Modern superhero cinema has offered up yet another tantalizing teaser with the trailer for “Avengers: Doomsday,” a spectacle featuring Thor and his mighty Stormbreaker doing battle with the infamous Doctor Doom, now portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. The clash reaches a jaw-dropping moment as Doom effortlessly halts the axe in its tracks. Given that “Avengers: Secret Wars” is anticipated in 2027, speculation is rife that Doom might be setting himself up as the triumphant adversary over the Avengers in the upcoming release. This wouldn’t be entirely unexpected, as comic book aficionados are familiar with Doom’s numerous triumphs over Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The full story behind Doom’s comic book conquests is covered in detail in the video from Looper, but let’s delve into some essentials.
Marvel’s “Secret Wars” narratives have twice seen Doom standing victorious. In the much-acclaimed 1984 series, Doom seizes the power of Galactus and, alongside a cadre of heroes, topples the Beyonder controlling them on Battleworld. While they successfully vanquish the Beyonder, Doom’s insatiable hunger for power ultimately becomes his undoing as he overextends himself and loses it all.
The 2015 reboot of “Secret Wars” elevates Doom to unprecedented heights. He ascends to the status of God Emperor Doom by siphoning off the Beyonder’s abilities, crafting a new Battleworld and asserting his rule with an iron fist. During this ominous tenure, Doom does away with major characters such as Doctor Strange and Thanos. The eventual intervention of Reed Richards and Molecule Man strips Doom of his godlike power, yet the aftermath of his rule leaves a significant impact.
Displaying an uncanny knack for world domination, Doom has managed to seize control of the globe several times. In one such instance, chronicled in “Avengers: Emperor Doom,” he capitalizes on the powers of the Purple Man, compelling obedience and claiming global leadership. Remarkably, Doom emerges as a competent ruler until his darker propensities surface. Despite wielding supreme power, he ultimately grows weary of ruling, revealing a peculiar disinterest in his own conquests.
Doctor Doom has physical and emotional victories over Marvel’s heroes
Esad Ribić/Marvel Comics
Doom has taken over the world on several occasions, and he’s actually proven to be a pretty decent leader at times — until his worst instincts get the better of him. In “Avengers: Emperor Doom,” the Latverian madman uses the Purple Man’s power, meaning people must obey all of his orders, to his own advantage. He has all of the world leaders hand control over to him and achieves global dominance. But over time, he gets bored and doesn’t want to rule anymore.
In 2024’s Marvel Comics “Blood Hunt” event, Doom convinces Doctor Strange to give him the power of the Sorcerer Supreme to save the world from a vampire invasion. Afterward, Doom keeps the powers and rules over Earth once more. Then there was the time in “Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Trial and Triumph” where the two magic users descend into the underworld to rescue Doom’s mother’s soul from the clutches of Mephisto, who’s basically the devil of the Marvel universe. With craftiness and sheer power, Doom bests the devil, proving he’s a force to be reckoned with in any plane of existence.
But Doom isn’t always interested in winning over heroes. When Sue Storm’s about to give birth in 1998’s “Fantastic Four” #54, and with no other options, Doctor Doom delivers her child. He insists on naming her Valeria Richards and appoints himself her godfather. Forging a special connection with the child of your greatest enemies is a good way to psychologically torment them, and it’s proof that Doom is one of Marvel’s greatest haters.
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the worst things Doom has done in Marvel Comics, so watch Looper’s video above for more ways Doom has shown why he’s the biggest big bad there ever was.