This is a brilliant second issue to an engaging event. Nick Spencer is a fantastic writer and the art by Andrea and Rod is superb. This is a series to read. Read Full Review

A strong second issue that serves as more of an intro as to what's to come for our heroes than either of the previous issues. Read Full Review

Secret Empire has a few presentation issues in the switch from one artist to the next, but otherwise this is one event that looks to deliver on the hype. This issue manages to both convey the full scope of Hydra's takeover while keeping the focus intimate and relatable. Things are looking bleak for the Avengers, but there's also a ray of light on the horizon as the race against time begins. Read Full Review

After the blunder known as Civil War II, which served as glorified advertisement for Secret Empire, Marvel has learned from their mistake. Secret Empire has potential to be one of the best crossover events in memory, at least up to its 3rd issue. Read Full Review

Secret Empire #2 is a powerful issue, featuring a shocking twist at the end. If this is handled well, we could be talking about Marvel's best event in years. Read Full Review

Not every issue of Secret Empire will be as epic as #0 and #1 and that’s okay. Secret Empire #2 slows the war down to focus on the dividing lines in the resistance and to start paving the way for Steve’s return. What Nick Spencer brilliantly does is make you question whether Steve will actually survive long enough to turn back into his true self. That sort of unpredictability in Secret Empire is why it has overcome the boring event trend. The stakes are high, the characters are compelling, and I truly have no clue what is going to happen in issue #3. Read Full Review

The knee-jerk reaction from some to instantly despise Secret Empire is proving to be increasingly unfounded and short-sighted with each issue. This is a class act all around, a genuine must-read series. Comic books don't get much better than this. Read Full Review

"Secret Empire" #2 is filled with creativity and passion, getting readers ready of the next steps of the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

Spencer ends the issue with a “shocking surprise” and again foreshadows how it'll all likely end, which since the narrative is being told in past tense, will end with resistance victory. This is an improvement as it actually gives us characters to cheer for in a way and some folks we should care about as a whole. The issue and event still comes off as poorly thought out and perspectives are too simplified missing the complexity of real life politics. A step in the right direction, but one that's far too late. Read Full Review

Secret Empire #2 was a massive improvement over issue #0 and #1. There are still several major problems with the story that Nick Spencer needs to address in future issues. That said Spencer did an effective job continuing to make Captain America and Hydra look like an unstoppable force our heroes can't overcome. The ending along with how the underground heroes have chosen to deal with the problem at hand create intriguing scenarios for future issues. Read Full Review

That being said, the Cube and this Steve may still play a role in overthrowing the Empire and not fixing the evil Steve Rogers problem itself. Read Full Review

I still believe this series can right itself - but it's going to have to deliver a pretty amazing plot twist to manage it. So far, I'm not seeing it - and that voice of optimism in the back of my mind is fading fast. Read Full Review

It’s true, sometimes you do find hope in the strangest places, and we’re still very early on in this event. That final splash is might be the best hope we can hope for, but even with this markedly improved sophomore installment, Secret Empire still has a ways to go before it will feel like it has truly turned the corner. Read Full Review

Overall I'mjust not in love and committed to repeatedly paying $4.99 repeatedly multipletimes per month for another overly long event comic book series from Marvelcomics again. Unless it was Nick Spencer knocking my socks off of course whichSecret Empire so far is still far from doing.    If you're a fan of Sorrentino's art style,that is where most of your enjoyment will be found in this issue. Read Full Review

What I liked most about Secret Empire #2 is that it gives us various perspectives " even if they don't all hold their weight in water. Read Full Review

Secret Empire gets weirder, but that doesn't exactly mean better in its second installment. Read Full Review

Secret Empire #2 is a lackluster read. This issue offers up a thin read with little substance or actual plot progression. Keep in mind that Marvel is charging $5.00 for the price of admission with Secret Empire #2. That is a massive cover charge for a show that offers very little in return. Secret Empire #2 offers up little bang for the buck. For $5.00 I require far more content and plot progression than what Spencer dishes out with this issue. There is just no way I could recommend any reader spending their hard-earned money for Secret Empire #2. Read Full Review

This event seems to be going nowhere fast and the inclusion of all the shock twists in the world ain't gonna save it. After three issues (including the zero issue or three and a half if you include the free comic day issue) this should be further along. Here's hoping that Nick Spencer can somehow pull all this together and live up to the highly contentious concept he first introduced. Read Full Review

Well that was a twist! Sorrentino should stay and draw the other issues. His work coupled with Reis's help is absolutely breathtaking, that Kobik page is just gorgeous. I love to seeing Black Widow stand up to the other big dogs in the group and the page on her is just bad ass-ness. This twist just is keeping me going and I am hungering for more Secret Empire.

