Secret Empire proved to be one of Marvel Comics' most divisive events ever, shaking the very core of the Avengers and, most of all, Steve Rogers. While Nick Spencer's story tested the institution of the Captain America mantle, it also addressed how the rest of the Marvel Universe received or revolted against the doctrines of a Fascist version the star-spangled hero. By altering history, Kobik didn't merely reshape Cap's past and present, she also affected the future of the character, as well as the world he lives in, which was very much stained by the rule his Hydra organization implemented.

RELATED: No, Secret Empire Was Not Worth The Controversy

That said, events come and go, so was this one really Earth-shattering? Did it change the status quo of things and redefine the Marvel-616 for years to come? Truth be told, as with any massive storyline, some parts felt like a gimmick from issue to issue. But with Secret Empire: Omega capping a brutal finale, it's very clear what Spencer was trying to construct and accomplish. He held up a mirror which shows us a reflection we often don't like to see, making it clear we are creatures of the culture we create. With that in mind, we ask again, was this event worth it? Our answer: Absolutely.

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The sociopolitical aspect of this story stands head and shoulders above most superhero fare. Steve's betrayal (as Hydra-Cap) felt similar to that of so many politicians existing in the world today. He tricked everyone, from the love of his life in Sharon Carter, to Captain Danvers' space squad whose he marooned for the Chitauri to feed on. Caps actions even extended to people he didn't know, like every agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., which he repurposed for Hydra's use, not tom mention the millions of civilians who suffered under his boot. Heroes and villains who didn't side with him died, and even when they aligned with him, it wasn't necessarily a choice made of their own volition.

RELATED: Interview: Nick Spencer on Marvel's Secret Empire & Its Aftermath

People like Emma Frost, Namor and Black Panther were all playing the game to protect their own, creating the opposite of something like the United States of Hydra. As a result, we saw hate, fear and terrorism across the Marvel U, much like what exists in the real world today. Seeing Rick Jones being shot up by soldiers for not complying with Hydra was the moment that cemented the series' sense of dread, but it was far from the most horrific imagery. The camps of Inhumans and other opposition to Hydra forces looked back in history, evoking images of the Holocaust and the U.S.A.'s Japanese-American internment camps.

The xenophobia we witnessed with Brian McAllister (the Inhuman called Barf, who ended up saving the day) and his younger brother Jason in North Carolina, the stifling of the press by Hydra-Cap, and the devastation of Las Vegas all made the story uncomfortable yet relatable. These arcs hit home hard because they drew parallels to the present day, whether it was Marvel's intention or not. While comics are often read for escapism, the role of art is to hold up that mirror to society, and Spencer did precisely that.

REVIEW: Spencer Talks Secret Empire's Barfing Inhuman, & Omega's Importance

Omega's most chilling aspect involved the points Hydra-Cap made after he was taken down and imprisoned. The real Steve Rogers, heroic and ready to make things right again, visited his evil doppelgänger and tried to make sense of what went wrong. He looked at the dark version of himself, one without a moral compass, yet one who stood by his beliefs and philosophies. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, right?

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In their conversation, which more or less emphasizes the importance of Secret Empire, Hydra-Cap indicates that a lot of what he did was actually accomplished through tools handed to him, such as the director's role of S.H.I.E.L.D., access to the space shield that kept Danvers' troops off-planet, and the fact that people in general were ready to back his movement. He made it clear he didn't create the system, he just worked it, an argument that applies to too many businesses, corporations and politicians. He also taunted good Cap by saying the evils he perpetrated were merely actions good ol' Steve was afraid to employ to save the world and his loved ones. He echoed The Winter Soldier movie where Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce says, "Sometimes to build a new world, you have to tear the old one down."

It was a harsh truth, which left Steve wondering about the sides chosen, about whether the people did want him fighting for them, and whether there was a shred of truth to his doppelgänger's argument. But in the end, he realized he has to keep fighting his never ending battle for good. Even if the general public can't see it, and even if his Avengers teammates are being petulant with their civil wars, Secret Empire will now act as Steve's conscience, reminding him that the greater good is what matters.

RELATED: Secret Empire: The Fate of Hydra Cap & Real Steve Rogers, Explained

Another thing that stood out was the sense of family throughout the event. When Steve came back, Sam Wilson (as Cap) was quick to embrace his mentor and brother. It wasn't about who was 'Captain America' or who was holding the shield, but about a brother-in-arms. It reunited the Avengers after that disastrous Civil War II, after Bruce Banner was killed and so many other calamities. The Avengers are a family again, and they need to be, because strength in numbers is what made Hydra-Cap's reign so strong.

Even Evil Steve's (aka Stevil) Hydra command, from Madame Hydra to his bestie in Baron Zemo was more than just a gathering of like-minded villains. They weren't just a council -- they were family (albeit an evil one), a principle that drove Stevil on.

This idea of family was represented at both ends of the spectrum, good and evil, but it was most prominent on a human and grounded level when Brian returned to meet his brother. Brian wanted to continue on with his life so badly, he signed away his right to sue the government for imprisoning him. He just wanted to go home. His community coming together to erase the hate they dealt the family was just the icing on the cake.

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The twists and turns in the series were smartly done and felt like trailers for other books -- from Hulk's return, to what led to Vanishing Point, to Jane losing the hammer and Stevil (magically) lifting it. The heroes that turned to Hydra such as Punisher and the Odinson, to, last but not least, Kobik pressing the undo button. At the end of the day, this is what an event is supposed to do -- lay the foundation for the future, keep you guessing as it does so, but make logical sense when it's all done. The fact that Hydra-Cap still exists proves the finale wasn't as big a cop-out as fans feared it would be, as does the fact that Rick Jones and Black Widow remain dead.

Not everyone gets Kobik's "magical" resurrection, a twist reminiscent of Scarlet Witch's "No More Mutants" spell that launched House of M. You can tell that the ramifications of Kobik's choice are going to ripple through the 616 for months, if not years to come, especially with people still fearing the face of the good Steve. Even his fellow heroes are sure to be weirded out a bit. It will be interesting when the people "he killed" meet this face in the future, and decide whether they can accept he's not the dictator that took over the world. Heck, even the common man is struggling with this notion, as seen in Omega when a kid fled from him rather than accept his helping hand.

RELATED: Why Kobik Didn't Undo Secret Empire's Casualties

Change is an unsettling thing, and maybe Spencer's story didn't start at the best of times given America's current political climate. The media ran with Steve's first "Hail Hydra!" when he killed Jack Flag in Captain America: Steve Rogers, and then the ensuing and press buzz was unlike any other, focusing on the character's symbolic meaning more than it did the actual events of the story.

To comics fans, this event was built on a Judas syndrome, but to mainstream media, it was the perfect item to run with, to hold up a pop culture mirror to events that have continued to unfold in the real world. In the end, it's clear that Secret Empire wasn't just worth the hype and attention; it was relevant to the times we live in, and because of that, very necessary.