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Secret Empire: Collected Editions
Captain America: Secret Empire
Collects Captain America: Steve Rogers #17-19, Captain America: Sam Wilson #22-24.
In Cap we trust! But as Steve Rogers ushers in the Secret Empire, what will this new order mean for Sam Wilson? Find out, as a crucial mission brings Sam back out from the shadows - and into the skies once more!
In Cap we trust! But as Steve Rogers ushers in the Secret Empire, what will this new order mean for Sam Wilson? Find out, as a crucial mission brings Sam back out from the shadows - and into the skies once more!
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2017
11 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Nick Spencer
998 books345 followersLibrarian 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 26, 2018
This is labeled as what comes after Captain America: Steve Rogers: Empire Building, so I thought it was what I should read next.
No.
And I basically realized my mistake right away, because at the start of each issue it would say read Secret Empire # whatever...before you read this one. But I already had the comic check out from my library, so...eh.
This is a collection of both of the Captain America comics that are happening between (duh) the Secret Empire stuff. Now, I haven't managed to get my hands on the main Secret Empire story, so I was admittedly lost for quite a bit of this. To be honest, I really haven't kept up with Sam lately, and I was hoping to just cliff note it into whatever was happening. <--I don't suggest this for anyone actually looking to understand the plot
Just going off of what I could glean as a tourist?
I like the way Nick Spencer writes, so it's not like it was boring to me at all. And I could basically use my admittedly poor powers of deduction to cobble together missing pieces and infer shit.
Fair warning: This is reallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally fucking political.
Do what you want with that information.
If I were a smart girl, I would have waited to read this till I had Secret Empire in my paws, though.
No.
And I basically realized my mistake right away, because at the start of each issue it would say read Secret Empire # whatever...before you read this one. But I already had the comic check out from my library, so...eh.
This is a collection of both of the Captain America comics that are happening between (duh) the Secret Empire stuff. Now, I haven't managed to get my hands on the main Secret Empire story, so I was admittedly lost for quite a bit of this. To be honest, I really haven't kept up with Sam lately, and I was hoping to just cliff note it into whatever was happening. <--I don't suggest this for anyone actually looking to understand the plot
Just going off of what I could glean as a tourist?
I like the way Nick Spencer writes, so it's not like it was boring to me at all. And I could basically use my admittedly poor powers of deduction to cobble together missing pieces and infer shit.
Fair warning: This is reallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally fucking political.
Do what you want with that information.
If I were a smart girl, I would have waited to read this till I had Secret Empire in my paws, though.
December 30, 2017
These are really just extensions of the Secret Empire miniseries fleshing out some of the things that occurred in that book. They really would have worked better as one big collection as there's no consistent narrative across any of these issues. Steve Rogers has turned into the super-serum version of Trump while Sam is wallowing in his misery about how the Trump Hydra supporters get what they deserve and how he doesn't want to be Captain America anymore.
As a whole, I haven't liked any of this Cap is secretly Hydra story. There's a ton of plot holes that are glossed over. America is taken over by Hydra in one issue of Secret Empire #0 Spencer skims over a ton of details to make the story fit the narrative he wants to tell. The whole thing would have worked better as a What If? story than anything else.
As a whole, I haven't liked any of this Cap is secretly Hydra story. There's a ton of plot holes that are glossed over. America is taken over by Hydra in one issue of Secret Empire #0 Spencer skims over a ton of details to make the story fit the narrative he wants to tell. The whole thing would have worked better as a What If? story than anything else.
November 9, 2017
Having given up his role as Captain America, Sam Wilson has spent some time reconnecting with nature and rediscovering his sense of purpose. Sleeping beneath the stars, he wakes up one morning to realize that America has changed dramatically over night. His country is now in the firm grips of a fascistic mad-man, a former Captain America and his best friend once upon a time, Steve Rogers, Hydra Supreme.
The whole HydraCap storyline has overtly played out (in my opinion anyway) as an analogue to the 2016 election and the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency. So much of the dialogue and plot lines are ripped from the headlines, and often times feel so much like a more coherent and intelligible Trump speech. With the Red Skull, we got grandiose speeches of peace through strength and promises about Hydra's intent to make the world great again. As Hydra Supreme, Rogers speaks of grandiose visions of his country, telling us of a parallel America that only he is aware of, promising war and destruction to anybody that does kowtow to his rule, and, in between manipulating the economy, locking up journalists for broadcasting "fake news." (And yes, we learn that this version of Steve Rogers is very aware of Twitter.) With floating battle-carriers hovering over America's major cities, the world protected by an invisible wall to deter alien invaders, and Inhuman threats being rounded up for the concentration camps, Rogers promises to make America great again.
