Classic Marvel Character Dies In Secret Empire #1

Secret Empire #1 has finally hit comic shops, and it certainly paints a rather grim picture of post-Hydra America. This includes one particular sequence that sees the death of a fan favorite.

Spoilers incoming for Secret Empire #1, so you’ve been warned.

With pressure on him from the high ranking members of Hydra, Captain America has to make a statement with force. A “day of reckoning” is referenced, but the date has been pushed back multiple times. With pressure mounting, Cap goes to their prisoner Rick Jones, who has been spared thus far. Cap pleads with him to renounce his previous actions and announce Hail Hydra to the world. Jones isn’t buying it though, saying that Cap will find a way to beat whatever is controlling him, saying “because you’re my hero Cap!”

There’s no mind control to defeat though, and after some discussion Cap goes live on TV to address the nation. What viewers are met with afterward is Rick Jones being tied to a pole in front of three armed Hydra guards. Jones yells “Avengers Assemble!”, and then the Hydra squad opens fire, expecting him.

Jones was originally in protective custody, but he hacked into a guard’s cell phone, allowing him access to the network. According to Cap, he took “hydra’s most valuable files”, and those files might hold the key to getting the old Steve Rogers back. It’s revealed elsewhere in the issue who he gave those files to, but even if it works he, unfortunately, won’t be around to see it.

Jones has had a long history with the Avengers and saw his friend Bruce Banner murdered by Hawkeye in the Civil War II event. If only he knew that Banner’s death was also due to Cap’s meddling, all of this would make sense. Cap has been behind many of the recent divisions of the Marvel Universe, including tensions between the Avengers and Inhumans, between Iron Man and Captain Marvel, and more. Unfortunately, Jones’ death is not where the destruction stops.

You can view the spoiler images in the gallery. Secret Empire #1 is written by Nick Spencer with art by Steve McNiven. You can view the official description below.

It’s been building for months, across a bevy of titles! But now, the moment has arrived for Steve Rogers to step into the light and declare his allegiance to Hydra! How can the heroes of the Marvel Universe cope with this shattering betrayal by the most trusted figure among them? And what will this mean for the world? The map of the Marvel Universe changes in ways nobody will expect — TRUST THE SECRET EMPIRE!

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