Nick Spencer is a genuis

This issue is kinda a set-up for Tie-Ins, but very well done.

I look forward to Secret Empire's next issues as soon as I am done reading. I have loved this story all the back to Cap: SR #1. The art is exactly what I like and the story in this book is all about the heroes deciding what to do at their lowest point. With 7 more issues I think there is plenty of time to touch on more plot points. I enjoy the slow burn of these comics. It really keeps me wanting more and that ending...... I thought the raising of Thor's hammer was a bombshell. Where will this be heading? Not sure, but I want to know.

Conceptual writing at its finest. Cap 2.0??? Who is this guy??

Spencer is a great story teller. The fine shift between despair and hope with the resistance interactions is cool to follow and makes me want to see what they do. That final page just opened a whole can of something else. Sorrentino and Rod Reis give us a nice looking book too.

A lot of building and a massive cliff hanger. Also Sortentino's art is great, too bad he does t draw the whole series.

+ Like • Comments (1)

• Likes (4)

• EDiakota
• supercoolyeah
• Kalaoui
• BloodyNinja

supercoolyeah - May 17, 2017

Agree the artwork is gorgeous. Especially that page explaining Kobic absolutely stunning.

Sign in to comment

SCORE: 8.7

I don't know why people won't give this a chance. I think it's been great.

Digging it so far. This issue is still very much in the building stage.

don't get the hate the art is not the best but story continues to be griping and shocking reveal at end.

A shocking ending contributes largely to my grade here, as it makes the issue come full circle, and offers so much intrigue in what is yet to come. A little less grand in scope than the first two, this shows dividing lines between the characters. Sorrentino's artwork is a bit better suited to something more insular like "Old Man Logan," but make no mistake, this issue still looks fuckin' great. I did, on occasion, find the characters looked a bit too similar. I wanted to like the first two issues, and was frustrated to find I didn't, really, but I'm happy to say this series is trending upwards.

The resistance splits up, things are terrible in New York, and we're introduced to a mysterious, still-good Steve Rogers waiting in the wings. It's a wide-ranging meditation on the idea of "hope" tied to a healthy chunk of plot progression, which is darned welcome in an event as complex as this. The surprise backup Steve raises a lot of fascinating questions. While I recognize that Andrea Sorrentino is capable of great layout and blocking work - it's capably demonstrated on several pages in this issue - I am severely underwhelmed by his capabilities in rendering characters. His men are ridiculously interchangeable. His women (particularly Natasha) are dressed in disappointing bodypaint costumes. Rod Reis, the artist for the Good Steve coda, does a much better job.
more

Pretty cool, Sorrentino proves yet again why he's one of the best in the business. Story wise, I was happy to see more plots starting to develop. This is a little bit of a slow burn, but because it's Nick Spencer, I'm sure it will pay off in the end. Great last page as well, Spencer is doing a great job at making me want to read on.

Still very much in "building the tension" territory. Some nice moments and creating a good sense of the enormity of the struggle.

A very sudden turn to a bleak dark world. I like what was done I love the hopeless vibe the artwork and pacing compliment the vibe well. What I didn't care for was the ending. I like the re written Cap...feels like nothing can be permanent. And the black widow welcome to the red room felt cheesy only because the younglings are already unwilling to kill and she then cuts herself. There was no one moment that stuck out for me but still interested all the way through. Guess we'll see where this goes before I complain too much.

Plodding, tedious, self important, solemn.
Badly structured, dragging out a story that shouldn't have dragged so long.
Absolutely awful.