In this book's opening chapter, I could relate a heck of a lot to the disillusioned Sam Wilson and his discovery that, in the blink of an eye, America was no longer the country he thought he knew. The local diner is filled with blue collar workers openly embracing fascism because HydraCap's despotic rules means the opening of new factories to build weapons for war. They don't care about the mutant-hating, white supremacists in the White House as long as there's a job waiting for them, and they're more than willing to Hail Hydra for a steady paycheck. For the people losing their families in bombing campaigns against their fellow Americans, or being rounded up for the concentration camps, though -- those people need help. They need somebody willing to stand up and fight for the American ideals that are all but dead and buried. They need Captain America. Sam Wilson thought he'd had things figured out when he quit. Fate decides otherwise here, though.
The strongest parts of this collection are those issues dealing with Sam Wilson and his involvement with the underground resistance. The Steve Rogers issues are fine and all, but rely heavily on the Secret Empire story arc playing out in its own mini-series event, and suffer from severe crossoveritis. In between the conclusions of Captain America: Steve Rogers, Vol. 3: Empire Building and Captain America: Sam Wilson, Vol. 5: End of the Line, Marvel launched yet another event, Secret Empire, so there's a little bit of a time jump from the last pages of those prior volumes to the issues collected here. Throughout, readers will get plenty of warning on the opening recap page of each chapter to read a particular issue of a different book beforehand. I didn't do this, largely because I just didn't feel like navigating my way through multiple books and the emphasized issues of Secret Empire just yet. If you don't mind having some of that event series spoiled, it's not much of an issue. If Marvel really thought the tie-ins were that necessary, maybe they should have done a better job collecting the entirety of this Secret Empire stuff in the preferred reading and publishing order in a single book. But, hell, where's the money in that?
Storywise, there's plenty of good bits and pieces here. It's just all these crossovers...damn, man. It really dilutes the narrative and makes for some ungainly reading when the alternating chapters turn toward the Steve Rogers narrative. On the other hand, it does tease some neat glimmers of what to expect in Secret Empire, and raises more than a handful of questions about what's going on in those issues. I think I'm off to go find out now.
The whole HydraCap storyline has overtly played out (in my opinion anyway) as an analogue to the 2016 election and the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency. So much of the dialogue and plot lines are ripped from the headlines, and often times feel so much like a more coherent and intelligible Trump speech. With the Red Skull, we got grandiose speeches of peace through strength and promises about Hydra's intent to make the world great again. As Hydra Supreme, Rogers speaks of grandiose visions of his country, telling us of a parallel America that only he is aware of, promising war and destruction to anybody that does kowtow to his rule, and, in between manipulating the economy, locking up journalists for broadcasting "fake news." (And yes, we learn that this version of Steve Rogers is very aware of Twitter.) With floating battle-carriers hovering over America's major cities, the world protected by an invisible wall to deter alien invaders, and Inhuman threats being rounded up for the concentration camps, Rogers promises to make America great again.
In this book's opening chapter, I could relate a heck of a lot to the disillusioned Sam Wilson and his discovery that, in the blink of an eye, America was no longer the country he thought he knew. The local diner is filled with blue collar workers openly embracing fascism because HydraCap's despotic rules means the opening of new factories to build weapons for war. They don't care about the mutant-hating, white supremacists in the White House as long as there's a job waiting for them, and they're more than willing to Hail Hydra for a steady paycheck. For the people losing their families in bombing campaigns against their fellow Americans, or being rounded up for the concentration camps, though -- those people need help. They need somebody willing to stand up and fight for the American ideals that are all but dead and buried. They need Captain America. Sam Wilson thought he'd had things figured out when he quit. Fate decides otherwise here, though.
The strongest parts of this collection are those issues dealing with Sam Wilson and his involvement with the underground resistance. The Steve Rogers issues are fine and all, but rely heavily on the Secret Empire story arc playing out in its own mini-series event, and suffer from severe crossoveritis. In between the conclusions of Captain America: Steve Rogers, Vol. 3: Empire Building and Captain America: Sam Wilson, Vol. 5: End of the Line, Marvel launched yet another event, Secret Empire, so there's a little bit of a time jump from the last pages of those prior volumes to the issues collected here. Throughout, readers will get plenty of warning on the opening recap page of each chapter to read a particular issue of a different book beforehand. I didn't do this, largely because I just didn't feel like navigating my way through multiple books and the emphasized issues of Secret Empire just yet. If you don't mind having some of that event series spoiled, it's not much of an issue. If Marvel really thought the tie-ins were that necessary, maybe they should have done a better job collecting the entirety of this Secret Empire stuff in the preferred reading and publishing order in a single book. But, hell, where's the money in that?
Storywise, there's plenty of good bits and pieces here. It's just all these crossovers...damn, man. It really dilutes the narrative and makes for some ungainly reading when the alternating chapters turn toward the Steve Rogers narrative. On the other hand, it does tease some neat glimmers of what to expect in Secret Empire, and raises more than a handful of questions about what's going on in those issues. I think I'm off to go find out now.
