Six months of silence explode into chaos! Ryan North and R.B. Silva unleash One World Under Doom #1, where Doctor Doom, the planet’s new Sorcerer Supreme, commandeers the airwaves and crowns himself Emperor. The world falls in line. Mind control? Doombots? Irrelevant. Only the heroes resist, but a chilling question arises: will some willingly bow before their new dictator?
Forget Thanos. In the sprawling tapestry of Marvel’s comics, one name reigns supreme: Doctor Doom. After the events of Blood Hunt, where Blade turns villainous, and Doctor Strange loses the Sorcerer Supreme title, the Marvel Universe is irrevocably changed. And in that upheaval, Doom sees his chance to rule the world. Six months have passed since Victor Von Doom vanished behind the impenetrable walls of Latveria, his mind a whirlwind of plots and schemes. Now, he emerges, and writer Ryan North and artist R.B. Silva plunge us into Doom’s audacious ascension. But will the Avengers and the Fantastic Four stand idly by as he reshapes the world in his image? Let’s find out!
Credits: Marvel Comics
From his Latverian throne, Doctor Doom declares current governments and capitalism futile and corrupt, incapable of preventing war, and easily bribed – unlike himself. In a swift display, he secures the allegiance of world leaders, uniting Earth under “United Latveria.” Proclaiming himself a benevolent dictator, he promises peace and prosperity through free healthcare and education, enforced without violence except against dissent. Maintaining a semblance of autonomy, he left world leaders in place, subject to his absolute authority, stating, “Only Doom Can Save You.”
At the Baxter Building, assembled heroes debate Doom’s sudden rise. While theories range from mind control to robotics, Thor advocates a confrontation. Elsewhere, Black Widow, tracking Baron Zemo and Hydra, witnesses Zemo’s defiant march on Doomstadt, vowing to overthrow Doom. Anticipating this, Doom allows Zemo to enter his force field.
Discovering the initial transmission came from a Hydra flying base, the Avengers split into teams to infiltrate the base and disable Latveria’s shield. At the Hydra base, the Avengers face fierce resistance. In destroying a significant stronghold, Iron Man discovers a Doom-orchestrated ruse. Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic use the destroyed doombot to broadcast footage of Doom’s supposed deception, a calculated move to expose and eliminate Hydra. The comic concludes with a final declaration, a problem only Doom can resolve.
Credits: Marvel Comics
Ryan North’s take on Doctor Doom’s conquest of the Marvel Universe is a masterclass in slow-burn dread. It’s not an explosion but a series of perfectly placed dominoes, each hero’s misstep leading inexorably to Doom’s victory. What’s truly chilling is how North laces Doom’s insidious lies with just enough truth to make them dangerously believable. We’ve seen supervillains take over the world countless times, but there’s something uniquely unsettling about the image of a Doom flag flying over the White House. It sparks a sense of unease, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
I also appreciated how North utilized the large team, splitting them into distinct mission groups. It’s a pet peeve of mine when characters just stand around, so seeing everyone actively involved was refreshing. Squirrel Girl, in particular, surprised me. I expected her to be the comic relief, but she’s surprisingly tactical, perhaps a testament to the gravity of the situation.
R.B. Silva’s artwork truly shines in the grand set pieces. His Doom is imposing and powerful. However, the paneling can sometimes feel overly crowded, especially during the action sequences. Additionally, the facial expressions of the female characters feel generic and muddled. That being said, seeing Doctor Doom riding a Doom-themed T-Rex? Iconic. That’s the kind of wild, imaginative spectacle that only comics can deliver, and it more than compensates for any minor artistic shortcomings..
Credit: Marvel Comics
David Curiel’s coloring delivers the expected superhero vibrancy, with Doom’s green and red cape standing out. However, much like Silva’s artwork, some panels suffer from over-coloring. On the other hand, Travis Lanham’s lettering is a clear highlight. His detailed sound effects – ‘Pwee,’ ‘Bang,’ ‘Krakk,’ ‘Thwip,’ and ‘Zzzzzzt!! BOOOOM’ – effectively conveys the intensity of the Hydra base assault, adding a crucial layer of dynamism.
One World Under Doom #1 delivers a compellingly unsettling scenario: Doctor Doom, Emperor of Earth, offering a seemingly utopian rule. Ryan North’s narrative executes a disturbingly believable veneer for Doom’s power grab, expertly blending propaganda with calculated action. R.B. Silva’s artwork provides the necessary grandeur, showcasing the scope of Doom’s ambition, though a few panels suffer from a touch of visual congestion.
‘One World Under Doom’ #1 Review: Doctor Doom Takes Control in Marvel Comics
One World Under Doom #1 delivers a compellingly unsettling scenario: Doctor Doom, Emperor of Earth, offering a seemingly utopian rule. Ryan North’s narrative executes a disturbingly believable veneer for Doom’s power grab, expertly blending propaganda with calculated action. R.B. Silva’s artwork provides the necessary grandeur, showcasing the scope of Doom’s ambition, though a few panels suffer from a touch of visual congestion.
