Marvel Officially Reveals New Doctor Doom Mask Ahead Of Avengers: Doomsday

A new chapter in Doctor Doom's life opens with the introduction of a new look for Victor von Doom, which includes a new version of his iconic mask. A select few Marvel characters have transcended the convention of masks as identity protection, instead adopting headgear that's inseparable from their identities. Deadpool and Taskmaster technically wear their masks as part of their job, but they can no longer participate in any battle without them by this point. Destiny wears her featureless golden mask to channel her powers, but it also helps her conceal her emotions. Meanwhile, Baron Zemo’s purple cowl is a curse, as the fabric fused permanently to his skin.

The significance of Doctor Doom’s mask is more complex. Doom's metal mask is a reminder of Victor Von Doom's vanity and his rejection of human flaws. Originally forged by a secluded order of Tibetan monks following a superficial scar from a collegiate laboratory accident, Victor forced the burning, molten-hot iron mask onto his face before it cooled. Now, the iron plate held together by industrial rivets has become part of Doom, literally and figuratively, meaning not even the universe's strongest forces can rip it from his scarred face.

There are rare instances where Doctor Doom decides to show the flesh underneath the mask, especially in moments when his face is magically healed.

Doctor Doom Now Wears A Frankenstein-Like Broken Mask

Captain America #12; Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Valerio Schiti & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Despite his sustained victory in One World Under Doom, Victor von Doom exchanged his life for Valeria Richards', and the Living Tribunal not only killed him, but sent him directly to Hell. In his archnemesis' realm, Doctor Doom manages to link his soul with Steve Rogers' in an attempt to come back to life, but not before starting his conquest of Mephisto's kingdom. Doom has recruited multiple demonic entities off-screen, and he has either found or created a new mask. Doom's new mask appears to be built from multiple simple metal plates, sewn together to keep it from falling apart.

Doctor Doom's makeshift mask clearly represents his humble attempt to recover from his defeat. After all, Victor lost it all while trying to conquer the world. Doom lost his life to the Living Tribunal, lost Latveria to General Ross, and is about to lose his prestige to Mephisto if he doesn't leave Hell. In true Doom fashion, the first thing Victor seems to do as soon as he arrives in Hell is build himself new armor, a new cloak, and a new mask, all in order to keep his legendary persona intact.

Victor Von Doom's Identity Is More Tied To The Mask Than To His Own Face

Doctor Doom Doesn't Want To Go Back To His Original, Unscarred Appearance

Doctor Doom also wears his new faceplate in spite of the fact that Victor's face looks completely unscarred in Hell. Doom doesn't seem impressed with his regular appearance, and instead puts on the mask almost as soon as he finds Steve Rogers. To the world and to himself, Doom is a living monument of metal who has transcended the vulnerable nature of human anatomy. When he forced the scalding iron plate onto his face in that lonely Tibetan monastery, Victor buried the flawed mortal beneath to truly transform into Doctor Doom, the perfect supervillain.

Without the mask, Doctor Doom feels like a vulnerable man haunted by his past failures. His ego is so thoroughly fused to the metal that the mask has become his true face. Even in rare instances where his physical scars are completely healed, such as his temporary restoration during Secret Wars, Infamous Iron Man, and his post-One World Under Doom stint in Hell, Doom inevitably returns to the mask.

Which Doctor Doom redesign is your favorite?

Captain America #12 is now available from Marvel Comics