Transcript for Inside Marvel: 'Secret Empire' issue 5 and 'United'

Hello and welcome to inside marvel from ABC news digital I am your host welteke today I'm joined from ABC news by Michael Rothman has gallon. About Charles beach he's an editor marble and out on the line with that Jim's he's a writer behind some books that we're talking about today has it going Jim. I'm doing well on yourself great great so today we're talking at secret empire in five. We're talking about secret empire united again which it leaves but that you that Jim. And then we're talking that was available on candy avengers so let's get into. The united. This is above but expect the X-Men have kind of come out of the cadet Captain America led pretty far ahead they have their own nation which hasn't been inspired you for a long time. But they've got to deal with high they've got to deal with that the American and a lot of folks aren't super template that is kind of outlet in this book so jib with what they tell us about what kind of story count here. Seeker empire united is really like it's a political intrigue book with and it's got a really great kind of ground level of action as well so. The search you levels happening at the same time there's this talk level. Kind of political master nation happening and then there's a ground level kind of battle between. The people of new T aren't. Ends you know the height your nation of America. So again it its two full book kind of action we have a really great prison break sequence going on here. And then also there's this entry so. I kind of want to talk about some of the relationships going on. Who's running this country who's dealing with. Captain America I just America. Who the players that we're looking that in this book. Sure. It does really it's kind of this one of the neat things about the book is that you got Zoran and counted this ruling council of mutants. That are interfacing with high drug. But they've got an ambassador in Hank McCoy you know the beast. He's obviously one of the founding members of the X-Men but he's also long time avenger is well. So he's kind of got an emotional you know current tide of both camps. Which makes it I think doubt much more interesting as Captain America and the rest. The cannot hide your nation is trying to interface with the mutants and they're trying to figure out how all of these chew. Theory different kind. Groups. Work with each other and how there you know whether it's their economies or their border disputes or things like how you work this stuff through particularly. Given the way that Hydro took over America and headed the nastiness that's built up around all that. Now to those watching we are eliciting questions on FaceBook and Twitter feel free to send those along and we can answer yes I guess all about them. One thing that really interests me about this that in is that the kind of finally get what they've always wanted. And it's like not work and a lot of ways what kind of in this angle it's getting what you want but it's really not what you want all. What that's exactly who the way you put it so you know you can kind has wanted. Representation and a lot of different ways. And whether it's kinda the way that you know professor Charles Xavier wanted. Where he kind of once in a great you know which humankind or something far more extreme like. You know meg Reno warned to get revenge or warning in at different times to how their own particular place. Four mutant kind this is what's happened with UT. So you've got sort you've got used in Sebastian Shaw an archangel and several other key mutants that are kind of running this nation and but it you know he really is kind of a gilded cage in this way they have this space that they've always wanted but under such. Horrific circumstances. And in a really difficult way. It's just questioning all this emotional stuff and political stuff to the. Forefront. That's fascinating gets that we see threads in this all over what's going on especially in the main book so let's hop as I Lessig an empire. Let's talk about again this is a huge week for we're gonna go through the book basically pollen that line because we're kind of at and really crossroads on hold much different issues here. So Michael let somebody begin. Right we've got him to fold things going we've got black widow of the got a champions and they are doing to separate missions well what's going on haven't yet. It's to their instincts and emissions yeah so the champions are. As you put it earlier pre into retirement obviously they've yeah. Very interesting old man who apparently the Q to win the war child soldiers rating in his own nets. That the senator that's. We don't know why that are interesting maybe it's the and we immediately writes the entire thing they apparently look we got you know that fell that's that's that's a pretty good theory maybe you should there. Up of that unit I think that the authority. Silva. Yes and black widow has basically given herself up to hydrant to get in the room at viper. And wheel and deal and she's we have below another the trail that that in. And it looks like vipers gonna help the team to try to kill cat. It's been amazing to me and in this issue specifically to see. How much people are trading and on these relationships and a armed and and and using them to their advantage and it's it's really interesting because he you think these characters who have. You have these long running relationships with each other. What have. Maybe more loyalty to their specific cost. And and really it's kind of turn and