To say the build to Marvel’s 2017 Secret Empire has been controversial would be an egregious understatement. The Marvel Universe has been defined by transformation since Secret Wars, with none more well documented than Nick Spencer’s politically charged run on Captain America.
The progression of Captain America from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson (most commonly known as Falcon) goes all the way back to 2014 and Marvel NOW!, and continues to serve as the most logical starting point for the various Cap storylines in play.
Below you’ll find a roadmap for comics that will help you understand how we got to Secret Empire. As issues for the event are released, I’ll be updating the guide with an issue by issue reading order. Jump straight to the issue by issue event guide here!
As always, if you have questions or suggestions, I’d love to hear them in the comments below. Enjoy the comics!
Related Reading Orders:
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Previously: Avengers Standoff
Previously: Civil War 2
Secret Empire Trade Reading Order
The Road to Secret Empire
Captain America and the Falcon: Secret Empire
Collects: Captain America & The Falcon #169 to #176
The original ‘Secret Empire’ story arc is a Watergate era political thriller from Captain America writer Steve Englehart. You don’t need this storyline to understand the current state of Marvel’s Captain America and Secret Empire event, but seeing as it shares a name, it’s a worthy reference point.
Collects: Captain America (2012) 21, 25; Captain America: Sam Wilson 7 (A story), 8; Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha, Omega; Captain America: Steve Rogers 1-2
As they did with Secret Wars, Marvel has put together a “fast track” prelude guide to prepare readers for Secret Empire.
These prelude fast tracks leave out a lot of detail, and in my estimation really diminishes the impact of the full story. This prelude in particular will explain the aging of Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson (Falcon’s) progression to Captain America, and how Captain America: Steve Rogers was warped to side with Hydra.
Captain America Volume 4: The Iron Nail
Collects: Captain America 16-21
Naturally, starting with issue #16 of Rick Remender’s Marvel Now Cap run will be a confusing plunge into a backstory entailing Captain America’s 15 issue stay in Arnim Zola’s Dimension Z. This is why the prelude includes only Captain America #21.
My recommendation here is to either read the full Remender Cap run, starting with Captain America #1 (2012 to 2014), or to just plunge ahead to the next volume setting up Sam Wilson as Cap.
Captain America Volume 5: The Tomorrow Soldier
Collects: Captain America 22-25
All-New Captain America: Fear Him
Collects: All -New Captain America Fear Him 1-4, Captain America (1968) 280, Avengers (1998) 64
All-New Captain America Vol. 1: Hydra Ascendant
Collects: All-New Captain America #1 to #6
The first Sam Wilson as Captain America arcs round out Rick Remender’s time writing the Captain America universe. These will be less essential than the Spencer comics in terms of Secret Empire, but make for solid reading and set the stage.
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 1: Not My Captain America
Collects: Captain America: Sam Wilson #1 to #6
From issue #1, it’s abundantly clear that Nick Spencer’s take on Captain America will be infinitely more political than the character was during the spy thriller heyday of Brubaker and Epting.
Collects: All-New Avengers #1 to #6
Mark Waid’s new run on Avengers sets ups a team of Iron Man, Thor, Sam Wilson as Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man (Miles Morales), and Nova.
All-New Avengers is less directly tied to the Secret Empire roadmap, but it’s important background to know Sam’s Avengers status.
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 2: Standoff
Collects: Captain America: Sam Wilson 7-8, Assault On Pleasant Hill Alpha, Assault On Pleasant Hill Omega
Avengers Standoff is the first Captain America centric event from Nick Spencer, and is where the road to Secret Empire really picks up steam. This is essential reading to understanding where the Marvel Universe stands.
For full context, check out Comic Book Herald’s Avengers Standoff reading order.
Also, although it’s included in the next Sam Wilson collection, I recommend Captain America: Sam Wilson #9 as an immediate epilogue to Standoff.
Captain America: Steve Rogers Vol. 1: Hail Hydra
Collects: Captain America: Steve Rogers 1-6, Free Comic Book Day 2016 (Captain America) 1
As the “Hail Hydra” collection name implies, Spencer’s creative decision to warp Steve Rogers into an agent of Red Skull and Hydra is the fulcrum for all proceedings here on out. For good or ill, this will unquestionably go down as one of the most memorable moments in Captain America history.