December 26, 2017
2,5*
Both Cap titles end here and obviously tie with Secret Empire in a way that prevent to read them out of context.
The Steve Rogers part is the less interesting of the two. Very, very wordy, it installs Steve as a powerful political animal, first using the usual rethorics and half-truths to highlight his new regime before bullying his counterparts from other nations.
Not badly written but a bit boring honestly.
The Sam Wilson part is better. I always thought Spencer did a good job on him. He logically keeps a low profile after he quit being Cap but helps people getting out of the country. Asked to join the rebellion he refuses at first, disgusted as he is by the easiness with which most people came to accept Hydra.
Before going for one last round of course. No doubt: Sam Wilson is my Captain America.
The last issue goes a bit over his original scope which closes the series a bit weirdly. In fact both series conclude with no real end-this being in the main event-it's actually a bit destabilizing.
I repeat what I said above: Don't read this book if you decided to skip Secret Empire, it would be totally pointless.
Both Cap titles end here and obviously tie with Secret Empire in a way that prevent to read them out of context.
The Steve Rogers part is the less interesting of the two. Very, very wordy, it installs Steve as a powerful political animal, first using the usual rethorics and half-truths to highlight his new regime before bullying his counterparts from other nations.
Not badly written but a bit boring honestly.
The Sam Wilson part is better. I always thought Spencer did a good job on him. He logically keeps a low profile after he quit being Cap but helps people getting out of the country. Asked to join the rebellion he refuses at first, disgusted as he is by the easiness with which most people came to accept Hydra.
Before going for one last round of course. No doubt: Sam Wilson is my Captain America.
The last issue goes a bit over his original scope which closes the series a bit weirdly. In fact both series conclude with no real end-this being in the main event-it's actually a bit destabilizing.
I repeat what I said above: Don't read this book if you decided to skip Secret Empire, it would be totally pointless.
December 11, 2017
Collects Captain America: Steve Rogers issues #17-19 and Captain America: Sam Wilson issues #22-24
Overall, this collection is a waste of time. There were no stories in this collection that you need to read to fully understand "Secret Empire." In fact, most of the Sam Wilson stories in this book just fill in some blanks that can be inferred by reading "Secret Empire." The Steve Rogers' stories were a little more interesting, but still not necessary.
Overall, this collection is a waste of time. There were no stories in this collection that you need to read to fully understand "Secret Empire." In fact, most of the Sam Wilson stories in this book just fill in some blanks that can be inferred by reading "Secret Empire." The Steve Rogers' stories were a little more interesting, but still not necessary.
November 4, 2017
Blah.
The thing about superior Spider-man is that it showed a lot about what people thought of Spider-Man and what Dr. Octopus's/your standard villain's methods would look like for a hero. It also got into the characters' heads.
Here, what is a Steve Rogers who believes in Hydra. Really indistinguishable from any other villain. Any other underdeveloped villain.
And the Sam Wilson stuff? Seems pretty paint-by-the-numbers doubting hero.
Meh.
The thing about superior Spider-man is that it showed a lot about what people thought of Spider-Man and what Dr. Octopus's/your standard villain's methods would look like for a hero. It also got into the characters' heads.
Here, what is a Steve Rogers who believes in Hydra. Really indistinguishable from any other villain. Any other underdeveloped villain.
And the Sam Wilson stuff? Seems pretty paint-by-the-numbers doubting hero.
Meh.
July 15, 2018
Nick Spencer's frequently troubled Captain America series unfortunately go out on a low note due to a combination of bad and inconsequent writing.
These stories are all interstitials, set between issues of the actual Secret Empire comic. They're mostly about people talking, and entirely forgettable. In fact, that's the entirety of the Steve Rogers issues, with their only redeeming value being a few talks between Steve and Sharon. The Sam Wilson issues similarly have an issue talking with Misty and some kid about wearing the suit. However, they also had two really bad issues where Spencer was all like, "What if it was a literal underground railroad", and then Sam and friends literally fight the Mole Man's monsters.
Some have suggested that these issues should have been interwoven with the Secret Empire as part of a larger collection, but they're so unimportant that they would have just broken the flow.
These stories are all interstitials, set between issues of the actual Secret Empire comic. They're mostly about people talking, and entirely forgettable. In fact, that's the entirety of the Steve Rogers issues, with their only redeeming value being a few talks between Steve and Sharon. The Sam Wilson issues similarly have an issue talking with Misty and some kid about wearing the suit. However, they also had two really bad issues where Spencer was all like, "What if it was a literal underground railroad", and then Sam and friends literally fight the Mole Man's monsters.