everyone's out for themselves it's it's interesting that. You know without Captain America there as the Captain America that we know when and we love. To hold everyone to gather and to keep them true to themselves. How things have kind of teary eyed look telling the story every. Think it's just a little bit champion went when Captain America Catholic sites you know Larry you have does Jones get more villainous. Them. Then raced area guys that dates and that we saw but the punish her we saw with the get really get to but there's a mole in the avengers who has been a long time. And even let the big guys started makes it hard decisions and it's taken the world to have her very fast it was. This campus influence and I forgot the ring up for the united. The and the fraud situation. So Zorn actually months it right I didn't I didn't know whose late. Rating spoilers so Zorn actually isn't really running nudity on its and the frost and fillings aren't and she also seems to have. A deal with kaput she's also not very. Fully forthright with cash it's it's just it's just layers and layers and layers of deception and in dealings in and back back boardroom type stuff at its interest. It and we do have that John that they get a lot of it either is pinned on fast this or she is legitimately found evidence of absence and invention. But but what's going on with that and the remnants again there's the power behind the throne so to speak. What we look at. Yes sir. I'm sorry you're asking me on that yeah shortsighted. My apologies with you. What's amazing about it is that when nick and I were planning the issue out we really talking how to make sure that you know every time an issue a really strong hook. In this idea of revealing you know where am rosters. Since. IP acts and she's been you know building and like you said the power behind the throne she's been puppet mastery and Zorn. And trying to set up in its. In in a stronger position and really that was kind of the big. Build out of that it's United's got you know than you'd vs human kind of struggle. But that example public said. A lot of this kind of doctor dealing in complex relationships that it's not just that simple it's saying but they dealers saying you know we're at their loyalties lie but a lot of everyone has an ulterior motive. Here sort of double dealing on the side or trying to positioned themselves well for the future. Which I love this book is again like I did that that the batteries and that is a propensity August starts Yemeni analyst at each other back turned around and everybody's buttons that's. The problem that. So we. We have again would we have the champions again Charles yeah. Ours I mean if we're talking about united and and in some of these you know conspiring thing that's happened things that are happening. We talked about how the X-Men finally how what they want we look at the hydra high council and in in these people who have devoted their lives hydra and they finally have what they want to. They've got control yeah now. But still they are not happy with. How they got the control and who's out there and so we get to see some of this you know or and it's it's at least alluded to Britain you know and very pointedly. That Faust this is not happy with Steve being in control here they're like yeah I sure we've got control of America but. It's this guy who like who was he well the funny thing isn't the only loyal person in the council. Seems to be banned the inflate always defer his very deferential to Steve is very supportive. I am waiting for the time because I just want him to kind ally taken down and out he's getting in North America I left her her and what's is name. Doctor. He keeps challenging cat that's not thousands but the proposal all are a little eagle yet. He's just getting aggressive and aggressive and you can tell it because he's not in how far he's not happy with and says that's it could come to that at some point and time again I couldn't agree more the inner fighting discount was very interest. Its it organization devoted to our execution hours the it team made its power at all and I think in the end when they finally yet and that our. And they're the ones running it it's really it's very interesting to simulate. When they were working to the same goal they were accidentally successful but the minute that they get it and they start alliance in. Question for you pull you guys on the line. Let's notice immaculate and captain obvious here from the bottom hydra. This feels very much like its gun and it may be a big point down the road but. They want but the fact that she's so sweet innocent compared to other afar it's meters. Is that done and in essence to kind. That he could jewel cap more because of that he he. Response more because certainly see her she doesn't really strike fear and in a visual way. But it's really it's and that she seems so agreeable. And I know she's through their charm cat but that really stuck out and that with the last issue. I I I picked up on that you and I I think I think that you know. As were as were watching all of these different relationships and how. How people interact. That it's very possible that that's a thing that that we're gonna see come to fruition that. That fish she is manipulating him as much is he thinks he's in control. Yeah. Yeah I get it could just be that she's standing next attended a monster robot and but not but I wanna get to some of these really great stand up some evidence first we. Like and there. Again longtime friend Sala. Iron Man and here I am as this that trying to control