Secret Empire has been a respectable event to so far. Spencer has impressed with his knowledge and subtle references to the past events as well as his characterization and world-building. Still, as mentioned above, this issue feels like a filler but has been delivered in such a way, which makes it feel important. Read Full Review

It's good to see Secret Empire building steam again as the series reaches the halfway point. Issue #5 helps push the narrative forward again, even as it devotes most of its attention to showcasing various heroes and villains and the ways in which this conflict is burdening them all. From Thor Odinson to Black Widow to Cap himself, there's plenty of strong character work to go around, and the (mostly) strong visuals help keep the story humming along. Read Full Review

Secret Empire #5 is a strong issue, with a lot of unexpected plot twists that make it a delight to read. Read Full Review

Strangely though, for all the twists and turns, this issue isn't quite satisfying. It does a great job of setting things up, but it's mostly sizzle and no steak. The sizzle is great, don't get me wrong, and the writing on it is very good" but it needed just a little extra oomph. However, It's another solid (and vital) issue. Read Full Review

While the writing here is pretty solid, but a very unusual choice in artists, in my opinion. This sort of epic-blockbuster-summer-popcorn-fest is generally paired up with a more prominent, mainstream artist along the lines of a Steve McNiven, Olivier Coipel or even the cover artist, Mark Brooks. It's not bad, just unusual. I'll be honest, considering the shit-storms that the last few Marvel crossovers have turned out to be (don't get me started on that ending to IvX), I did not expect great things from Secret Empire. I have been refreshingly surprised by how well Nick Spencer has crafted this story thus far. PLEASE, Marvel, don't make me regret saying that. Read Full Review

A bit confusing at times but packed with plenty of revelations. It doesn't feel as cohesive a story as the last issue, but it successfully moves the plot forward. Which is probably what readers want most. Read Full Review

This issue is utilitarian in that it asks even more questions and provides no answers, forcing those who seek them to hang on for another issue. If Marvel's event format has been trying to ape the success of Civil War, they'd do well to learn one simple lesson from that book: less is more. Read Full Review

I cant say that this is a bad story. Im sorry, I just cant. Its not satisfying super hero fiction, but its not bad. I can recommend it. Its a decent continuation to the story. It just wont make you feel good in any way shape or form. Read Full Review

Ill sum up Secret Empire #5 in one sentence, I feel asleep three times reading this book, itsjust flat out boring. It continues the trend of revealing very little, progressing the story even less, just about turning into the over bloated messwe all feared it would be at the start. Tie-in'sappear to be telling too much of the story, while the main event book feelslike a series of uninteresting random scenes that just aren't keeping myattention anymore. To many questions, too few answers, and a poorly thought out,and now expanded idea, make this a low point for Marvel event comics since Fear Itself. Honestly I think I liked Civil War II more and Im saying that with acompletely straight face. Read Full Review

Best issue to date

This is one of the better issues of this series so far. It is up there with #0 and #1. The trouble our heroes are in is astonishing. This series started with Steve wanting to find a middle ground and convince people that Hydra was the way to go, but after being made a fool too many times, being pressured by his peers, Steve has become a ruthless leader with his actions. This has been a very fulfilling series in my eyes and I have enjoyed every step of the way. I can't wait to see how it all ends and brings us into Legacy.

Great writing that flows moving the pieces ever so slowly, answering mysteries and creating others. Beautiful panel structures by Sorrentino and lovely art by Reis.

For everything I like about this Event there's something I don't. There's nothing wrong with jumping around but it's confusing here. Partially the artist but mostly the Tony scenes are just too confusing. And those stupid campfires of love with Bucky Sam and Cap seem almost gay in both drawing style and the little smiles to each other. It's almost like the Hydra cap is holding in his gay self with the cosmic cubes rather than the Steve we know. I like Thor here the most.. good character moments that made sense of his actions. Good ending again as well.

The Resistance enters its darkest hour as the Kobik hunt proves fruitless and Hydra comes knocking at their base. This is an overwhelmingly eventful episode; it's the polar opposite (in many positive ways) of #3. The main struggle between Stevil and the Resistance shifts heavily against the good guys, the "Mystery Forest" story moves forward with plenty of fresh questions, and Black Widow is out there fighting the good fight in *bad* ways. The plotting and characterization are tremendous, the pacing is fast but not rushed, and the art is mostly great. My opinion on Andrea Sorrentino's art remains "love the layouts, hate the figures," with the added observation that he could use a dedicated colorist whose principles extend beyond "red=important." Some embarrassing grammatical errors suggest that this comic sped past its editors without any serious scrutiny. In terms of historical callbacks, at this point it's looking like Jonathan Hickman's Secret Warriors belongs at the top of the "required reading" list for this event. more

We're into the solid middle now and things don't look good for our heroes. Another nice issue, building but with a few revelations. Sorrentino's faces still bother me but otherwise his art is great.

What saved this issue was an ending that genuinely took me by surprise. Shock ending(s) notwithstanding, this issue moves along at a rather slow pace. There are still five issues left and an epilogue, but I can't help wondering why this whole thing couldn't be done in, say, 6-7 total issues. There is a surplus of characters, but because of this they don't really get deep characterization. That being said, I am interested in reading #6.

Ok Nick Spencer is really becoming the writer of bread crumbs. The amount of questions vs the time in witch it is answered currently is not to my liking but he always gives an OMG moment at the end of each issue. So again its a good read and I do want to know what happens next but its not great.

I feel like I'm watching Lost all over again. I don't know how they are going to wrap this story well with how many twists and shocks continue to happen. Art was inconsistent and among each artist's weakest.

I've criticized SE because it was largely generic. I had no idea how generic. At this point we are promised that this will not be just another crossover. Well, it isn't just another crossover, it is every crossover. See if you can't play a game. Does it involve a race for a magic ***pull? Does it feature uncharacteristic heel turns? Is it spread so thin over multiple, extended series? Congratulations, its every ********* crossover you've every read, only worse because it won't really matter in the grand scheme.