Secret Empire #10

Secret Empire #10 is a satisfying wrap up to the series. We learned last issue that Steve only exists in his true form in Kobik's head. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that she/it has a giant impact on the ending. Hydra Steve has to face his demons, quite literally, and things do not go well for him. Nick Spencer must be a George Lucas fan, because he uses the bearded one's repetition of story beats and moments (from the Free Comic Book Day issue) to bring everything back around again nearly to where we started.


The best thing this issue has going for it is the art by Steve McNiven. While glaringly short on background, the detail work in the figures and faces look like full pencils. They take those repeated beats to fairly high highs. I'm not sure what we're looking at moving forward in the Marvel universe. At least it won't have any reprinted art of Miles Morales standing over the corpse of Captain America. If the only long term result of this series is that Civil War II is put completely to bed, we all win.