Some have suggested that these issues should have been interwoven with the Secret Empire as part of a larger collection, but they're so unimportant that they would have just broken the flow.
August 9, 2017
And so we decided. We would strike back. We would face our unstoppable enemy, even if it was for the last time. We knew how long the odds were, all of us. That it was probably a lost cause. Imagine our surprise, then, to learn that we weren't alone. It was a simple thing, really. Something we'd always known how to do, but had somehow fogotten. We saw people being oppressed, hurt, and we stood with them against it. And as we did, we started to remember again everything else we'd forgotten.
What made us put our lives on the line for the good of others. What we stood for, even in the face of so much evil. Why we strived, how we struggled, how to be heroes.
What made us put our lives on the line for the good of others. What we stood for, even in the face of so much evil. Why we strived, how we struggled, how to be heroes.
November 26, 2017
I'm super P.O.ed with this volume. From trying to follow the reading-order I thought this was the storyline conclusion, but apparently, it continues on?! I didn't know a separate event book Secret Empire existed, so without holding that book open at the same time (and reading one issue at a time from each volume), this book read like a choppy mess.
The only reason it gets 3 stars from me is because Sam Wilson remains a fantastically written character and his issues makes the story for me. Sam is understandably hesitant to pick up the shield again, but I'm glad he does... He's #myCaptainAmerica. <3
Patriot was a great touch as well, & Misty Knight is as always the bomb.
Also, what was with the throwaway cuts to the international superheroes we never see? Was it important to see them fighting the good fight against America/Hydra Cap?
Anyway, Hydra Cap is a terrible fascist leader with Trumpian qualities...and the idea of me having to read more of this is maddening. I give up & I'm going to Google the rest.
The only reason it gets 3 stars from me is because Sam Wilson remains a fantastically written character and his issues makes the story for me. Sam is understandably hesitant to pick up the shield again, but I'm glad he does... He's #myCaptainAmerica. <3
Patriot was a great touch as well, & Misty Knight is as always the bomb.
Also, what was with the throwaway cuts to the international superheroes we never see? Was it important to see them fighting the good fight against America/Hydra Cap?
Anyway, Hydra Cap is a terrible fascist leader with Trumpian qualities...and the idea of me having to read more of this is maddening. I give up & I'm going to Google the rest.
September 20, 2018
This actually terrifies me. Yes, I know that this was compiled last year, so that everything in our political climate would come into play, but the idea that everything is so topsy turvy, and just how far this could go scares me. I really hate the idea that a hero is actually a villain.
July 28, 2019
*Leí la edición Mexicana "Historias de la rebelión" que contiene los números de Steve Rogers de este tomo, pero también los tie-ins One Shots de Uprising, United y Underground, además del epílogo de Civil War II, The Oath.
De la edición mexicana lo único que vale la pena leer son los números de Steve Rogers y el epílogo de Civil War, pero el epílogo también venía en el tercer tomo del Cap América, así que eso nos deja con los cuatro números del Capitán que aunque no son primordiales para disfrutar Secret Empire, si disfrutaste del Cap Hydra, y eres fan del personaje, estos números te van a gustar.
Lo primero que noté y me gustó es que en estos números queda muy claro que el Capitán América no cambió nada. No es que sea malvado o que su personalidad haya cambiado, sigue siendo el personaje recto, justo y fuerte con sus convicciones, pero sus convicciones ahora son fascistas.
Lo que nos lleva al segundo punto, es interesante como el fascismo abordado hace un gran guiño, muy notorio y no tan sutil, a los distintos gobiernos que estamos viendo en países desarrollados al rededor del globo. Aunque en el evento principal se aborda, creo que en este tomo, aún con los olvidables y aburridos one shots de Uprising, United y Underground, podemos ver de primera mano los tratos secretos realizados bajo el agua, las mentiras, la separación, darle el sentimiento de fortaleza a la gente a costa de grupos vulnerables, los campos de concentración, etc. Eso queda muy bien retratado en los números del Cap.
Y lo tercero que me gustó fue el número 17 del cap, incluido en este tomo, en donde tenemos una entrevista de Sally con el Cap. Me gustó que Sally comienza a decir que lo entrevistó anteriormente dos veces, durante la primera Civil War, y fue cuando recordé quién era Sally, era la protagonista del Tie in Frontline, uno de los que leí posterior al evento pero de los que más disfruté, donde vemos las verdaderas motivaciones detrás de la guerra, pero principalmente la vemos retratada desde el punto de vista del ciudadano normal, un poco como lo que vimos en Marvels de Kurt Busiek y Alex Ross. Este número es interesante y nos muestra un poco de lo que está hecho el Cap Hydra, además que Sally está muy bien escrita.
Los números también incluidos de los one shots son aburridos y no merecen la pena ni leerlos ni criticarlos, no los lean.
