Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers are bringing Doctor Doom back into the Marvel universe in a big way! If Marvel's claims are accurate, Doom's reign will be a prolonged era, akin to "Dark Reign," rather than a short-lived event. This means the Marvel universe will continue throughout most of 2025, but under Doom's iron fist as World Emperor, Sorcerer Supreme, and leader of the Superior Avengers.
Predictably, the Superior Avengers will feature villains, but not the usual suspects. Familiar names will be donned by new characters:
- Abomination: Kristoff, Doom's adopted son and Reed Richards' half-brother.
- Dr. Octopus: A new, unnamed woman.
- Ghost: An unnamed woman, referencing Ant-Man.
- Killmonger: A reimagined version.
- Malekith: The Black Elves remain on Earth.
- Onslaught: A significant addition to the team.
The Superior Avengers will be a six-issue miniseries written by Steve Fox (known for X-Men '92: House of XCII, Dark X-Men, Dead X-Men, Spider-Woman) and illustrated by Luca Maresca (X-Men: Forever, Children of the Vault). It launches in April.
This concept isn't entirely new. Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers in 2009 featured villains masquerading as heroes. Similarly, Hydra's Avengers in the "Secret Empire" event also utilized a villainous roster.
But how did Doom achieve this level of power – World Emperor, Sorcerer Supreme, and leader of the Superior Avengers? This guide explores the events leading up to "One World Under Doom."
Table of Contents:
- Emperor Doom
- President Doom 2099
- Secret Wars
- Blood Hunt
Emperor Doom: While Emperor Doom (1987) is a significant comic, it's not essential reading for understanding this new storyline. It showcases Doom's global dominance, a concept central to the current narrative.
President Doom 2099: In Doom 2099, a future version of Doom nearly conquers America, highlighting his ambition and showcasing his unique perspective on global threats.
Secret Wars (2015): Doom's role in Secret Wars provides a compelling example of his pursuit of power and immortality in the name of order. His actions, while self-serving, ultimately resulted in a form of "salvation" for the Marvel universe.
Blood Hunt: The "Blood Hunt" event (2024) is crucial. Doctor Strange, in a desperate attempt to stop a vampire invasion, grants Doom the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme. Doom retains this power, setting the stage for his current reign.
While we await the Russo/Downey Jr. collaboration, let's prepare ourselves for a Marvel universe ruled by Doctor Doom.