You should only read Captain America: Steve Rogers issues #1 to #3 prior to Civil War 2!
Thunderbolts Vol. 1: There Is No High Road
Collects: Thunderbolts #1 to #6
Fallout for Winter Soldier and Kobik (the sentient cosmic cube) following Avengers Standoff!
Only read Thunderbolts #1 to #4 before Civil War 2!
Marvel’s lackluster summer 2016 event does include important developments for the Captain America universe, particularly in the pages of Captain America: Steve Rogers, and Civil War II: The Oath.
If you want the full event reading order, I recommend Comic Book Herald’s guide to Civil War 2.
For only the Captain America related tie-ins and the main event, I recommend the following order.
Civil War 2 #0 to #1
Captain America: Steve Rogers #4
Captain America Sam Wilson #10
Civil War 2 #2
Captain America Sam Wilson #11 to #13
Civil War 2 #3 to #4
All-New Avengers #13 to #15
Civil War II #5
Captain America: Steve Rogers #5
Civil War II #6
Thunderbolts #5
Captain America: Steve Rogers #6
Civil War 2 #7 to #8
Uncanny Avengers #15 to #17
Thunderbolts #6
Captain America: Steve Rogers #7 to #10
Civil War 2: The Oath
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 3: Civil War II
Collects: Captain America: Sam Wilson #9 to #13
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 3: Civil War II
Collects: Uncanny Avengers #13 to #17
Captain America: Steve Rogers Vol. 2: The Trial of Maria Hill
Collects: Captain America: Steve Rogers 7-11, Civil War II: The Oath
As noted above, the majority of issues in these collections are part of the Civil War 2 reading order.
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 4: #TakeBackTheShield
Collects: Captain America: Sam Wilson #14 to #18
Secret Empire Begins! (Collected Trades)
Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 5
Collects: Captain America: Sam Wilson #19 to #22
Uncanny Avengers: Unity Vol. 4: Red Skull
Collects: Uncanny Avengers #18 to #22
Captain America: Steve Rogers Vol. 3
Collects: Captain America: Steve Rogers #12 to #15
Thunderbolts Vol. 2: No Going Back
Collects: Thunderbolts #7 to #12
Collects: Free Comic Book Day 2017, Secret Empire #0 to #9
Captain America: Divided We Fall
Collects: Captain America: Steve Rogers 16-19, Captain America: Sam Wilson 22-24
Amazing Spider-Man: Worldwide Vol. 7
Collects: Amazing Spider-Man #29 to #32, #789 to #791
The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 2: Band of Sisters
Collects: The Mighty Captain Marvel #5 to #9
Secret Empire: Brave New World
Collects: Secret Empire: Brave New World #1 to #5
Secret Empire: United We Stand
Collects: Secret Empire: United 1, Secret Empire: Underground 1, Secret Empire: Uprising 1, Uncanny Avengers 24-25
Collects: Doctor Strange #21 to #26
Deadpool: World’s Greatest Vol. 10: Secret Empire
Collects: Deadpool #31 to #35
Collects: Secret Warriors #1 to #5
Collects: U.S. Avengers #7 to #12
Collects: Occupy Avengers #5 to #9
Collects: X-Men Gold #7 to #12
X-Men Gold is part of the X-Men ResurrXion launch.