De la edición mexicana lo único que vale la pena leer son los números de Steve Rogers y el epílogo de Civil War, pero el epílogo también venía en el tercer tomo del Cap América, así que eso nos deja con los cuatro números del Capitán que aunque no son primordiales para disfrutar Secret Empire, si disfrutaste del Cap Hydra, y eres fan del personaje, estos números te van a gustar.
Lo primero que noté y me gustó es que en estos números queda muy claro que el Capitán América no cambió nada. No es que sea malvado o que su personalidad haya cambiado, sigue siendo el personaje recto, justo y fuerte con sus convicciones, pero sus convicciones ahora son fascistas.
Lo que nos lleva al segundo punto, es interesante como el fascismo abordado hace un gran guiño, muy notorio y no tan sutil, a los distintos gobiernos que estamos viendo en países desarrollados al rededor del globo. Aunque en el evento principal se aborda, creo que en este tomo, aún con los olvidables y aburridos one shots de Uprising, United y Underground, podemos ver de primera mano los tratos secretos realizados bajo el agua, las mentiras, la separación, darle el sentimiento de fortaleza a la gente a costa de grupos vulnerables, los campos de concentración, etc. Eso queda muy bien retratado en los números del Cap.
Y lo tercero que me gustó fue el número 17 del cap, incluido en este tomo, en donde tenemos una entrevista de Sally con el Cap. Me gustó que Sally comienza a decir que lo entrevistó anteriormente dos veces, durante la primera Civil War, y fue cuando recordé quién era Sally, era la protagonista del Tie in Frontline, uno de los que leí posterior al evento pero de los que más disfruté, donde vemos las verdaderas motivaciones detrás de la guerra, pero principalmente la vemos retratada desde el punto de vista del ciudadano normal, un poco como lo que vimos en Marvels de Kurt Busiek y Alex Ross. Este número es interesante y nos muestra un poco de lo que está hecho el Cap Hydra, además que Sally está muy bien escrita.
Los números también incluidos de los one shots son aburridos y no merecen la pena ni leerlos ni criticarlos, no los lean.
October 18, 2020
While I did not love Secret Empire, I liked this collection because it expanded the storyline in the main series. However, the better stories tended to be dialogue heavy.
A good example was Steve Rogers: Captain America #17, in which a reporter engages in a long and somewhat combative interview with Bad Cap. It was a TV interview, and the whole thing was mainly dialogue bubbles. An important plot point in this issue revolves around the fact that the destruction of Las Vegas (which harbored resistance elements) apparently is a state secret, or at least is a topic Steve doesn't want to talk about openly.
What's strange about this issue is that it seems that Hydra doesn't have full control of the media. While there is a dark edge to this that sets up a grim twist at the end, it's striking that the interviewer is so confrontational. What's also odd is that Steve spends a lot of time here, as he does in the main series, arguing forcefully that the Hydra takeover is everyone else's fault, that he's simply using the powers granted to him. There's never much discussion here or elsewhere in Secret Empire of how the USA got to this point, but I suppose it's like the real-world Patriot Act, but only worse. Maybe there's a moral there, something about the dangers of so easily signing away our freedoms out of fear, but it's not deeply explored, ultimately.
Another interesting issue (Sam Wilson: Captain America #24) also featured a lot of discussion, mainly between Misty Knight and Sam Wilson. Sam is on the fence about becoming Captain America again, and Misty is pivotal in changing his mind. This also added some much-needed depth to their relationship, especially as she has an intensely emotional reaction when Sam is wounded in the main story. Patriot also happened to hear all of their arguing, and he has his own influence on Sam. All of these interactions made Sam feel more well rounded and human, if also at the cost of seeing him punch some bad guys.
It's noteworthy that there are essentially 3 Caps going on at the same time, which is difficult for a new or casual Marvel fan to grasp. In any event, these scenes are well written, but what makes them great also makes them paradoxically forgettable, as they are side vignettes in the wider story. However, if you liked Secret Empire and want to know more about the setting, these stories will add to the experience and deepen your understanding of the main event.
A good example was Steve Rogers: Captain America #17, in which a reporter engages in a long and somewhat combative interview with Bad Cap. It was a TV interview, and the whole thing was mainly dialogue bubbles. An important plot point in this issue revolves around the fact that the destruction of Las Vegas (which harbored resistance elements) apparently is a state secret, or at least is a topic Steve doesn't want to talk about openly.
What's strange about this issue is that it seems that Hydra doesn't have full control of the media. While there is a dark edge to this that sets up a grim twist at the end, it's striking that the interviewer is so confrontational. What's also odd is that Steve spends a lot of time here, as he does in the main series, arguing forcefully that the Hydra takeover is everyone else's fault, that he's simply using the powers granted to him. There's never much discussion here or elsewhere in Secret Empire of how the USA got to this point, but I suppose it's like the real-world Patriot Act, but only worse. Maybe there's a moral there, something about the dangers of so easily signing away our freedoms out of fear, but it's not deeply explored, ultimately.
