Marvel’s New Doom has a Kingdom in the Last Place Fans Would Expect

3 weeks ago 13

John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

The following contains major spoilers for The Will of Doom #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Doctor Doom might be dead and gone, but his reign on Earth is far from over.

While the rest of the world is reeling from Doctor Doom's demise and the end of his self-proclaimed rule over the planet, there is one small corner of the world where it seems to be alive and well. As seen in The Will of Doom #1 (by Chip Zdarsky, CAFU, David Curiel, and VC's Travis Lanham), Doom still reigns supereme in one small town in Virginia. Or at least, some version of him does.

The Will of Doom #1

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by CAFU
Colors by DAVID CURIEL
Letters by VC's TRAVIS LANHAM
Design by ADAM DEL RE
Main cover art by JONAS SCHARF & ALEX GUIMARÃES
Variant covers by ADI GRANOV; DECLAN SHALVEY; J. SCOTT CAMPBELL; SABINE RICH & ULA MOS; PHIL NOTO; RYAN STEGMAN & ARTHUR HESLI; SANFORD GREENE; and STEPHEN PLATT

The official solicit synopsis for The Will of Doom #1 from Marvel Comics reads, "LONG LIVE, DOOM! As the Fantastic Four deal with the fallout from ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM, they're faced with big questions and a surprising new global menace! Will the White House have their backs? Will... the RED HULK? The next stage of the Marvel Universe starts here!"

Throughout the past year, readers have watched as Doctor Doom seemingly cemented his complete and total control over the entire planet. Although there was never any shortage of heroes willing to fight back against Doom or reveal the dark truths behind his reign, it wasn't until the tragic death of Valeria Richards that the classic Marvel villain was willing to give it all up.

With Valeria's death, Doom traversed the deepest corners of the cosmos until he found himself standing before the Living Tribunal. After struggling to find any real help from even the likes of the Vishanti, Doom was able to barter for Valeria's life by giving up his own. In an instant, Doom was reduced to dust, while Valeria was rushed back to the mortal plane just as quickly.

Apart from paving the way for a bright and shining new era free from Doom's shadow, the death of the Latverian dictator has created a massive power vacuum that looks to be filled in the pages of Dungeons of Doom in January. Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Benjamin Percy with art by Carlos Magno, Robert Gill, Justin Mason, and Georges Jeanty, Dungeons of Doom will show exactly how deadly the race to claim Doom's legacy will be.

The official solicit synopsis for Dungeons of Doom #1 from Marvel Comics reads, "In the aftermath of One World Under Doom, with Doom’s castle empty and masterless, the superpowers of the world race to claim and control the untold power and technology that await inside."

"But when an explosion sends them all plummeting into a dungeon labyrinth that none of them knew was there, what began as an arms race becomes a terrifying game of survival. Who, if any, will survive? And what horrors lie within the Dungeons of Doom?"

The Will of Doom #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.