Doctor Doom is, without a doubt, the biggest baddie Marvel’s ever cooked up. Others like Magneto might’ve had more twists and turns in their stories, and Thanos has got the raw strength, but no one outshines Doom. He’s not just flashy hubris and grand theatrics; beneath all that, Doom’s got layers. He’s topping charts on every villain list, thanks to that killer look, epic rivals, and the power to take on just about any hero team you throw at him. Heck, Doom’s even stepped into Iron Man’s shoes and saved the universe a few times. Right now, in One World Under Doom, he’s running the show as the world’s Emperor, keeping the heroes on their toes and outsmarting them at every turn. Doom’s top-tier stuff, hands down.
Doom’s popularity has only skyrocketed thanks to the internet, where memes of him are everywhere. News of Robert Downey Jr. possibly stepping into Doom’s shoes in the MCU, along with his presence in Fortnite and Marvel Rivals, has pulled more eyes on Doom. It’s cool and all when comics hit mainstream coolness. But does it come at a cost? This “cool” Doom we’ve been getting lately might actually be a problem.
Doctor Doom Isn’t Scary Anymore
Don’t get me wrong, Doctor Doom doing epic stuff is pretty awesome. The image of him riding a T-Rex just screams cool. And the meme where he lays down the law on Reed Richards about bedtime for Latverian kids? Pure gold. Doom taking over Iron Man’s gig, wiping the floor with Mephisto, and hopping through alternate realities with The Thing and Human Torch in Marvel-Two-In-One? That’s character growth right there. But here’s the kicker—when did Doom last feel really dangerous? Was it during the Secret Wars (2015) phase when he was God Emperor Doom? Or was it when he linked up with Norman Osborn’s Cabal? The “Unthinkable” arc in Fantastic Four, where he made some pretty horrifying choices, that’s when Doom truly shone. The newer “cool” version we’re seeing is missing that ferocity. Doom’s become this sympathetic figure who just can’t stand Reed Richards, taking away some of his dark allure.
One World Under Doom illustrates this issue with how Doom’s being portrayed nowadays. It’s a great comic and all, entertaining to see Doom clinch victory. But the trouble is it makes Doom out to be some sort of do-gooder. Sure, he might still be up to something terrible under the radar, but right now, Doom’s using community-driven ideas, like universal health care and education, to win folks over. It feels off, even if he’s scheming in the background. Back in Secret Wars (2015), you knew something sketchy was up from the start. Currently, Doom just presents as a hero, and that doesn’t sit right. Despite his recent triumphs over the heroes, he’s lost that frightening edge. Doom’s complexity and his dark past, like sacrificing loved ones for power, aren’t shining through enough. We’re dangerously close to having Doom just blend in with the “noble villain” trope.
Doom Needs His Edge Restored
I can’t predict the future, but maybe One World Under Doom will see Doom reclaiming his fearsome mantle. Yet, with Robert Downey Jr. rumored to step into the role, it’s hard to shake the feeling Marvel might not revisit Doom’s darker moments from the “Unthinkable” days or Secret Wars (2015). If movie trends hold, and Doom becomes a Tony Stark variant in Avengers: Doomsday, we might not see that dangerous side again soon. Doom’s a fantastic villain, but lately he’s too… let’s say, cuddly.
There are still plenty of villainous characters with bite that fans love, like Sabretooth, who’s brutally savage and still gets regular spotlights. Doom’s an incredible character with the perfect balance of humor and menace. That’s his charm, really. But Doom doesn’t need another meme moment; he needs back his fierce, commanding presence. He’s the king among Marvel’s villains, and it’s about time he stepped back into that role properly.
One World Under Doom is available now.