a chunk of the content you. And that does not go very well it's people spread. Essentially. Tony wants it and Alice is now that you can't added I don't trust any yet slots beat look of this country saying. Will be good friends went out previous guys showed up we're not I that in. We're gonna hold on this lady get your 90% of the Q come on back to me that we put together Angela and more comfortable thinks that's. But I've really just love this conference if it is it's two characters in. Binding this beautiful history of conflict between these two guys friends of guys try to get this flap. Yeah I mean that. That was a heavy seem to me again again it's it's a lot like we we've we've talked about. On on previous episodes we talked about brave new world and and name lowers relationship with some of these characters. I see again here to -- he's a king he's got these people that he's got to look out for and there's no more trust. Yeah its I can't trust you know caps. Turned to the dark side you know I can't trust you Tony to do the thing that you're saying you're gonna do. I'm the only one who I I know we'll do what's best for Mikey. The beach yeah yeah I think your votes are. Amezaga I think you're dealing with two heads of state is well that's the other thing is you know it's no longer just about the leader of a team. Or something like that you know count. There's not being deferential to Iron Man at the leader of the avengers and guts. Now the political assassinations are so much bigger the stakes are so much bigger than before. Absolutely and I think that this leads us pretty much torn our next point which is that if there's really suck it's important not to get a few. Evil is winning as good guys are down. Aids is it's not a long while for them they actually haven't progressed they have obtained. That they need to you into being happy I think that's so that these are winning very very strong. Yeah I mean you said juggling you know that evils when because because because the good guys and dom but. You know I I keep coming back this idea that without Captain America there yet with out now without that ultimate symbol of hope. There's no success for heroes you know you have to have that person. Who's who's always going to be there to lift you up. On and try as he might like that's not really Tony's quartet eight this vigil I that I found that it. Item plugged it like. I like to his credit is kinda leading it just as use those kind of nice attend another but absent capital on their leader was as a reader. As you read this that's now started thinking more more as we go through the through months but especially this week. And my head everything feels jumble that feels cluttered feels disoriented. And it I feeling it's almost the readers meant to feel what their feeling because. I can't. The roads are laid out their beliefs and where they go lower to right now but there's nothing that's clear everything so nebulous. And it you can feel that as you go through these pages it is without without that shining beacon of hope you just everything's kind of law. Yeah I mean I I love that sequence as they or as the heroes were out looking for the cosmic cube shards and in this issue. And and just every single step they were met with. With defeat and despair in the name they you know they finally. Give up in and go home. And and Hawkeye turns everyone needs like guys. What's going on. The people here not the heroes you know the regular people. They needed this. They need a win they don't win really bad to turn things around. So. A couple of things happen at this point number one we we see the bullets we see who the mole mockingbird is able. Which is fascinating in NFC. Tony I'm Tony didn't have a ways that he's cute he was just were not this remaining Intel from the brick. Jones. Leak and so these are two pretty devastating strike we see that not only is the person is undermining its concern. Really really central to and but we also see that again Tony it's just kind of that lined everybody's while a so this is kind of you think that it's the lowest moment but you wait a couple pages are gonna get this infant and so after this I wanna move to a really fascinates and panels gym is that in this book we have Captain America talk to tank. Rather and then it takes place right AM and the outskirts of Neil there's parking space. They are using soft power strong and and this is again one of those really tense conversations that again really really ties in with the united if you. What's going on in these two guys I'm. Yeah we had a similar sequence in in united like you mentioned there in both sequences are really crucial for sort of setting. Credited bit different relationship for the way that you know beast and can count. That meant there Kirk Kirk kind of dealing with each other. You know cal Bay's. In their secret empire should ease basically you know threatening UT on that he's gonna drop were the only air. And go in there and caused topic if they don't sort of bring themselves under control that UT on. Has that given that space but there are limits you know to what's. Steep Rogers will allow for them within the scope of that and you know Hank is trying to pragmatic in the united issue. He's a little more kind of downtrodden and trying to reach out this eat and very much healing like. You know trying get into his better understand. How this happened. Ends in this in Seagram higher with you only are there I think it's much more pragmatic approach like Hank realizes okay. We're dealing with this and appeared diplomatic level. And