Doctor Doom #1

By Christopher Cantwell, Salvador Larocca and GURU-eFX

In the entire Marvel Universe, there may not be a villain more complex than Dr. Doom. Victor Von Doom is so smart and powerful, that he hardly has time to even mess around with people he deems lesser than him. This week, we see the release of Doctor Doom #1. Expectations should be high because Doom is one of Marvel’s most beloved villains. He’s had stints as a hero, like in Infamous Iron Man, and he’s also had stints where he has tried to save the world while making himself a god, like in Secret War. Whatever the occasion or the situation, one thing is certain, Dr. Doom is awesome.

If you’re writing a Doctor Doom book, the most important thing to get down is his characterization. Christopher Cantwell nails it in this first issue. Doom is written as cocky and powerful, someone who should not be crossed. This is shown in the first couple of pages as a news anchor disrespects Doom, and it has consequences for him later in the issue. Another great thing Cantwell shows us this issue, is the care Doom has for his own citizens. He constantly asks Petra about her father, who is battling cancer. We can see that Doom legitimate concern for her father, Boris, whom he asks about every time they interact. There are also some good cameos in this issue. We get to see Kang the conqueror for a few pages as he has a nice and intellectual conversation with Doom. Later, as the action begins, we get to see Union Jack and Agent Zero. Cantwell has given all of these characters a great voice, which is hard to do sometimes in comics. This is a strong first issue for Doctor Doom, and Christopher Cantwell has written an interesting story that should bring in anyone who is a fan of the character.

The pencils this issue are handled by Salvador Larocca with colors by GURU-eFX. Anytime I see Salvador Larocca’s name on a book, I know I’m getting great work. Larocca doesn’t disappoint in this issue; his pencils are smooth and crisp and look amazing. As Doom walks the halls of his palace, the scale of everything is perfect. Larocca is just one of the best in the business, exterior castle shots with gorgeous skies in the background are easy on the eyes as well. The shading around Doom’s helmet as he speaks with Petra are as good as it gets. The pencils this issue rock. The colors by GURU-eFX are amazing as well. For as good as the pencils are, it’s the colorists job to make the panel come to life. GURU-eFX’ work is very vibrant, it’s hard to take your eyes off the page. In panels where Kang arrives, the purple and pink are extremely eye catching and gorgeous. The artwork on this issue is a great addition to the story. The combined elements make this a book worth reading.

Whether you’re a fan of Doom or not, Doctor Doom #1 is a book worth your time. The story is good, the art is amazing, and the characterization is spot on. Doctor Doom may be the hit of the week.