Another interesting issue (Sam Wilson: Captain America #24) also featured a lot of discussion, mainly between Misty Knight and Sam Wilson. Sam is on the fence about becoming Captain America again, and Misty is pivotal in changing his mind. This also added some much-needed depth to their relationship, especially as she has an intensely emotional reaction when Sam is wounded in the main story. Patriot also happened to hear all of their arguing, and he has his own influence on Sam. All of these interactions made Sam feel more well rounded and human, if also at the cost of seeing him punch some bad guys.
It's noteworthy that there are essentially 3 Caps going on at the same time, which is difficult for a new or casual Marvel fan to grasp. In any event, these scenes are well written, but what makes them great also makes them paradoxically forgettable, as they are side vignettes in the wider story. However, if you liked Secret Empire and want to know more about the setting, these stories will add to the experience and deepen your understanding of the main event.
February 3, 2018
I don't even know where to start. If anyone has been following my status with these books, it really has been a struggle but I kept pushing through it. Now, I actually didn't keep up with the whole "Secret Empire" Marvel event so maybe that is what I am missing. But no. At this point I think I need to take a break from this title.
I really think it is just a personal thing because the reality is that what is being expressed in these books is very scarily relevant to things that are actually being said and expressed in our current society. So to have these and additionally vile things come from Steve Rogers actually, physically turns my stomach. I, no joke, got sick to my stomach to the point where I am speed reading over it because I cannot stand it.
Why do I keep reading this title you might ask? Well it is because I was hoping/praying that I would see the resurrection of MY CAPTAIN AMERICA, MY STEVE ROGERS and it still hasn't happened. I do like seeing where Sam Wilson is going, but my heart breaks for him and how they have destroyed such a great friendship between these two. I am sick of Hydra Cap and am just over what they did to his character. Really that is all. In the end I think I am just going to have to wait until I see that the Steve Rogers we know and love comes back. At that point I will go back and finally see how he triumphed over this awful period. The reason why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is the fact that it caused a physical reaction in me. This proves, on some kind of level, that it is being written well enough to make my skin crawl.
I really think it is just a personal thing because the reality is that what is being expressed in these books is very scarily relevant to things that are actually being said and expressed in our current society. So to have these and additionally vile things come from Steve Rogers actually, physically turns my stomach. I, no joke, got sick to my stomach to the point where I am speed reading over it because I cannot stand it.
Why do I keep reading this title you might ask? Well it is because I was hoping/praying that I would see the resurrection of MY CAPTAIN AMERICA, MY STEVE ROGERS and it still hasn't happened. I do like seeing where Sam Wilson is going, but my heart breaks for him and how they have destroyed such a great friendship between these two. I am sick of Hydra Cap and am just over what they did to his character. Really that is all. In the end I think I am just going to have to wait until I see that the Steve Rogers we know and love comes back. At that point I will go back and finally see how he triumphed over this awful period. The reason why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is the fact that it caused a physical reaction in me. This proves, on some kind of level, that it is being written well enough to make my skin crawl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2020
Captain America: Secret Empire see Sam Wilson out aiding people to freedom as they try to escape Hydra and the takeover of the world that they are attempting! This provides us with great insight into how Sams activities after refusing to be Captain America! At the same time Steve Rogers grip on Hydra and the world is increasing all the time!
The plots neatly dovetail together with us seeing the former Captain America's and how there different approaches both mirror and reflect each other! Steve Rogers really fits into the role of ruler with ease and makes you see how different the non Hydra version runs the Avengers! On the flip side Sam Wilson is actually finding the role of Captain America!
This all mounts up to explosive plots where you can see the grip of a tyrant and how this in turn triggers uprisings and resistance which is a classic like you see in Star Wars, Babylon 5, Honor Harrington etc but done in a way that like those and others is equally new and brilliant! :D
The are really reflects the style of the script and neatly ties into Captain America: Secret Empire tones! This gives every a cinematic feel and neatly dovetails with the books script to produce plots that will keep you guessing from the start! Make sure you have the next book as plot points are dealt with while at the same time spawning new ones all the time! :D Brilliant from the beginning! Crisp High Five! Get it when you can!
The plots neatly dovetail together with us seeing the former Captain America's and how there different approaches both mirror and reflect each other! Steve Rogers really fits into the role of ruler with ease and makes you see how different the non Hydra version runs the Avengers! On the flip side Sam Wilson is actually finding the role of Captain America!
