Marvel Knows What Ingredients Transformed Doctor Doom Into Its Most Dangerous Villain

Speaking with AIPT, Ryan North answered a wide range of questions about the forthcoming One World Under Doom, which will be drawn by RB Silva. Spinning out of Blood Hunt’s ending, in which Doom becomes Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, One World Under Doom sees the dictator use his power to seize control of Earth. North, in discussing the book’s political overtones, had this to say:

It is a story about someone taking over the world,” said North. “It’s obviously political, but it’s not based on American politics or even Canadian politics. There’s always politics, which is just the art and science of people trying to interact with each other and gain advantages over people. And that’s a domain that Doom works in very, very well.”

North’s approach also involves historical parallels.

“It’s a story about geopolitical maneuvering,” said North. “When you’re at this level of countries represented by people, what do those people do? You go back a 100, 200, 300 years, you have a lot of situations being decided by individuals and how they react to each other. And it’s not a good way to run the world, but it’s a great way to tell a story.

Doctor Doom is Comics' Best Villain--Bar None

Doctor Doom Is a Well-Rounded Threat, Adept in Both Science and Magic

Since his first appearance in Fantastic Four #5, Doctor Doom has cut a menacing figure across the Marvel Universe, and nearly every major hero has tangled with him at one point. Doom is one of the most brilliant minds on Earth, but possessed of a great ego. According to Doom, his face was disfigured in an accident, and his pride and vanity forced him to wear a mask, even though it was speculated his face only had a minor scar. Whatever the case, it points to a serious flaw of Doom’s.

Yet for all his flaws, Doctor Doom possesses a keen mind, one with a mastery over many fields: science, magic and politics, among others. Doom’s grasp of politics and world affairs led him to not only take over his home country of Latveria, but also make the country viable on the world stage. Doctor Doom is a tyrant through and through, yet he is allowed to continue ruling Latveria. The international community never intervenes in Latveria, and indeed gives the country a wide berth. While this may be due to Doom’s manipulations, many also fear his raw power.

Doctor Doom is a Political Villain, and This Will Help Him Take Over the Marvel Universe

Marvel's Heroes Will Have to Trick Doctor Doom If They Wish to Defeat Him

Ryan North acknowledges Doctor Doom’s skills as a politician. North’s definition of politics, with its emphasis on maneuvering and outplaying your opponent, fits Doom perfectly. Doom brings a lot of power and ability to the table, power that he has parlayed into intimidating others to get what he wants. Countries and leaders negotiate with Doom because they know they have no choice. Doctor Doom is using fear as a weapon, and in One World Under Doom he brings it to the political arena, working his way up to leader of the world.

Doctor Doom may have a better grasp of politics and world affairs than any other Marvel villain, which will make him very hard to defeat in One World Under Doom. If the heroes want any chance of liberating Earth from Doom’s clutches, they will have to prey on his massive ego, and find a way to get under his skin. As seen in several Marvel titles, Doctor Doom comes close to victory, only to blow it. Now, with the power of the Sorcerer Supreme at his disposal, as well as a fine political mind, Doctor Doom is Marvel’s most dangerous villain.

One World Under Doom #1 is on sale February 12 from Marvel Comics.

Source: AIPT