But even asfans flipped outwatching Marvels most beloved superhero become a ruthless villain, the story took its course.
Check that out below, along with a preview ofSecret Empire#1 (in stores May 3).
SPENCER:This isnt a heroes vs. heroes conflict, it is very much Steve is a villain.
Credit: Marvel Comics
Its not an honest disagreement between heroes who want to do something differently.
Steve has very bad intentions, he is 100% Hydra thanks to what the Cube has done.
ALONSO:This is a rallying point for the Marvel Universe.
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How is it possible for there to be a redemptive arc for Cap?
Is that Marvels intention?
Thats what were looking at for the next months.
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ALONSO:I want to stress though that it is a universe-wide event that involves all of the heroes.
Theres Avengers, Spider-Man, Deadpool, X-Men.
Everyones got a role in this.
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Its all black and white, no shades of gray.
What is so uniquely scary and threatening about this situation of Hydra infiltrating and taking over?
Along with that is this idea that if they did take over, things would get really bad.
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I think there is maybe some general confusion about what Hydra is.
What is their general ideology and plan?
SPENCER:Hydra is a secret society thats thousands of years old bent on world domination.
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In terms of their ideology, they are very much driven by the idea of strength at all costs.
Its a very Darwinian belief set.
Its this idea of how quickly the world can change.
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The fact the battle seems over before it even starts is a major scarring moment for the Marvel Universe.
Whats been so eerie about HydraCap is how much he acts like normal Cap.
How do you strike that balance with this villainous Cap?
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SPENCER:This is a great writing challenge for me.
The best Marvel villains always have that human core.
In Steves case, whats especially troubling for the reader is exactly how familiar he feels.
He will say things that just sound exactly like the old Steve Rogers that you knew and love.
Hes wrong of course, but I think villains with conviction are the best.
Steve is still Steve.
Thats stuff Ive tried to keep in mind at every step of this story.
What feel do the rotating artists add to the story?
SPENCER:The various artists really are telling distinct stories within the event.
I think we viewed the rotating cast as a strength.
Ive seen pages from everyone at this point.
Daniel Acuna blew the doors off the zero issue.
Andrea Sorrentino will be a household name after this hits.
Leinil Yu is someone Ive dreamed about working with for ages and his work here is stunning.
I couldnt be happier with how this thing looks.
This has clearly been a controversial storyline.
What have you learned about Captain America and fans relationships to this character over the course of this storyline?
SPENCER:I think its a funny thing.
Its a horrible thing thats happened to Steve here.
Its really an incredible thing.
The reaction is very much a testament to that.
It now is one of the biggest contests between good and evil that weve seen in Marvel Universe.
It tries the heroes in ways that they never have been before.
Now were at the point weve been building to from the start.
And we have one!
