SECRET EMPIRE CHECKLIST FOR 4/19!!

It's here!! The biggest Marvel event of the year starts this week with not one, not two, but 4 Secret Empire tie-ins!

First up is the zero issue of the main book. Totally important and vital to the story. Do not be fooled that it is a #0 and dismiss it. Truly necessary to enjoy Secret Empire.

SECRET EMPIRE #0

(W) Nick Spencer (A) Daniel Acuña, Rod Reis (CA) Mark Brooks

What if your greatest ally was secretly your greatest enemy? What if the most trustworthy, stalwart hero history has ever known has been planning in secret a massive betrayal? That time is now!
The Marvel Universe is under siege from within! Captain America, secretly a true believer in the cause of Hydra, has turned his back on the Super Hero community. Using the trust and respect he has gained over the years he has ascended to a position where he can enacts Hydra's ideals. The death of Jack Flag, the trial of Maria Hill, the second Civil War, the alien Chitauri Queen. All of the dominos of Captain America's plan have been laid out -- and it will take only the slightest push to set them into action!
Now, the Avengers, the Champions, the Defenders, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men and more will be tested. As Hydra's grip tightens around the Marvel Universe, the heroes stand at the precipice of an unprecedented challenge. How will they Marvel Universe cope with this shattering betrayal by the most trusted among them?

Next up are the three "Opening Salvo" tie-ins that are transitioning the storylines of these titles into Secret Empire. (This list is also organized into suggested reading order if you care about that sort of thing)

CAPTAIN AMERICA: STEVE ROGERS #16

(W) Nick Spencer (A) Various (CA) Daniel Acuña

• The stage is set! Everything has been leading to this moment! It's time for Captain America to step out of the shadows to change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe in a massive way!

THUNDERBOLTS #12

(W) Jim Zub (A/CA) Jon Malin

The Masters of Evil, the fate of Kobik, betrayal, destruction and the future of the Thunderbolts - "Return of the Masters" concludes here. Don't miss it!

U.S. AVENGERS #5

(W) Al Ewing (A) Paco Diaz (CA) Paco Medina

• The time for goofy solicits is over. A.I.M. is getting serious - and Steve Rogers is here to make sure of it.
• But where does this leave Roberto Da Costa?
• Meanwhile, Sam Guthrie is a man of two worlds. Which will he choose?

Check back next week for another report from behind enemy lines. HAIL HYDRA!