Collects: X-Men Blue #7 to #12
Champions Vol. 2: The Freelancer Lifestyle
Collects: Champions #6 to #11
Avengers: Unleashed Vol. 2: Secret Empire
Collects: Avengers #7 to #11
Collects: Generations miniseries
Issue by Issue Secret Empire Reading Order
Rise of the Secret Empire (Marvel Universe)
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.0 out of 5
Deadpool continues his recent trend of maddeningly out of step event tie-ins, although unlike Civil War 2, Deadpool’s first core Secret Empire tie-in actually has major ramifications for the event! For those keeping along in real-time, Deadpool #31 was released the same week of Secret Empire #3, but the issue notes declare it takes place before Secret Empire #0. Personally, I think it makes the most sense in direct connection with Deadpool’s prelude tie-in in #27, as none of the real Secret Empire event has taken place yet.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 0.3 out of 5
Strange “tie-in” published after Secret Empire #5, but seemingly occurring well before the events of Secret Empire #0. Connects to Maria Hill’s involvement in the event, albeit very slightly.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 0.1 out of 5
Actually manages to surpass Jessica Jones as a completely unnecessary cash-grab tie-in.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #12 to #13
Issue 25 of AMS directly follows the conclusion of Spider-Man: The Clone Conspiracy, and while it isn’t mentioned as a Secret Empire tie-in, includes details that set up the event.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #14
Uncanny Avengers #18
Captain America: Steve Rogers #15
Note that the conclusion of Uncanny Avengers #22 flows directly into the opening of Cap: Steve Rogers #15. These two issues also semi-formally kick off Secret Empire.
Secret Empire: Opening Salvo
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.0 out of 5
Unlike Thunderbolts and Cap: Steve Rogers, U.S. Avengers has not been a part of the build to Secret Empire, so issue #5 is the first instance we see Roberto De Costa’s unit clearly influenced by Steve Rogers. As you’d expect, the majority of this issue will make more sense if you’ve been keeping up with U.S. Avengers to date (expect that for any new series suddenly tying in to an event).
You can definitely understand Secret Empire #0 without this tie-in, although I suspect it will begin to play more of a role later.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.0 out of 5
Jim Zub’s Thunderbolts comes to a series conclusion with this opening salvo tie-in, and Thunderbolts remains the most heavily connected book not written by Nick Spencer. Essential developments here for Bucky, Kobik, and Baron Zemo.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #16
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 5.0 out of 5
While technically speaking you could start fresh with Secret Empire #0, there’s really no good way around reading Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 to #16 to understand how we got here.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.0 out of 5
Mighty Captain Marvel basically recaps the Secret Empire main event from Carol Danvers and Alpha Flight’s perspective. This series may become more essential.
How essential are these tie-ins?: 4.0 out of 5
Although both U.S. Avengers #6 and Ultimates^2 #7 were published after Secret Empire #2, they both belong in the opening salvo section of the guide. Both issues effectively add to the developments of Secret Empire #0!
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.5 out of 5
It’s Spider-Man vs. the Superior Octopus during the Secret Empire takeover.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.5 out of 5
Continues the battle of AIM vs Hydra.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.1 out of 5
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 0.2 out of 5
Not a bad X-Men issue with a serial killer loose in the mansion, but a Secret Empire tie-in this is not. Very brief reference to the actual event.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 0.0 out of 5
X-Men Gold #7 and #8 do not need to be included as Secret Empire tie-ins. Marvel just wants your money!
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.4 out of 5
Directly after the Darkforce dimension events of Secret Empire #0, with the Uncanny Avengers unit (minus Quicksilver) in Manhattan.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.0 out of 5
Secret Empire: Brave New World #3
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 1.5 out of 5
The first two stories should be read before Doctor Strange #21, but the final Invaders story should be read after Secret Empire: Brave New World #1 and #2 below.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.4 out of 5
Doctor Strange’s first Secret Empire tie-in gives us our first look at Manhattan trapped in a Darkforce dimension with mystical beasts roaming wild and a bearded Strange hanging on by a thread to protect any shred of humanity.
This is one of the better tie-ins so far, and reads a lot like a core event supplement, with meaningful appearances by the likes of Daredevil, Spider-Woman, Ben Urich and more!
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.6 out of 5
One of my favorite tie-ins to date, continues the unlikely team-up with Dr. Strange in the darkforce Manhattan.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.8 out of 5
Secret Empire: Brave New World #1
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 1.1 out of 5
Released after Secret Empire #3 but does not appear to deal with any ramifications of those issues. The “Giant-Man” short story clearly occurs in the early days of the Hydra takeover. A highly unnecessary anthology, with an Invaders, new Giant-Man, and Gwenpool story.
I’ll note here that the Brave New World Namor subplot becomes increasingly important by it’s 5th and final issue. You could quite reasonably read the whole anthology before Secret Empire #8.
