Warning: Spoilers forSpider-Man: Black Suit & Blood #3!There’s no arguing about it, andKang the Conqueroragrees:Doctor Doomis one of the most influential characters in Marvel Comics. Together, these two men have been causing some major havoc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet, in the comics, they have been pillars and major antagonists against the Avengers and other major Marvel teams for many years. Finally, Kang reveals his feelings towards his fellow villain, Doctor Doom, by outlining just why he has Kang’s respect.
InSpider-Man: Black Suit and Blood,a new host of one-shot stories reveal specific comic moments in between life-shattering events of Marvel. In the story “Whatever Happened to Master Blood?” by Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, and Edgar Delgado from issue #3, while dealing with a Master Blood bonded with the Venom symbiote, Kang declares that he can be easily erased from the timeline, seeing how he isn’t influential to time at all and will not be missed.
Not, he declares, likeDoctor Doom, whom Kang reveals has his respect, becauseDoom is so crucial to the timeline that Kang cannot simply erase him. To have Kang the Conqueror’s respect is huge, considering he’s a man completely outside of time, and he still knows that Doctor Doom is a force to be reckoned with, inside or outside of time.
Kang Declares that Doctor Doom Is a Pillar of Marvel’s Timeline
Doctor Doom’s Debut inFantastic Four#5 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created Doctor Doomin 1962’sFantastic Four#5,which is celebrated as one of the best arcs in the Fantastic Four franchise - right from the very beginning. A dynamic conception of death with similarities toThe Man in the Iron Maskby Alexandre Dumas, Doctor Doom was initially only an antagonistic to the Fantastic Four, and it was a few years until his backstory was set in concrete. Now,Doom stands out as the premiere Marvel villain.
“Doom Is Who You Are”: Doctor Doom’s New Origin Gives His Name A Tragic Meaning
The origin of the Ultimate Universe’s Doctor Doom has finally been revealed, and it redefines his iconic name in the darkest way possible.
BeforeDoctor Doom completely changed the MCU, he was a despotic ruler of the tiny country of Latveria. He often asserts that he would bring utter peace and security to all of humanity under his iron rule - and he’s tried more than a few times. He’smore than just a dynamic villain who wants to dominate the world. He sees himself as a savior, and the only thing stopping him from saving the world is the united force of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. It’s certainly understandable why he would be influential in Marvel history, considering he’s ascended to godhood a time or two.
Doctor Doom Reaches Godhood Over and Over Again
The Many Iterations of Victor Von Doom
In addition toDoctor Doom’s new codename, Victor Von Doom has been reaching fantastic heights in the Marvel Universe, both in alternate realities and in the main continuity. Recently, during the events ofBlood Hunt, Doctor Strange sought out Doctor Doom, as he is also a sorcerer of great renown, and asked for his help to break the curse of eternal night throughout the world. to do this, Stephen Strange has to give himthe title of Sorcerer Supreme,gifting Doom ultimate powerand allowing him to save the world in his own special way.
In every iteration, Doctor Doom climbs to the very top of his own evolution.
That’s not the only title Doctor Doom has achieved during his career; he has also become All-Father Doom inDoom 2099#1 by Chip Zdarsky, Marco Castiello, Vincenzo Acunzo, Chris Sotomayor, and Clayton Cowles,where he infuses his body with nanotechnology. InSecret Warsby Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić, Doom becomes God Emperor Doom,one of the most powerful versions of Doomwho has stolen the Beyonder’s powers and reigns as a cosmic titan.These aspects are certainly the work of someone who is more than influential in the timeline.In fact, it seems that in every iteration, Doctor Doom climbs to the very top of his own evolution, even when he’s crawling from the very bottom in the Pliocene Age.
Like Kang, Doctor Doom Has Traveled Through Time
The Marquis of Death: Doctor Doom’s Defeated Time Master
With regard to time, Doctor Doom has also done a bit of time traveling too, though it was more a survival tactic than anything else. InFantastic Four#566 by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, Cam Smith, Andrew Currie, Paul Mounts, and Rus Wooton,a powerful sorcerer namedthe Marquis of Deatharrives as the supposed master of Doctor Doom. Unsatisfied with his inability to conquer the world,he sends Doom back into the time of dinosaurs as punishment. But Doctor Doom, using his sorcery, holds himself together, atom by atom, through the timeline until he eventually lives again and becomes the Marquis' assistant.
Looking for another classic Doctor DoomFantastic Fourappearance? How about a wedding? Check outFantastic Four Annual#3 by Lee and Kirby, which features Doom trying to thwart the wedding of Susan Storm and Reed Richards.
At the moment of his banishment, Doctor Doom is also there and has been the whole time, as a future time traveler version of himself. He endures his own banishment, knowing the laws of time travel, and then double-crosses the Marquis and defeats his own master. This arc shows just how important Doctor Doom is to the timeline outside of Kang’s words:the very timeline couldn’t erase him from existence,even when his master tried to erase him. Doom continues to live through sheer willpower.
Kang the Conqueror Admits Doctor Doom Is Essential to Marvel
Victor Von Doom Cannot Be Erased from the Timeline
Kang the Conqueror’s respect shows comic fans justhow masterful Doctor Doom is. While his actions speak of his ability to ascend to godhood with his new power upgrades, the respect of another character that cannot be killed in Marvel shows the height of Victor Von Doom.He is a core piece of the Marvel Universe, and in every parallel reality, there is some version of Doctor Doom and his ambition that allows him to reach the top of his possible evolutionary arc.
“Earth’s Mightiest Villain”: Doctor Doom Names the 1 Villain He Sincerely Respects (& Shatters Marvel Continuity Doing It)
A shocking new character has appeared to redefine a classic Marvel event, and somehow Doctor Doom knows him. What mysteries are yet to be revealed?
Kang knows that he could not erase Doctor Doom as simply as he had done with Master Blood, meaning that Doom is more powerful than supposed: beyond his willpower,even the very fabric of time would resist Doom’s demise, making him essential to life in the Marvel Universe. Atom by atom, he refuses to be disseminated from Marvel’s comics, and even if his willpower wasn’t strong enough, the forces of the universe refuse to let go of Doctor Doom.
Doctor Doom Is the Ultimate Superhero Comics Villain
There Is No Marvel Without Doom
AsDoctor Doom replaces Kang the Conqueroras the main villain ofAvengers 5in the MCU, he shows comic fans just how influential he is, across mediums no less. Doctor Doom is not only a major pillar of the timeline, but of Marvel Comics and comics in general. There is no Marvel without Doctor Doom.Kang the Conqueroris finally admitting this, giving his fellow villain his respect, but comic fans have been saying this for years:Doctor Doomis the ultimate comic-book villain.
Spider-Man: Black Suit and Blood#3is available now from Marvel Comics!
