Supervillain Origins: Doctor Dooms (Redux)

Supervillain Origins: Doctor Doom Redux

There is only one person who pulls the strings! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be exploring the comic book origin of Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, arch nemesis of the Fantastic Four and not that kind of doctor. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline which unfolded in 2006’s “Books of Doom” issues #1 to #6.

Depicted as having the biggest ego in the Marvel Universe, even more so than Tony Stark, Doom’s goals for world domination and destruction of those that stand in his way often comes with the caveat that he may actually end up being the right person to rule the world. He’s certainly one of the smartest and most dangerous villains ever conceived, and does a fairly good job at ruling the fictional country of Latveria.

First appearing in 1962’s “Fantastic Four #5”, Doctor Doom quickly left his mark on the Marvel universe. In this seminal issue, all of Doom’s tropes are established: genius intellect and ingenious devices, time travel, his rivalry with Mister Fantastic, sorcery, and his indestructible suit of armour are all laid bare. Doom’s backstory is illuminated as well, as Mister Fantastic recounts their school days. Victor Von Doom’s disfiguring accident at school would go on to transform the man into the villain we know today when he later left to study with monks in seclusion.

In 1982’s “Fantastic Four #246 and #247”, it would also be revealed how important the fictional land of Latveria is to Doctor Doom. His home country, and now its dictator, Doctor Doom would do anything to protect his home. It was perhaps the first time when we truly understood Doom’s capability to successfully lead a nation; making his world domination schemes seem somewhat understandable. As it’s leader, Doom ensured that Latveria was prosperous and had no hunger or crime. Now Doctor Doom was no longer a faceless madmen and evil villain, but a man who believed he was the only person in the world who could do it any good. It wouldn’t be until 2006’s “Books of Doom” where we discover a detailed explanation of the journey that made Doctor Doom into the leader and eventual enemy of the Fantastic Four.

Born in Latveria to a Gypsy woman, Doom’s legacy begins early in the womb. His mother had several consorts with demons, ew, which possibly had an early effect on Doom and his abilities. Due to those consorts, however, Doom’s mother wound up being killed by their gypsy clan after she began tapping into demonic powers. This event would turn young Victor bitter as he began to be consumed by thoughts of vengeance. Victor left with his father, where they encountered enemies and are forced to hide in the frozen wilderness. His father would later freeze to death while clutching his son to keep him warm.

Victor’s desire to avenge his parents deaths turned him towards the black arts, like his mother, but lacking success, he would use his higher intellect to see if science could get him what he wants. At sixteen, and now leader of his gypsy clan, Victor would be forced to kill a man for survival. Coming to terms with this murder, he accepts an invitation to study in America where he was fated to meet a young Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, who proved an annoying, if formidable rival to Victor during their studies.

It was during this time that Victor Von Doom developed what would eventually become the Doombots, androids who would go on to act as surrogates for the real Doctor Doom. Later, in a desperate bid to save his mother from damnation, he would use magic fused with science to build a machine to cross dimensions, which a demon lord blew up in his face. It was his ultimate failure, and he had the scar to constantly remind him of it. Now believing his face was ruined, he would always keep it hidden.

To achieve his goals, Victor would need to hone his science and magical skills, so he traveled to the Himalayas to study with a secret sect of monks. But his ego and mental frailty only grew, and to cope he would need to build armour. Using science and magic, his second skin would finalize his transformation into Doctor Doom. He would use his fortified powers to lead a revolution in Latveria and conquer the land, then he would face the demon lord once again for his mother’s soul, and this time he succeeded.

His armour would prove invaluable to this task: near indestructible while increasing his physical strength and abilities, and with a jetpack, of course. Doom’s scientific background enables him to build a myriad of things, from transportation devices to weapons fortified by magic. His magical abilities are also something to fear. He is able to electrify to kill, detain someone, or even create a powerful force shield. Using magic also extends his scientific abilities, which he later used to travel through time and different dimensions.

But Doom’s greatest strength has always been his intellect and strategy. His Doombots, for instance, can either be used as deception, confusing enemies into fighting a fake Doom, or brute force to greatly expand Doom’s deadly force. Truly, his only real weakness is his unabashed ego as he believes no one can match him, but dealing with someone who can successfully lead a country, effectively use the limits of science and magic, and looks as menacing as he does, perhaps that ego is somewhat justified.

Doom has appeared in various forms of media throughout the years. From his appearance in video games like the “Marvel vs Capcom" series, as well as television series and feature films. The only thing left for Victor Von Doom, other than the destruction of the Fantastic Four and conquering the world, is your complete and total submission. Long live Doctor Doom.

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