Hail Hydramerica
Free Comic Book Day 2017 Secret Empire
Although it was released 3 days after Secret Empire #1, Marvel’s FCBD special clearly takes place before the events of event issue #1, and helps fill in some of the action between issue #0 and #1.
For the most part, FCBD ’17 Secret Empire raises far more questions than answers. Hopefully the major “Wait, what?!” moments will be explored and explained as the event continues.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.o out of 5
Clarifies Spider-Man’s role in Secret Empire.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.2 out of 5
You could pretty easily skip this tie-in, although it showcases the Champions early involvement in Secret Empire.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.7 out of 5
Secret Warriors #1 is our first look at the resistance to Hydra, and the first post-Hydra takeover issue in terms of publication order. Time will tell how vital a role this team plays, but definitely an essential read for Agents of SHIELD fans.
Secret Empire: Brave New World #2
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.2 out of 5
Introduces a new legacy hero and continues the story of Namor in Secret Empire.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.7 out of 5
Gives more of a feel for Hydra’s boots on the ground after the takeover, as well as Hawkeye and Black Widow’s role in the resistance.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.5 out of 5
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.9 out of 5
Rise of the Resistance
Captain America: Sam Wilson #22
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.0 out of 5
The majority of Sam Wilson #22 fills in the backstory of what Sam’s been up to during the rise of Secret Empire, but the issue concludes right at the end of Secret Empire #2. In my opinion reads best as a flashback adding context to the core event’s second issue.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #17
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.5 out of 5
Steve Rogers #17 focuses on an interview with the revealed Hydra leader Captain America, and if nothing else, just how weird it is to see Steve dressed in green and gold.
This felt surprisingly stationary for the book that drove us to Secret Empire, but the issue does reveal Hydra alliances, Hydra nation practices, and a bit more into how Hydra is marketing itself as an acceptable world leader.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.0 out of 5
Unfortunately, Secret Warriors so far is nowhere close to living up to the excellent 2008 series of the same name. The tie-ins do continue to explore the Hydra ruled America in a way we haven’t really seen elsewhere, though.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.5 out of 5
Carol sends the Guardians on their aide-finding mission before fighting yet another wave of the Chitauri in space.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 2.8 out of 5
All New Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 1.0 out of 5
The Guardians begin seeking cosmic aide for Earth and all but complete their unfortunate transformation into 100% their MCU counterparts.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.7 out of 5
Ties in very directly to the roles of Black Widow and the Champions during the core Secret Empire series. I didn’t know I was looking for “The Sound of Music” parallels, but I’m kind of glad it happened.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.7 out of 5
Establishes significant details about New Tian and the role of the X-Men in Secret Empire.
Secret Empire: Brave New World #4
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 1.1 out of 5
Recommend after United because of the New Tian story. Not particularly essential at all.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.0 out of 5
Significantly more detail about the mutant state of New Tian.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.3 out of 5
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.7 out of 5
Deadpool fights Speedball and adjusts to life as an Agent of Hydra!
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.0 out of 5
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.6 out of 5
Deadpool’s crisis of conscience tour continues!
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.0 out of 5
Fans of Agents of SHIELD’s second season will want to check this one out.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.0 out of 5
Secret Warriors is a consistently odd tie-in, but this one gives us the closest view of Mr. Hyde’s role in Cap’s Secret Empire.
Treasure Hunt
Captain America: Sam Wilson #23
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4 out of 5
Sam-Cap directly connects to the next core event issue, and explains how Sam and the Avengers make their way to the Avengers reunion in issue #4.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #18
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.5 out of 5
The first 90% of Cap Steve is before Secret Empire #3, with only the final few scenes occurring after Secret Empire #4.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.3 out of 5
The resistance’s treasure hunt continues in the Savage Land.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.0 out of 5
The fate of Jane Foster explained! Also, amazing Mike Del Mundo art, so well worth a read.
Cap Strikes Back
Battle in Washington D.C.
