Doctor Doom, or Victor Von Doom, stands as one of the most iconic and formidable villains in the Marvel Universe. Fans often debate his intellect, his magical prowess, and his numerous clashes with heroes like the Fantastic Four. But have you ever wondered about the more grounded aspects of this Latverian monarch, such as his physical stature? While his imposing presence is undeniable, official sources like “The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe” provide concrete details about Doctor Doom’s height and weight, offering fascinating insights into this complex character.
Doctor Doom’s Height and Weight According to the Official Handbook
“The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe” serves as an encyclopedic guide to the heroes, villains, and intricate details of the Marvel Universe. Resembling a role-playing game manual, it meticulously catalogues character attributes, histories, and abilities. Within its pages, we find specific data on Doctor Doom, including his physical dimensions. According to this authoritative source, Doctor Doom’s height is listed at 6 feet 2 inches. Furthermore, the handbook notes his weight at 225 pounds.
These measurements paint a picture of a character who is not only intellectually and magically gifted but also physically imposing. Standing at 6’2″, Doctor Doom is taller than average, contributing to his commanding presence. The handbook even delves into details like the battery life of his rocket pack, showcasing the depth of information provided. This level of detail emphasizes the handbook’s role in solidifying the consistency and internal logic of the Marvel Universe.
The Official Handbook as a Source of Marvel Canon
Initially, one might question the place of a handbook within a corpus primarily focused on narrative texts. However, examining Doctor Doom’s entry reveals more than just a summary of known facts. The handbook expands upon established lore, introducing new details and solidifying aspects of Doctor Doom’s history. For instance, it reveals the former name of Doomstadt (Haasendstadt) and the original owner of Castle Doom (Count Sabbat). It even elaborates on the accident that scarred Victor Von Doom, attributing it to “an error in the execution of a fourth-order tensor calculation” – a detail supposedly missed by Reed Richards.
This exemplifies how the handbook functions not just as a record, but also as a narrative tool, enriching the Marvel Universe with new information presented as definitive fact. While all information about fictional characters is inherently “made up,” the Marvel Universe operates on a principle of internal consistency and citation. The handbook, in this context, acts as a “Grand Argument Decider,” settling fan debates and providing concrete specifications, such as the concussive force of Doom’s gauntlet weapons.
Doctor Doom’s Castle and Expanded Lore
Doctor Doom’s prominence in the Marvel Universe is further underscored by the handbook dedicating two full pages to him, with the second page focusing on the history of his ancestral Castle Doom. The handbook describes it as a “huge 110 room castle built in the 16th Century,” acknowledging its numerous reconstructions over time. Accompanying this description is a detailed aerial view of the castle, reminiscent of Jack Kirby’s iconic cutaways, but specifically tailored to Castle Doom.
This meticulous depiction of Castle Doom, along with the detailed specifications of Doctor Doom himself, highlights the care taken in creating the “Official Handbook.” It raises questions about its intended use within Marvel, perhaps even as a reference for writers to maintain continuity. Regardless of its internal function, for fans, the handbook provides a fascinating deep dive into the specifics of characters like Doctor Doom, solidifying his height, history, and the intricate world he inhabits within the Marvel Universe.
