Doctor Doom isn’t just a villain; he’s the villain of Marvel Comics. To even suggest otherwise is to invite the swift and decisive correction only Victor Von Doom can deliver. Long before Darth Vader breathed his first amplified breath, Doctor Doom was terrorizing heroes and captivating readers. He’s a complex figure – Victor von Doom, King of Latveria, scientific genius, master sorcerer, and a son of the Roma. It’s no surprise then, that when Marvel decided to honor their villains with omnibus collections, Doctor Doom was near the top of the list, second only to Loki (a fact Doom would undoubtedly find…displeasing). This collection, Doctor Doom: The Book of Doom Omnibus, acknowledges the gravitas of Latveria’s monarch, even indulging his well-known ego by featuring his name twice in the title.
Doctor Doom, Marvel’s quintessential villain, as depicted in Fantastic Four Annual #2, a key story included in the Doctor Doom Omnibus.
Marvel’s approach to these villain-centric omnibuses marks a shift from their usual format. Traditionally, omnibuses focused on sequential runs of a single title. However, for characters like Loki and Doctor Doom, who rarely headline their own ongoing series, a different strategy is required. Their stories are scattered throughout the Marvel Universe, appearing in titles like Thor for Loki and Fantastic Four for Doom, and beyond. Curating these collections demands careful consideration. Interestingly, Marvel adopted contrasting approaches for Loki and Doom, perhaps as a deliberate experiment to gauge reader preference.
Loki, another prominent Marvel villain, whose omnibus collection took a different approach compared to the Doctor Doom Omnibus.
The Loki Omnibus Vol. 1, reviewed previously, adopted a comprehensive approach, aiming to collect every Loki appearance from his debut in 1962’s Journey Into Mystery #85 up to 1970’s Thor #181. This volume meticulously covered the Stan Lee era of Thor, primarily featuring art by Jack Kirby and John Buscema. Initially, a similar comprehensive approach was anticipated for characters like Kang and Doctor Doom. However, Doctor Doom: The Book of Doom Omnibus deviates significantly. Noticeably absent is the “Vol. 1” designation. Instead of a complete chronological compilation, this Doom omnibus opts for a “greatest hits” selection. It’s an editorially curated collection showcasing Doom’s most significant and acclaimed stories, spanning from his debut in Fantastic Four #5 (1962) to the Books of Doom limited series from 2006, which provides a modern reimagining of his origin and lends its name to the omnibus itself.
Doctor Doom’s debut in Fantastic Four #5, a Silver Age classic that marks the beginning of his storied villainous career and is included in the omnibus.
This divergence in approach significantly impacts the reading experience. While the Loki Vol. 1 omnibus caters to completionists, offering a deep dive into a specific era, The Book of Doom presents a more accessible entry point. It includes modern stories that resonate with contemporary readers and provides a broad overview of Doctor Doom’s history across nearly five decades. The trade-off, however, is considerable and might deter completist collectors. Readers will encounter gaps in Doom’s intricate continuity, particularly as the omnibus selectively includes key issues from larger story arcs. This is particularly evident with Super-Villain Team-Up, the first series to star Doom, which receives only partial representation in this collection.
However, The Book of Doom is far from lacking in exceptional content. It assembles the vast majority of Doctor Doom’s most celebrated and iconic stories. From his initial emergence as a formidable antagonist in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four #5 and #6, the omnibus charts Doom’s ascent to supervillain royalty. Crucially, Fantastic Four Annual #2 is included, revealing Doom’s tragic origin story and establishing crucial elements of his character – his Latverian monarchy, his Roma heritage, and other facets that would become fundamental to his persona. Prior to this annual, these defining characteristics were absent, yet within two years of his debut, the definitive Doctor Doom was fully realized.
Fantastic Four Annual #2, a cornerstone of Doctor Doom’s lore, detailing his origin and solidifying his character, is a must-read in this omnibus.
In the ensuing years, Doom’s battles with his nemesis Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four (famously known as “RICHAAAAAAAARDS!”), became legendary. But his influence extended beyond the Fantastic Four’s pages. This omnibus showcases Doom’s confrontations with a diverse range of Marvel heroes: Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man #5, the X-Men, particularly Storm (who captures Doom’s attention), in Uncanny X-Men #145-157, and Iron Man in Iron Man #149-150. The latter features the classic “Doomquest” storyline, transporting Iron Man and Doctor Doom to Camelot, where they face not only each other but also the sorceress Morgan Le Fey. And yes, Doctor Doom invented time travel – a testament to his unparalleled intellect and resourcefulness.
The 1970s saw Doom take center stage in Astonishing Tales and Super-Villain Team-Up, his first starring roles. While the omnibus offers a selection from these titles, thoughtful curation is evident. The initial and concluding issues are included in their entirety, with less essential middle portions omitted. Astonishing Tales features an early clash between Doctor Doom and T’Challa, the Black Panther, King of Wakanda, foreshadowing a complex relationship that would evolve beyond antagonism. Super-Villain Team-Up lives up to its name, showcasing Doom’s uneasy alliances (often dissolving into conflict) with other formidable villains like Namor, Prince of Atlantis, and Magneto. Interestingly, Namor and Magneto would both undergo heroic transformations over time, and even in these early stories, their villainy is distinct from Doom’s. While a comprehensive collection of these series would be welcome, the selected stories effectively highlight Doom’s reign over Latveria and his disdain for his supposed villainous peers, whom he invariably considers inferior. This inherent arrogance is, of course, part of Doom’s enduring appeal.
An issue from Astonishing Tales #7, showcasing Doctor Doom in his own title during the 1970s, a period partially represented in the Doctor Doom Omnibus.
