***WARNING THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #25 and SECRET EMPIRE #8***

You have been Warned

This week’s Secret Empire installments started to bring the many plot points together, with some really interesting reveals.

In this post is also the first of the ongoing title tie-ins:

Secret Empire Tie-ins (ongoing series)

Captain America: Steve Rogers #17-19

Captain America: Sam Wilson #22-24

Captain America Vol 8 #25 (This Post)

Secret Warriors Vol 2 #1-5 (This Post)

Avengers Vol 7 #9 – 10

Champions Vol 2 #10 – 11

Occupy Avengers #8 – 9

Deadpool Vol 4 #31 – 35

X-Men: Blue #7 – 9

Uncanny Avengers Vol 3 #24 – 25

Doctor Strange Vol 4 #21 – 24

X-Men: Gold Vol 2 #7 – 8

Amazing Spider-Man Vol 4 #29 – 31

Ultimates 2 Vol 2 #7

Mighty Captain Marvel #5 – 8

All-New Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1

U.S.Avengers #6 – 9

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Before I get into the two comics that were part of the main storyline, I wanted to take a little bit of space and talk about the Secret Warriors title which was a tie-in to some of the events that take place in Captain America: Sam Wilson #25.

Secret Warriors #1 – 5

Who are the Warriors?

Recent History of the Inhumans The events of the Inhumans vs X-Men conflict, which took place because the Terrigan Mist that gives the Inhumans their abilities was killing off mutants, is the reason why the Royal Family of Inhumans are not around. To end the conflict with the X-Men, Medusa destroyed the last Terrigan Mist cloud. The Royal Inhuman Family decided to take off for the stars to find a way to save their people now that the Mist no longer existed Before they left Medusa turned the rule of the Inhumans over to the people, led by Iso. Then came the Hydra take over…

The Warriors are a group of Inhumans who are fighting against the Hydra Empire, who has placed Inhumans in housing camps since they are unpredictable and pose a threat to the order that Hydra is trying to establish.

How does it tie-in to the overall Secret Empire storyline and when does it take place?

The story alternates between the events shortly after the Hydra takeover and the present.

The begins with Daisy “Quake” Johnson, who is an Inhuman S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. She is not affected by the same brainwashing that has turned the majority of S.H.I.E.L.D. into loyal Hydra followers. Before the takeover occurs Quake is one of the agents who believe that Steve Roger’s actions as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director is on the up and up, only to have those suspicions confirmed after Captain America reveals his true allegiances.

In the present, Quake, along with Marvel Girl (Kamala Khan) and Moon Girl (Lunella LaFayette) and Devil Dinosaur, are attempting to break into a Hydra prison to rescue Karnak, who did not go into space with the rest of the Royal Family. In the first attempt to find him they rescue the Inhuman Inferno, think the poor man’s Human Torch, who is less heroic.

After they find Karnac, who is not all that interested in fighting Hydra…

After learning that Moon Girl is part of Quake’s crew, Karnac says that he is interested and will join them, but the Inhuman they need is being held by the X-Men in New Tian.

What ensues is a romp across Hydra’s America to see the one group of mutants that hate them more than Hydra and back to New Attilan in New Jersey.

Along the way, there are flashbacks to where each of the Inhumans found themselves just after the Hydra takeover showing how each member, dealt with those events, and where they find themselves currently.

Not only do they have to deal with the X-Men, but they run into the Hydra Avengers team lead by Mister Hyde, from the Hydra High Council and Quake’s father, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Howling Commandos, and but they have to survive being around each other.

Once they find the Inhuman named Leer, who turns out to be Karnac’s son who he gave to Dark Beast to find a way to activate his Inhuman power, the group returns to New Attlitan which now a prison camp with the intentions of freeing them.

When they arrive, they find that the Inhumans there have already started a revolt which The Warriors help. When it looks like the Warriors are outnumbered, the Underground Avengers show which coincides with what takes place in Captain America: Sam Wilson #25 (see below).

Is it necessary to read to understand the read Secret Warrors to understand what is happening in the larger story?

If you are a fan of the Inhumans then this is definite reading.

Unlike the main series or the one-shots the humor aspect of the story and the character interactions is great. Especially enjoy the scenes with Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (she even takes down Deadpool).