this is essentially a rat and he's got a treated at such. Absolutely and against who we see this kind of conversations we burial friends and friends and Evan always got along black Panthers and it was not long Tony. Hank and he badgers haven't it was get along with that there and want to events called avengers vs X-Men in the passing these guys have. Don't tell the tell occasionally but again it's kind of really drawn on this fascinating history to Charles what do you think is that the kind of heart of this cops. I mean again this is all about Steve. Steve getting what he wants and and this particular moment you know he's -- he wants that prosecute huge that we sought the end. Of united that that Emma house. Com and I mean at a I don't know if it's completely clear whether or not. Hank knows whether or not be used knows that she's got it. But Steve doesn't care. And one of the things that was really doesn't mean it's it's this is this moment where we can really see that how how dark. Steve has gone and come. Pink better. Beast makes a comment about playing dot com and then how heartless beepers for Steve to not do that he's like I don't I don't need hammer. To play guy I've. I've got control. I am in and in charge. Which is a really dark moment for effort Steve you know to this point I think a lot of what he's been doing. Could be perceived through his lens as altruistic he trying to do the best thing for the most people. But here this is very much. Not agree more do you because it's felt like the moment that he almost. In movie that that that pivotal hit it where someone becomes on redeemable Newton and that almost felt like it to also. Having seen as many movies shows and books. I also felt like. You're gonna pay for this at some point down the road because whenever a bully continues to bully someone else and that on an audience you start to feel and say. This isn't right. It does not work out for that well down the road to that where there's kind of we think gas feeling but there was also followed by like you do get what's coming to you because this is not okay and just this punching down and. Is it and I'm someone and Gloria Tyson is a he's playing got a bit lately they are turned expect power of that what what what are your kind of five where this relationship. Goes. I think one of the things that's cool about this it ties into where the other scenes where. You've got the war while opens on basically kind of looking for guidance and he talks would not much respect Steve Rogers and how much he. You know he knows that what they're doing is wrong but he doesn't fully sort of grasp the human political nature of what's happening there. And I think that ties into that scene really well if you talk while playing god that you know there is you know this past guardian are trigger basically. Having a crisis of faith about the same kinds of issues that Steve Rogers doesn't seem to be too concerned about that he feels very competent released is. Projecting confidence you know to the enemy which is at the end of the day how he's viewing UT on that there you know there's something to be contained or something to be controlled. Rather than in. Allies of course. So the story or in the past couple years because that he was rendered on where the you've lost until meal there and ease as you were saying to him he is a god having a crisis of faith. Is this article cons debated this thing it was escapee is the controversial times it's had a it's been riveting. The days Aaron has covered a lot of that rob but it is just a great series stories of the the story but god who has had Texas State. And getting into that area we see the three avengers who are still remaining cap. We see visions but act. We see Matt's mom Wanda who has been. I believe. Occupied lady and that is that villages and killing her handlers at the delegates did not take after take off nothing is done very very badly for the people immediately at partners say the and then of course the lower who's who. Seems like he's in it for the right reasons interestingly enough and watched a lot of it's but ease an a for the right reasons he wants to help and he's espoused from all that is on his life. On that lesson is gonna race. Yeah I mean again I I come back to that without. Without Steve being who he really is. There's no hope for these people yet. It's it's funny this you know we talk about this got having a crisis of faith and it's a crisis of faith in man. Someone who he's always look at the ads as pure and and righteous and and buddies asked me to be something terrible and houses that I'm not worthy to to wield the power that can make a difference here. And he can't. It's amazing. I really love that you know hits him. And it's a good story you know like is again the street there's always been like why should I care. Why should I care but these things people like to like amateur these are just guys. And it's always a story of his friends are kind of gotten through that and now we seeing. Well one of his friends is the such a program of insolvent and the other one of his friends leading. Fascist organization across the United States and and where is Palin play it's it's a really cool story. That I've lived at a comes to a head next week we don't have pre panels this week. But we do have Lou we will be talking about the forthcoming issue. Which should be accusing from what we can hear what they had the election when we do have questions coming in. From. Me I asked who's your favorite hero in this story who is your favorite here that you guys following. Mom. Honestly