The omnibus bypasses Doom’s Fantastic Four appearances throughout the 1970s to arrive at the John Byrne era, widely regarded as a revitalization of “The World’s Greatest Comics Magazine.” Byrne’s approach to the Fantastic Four and their world in the 1980s was more grounded, and his portrayal of Doctor Doom followed suit. Byrne delved deeper into Victor’s inner life and explored his… family dynamics. Amidst Byrne’s run, Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars emerged. Initially conceived as a hero-versus-villain spectacle to promote toys, Secret Wars unexpectedly delivered a quintessential Doctor Doom story. While other characters engaged in simplistic battles dictated by a cosmic entity, Doom plotted to usurp the Beyonder’s godlike power. This ambition encapsulates Doom’s character. Regrettably, the omnibus includes only the final three issues of Secret Wars. While these issues contain the climax of Doom’s scheme, omitting the preceding nine issues, where Doom’s machinations are meticulously developed, diminishes the overall impact.
Fantastic Four #258, from John Byrne’s acclaimed run, offers a more nuanced portrayal of Doctor Doom and is included in the Doctor Doom Omnibus.
Fortunately, the collection rebounds with what many consider some of Doom’s finest stories, presented in their entirety. First, the Emperor Doom graphic novel by David Michelinie, Mark Gruenwald, Jim Shooter, and Bob Hall depicts Victor achieving his ultimate ambition: world domination. Latveria is typically portrayed as a peaceful, prosperous realm under Doom’s absolute rule. Therefore, the prospect of Doom ruling the entire world carries a different weight than with typical villains whose “rule” often equates to destruction. Surprisingly, Doom’s global reign is…benevolent. Peace prevails. The narrative then explores the circumstances of Doom’s downfall, culminating in a profound examination of his character. Following this is arguably the definitive Doctor Doom story: Roger Stern and Mike Mignola’s Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment graphic novel. This masterpiece delves into Doom’s origin, revealing his lifelong quest to free his mother’s soul from Mephisto’s clutches. His early experiments in contacting other dimensions, in fact, led to the accident that scarred his face. Now, years later, Doom, with Doctor Strange’s reluctant assistance, finds a way to confront Mephisto.
Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment, a graphic novel hailed as a definitive Doctor Doom story, is a highlight of the omnibus.
In a move that reflects the shifting landscape of 1990s Marvel comics, the omnibus leaps over that decade to reach Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s critically acclaimed mid-2000s Fantastic Four run. Their “Unthinkable” storyline pushes Doom’s villainy to unprecedented depths. While Emperor Doom and Triumph and Torment elicit empathy for Victor, “Unthinkable” achieves the opposite. Doom’s actions become shockingly depraved, pushing the Fantastic Four and their family to their breaking point. While narratively compelling, “Unthinkable” relies on shock value. To gain greater power, Doom sacrifices the only person he has ever loved and fashions her skin into his armor. And this is merely the beginning of his atrocities.
Fantastic Four #67 from Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s “Unthinkable” arc, showcasing a darker, more ruthless Doctor Doom, also included in the omnibus.
Fittingly, the most recent material in the omnibus returns to Doom’s origins and provides the collection’s title: Ed Brubaker and Pablo Raimondi’s Books of Doom. This six-issue limited series offers a modernized, detailed account of Doom’s beginnings, free from the Silver Age’s stylistic quirks. However, for readers primarily interested in Doom’s origin, more economical alternatives exist. Including it as the concluding piece in a comprehensive omnibus spanning five decades seems somewhat redundant. While a thematically appropriate ending, Books of Doom feels tonally self-serious compared to other potential inclusions, such as Jonathan Hickman’s acclaimed Fantastic Four and New Avengers runs, and the 2015 Secret Wars.
Overall, Doctor Doom: The Book of Doom Omnibus is a collection befitting its subject. It encompasses most of Doom’s essential stories. However, one suspects that Doom himself would find fault with certain omissions, particularly from series where he held the spotlight. Therefore, this omnibus may not serve as Lord Doom’s definitive, officially sanctioned history of himself, but as an introduction for those curious about Doctor Doom, it provides ample evidence of why he remains Marvel’s greatest villain.
At 1336 pages and priced at $125 USD, the Doctor Doom: The Book of Doom Omnibus compiles the following stories: Fantastic Four (1961) #5-6, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #5, Fantastic Four Annual #2, Fantastic Four #39-40, Marvel Super-Heroes #20 (A); Astonishing Tales (1970) #1-3, #6-7 (B Stories), #8 (C); Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1-2, Super-Villain Team-Up #13-14, Champions (1975) #16, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #145-147, Iron-Man (1968) #149-150; Fantastic Four #236 (A), #246-247, #258, #278-279; Secret Wars (1984) #10-12, Marvel Graphic Novel #27: Emperor Doom, Marvel Graphic Novel #49: Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment; Fantastic Four #350, #352, #358 (B); Marvel Double-Shot #2 (A); Fantastic Four (1998) #67-70, #500; Fantastic Four Special (2006) #1, and Books of Doom #1-6. These stories feature the work of numerous talented creators, including: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, John Byrne, Jim Shooter, Mark Waid, Ed Brubaker, Roger Stern, David Michelinie, Chris Claremont, Denny O’Neil, Larry Lieber, Bill Mantlo, Gerry Conway, Bob Layton, Walter Simonson, Frank Giacoia, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco, Christopher Priest, Mike Wieringo, Paolo Raimondi, Mike Zeck, Mike Mignola, Dave Cockrum, Wally Wood, Bob Hall, Gene Colan, John Romita Jr., Frank Miller, George Tuska, John Buscema, Mike Sekowsky, Keith Giffen, Arthur Adams, and Paolo Rivera.