The story also explains why Ms. Marvel is not with The Champions and why they go looking for her in The Champions #9 tie-in and how Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur were not trapped in the Darkforce Bubble.

Just an observation, but given Ms. Marvel’s reluctance to Quake’s interrogation methods, I think if she were with the rest of The Champions, they would have been less likely to join Black Widow’s Red Room.

Definitely a fun read and interested to see where the story goes in the Secret Empire: Aftermath and beyond.

Captain America: Sam Wilson

Last time in Captain America: Sam Wilson #24

Issue Synopsis:

Painted Desert, Nevada

A.I. Tony, who somehow survived the destruction of The Mount, sits in a tent with a birthday cake trying to blow out the candle.

Washington D.C.

Supreme Hydra Leader Steve Rogers is addressing the world, announcing that Hydra is going to war against the mutant territory of New Tian and the Kingdom of Wakanda, saying the heads of both nations have met Hydra’s demands with aggression and defiance.

He concludes by saying the “leaders” can still save themselves by falling in line with Hydra or they will be eliminated.

New Tian

The Hydra Dreadnaughts and foot soldiers are the general populace, as Kraken, Viper, Gorgon, and Hive enter the Xorn’s throne room, saying they have come for the leader of the mutants.

Beast says that Xorn is well protected, to which Gorgon replies that they are there for the “real ruler of New Tian” not the “puppet.”

Emma Frost reveals herself and says that she and her delegation will travel to Washington to surrender her piece of the Cosmic Cube she stole from Shang Chi (Secret Empire #5), but they will be not negotiating a surrender, merely a cease fire, as no mutant will kneel.

Wakanda

Hydra continues their attack on Black Panther and his people led by Faustus and Baron Zemo.

Faustus has used his powers to mind control most of the Wakandians forcing Black Panther to surrender

Washington D.C.

Hydra-Cap watches as his war ended soon after it began.

Meanwhile in Painted Desert of Arizona (read using best Superfriends narrator voice)

Sam Wilson, once again in his Captain America garb, addresses the members of the Underground.

He apologizes for walking away, saying the fact that everyone looked to Steve Rogers when things got tough is what got them in this situation.

He said that Rogers was right that they, the heroes got to caught up in fighting each other and fighting for big ideals that they lost touch with the people they promised to protect.

He says that they may have fought the big fights like Galactus or the Skrulls but they need to remember who they are really fighting against is Hydra, who killed their friends, locked up people, and aren’t afraid to destroy entire cities like Las Vegas.

–

They decide it is time to take the fight to Hydra and launch an attack on the Inhuman prison camp.

They arrive only to find they aren’t the only ones striking back at Hydra. For more on the attack on the Inhuman prison check out recap of Secret Empire #8 and Secret Warriors #1 – #5 (below).

—

After the Inhumans have been freed and the Hydra forces were beaten, it is revealed that the Inhumans who where held captive were the ones who started the revolt which was later joined by the Avengers and Secret Warriors.

As it turns out, the Inhuman nicknamed Barf, although he prefers to be called Brian ( the Inhuman from Secret Empire #1 whose brother wanted the Captain America lunch box)

This gives A.I. Tony and Sam an idea and they proceed to show Brian a piece of the Cosmic Cube..

Painted Desert, Arizona 24 hours later:

Back to the opening scene of the issue of A.I. Tony with his cake

A.I. Tony calls Giant Man, Sam, and Mockingbird in to celebrate his birthday and to explain what he has discovered about the Cosmic Cube pieces.

He does mention that there are some limitations to what the shard can do…

Atlantis

Namor, who turned his Cosmic Cube piece over to Steve is dealing with the fact that now his subjects treat him with disdain as they revolt and call him a coward.

His personal bodyguard, tells Namor that he knew appeasing Steve would not work

Namor tells him he can take off his disguise since they are alone.

Revealing:

Who was Namor’s bodyguard when the Cosmic Cube piece was handed over to Steve. (That wacky Namor! Pulling a fast one on ole Hydra-Steve)

Where do the events of the story take place in the overall timeline of Secret Empire:

The events of Captain America: Sam Wilson #25 takes place right after the last issue #24 and is the lead into the events of Secret Empire #8.

Is it necessary to read to understand the read the Tie-In to understand what is happening in the larger story?

