Marvel have produced a new trailer for their current controversial crossover event series "Secret Empire," and unlike the previous trailer, this one focuses on the "secret" plan at the heart of the story in order to get any readers caught up with the story so far.

But while it may not be exactly secret anymore, the plan is at least clear and succinct:

Stage One: Exile Earth's Most Powerful Heroes Behind a Planetary Defense Shield.

Stage Two: Trap the Rest of Earth's Defenders Within a Darkforce Shroud in Manhattan.

Stage Three: Dispense of Anyone who Gets in the Way.

The video also includes footage of Nick Spencer, flanked by Marvel SVP of publishing Tom Brevoort, explaining the role of Hydra as the group behind the plan, emphasizing the extent of the organization's history within the Marvel Universe.

"Hydra is a thousands year old secret society that's bent on world domination." Spencer explained. "They've infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., they've infiltrated the Avengers. Now, they've reached Captain America."

Later we get Spencer's personal pitch for potential readers:

"If you believe that great stories come out of great adversity being presented to characters, This really will test the Marvel heroes in a way that they never have before. Not just in terms of the danger they are in, but just the crushing blow its dealt to their idealism, to their belief systems – there is a lot that they are being put through here."

The whole thing ends with the following text: "Despite the odds, Marvel's heroes must rise to defeat their enemy," at which point the images cut to the image of Captain America holding aloft Thor's hammer, from the "Secret Empire" FCBD issue.

“Secret Empire” #1 and #0 are in stores now; Issue #2, by Nick Spencer and Andrea Sorrentino, arrives May 17.