Can there be any redemption for Captain America as the Secret Empire starts to crumble?

It’s been a while since I reviewed Marvel‘s Secret Empire and to catch up, my general thought is the entire event thinks it’s smart but is paper thin and equally deep. With Secret Empire #10 the main event wraps up here with an Omega issue left to come out and the question is out there, how will it all get resolved?

As I predicted so long ago, Kobik has “returned” Steve in a way and he must battle himself, a concept that I completely predicted and shows the lack of imagination that writer Nick Spencer has displayed throughout this event. Of course Hydra Steve is defeated and the heroes are returned in a way (some will remain dead) that’s a “no shit Sherlock” ending we all knew was coming. But the bigger question is what’s addressed as far as ramifications in this “final” issue… and the answer is very little.

Spencer leaves us with “hope” and the heroes winning though millions are dead, the government is still full of individuals that sided with genocidal fascists, and neighbors we saw as racists suddenly are friendly again. In just a few pages it’s as if everything magically returns to normal like the nine previous issues and over a year of story never happened. I’m hoping some of these issues will be addressed in what’s to come from other writers but Spencer does himself no favors in this conclusion. The answer to racism and murder is… magically making it go away and no repercussions? Neighbors who had no problems sending you to a concentration camp suddenly being your best friends? Millions dead and no trial?

There’s only so much you can do in one issue but the fact none of this is addressed and the event ends on such a “knowing is half the battle” note that any impact is muted and anything interesting that could have been said is missed. As usual with Spencer’s writing I find the execution lacking compared to the concept and a writer who thinks he’s smarter than he really is when it comes to commentary. Like a Michael Bay film, it’s sound and fury signifying nothing. And like a Michael Bay film the comic has numerous call backs such as to the iconic scene of Iron Man fighting Captain America in Civil War. Even in the titanic battle for the fate of the world Spencer gives us no originality or thought.

Artist Steve McNiven does what he can with it all delivering all of the action. Here though some of that stumbles as well with inconsistent character design. While McNiven focuses on a returned Captain America and he looks great other detail is dropped. Not the usual quality I’d expect from his art.

Spencer’s entire event can be summed up by one scene in this issue were an Inhuman who after having been held in a concentration camp and when presented with a form that lets the United States government off the hook decides to sign it instead of a lawyer look at it. It’s as if to ask the readers to move on and forget this ever happened… I wish I could…. I wish I could…

Story: Nick Spencer Art: Steve McNiven Cover Art: Mark Brooks
Story: 3.0 Art: 7.25 Overall: 4.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review