This all mounts up to explosive plots where you can see the grip of a tyrant and how this in turn triggers uprisings and resistance which is a classic like you see in Star Wars, Babylon 5, Honor Harrington etc but done in a way that like those and others is equally new and brilliant! :D
The are really reflects the style of the script and neatly ties into Captain America: Secret Empire tones! This gives every a cinematic feel and neatly dovetails with the books script to produce plots that will keep you guessing from the start! Make sure you have the next book as plot points are dealt with while at the same time spawning new ones all the time! :D Brilliant from the beginning! Crisp High Five! Get it when you can!
July 5, 2023
En el tomo de la Capitana Marvel se notaba que me estaba perdiendo algo relativo al Capitán América y resulta que es que así por la mitad ocurría otra macrosaga de estas de Marvel en la que el Capitán América, al parecer gracias a un Cubo cósmico que lo volvió de nuevo joven, ahora es miembro de Hydra.
Buen dibujo, una idea decente (aunque ya les vale con el cubo cósmico) y luego la habitual descomposición en sub tramas que te "incita" a seguir los crosovers (esto no se como traducirlo) o tie-ins (aiuda RAE) para volverse a juntar en la ciudad americana de vuestra elección (creo que Washington) y darse de tortas hasta que en el climax y cuando todo parece perdido todo quede igual menos algun pringo que cambia de uniforme y algún personaje que muere brevemente para que su manto lo recoja alguien más joven y, preferiblemente, menos anglosajon y luego puedan hacer lo de resucitar, coexistir y pelearse etc.. No pongo ni espoiler porque ya son tantos eventos que el mecanismo es conocido. Lo he leído aguusto pero hasta que no hagan algo menos foemulaico me niego a pasar de dos estrellas. Copio y pego la reseña en los otros tomos porque si ellos no se esfuerzan pues yo tampoco.
Buen dibujo, una idea decente (aunque ya les vale con el cubo cósmico) y luego la habitual descomposición en sub tramas que te "incita" a seguir los crosovers (esto no se como traducirlo) o tie-ins (aiuda RAE) para volverse a juntar en la ciudad americana de vuestra elección (creo que Washington) y darse de tortas hasta que en el climax y cuando todo parece perdido todo quede igual menos algun pringo que cambia de uniforme y algún personaje que muere brevemente para que su manto lo recoja alguien más joven y, preferiblemente, menos anglosajon y luego puedan hacer lo de resucitar, coexistir y pelearse etc.. No pongo ni espoiler porque ya son tantos eventos que el mecanismo es conocido. Lo he leído aguusto pero hasta que no hagan algo menos foemulaico me niego a pasar de dos estrellas. Copio y pego la reseña en los otros tomos porque si ellos no se esfuerzan pues yo tampoco.
June 11, 2024
"This is Mole Man's territory, Bobbi. Which means -- we pay the toll. AS YOU CAN SEE -- IT'S ALL THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED LAS TIME WE MET, YOUR DESIRES FROM THE SURFACE WORLD -- JEWELLRY, SPORTS MEMORABILIA -- AND BLU-RAY COLLECTIONS OF THE MOST RECENT SEASONS OF ALL YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS."
- Sam Wilson, former Captain America, now an ethical human trafficker.
Do you remember how most of the tie-ins to the first Civil War event were really good and actually helped to enrich the story? Total fluke. That $#!+ rarely happens with major company-wide events. It didn't happen in Civil War II, and it certainly didn't do so here. I mean, yeah, certain elements of the core series were expounded upon in this tie-in. But when the core series reeks to high heaven, what's the use in heaping more cow manure onto the pile? Now it's just a bigger pile of bull$#!+ that appeals only to a select few.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #'s 17 and 18 (the TV interview with Steve and Steve's speech to the U.N., respectively) were highlights to this rather dismal event. Otherwise, the author was just polishing a turd.
Still readable. Three stars.
- Sam Wilson, former Captain America, now an ethical human trafficker.
Do you remember how most of the tie-ins to the first Civil War event were really good and actually helped to enrich the story? Total fluke. That $#!+ rarely happens with major company-wide events. It didn't happen in Civil War II, and it certainly didn't do so here. I mean, yeah, certain elements of the core series were expounded upon in this tie-in. But when the core series reeks to high heaven, what's the use in heaping more cow manure onto the pile? Now it's just a bigger pile of bull$#!+ that appeals only to a select few.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #'s 17 and 18 (the TV interview with Steve and Steve's speech to the U.N., respectively) were highlights to this rather dismal event. Otherwise, the author was just polishing a turd.
Still readable. Three stars.
June 3, 2018
There’s some really fun side stories here, I’d say the Steve portion is much more necessary then the Sam portion though the Sam portion is still pretty entertaining.
My main annoyance with this volume is that you have to read Secret Empire first or read this concurrently with it.
Other than that which is more a criticism on the idea of large scale event comics in general this is solid.
