two parts. Secret Empire prelude basically and Spectacular Spider-man (written by someone other than Dan Slott, YAY!)

What I liked: The SE storyline is really shaping up to be special. I've been really getting sucked into the world of Hydra Captain America. It's both intriguing and crucial to our time and shows how fakeness and lies can spread like venom. I also really loved the surprise twist (even tho it was spoiled) that leaves me wanting to really dive into Secret Empires. I loved the shit out of the Spectacular Spider-man storyline too. One big bonus is Spider-man is FUNNY again. I was actually laughing while he was fighting the vulture. Also artwork was top notch for both.

What I didn't like: With him fighting the vulture it came off as a movie stunt. Put the bad guy from the movie into the comic. Seemed lame.

This is a really fun little free comic to get you hyped about two comics. It does that 100%. Can't wait for both of these.

[Silas]

I am not a fan of the idea of Captain America as a Hydra agent, but since I primarily read Marvel comics, and there were only two available, I picked this up. Not only is that story not one I enjoy, it isn't executed terribly well, either. The art is so obtuse that it is difficult to figure out who some of the characters are, or why they are engaged in a fight in the first place (a bit more time spent establishing that would have been good for a comic that is meant to introduce an event to new readers). The surprise ending is not very well thought out. Why wouldn't he turn into Thor if he picked up Mjolnir? I'm ready for this event to be over already, so I can start wearing my Captain America shirts again.

The second half is a Spider-Man story with a bunch of jokes in it that are really forced, and which really didn't interest me in reading his book.

Overall, there were significant issues in art and writing with both of the stories in this book, even apart from the controversy about the Secret Empire event.

[Nancy]

I was leery of this title, as Marvel has had uneven success with their events, and I’m of very mixed feelings if I want to invest time in the Secret Empire, after being so dissatisfied with Civil War II. Captain America comes out as a secret agent of Hydra, and his former friends and heroes fall in battle against him. This very short introduction to the upcoming series has me torn. I didn’t hate it, but I wasn’t sucked in either. Time will tell if I want to continue. The last half of the comic was a fun Spiderman vs The Vulture story. It had some snappy dialogue between the two about “you’re so old that…” and had a tease for future story lines.

[Dan]

The Hydra Invasion

Hawkeye…

The tables have turned: familiar faces, once friendly, now working against the superheroes.

And their leader is a shock. 😳

Nice color work: uses switches effectively to cover different situations, different moves.

Good detail; cool storyline.

Spider-Man: “…Time Flies”

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, out to lunch.

Peter is not cute in this—at all. Poor facial definition. Even multiple chins at times. Bro is looking bloated.

Encounter with The Vulture.

Lame jokes. If Trapster didn’t eventually come along, this would drag even more.

[Lillian Francis]

Four stars for the Spiderman, sorry, Spider-man story. Great artwork, amusing story. I'll definitely be follow this one on.

Hate the artwork in the Secret Empire starter, if the rest of the series is like this I won't be reading any further. I think I can see what they were going for but I could barely recognise characters I've been following (however loosely) for decades. I'll pick up what happened in the wiki pages. 2 stars, and that's being generous.

[B. DeJean]

The short teaser for Marvel's Secret Empire honestly stunned me, especially the last page. The events presented in this Free Comic Book Day comic are an exaggerated, encapsulated version of what happens in the actual series (somewhat like watching a movie preview that contains alternate scenes, and just as effective), but the final page is a true stunner.

[Arsnoctis]

Le tavole di Sorrentino sono godibili e sembrano fare da controaltare alla bandiera americana, la sceneggiatura di Spencer non colpisce per originalità.
Letto nell'edizione italiana pubblicata da Panini Comics.
[2.5 arrotondato per eccesso]

[Jena]

Secret Empire: 3/5
Spectacular Spider-Man: 4/5

[Milena]

Loved both, the Secret Empire one, and the Spider-Man one.

[Another Steph]

Marvel adventure received on FCBD 2017. Not happy about Captain America though. :(

[John]

Captain America leader of Hydra.Say it aint so Cap.

[James]

I don't really like the turn that Captain America has taken. It's just too weird.

[Eunice Martinez]

Excelente

Muy buen inicio para un nuevo evento marvel 😍 así hay que esperar como se sigue desarrollando. Muy buen Comic

[L.]

Terrible, terrible artwork.

[Jessica Holtz]

J'aime mieux la partie de Spider-Man.

[Lauren]

Love Captain America and glad I got the free comic, even if I didn't like it.

[Amelia Bujar]

FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...

This comic book delivers an engaging prelude to the larger “Secret Empire” event. At the same time this comic book effectively sets the stage for the unfolding drama, blending action, intrigue, and character development.

The narrative in this comic book revolves around the increasing tension within the Marvel Universe as Captain America, secretly aligned with Hydra, begins to execute his plan for global domination. The creators of this comic book creates a narrative that is both thrilling and unsettling, capturing the looming threat and the heroes’ struggle to respond. The plot balances between high-stakes action and the emotional turmoil of the characters, creating a rich and immersive experience.

The writing itself in this comic book excels in capturing the complexity of the situation, particularly through the internal conflicts faced by the characters. The dialogue is sharp and purposeful, highlighting the moral dilemmas and shifting alliances as the heroes grapple with the shocking reality of Captain America’s betrayal. This depth adds layers to the story, making it more than just a standard superhero conflict.

There is something about the writing in this comic book that bring a touch of humor and humanity, providing moments of levity amidst the tension. These lighter moments help to balance the narrative, preventing it from becoming overly grim and adding a relatable touch to the characters’ interactions.

The artwork itself in this comic book is a standout feature of this comic book, because it is bringing this tense and dramatic world to life with striking detail and dynamic compositions. The illustrations in this comic book capture the intensity of the battles and the emotional weight of the story, making each panel resonate with impact. In a way the artwork in this comic book has the ability to convey both the grandeur of the conflict and the subtleties of character expressions enhances the storytelling, which had drawn me personally deeper into the narrative.

The pacing of this comic book is well-managed, maintaining a brisk yet coherent flow that has kept me personally engaged from start to finish. The narrative effectively introduces key plot elements and character dynamics, setting up the larger storyline without overwhelming the reader. This balance ensures that the issue remains accessible to both new and returning fans.

One of the strengths of this comic book is its exploration of themes such as loyalty, power, and the consequences of deception. The creators of this comic book weaves these themes into the narrative seamlessly, providing depth without overshadowing the action. The story challenges readers to consider the complexities of heroism and the impact of betrayal, adding layers of meaning to the unfolding drama.