Doctor Doom by Cantwell & Larroca

by Christopher Cantwell

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2024

Reviews

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and insane read. This goes to so many places. From Latveria to America, from hell to the other side of a wormhole. And through all of it Doctor Doom is a stubborn iron fisted tyrant. I doubt they knew about One World Under Doom at the time but this really sets the stage for it by giving Doom the ideas of a united and prosperous world under his reign. This also just shocks me to see how much he has come to care for his herald Victorious, to then see how he locks her out of the country after Blood Hunt when he becomes Sorcerer Supreme. Doom is an infinitely fascinating character to me. This also includes his small involvement in “War of the Realms” and “King in Black” which both happened around the time this run was being published, fun little stories that are right to be slapped onto the end.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uneven journey with moments of brilliance.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ten issue Doctor Doom series by Christopher Cantwell and Salvador Larocca was criminally out of print when I went to read it last time, so as soon as I saw it was being recollected together, I jumped on it.

This book has everything - Black holes on the moon, political drama, Doom on a rampage, and a 3 page conversation with Reed Richards that sums up their entire relationship perfectly. Cantwell's very good at pulling characters apart and stretching them to the breaking point, and it's interesting to see exactly what Doom does when he reaches it. I especially enjoyed whenever Kang would pop in for a few sarcastic comments and then disappear again, and the ultimate conclusion of the book is just quintessential Doom.

Also included are the King In Black one-shot which pits Doom and Iron Man against a symbiote-infused Santa, which is great, but tonally very different to the rest of the book, and a short story about Latveria from War of the Realms: War Scrolls which is fine. If anything I feel like these two additions detract from the other ten issues, which is a bit of a shame.

I'm very glad I managed to get hold of this before it went out of print again.

[Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Doctor Doom as much as I can love any comic villain. This run sells the concept of Doom as well as any writer over the years. He's driven by ego and a relentless desire to one up the Fantastic Four. But that same hubris is what brings him down again and again. Special mention must be made for the writer's ability to capture all aspects of Doom; the brains, the magic, and the lunacy.

More than ever, the ego of Doom is on full display as he meets an alternative reality version of himself who is a genuine force for good. But he's not our Doom. He is as he always has been since the days of Stan Lee; a super villain of the highest order. There's no tragic tale of rebranding into ah anti-hero. He has delusions of saving the world, but only to stand smugly over those he had saved.

Not really fussed by the tie-in inclusions in this edition. More than anything, it highlights how little representation Doom has had over the last decade.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many, I've always liked Dr. Doom and wanted to read more about him.

Honestly, at first, I was really confused what was happening. But then it all started to click and this became an interesting character study. You see Doom at his lowest, questioning himself, and finding himself again. It's not a comedy, but I enjoyed some of the small lines of banter between Doom and Kang. I also really liked learning more about Victorious and seeing the relationship between her and Doom slowly change. I can't say much for if this added or changed or maybe even ruined Doom character progression, but it did make me more of a fan and I hope to read more of him.
Despite the chaos that happens throughout space and Doom's mind, this was kind of powerful. I know some had issues with the ending, but I really enjoyed it.

The last little issues they had in the end added nothing to the collection, but they were fun and short.

4.25/5

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book a little apprehensive, I haven't read a lot of Cantwell but my usual experience with his work is not good; however, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this volume. The art by Larroca was superb. Every page was beautifully drawn. The cosmic pieces especially just drew me in and are masterpieces within themselves. The writing and the plot, while taking a second to get into was a ride within itself and felt very attuned to the overall character motivations of someone like Doom. There were times were I felt some of the descriptions were a little too lengthy, there should be a focus on "Show, don't say". However, I did enjoy the book. I loved the focus on Blue Marvel and H.E.R.B.I.E, and Doctor Doom and Kang were really fun to read. I do recommend it. Grade: B+

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two stories at the end are slight and silly. But the main 10 issue saga is an incredible tome of one broken man's grasp for power, destiny, and love. Surprisingly beautiful.

[Kieran · Rating 4 out of 5]

iron man and doom killing/discoursing about santa wasn't on my bingo card

[Reba 🤠 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
You gotta admire this man’s dislike for Reed Richards