Definitely… Marvel editorial should have included the note to read this issue first before Secret Empire #8 in the solicit. I was reading Secret Empire #8 first until I saw in that issue (7 or so pages in) to read this book first.

Rookie mistake Marvel!

—

Secret Empire #8

Limbo

Steve Rogers sinks after charging off the cliff with Red Skull. Just as he drowns he sees a light on the surface which gives him the strength to break his bonds and surface.

Painted Desert, Nevada

Giant-Man and Shaun (the new Patriot), are putting the final touches on the Time Capsule which contains a message from Sam Wilson

The plan works and the heroes outside of the defense shield and in the Darkforce Dome receive the message.

Sam talks about how they have tried to collect the fragments of the Cosmic Cube before Hydra could with little success.

He tells how they helped free some Inhumans and were able to obtain the last fragment of the Cube (see Captain America: Sam Wilson #25 above) and the plan to use the fragments power to free the heroes that were exiled by Hydra.

He says that with their help and if things line up exactly and that he needs them to be ready to do their part to help make this possible.

The plan is for Sam to fly directly between the Darkforce Bubble and the defense shield and activate the Cube fragment.

Alpha Flight Station – Outside the Earth Defense Shield

Carol Danvers tells everybody to be ready to throw everything they have at the Shield.

Star-Lord and Rocket Racoon, who have returned from their unsuccessful mission of asking other in the Universe to help them.

As always Rocket has something that will make a nice big Ka-Boom.

But they will need to use the Station as the delivery system.

Darkforce Bubble – Manhattan, NY

The Defenders are a little less optimistic about Cap’s plan.

Doctor Strange arrives saying that he might have a spell that can work, saying it came at a personal cost…the Sanctum Sanctorum

(I can only assume this plot line will be expanded on as the Doctor Strange title tie-in wraps up later this month).

—

Above the Darkforce Bubble / Manhattan, NY

Sam Wilson is on his way to use the Cosmic Cube fragment as he is pursued by Hydra fighter jets.

As he reaches the altitude he needs to be to use the fragment, he is shot and plummets into the ocean

Darkforce Bubble – Manhattan, NY

Doctor Strange prepare his spell using Cloak and Dagger as he conduits, as the rest of the Defenders look on.

Outside the Earth Defense Shield

The Space station rigged with the bombs is launched into the Defense Shield

—

Both the attempts on the Defense Shield and Darkforce Bubble fail as Sam continues to sink underwater.

—

Outside the Earth Defense Shield

Rocket’s bomb having failed and now without a Space Station, Carol tells America that it is time to evacuate to one of those dimensions she had been getting the supplies from.

Before she can complete the order, Quasar appears and has awakens from her coma, wanting another shot at the Defense Shield.

—

In the water, the fragment of the Cosmic Cube Sam is holding activates, and Sam rises out of the ocean.

—

Outside the Earth Defense Shield

Quasar is pouring all her power into the shield. Spectrum mentions that when they were testing the shield, Quasar was only able to get to 51% and just woke up from a coma. Carol says that while that is true, now Quasar is rested.

As the Defense Shield goes down Carol flies off to locate the Chitauri queen eggs Hydra-Cap has hidden on Earth and destroys them.

—

Iron Man and Hawkeye break into Crossbones and Sin’s Super Prison to free their friends.

At the same time Maria Hill is also in the prison on a mission using some intel she was given by Deadpool, who was working for Hydra(over in his own title tie-ins) before realizing he was on the wrong side.

Hill locates Blackout who Hydra used to create the Darkforce dome. Hill excercises extreme prejudice, bringing back the morning to Manhattan.

—

The Cosmic heroes and the Defenders meet up with the Sam and his team. Iron Man mentions they are going to need all the help they can get since they still only have the one fragment and Steve has the ones from New Tian and Wakanda..

Namor appears saying he can help. Of course the others think that he bowed to Hydra-Cap when he handed his fragment over.

Namor, being Namor, replies:

also revealing…

Limbo

Steve Rogers is traveling through the forest again, when he sees the glowing woman again who believes to be Sharon, but turns out to be…

—

It should be very interesting to see where the Secret Empire story goes next and when we will learn about the Steve Rogers in “Limbo” and how it plays into the rest of the story.

Until Next Time….