Well written handled well, a bit wordy and doesn’t show as much as it tells. I’m adjusting to that with Spencer’s writing though. But when he does show it’s powerful. It works better in Secret Empire then it does here.
3 stars
My main annoyance with this volume is that you have to read Secret Empire first or read this concurrently with it.
Other than that which is more a criticism on the idea of large scale event comics in general this is solid.
Well written handled well, a bit wordy and doesn’t show as much as it tells. I’m adjusting to that with Spencer’s writing though. But when he does show it’s powerful. It works better in Secret Empire then it does here.
3 stars
January 10, 2022
These collections of tie-ins to big events are rarely good or feel necessary and that applies here. Its not bad but everything that matters is happening in another book. You don't get to look at more aspects of Hydra's takeover which is nice. Sam's decisions tend to last five minutes before he changes his mind and that's annoying. A this point, Misty should be Captain America. Say what you will about Secret Empire, but it did put Sam in the spotlight but not always for the right reasons. It would have been interesting if Sam was given the mantle on a more permanent basis and see how it played out. The art was very well done. Overall, nothing spectacular but nothing horrible.
May 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this combined series volume however it really needs to be read in concert with the Secret Empire series by Nick Spencer. On Steve Rogers side it shows us a series of stories that include connections to the cosmic cube fragments as well as show us events in which he reluctantly feels like he has to use capital punishment to people he really wishes he could bring over to his cause. On the other side, we see how a Sam Wilson that has cast away the mantle of Captain America comes into the fold of the resistance and how it tries to make him into the leader that is needed.
January 30, 2018
If you read Secret Empire already, this is just a little more into the behind-the-scenes stories of both Steve and Sam. The only really amazing story contained in this Volume is when Hydra-Cap confronts the United Nations with a "not giving you an option or asking your opinion, I'm telling you what's going to happen" speech. Really strong and very like a dictator. Other than that, not much here. Read Secret Empire... this one is for completionists only.
December 24, 2018
A bunch of in between stories from Secret Empire that were... okay. I read this in between reading the Secret Empire trade because Cap #25 suddenly came up in there. There’s nothing in here that’s really necessary to understand the main story, but there are some neat character moments, and this awesome thing about a New York subway line magically transported to Montana thanks to some homeless magicians. I mean, superhero comics can be pretty awesome sometimes.
March 17, 2021
I read this after I had already finished Secret Empire, and this did help to fill in some of the gaps but Secret Empire wasn't that hard to follow without it. All I read before Secret Empire was all the Captain America: Sam Wilson and Captain America: Steve Rogers stuff and then Secret Empire itself, and I didn't find it too hard to keep up with Secret Empire. This just gave a little bit more context to everything and made me go "Ohhhhhh so that's why they did that" a few times.
December 29, 2022
So this isn’t exactly the book I read, but it is the closest I could find other than individual issues on Goodreads. I finished the Captain America: Sam Wilson series by reading issues #22-25. Now I definitely think this was not how I was supposed to read this section of the Secret Empire, but I honestly just wanted to finish the series. Overall I really enjoyed it and these last few issues were really good. I’m going to look into reading more about the Secret Empire.
June 29, 2018
Fairly decent issue-by-issue work ruined as a collection by its total incoherence without a full copy of Secret Empire to fill you in on all the important stuff happening elsewhere before and after the quiet moments included here. I'm sure reading it context would have helped a lot...I suppose with the title I should have known better.
April 20, 2021
2.5 Stars- I read this for the conclusion of Sam’s journey as Captain America. The books that fill this collection are kind of in betweeners to the Secret Empire event. There are some great moments here but Sam’s biggest moments come in Secret Empire. It’s a solid read that helps fill in some gaps as Sam’s time as Cap comes to an end
December 1, 2017
Read before Secret Empire volume.
Side stories about the Cap's in the shadow of Secret Empire.
I preferred the Rogers to the Wilson...though the Wilson stories tied better into Spencer's ongoing Wilson story.
Side stories about the Cap's in the shadow of Secret Empire.
I preferred the Rogers to the Wilson...though the Wilson stories tied better into Spencer's ongoing Wilson story.
January 12, 2018
Meh. Some OK-to-good moments here and there, but mostly feels like an abuse of Captain America ... just because. I get it. MacGuffin ... yada-yada. But I'd just as soon like to pretend this storyline doesn't exist.
April 21, 2021
Besides being bothered by the whole Secret Empire storyline, this volume of collected issues of both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson did fill in some areas of the story. I probably need to go back and re-read the Secret Empire main story just to get where are all of these fit in.
December 31, 2017
Good but not enough of the story here as a companion to Secret Empire.
April 19, 2018
Does a good job of getting the two main ideas of this book across: Steve-Cap is a facist jerk, and Sam-Cap is sad.
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