one of my favorite heroes in secret empire right now is that Scott Lang yeah watching him get mom. You know and in this is maybe a little silly I I'd just had a daughter earlier this year. So it's been really cool to watch. Roma and especially this issue you know if he's pat texting his daughter making them jokes. And and just telling her about his experience. And in trying to find some hope. In the relationship. When there's not really needed such. Vehicle the and a subsequent rate. Reid of that relationship to Zenawi we looked at that earlier when we're talking about how much these debts and accounts we were looking at against Scotland's east Texas audible time trying to. Teller it's gonna be okay not really knowing house in a budget genuine even following in this book. I'm I'm obviously the whole thing it's so complex but I wrote a love tell Russia's role like black widow because. She Serbian force that that this kind of darker side you know her kind of espionage nature. That she's going back to this Mormon role as an assassin. As you know an anarchist and and spy but she's got to take. These young pure heroes in the champions and got to forge them. Put them up against a moral quandary you know it's all well and good to say that the champions when they were formed is that you know we're not gonna kill people we're gonna be heroes. That you know we've seen that our heroes the people inspired us are no longer but now they're put up against that situation where it seems like their morals can't. Can't hole and I love the complexity of that. And black widow is really kind of the fulcrum of this of the weight that's being pushed upon them to make a decision and to do you you know. 22 not to corrupt them because I don't think that's right this report but really to just address the reality and then and the difficulty. In the darkness of of the situation I think I really think she's a great character and I love the way that nick in the rest of the crew are are using her. To move that story forward and the start of Seagram par five where she plays this deed came to get its viper to betray hydra I think is is just a great. Turn on her character and agree usage on the township. It's Reagan like values are values have been tested and cheeseburger got a really great story those champions Michael. I think symbols of personalized yeah I think he. I kind of sort of field. A common issues reading more I read these books. He was kind of given up at the beginning he was counseling I can't do this is his best friend yeah. And now he's only actually got some dream capsule as well. Yeah oh yeah that sense. What this issue whatever you're looking at what's ambles. He does it seems like he's rally behind he's kind of rally himself out of Ezra it is nice and as you read you kind of I feel like. You're talking annexing be the next month there's being a pivotal issue. I definitely feel like you got it broke me down enough but at I'm ready to have some inspiration and a way to move forward and I kind of feel similar to him now and in his is mindset. All right so there's this whole sequence again we have this really fascinating side story going through the woods nick Spencer has promised that he's not telling service stories we're gonna take and has worked so. Let's try to go back to the weekly hear about it bucket and find out what we think is going on of these was a stunning yet summer camp all right so again we had for the past issue. Steve Rogers Horry sending this to have them. Has been hanging out with buddies he's basically taking it wanted history Captain America. He has started out with his service in worries mother than the service and war. Then. He meets threats and these are two pluses of his friends we see but he we see. San and now it turns being taken away after delightful time summer camp. And he is confronted with the red skull so why is going on in these woods weekly roundtable fearing let's go route which. Man. I have no other. When you can't the red school that I shared. Barb wire act I don't if it does seem like he. The army these pages grade internal battle conscience that I lean towards that but seen through simple it seems to ease the there and I'm expecting a bigger wow factor so why I'm trying to fight against mine natural inclinations they that it seems like. It's his internal monologue it can't be. But he yeah. I'm horrible liar guys out I don't know don't talk. Yeah and I mean it's going to be it's and it really important. And obviously. And I love the status. In it's hard not to know when knowing what I know what the payouts going to be there. It's it's gonna it's gonna be a big a big shift her for Steve as we reveal what's happening there. I mean I think this is the most danger that we've seen him and his friends in. In this dream sequence and it's you know it's gonna be really cool to see how they get out. I like the sequence because again there's a lot of late. Like literary references to slightly. This waiver righteous man in the wilderness for quite some time during trials that's there that's a fundamental story analyst at society and I that that little stories goes tactic tempers stories it goes back. Just that it really author of literature game kind of seeing again this guy writes man in the wilderness confronting his demons going here's pat that is. Really essential story is very cool seeing this the guy whose candidate senator tomorrow we university press. Let's not let other cat is now and you know mountain Nevada thefts and the cabinet member of pages. Basically essentially