Captain America: Sam Wilson #24
Captain America: Steve Rogers #19
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.5 out of 5
Steve Rogers deals with the fallout from Secret Empire #6, before addressing some of the developments of Secret Empire #7. This continues to the be the most essential event tie-in comic.
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 3.8 out of 5
We get our first detailed mission starring Cap’s new Avengers.
Secret Empire: Brave New World #5
How Essential is this Tie-in?: 4.2 out of 5
This is the lone issue of Brave New World that drops a major plot bomb for Secret Empire as a whole. Honestly, this issue doesn’t really respect publication order and the apparent reveal intended in Secret Empire #8. Chronologically, it’s definitely before the issue, but you could just as plausibly read as a flashback after Secret Empire #8.
Final Showdown
Secret Empire Aftermath
Technically you could read most of Deadpool #35 right after Deadpool #34, but the conclusion occurs after the final core event issue.
Next: Marvel Generations + Marvel Legacy
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View Comments (45)
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1 2 Next »Any chance for a revisit ? Thank you.
It is very good. Now with the TPBs its complicated to have a full chronological reading
Well I thought that's what this site about, to PROVIDE a decent reading order, no matter how old the event is. (based on the comments, it wasn't revisited in the past year, so I think the admin should take a look, right?)
He didnt even update the marvel legacy reading order when it was just starting, but I learn to take what it's free, accept it and dont complain!
But again, this order was very nice to follow and there aren't any problems
Its free and take it I know... but stockpiling events after events, issue after issue will be a huge burden over time, don't you think?
I think it should be worth noting that Damnation, Tales of Suspense, Punisher: War Machine and Coates's Captain America run are the series that most directly follow on from Secret Empire.
Cmon man, it's been a month since Secret Empire #10
And again, NCBD and no update of last weeks comics...somehow it seems Dave is neglecting this order...sad
quit bitching
Could you please make the new comics you put in the order each week stick out (italic or bold) because they sometimes go in the middle and are hard to find
Thanks for the update man, thank you a lot, I will donate.
Are you trying to provide an incorrect reading order guide on purpose? Because it seems like that's what you're doing. I'll comment my own once the whole event is over to show you the dozens of errors I see already, but I feel compelled now to mention that Steve Rogers #19 has to take place after Secret Empire #7, not #6. I say this because someone undoubtedly is going to use this list and read Rogers 19 before Empire 7 and have it spoiled.
I somehow get the same feeling overall, or he is just sloppy in his reading...
nevertheless Dave has no eye for little Details that give hints on placement of some Issues.
e.g. I would put Doctor Strange #21+ after Secret Empire #1 because Strange says to Jessica that he collected everything for the Spell over a time of 2 weeks, so it can not take place directly after the dome gets dropped in Secret Empire #0...
Are you aware that Dave is trying to put pretty much everything Marvel into some kind of an order? It's hard enough figuring out a single event these days before the event is over with, much less multiple things at once. That takes a ton of dedication, and I have yet to find on online order that is comparatively comprehensive that also has no mistakes.
At least if you tell Dave where something goes, he usually moves it. You shouldn't be annoyed with people like him who tirelessly try to help us organize these things, you should be annoyed with comic companies who make his job necessary in the first place by being so disorganized.
Also, Dave deserves a shout out for trying to tell us if the issue is relevant on a scale of 1 to 5. So few sites do that, even if they do have an order. As much as I would love to read everything in order the first time, to me the bigger annoyance is wasting time and money on issues that have nothing to do with anything and that I only got because they were supposed to be tie-ins.
Here here, Dan! Quit hating. You don't like it....get to steppin!
Or at least explain why you can't?
Please can you update the list
Update PLEASEEE
Tz tz tz,
another week of Tie-In-Comics is here and you did not even order the ones from last week...
are you getting forgetful Dave ?
Ultimates2 #8?
You call both Jessica Jones #10 and Nick Fury #4 "cash-grab" tie-ins... because they are NOT tie-ins nor they have any logo indicating so. Who told you they were?
I am translate Secret Empire into my language, does anyone know what original font? Thank you.
How is Nick fury and Jessica Jones tied-in to all of this? I don't see there names on the check list on the marvel wiki (link is below)
http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Secret_Empire_(Event)