Civil War II is over, which means Marvel Comics is already busy teasing its next big crossover event. That isn't exactly a thrilling prospect considering the generally lackluster quality of Marvel's major event comics in recent years (Secret Wars notwithstanding). But there actually is reason to be optimistic about Secret Empire. For one thing, it's an offshoot of Captain America: Steve Rogers, which has numbered among Marvel's better ongoing series over the past year. But more crucial is the fact that Secret Empire has the potential to address a lot of the storytelling mistakes Marvel has been making lately. It could easily wind up being Marvel's answer to DC Rebirth.
Secret Empire teaser art by John Cassaday. (Marvel Comics)
There are certainly comparisons to be drawn between the current state of Marvel Comics and DC as it existed even just 12 months ago. The DC You relaunch spawned a handful of critically adored, low-selling, esoteric titles, but too many of DC's core superhero titles drifted away from what made the characters appealing in the first place. Major status quo changes like a de-powered Superman, a renegade Hal Jordan and whatever the heck was up with Wonder Woman failed to resonate with readers. The DCU had become far too grim and joyless. DC needed Rebirth to serve as a catalyst, one that could re-align the company's most popular heroes and restore the luster that had been lost.
As the new Marvel NOW relaunch unfolds, Marvel seems trapped in a very similar place. There are still plenty of great books coming out of the Marvel offices. Given the sheer volume of comics they publish these days, that's inevitable. But there's a growing sense of apathy surrounding the general direction of the Marvel Universe (a notion I've explored in the past), and that apathy has only increased thanks to the poorly executed Civil War II. Like the pre-Rebirth DC, the current Marvel Universe is a dark, dismal place where heroes are too busy fighting heroes to remember the lessons of the first Civil War. Spider-Man is no longer Marvel's plucky everyman hero. The Fantastic Four are but a hushed memory. Half the X-Men are dead and the other half are busy waging war against the Inhumans.
At this point, Marvel really needs its own Rebirth - a story that can help shift the Marvel Universe off the path it's been following these past few years and towards a brighter future. DC really hit the nail on the head with their Rebirth tagline, "Heroes. Now more than ever." The world is in pretty cruddy shape right now, and the last thing comic book fans need is to see their favorite heroes acting like villains.
That's where Secret Empire comes in. This week, Marvel gave readers their first real taste of what this event entails with the release of Civil War II: The Oath #1, an epilogue issue that also directly set the stage for what's to come in 2017. Secret Empire builds on the controversial revelation that Steve Rogers has been a Hydra double-agent since childhood. With the help of his star-spangled minion, Red Skull is busy stoking the fires of racism and xenophobia in America, paving the way for a new grassroots version of Hydra to rise up and take control of the country. Cap made it abundantly clear that he won't rest until the world the Avengers have fought so many times to protect comes crashing down.
Cap makes an oath to Iron Man. Art by Rod Meis. (Marvel Comics)
On the surface, that doesn't sound like the sort of story that can put the shine back on the Marvel U. and make it a brighter, more heroic place. If anything, it sounds like the grimmest premise for a Marvel event since the days of Dark Reign. But that's the point. The only way to jolt the Avengers back to reality is to pit them against a foe so all-encompassing in its awfulness that they're forced to remember what made them Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the first place. They need a challenge that can draw a clear line between good and evil again.
Marvel's heroes are about to face one of the gravest evils they've ever dealt with, an evil that's managed to corrupt even their most benevolent and morally upright ally. They're also dealing with a world that's become totally disillusioned by its heroes. As Cap himself explains in Civil War II: The Oath #1, the general public are tired of heroes who have lost touch with the people they claim to be defending. They're sick of seeing Avengers fighting other Avengers rather than focusing on the true villains. Hydra's resurgence is built on exploiting and harnessing that disgust with the status quo.
I don't think I even need to point out the similarities between Marvel's current incarnation of Hydra and the real-world political developments of the past couple years. Writer Nick Spencer has never been shy about drawing from current events as he's shaped his Captain America saga. Regardless of your thoughts on Donald Trump's presidency or the Brexit vote, we can all agree that those unexpected developments would never have been possible unless a large swath of voters were completely fed up with the status quo. The apathy and anger and helplessness felt by millions around the world is mirrored in the way the denizens of the Marvel U. are now turning on their once beloved heroes.
That's what makes Secret Empire such a potentially resonant story. Marvel really struck a chord with the original Civil War and its exploration of the post-9/11 struggle between national security and personal liberties. No Marvel event since then has really connected on that allegorical level, but Secret Empire just might. It's a story that can speak to the tumultuous, uncertain state of the world. And it's a story that will force Marvel's iconic heroes to be the best versions of themselves if they have any hope of overcoming the Hydra threat. It's a real "do or die" moment for the Marvel Universe.
DC Rebirth art by Ivan Reis. (DC Entertainment)
Hopefully, Secret Empire will help Marvel's creators get back in touch with what makes these character so inspiring and enduring. Marvel is at a point where they need a back to basics approach - something that can re-center the Marvel U. and wipe away that sense of apathy so many readers are feeling these days. DC had its Rebirth, and now it's Marvel's turn.
"Between the Panels" is a bi-weekly column from Jesse Schedeen that focuses on the world of comics. You can see more of his thoughts on comics and pop culture by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.
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