showing. Capped mount an attack. In just that basically this looks like Willie remember early early on it can't get a horse in this eight hours and that's so. Charles what's the hootie looking. I mean the big thing that we saw here was there reveal that Bobby. Yeah mockingbird is working with that with hydra. Which is insane she wanted out you know she's a shield agent for for many many years. And and she's been kind of leading the charge we siren another one of our our time ends underground. Leading that the group of here as that are searching for the cosmic cube. Cut public and shards and and here she just. Let's everyone. Let everyone down yet she. So tomatoes in the military background. And I don't wanna compare to the punish you know and he thought to finalize its cap and a different way. But. I could see her being noble. It wasn't you know I get to that happening even though it is is still shocking news theater flip like you know. What I like about this is that it also this book ends on a really fascinates Vietnam we get to do this is against so on the show last year. We had we talk about that issue. Where Bruce Banner gets shot by an arrow lit up at last and then. Last shot of the page. We have respect back or some thing like him I don't know again it's that we days the notion that it's a short amount of time here there's not a lot of month and that he has worked with. Roots but Annan. The first came back. Well I'm raising it. Again stumped. That he is easy they called the seeker weapon correct so. There is I think there's gonna. Reach him like crazy and set him free and it's not going to be a pretty pretty thing. Act I think the point in street at Clinton they say us. England movements down there right Rais war that mild issue yeah definitely kill that guy. Now. That's great as. Not so before we get it to previous disclosures all the the stuff coming up that we want to talk about coming up in following tonight as soon. You wanna talk about disclosure real quick but Marvel Entertainment and ABC news her own battle that's the company. So kind of moving forward. What are we looking forward to Giles and what kind of books to be an that you have brave new world coming out. Yeah how it got we've got more she's a brave new world coming out. Which is always exciting it's anthology series where we leave and we received lots of different pockets of marvel universe. Are issued three we are back in the dark force mentioned here in New York City. On and we one of it's focused on two Jenna Jamison and and another young reporter. And in kind of her journey and in. Finding her place and shortly pictures aspire mainly at lightning and oh man. Oh it you know he's he's not looking for Spiderman time he is being what kind of it. He is being hunted one yeah. So that's his miracle that's ominous enough that's our own and we shift some pretty panels on Guinean and his number 25 anyone it's a look at this book. Sure. Well so this artwork by Kim Jacinto and camera bundle as gorgeous it's got to see like. Working with a great Archie makes everything go. You know that much easier and in whether it's Rio's you know and indeed go on secret empire united church here an uncanny we just got great artists working on all the books. The at this sequence that we're looking that is in Manhattan is covered in a dark force fields. And so. What's happening is there's a bunch of heroes that Steve Rogers has isolated away from the rest of the world to try and minimize their impact and to keep them from messing with his plans and so those people are trapped in New York City but it's surrounded by a dark force field. Which is also Condo accessing this is dimension. Of these shadowy counted demonic creatures that are now. Attacking new York and putting the city you know in a lot of and really dire place. They don't have communication with the outside world it or have access to resources or medical electricity is gunned down. It's can. Fight for survival and then in the midst of all that. Doctor Who do who's on the uncanny avengers team has been possessed by one of these creatures and that he was one of their sort of you know supernatural lynch tends to hopefully trying to figure this thing out and now he's been taken over by the enemy. And the uncanny avengers are definitely on the defensive. And they have no idea what's happening outside the field you know the irony of course is that. He and Kinney avengers were formed by Steve Rogers as the unity squat yet to show people that they can all kind of work together. And now they're off on their own he disbanded the unity squad that they've stuck together as a bit like gambling. They don't have an avengers mended anymore and now they're just fighting for what they think is right. All right Lejeune these illicit that is uncanny avengers that's coming out. The average growth coming out in a few weeks we're gonna have the next issue. Its empire. We are really voted this is the world that cat in so many different ways bill that's a world that that. He again the of these body just mentioned and that the all these different characters were inspired running this by this guy. And now it's turn goats now if Newton Nevada that's on the east hall on Clint Barton. Pain and that at got a phone Aaron how much. With that or attending view we will see you guys him after its next issue jobs. Michael Charles chip that you so much for joining me. Are enough for happen. I'm Walton from factory with ABC news that what was inside marvel thank you so much for joining us.

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