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Warning : Contains SPOILERS forSecret Empire#9 .
The remnant is coming for Captain America’sSecret Empireand , in its wake , nothing will be the same . Over the past few months , author Nick Spencer has taken the once dear hero and flipped him into one of Marvel ’s most magnetic villains , thanks to theRed Skull reprogramming historywith a Cosmic Cube . get his allies and enemies by surprisal , Steve Rogers overran the United States and circulate the cancerous terrorist organization , Hydra , around the world .
As dim as thing look , Marvel ’s heroes mounted a multi - pronged resistor , countermine Rogers ' regime and quest across the existence to restore order . By the dawn ofSecret Empire#9 , the tide of war have shifted . Captain Marvel and her sinewy ring break through the energy field trap them beyond Earth ’s bound , and Maria Hill " dismantled " the Darkhold attribute that was cover Manhattan . Just when victory seemed within their grasp , HydraCap rend one last wag from his arm – and it ’s one hell of an Allied Command Europe in the hole .
Can Earth ’s Mightiest Heroes stand firm a cosmically endowed Captain America ?
The Resistance Strikes a Major Blow
Steve Rogers ’ coup d’etat moved with such rapid f number that it leave behind everyone bewildered . The previous eight chapter deal out with Hawkeye , Black Widow , Sam Wilson , as well as the Champions and U.S. Avengers efforts to counteract Hydra ’s fleet sovereignty , officially break on the offensive inSecret Empire#8 . whip on his Captain America gear , Sam led the charge with hope in his spirit and a Cosmic Cube sherd socked away in his suit . His initial charge failed , but just a bantam bit of the wish - granting changed the flavor of the battle . As Carl Rogers ’ defenses fell , the heroes finally got their first taste of victory in a foresightful time .
But their winner is tinged with forged news . Helmut Zemo captures King T’Challa , securing the third to last Cosmic Cube fragment . Not long after , Emma Frost ’s commission from New Tian yield its slice as well , although not mutant sovereignty . Before Cap has metre to revel in his victory , though , Magneto makes good on Emma ’s menace ( “ no mutant will kneel before Hydra ” ) , shredding their flagship . Meanwhile , Bucky Barnes mistake into Hydra bidding and frees Black Panther in his efforts to take down Cap from the inside .
ground ’s Italian sandwich assemble in Washington D.C. , rallying behind Sam Wilson and Captain Marvel . course up with his concessions of conscience , the Odinson switch sides with a defiant crackleware , and his apostasy ordinate more heavyweights with the anti - fascistic force . Mercenaries Black Ant and Taskmaster to reevaluate their life history way and unloose captive legacy heroes like Miles Morales ’ Spider - Man , Amadeus Cho ’s Hulk , and Ironheart among others . In addition , two of the Hydra - hijacked Avengers , Scarlet Witch and The Vision , are neutralise during the attack , and Sharon Carter breaks Dr. Faustus ’ programming ( and his face ) , crippling Hydra ’s remaining warships .
Before the resistance can sweep the terrorist organization from the U.S. , HydraCap unleashes his diabolical last - ditch effort .
Steve Rogers: Hydra God?
In the last event , “ Vanishing Point ” Steve Rogers discovered Kobik , the little girl embodiment of the Cosmic Cube , sob on a rock candy . Now , he realize that , rather than an replication of world or a metaphysical sense of right and wrong - wrestling match , the gauzy kingdom is the Cube ’s own memory of Steve from before Red Skull ’s meddling . While reacquainting him with the past , Kobik also reveals the extent of HydraCap ’s slaughter . Steve begs her to restore him so he can set things right again . But the ultra - herculean child run aside , squall “ I ca n’t . He ’s too scary . It ’s too late . ” Perhaps she ’s look up to the muscular computer storage leftover of Red Skull , but she ’s probably referring to Rogers ' newly super - charged scoundrel theatrical role .
Dr. Armin Zola plainly recovered one of Tony Stark ’s super suit during Hydra ’s conquests . He modifies the chest - piece , which is unremarkably power by Tony ’s arc reactor , replacing it with the mostly reassembled Cosmic Cube – endowing the Supreme Leader with godlike power . As the accumulate superheroes enjoy a rare moment of satisfaction , Black Panther charge up onto the battleground with one simple-minded warning subject matter : “ run . ” minute later , the amply panoplied and nigh - invincible - looking Rogers blow up onto the prospect .
AsSecret Empirereaches its climax , Captain America has become a near - god and the epitome of his neo - fascist ideals . The Cosmic Cube is one of themost potent objectsin the Marvel Universe – on par with Thanos ’ fully gemmed Infinity Gauntlet . The concluding way out teases Marvel ’s Heron lie in agglomerate around Cap , so affair may only get bad before they get full . With incredible powers at his behest , Earth ’s defenders can only hope that his godhood is cut off due to an uncomplete Cosmic Cube . Sam Wilson still retains the last fragment , though , which could aid the heroes in their battle . In the long run , redemption may repose in the business leader of Vanishing peak Steve and Kobik .
Even as his man come along to break up around him , Steve might yet convince Kobik to put things right , or at least give him a fortune to reason with his Hydra - fied self . After all the clever plotting , poignant political fable , and team rebuilding , Secret Empirecould come down to Steve ’s metaphoric battle versus himself – much like the war engage by all human being – whether to cavity ultimate ordering versus free will and its constitutional possibilities for chaos . If Steve can get the best his alternative self and re - retool history , he ’ll return the Marvel Universe to its right United States Department of State .
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With so many questions to answer and heroes to traverse , it ’s golden Marvel gave Spencer another issue to exercise things out . Even still , the next-to-last issue is overcrowded with story beats and feel a picayune rushed . But with the circumstances of the Marvel Universe in the residue and agenerational diffused rebootunderway , hopefully , the close will shut one of Marvel ’s most challenging recent events in an exciting and gratifying manner .
Next:Marvel’s Punisher Gets His Own Iron Man Armor
Secret Empire#9is currently useable .
