Doctor Doom, Vol. 1: Pottersville

Doctor Doom (2019) #1-5

by Christopher Cantwell, Salvador Larroca (Illustrator), ACO (Cover Art)

From Christopher Cantwell (Halt and Catch Fire, She Could Fly) comes...DOCTOR DOOM. Victor Von Doom - scientist, sorcerer, disfigured face, twisted soul - has been spending much of his time warning against a trillion-dollar global effort to create the first "artificial" black hole. Wrestling with visions of an entirely different life, DOCTOR DOOM finds himself at a crossroads (what is he questioning?). A catastrophic act of terrorism kills thousands, and the prime suspect is... DOOM? Victor will have to push his unexplained thoughts aside and focus on remaining alive as the title of "Most Wanted Man" is thrust upon him.... Left with no homeland no armies, no allies indeed, nothing at all will the reign of Doctor Doom come to an abrupt halt?

DOCTOR DOOM (2019) 1-5

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Fiction, Superheroes, Science Fiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Latveria is framed for destroying an installation on the moon and the world is now after Dr. Doom. Meanwhile, Doom is seeing visions of a future utopia he created. And Kang keeps randomly popping in from various points in his timeline. There's also a gazillion people trying to hunt Doom down. There's a ton of moving parts. Nothing has been answered at this point. It's just more and more questions being raised. Hopefully Cantwell doesn't pull a Lost and is able to tie this all up in the next volume.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. After hearing Al Ewing raving about it, though, I was expecting it to blow me away. Perhaps my expectations were raised unfairly high. It was fine. It contained a rather huge continuity error, though, in that it showed Mephisto as still in charge in Hell, rather than Johnny Blaze. Maybe that's about to change, though, and this book is set after current issues of Ghost Rider... I dunno. Does anybody other than me even care?

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doom is back and he ain't too happy.

Actually, this book is pretty funny.

So nobody seems to take Doom seriously. Even newscaster are making him feel "little" and that's just not right. Doom is trying to run his country while warning people their plans to expand to space isn't going to work. But when a bunch of missiles from his country go after and hit a space station, killing hundreds, everyone is after him. Will he be able to clear his name, or will he just say fuck you and kill everyone?

This was a cool twist on Doom. He's funny, a asshole, but he also feels different. A man who has done so much he just wants to live his life out. But being chased by people, pretty much everyone, is both scary and fun. Doom ain't no bitch and he won't let his name get smeared. So all of that is fun, and it is even a bit trippy. The ending is a bit wtf but that's my only real negative. A 4 out of 5.

[Malum · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite villain has a new series, and it's a million times better than the last attempt at making a Doom book (the vomit worthy "Doom becomes Iron Man"). This didn't knock my socks off, but it did entertain me enough to want to pick up the next volume.

Instead of completely and totally changing his personality without rhyme or reason like they tried to do with their last Doom led book, they keep him pretty much the same (he is maybe a teeny tiny bit less psychopathic). Since he is not a do-gooder, Cantwell has to force Doom into action. There has been a terrorist attack on a moon base and Doom had been blamed. With the entire super world and the world's military after him, he has to go on the run to clear his name. Added to all of this are strange glimpses of a future that Doom doesn't understand and frequent visits from time and dimension hopping Kang.

[Roman Zarichnyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Серія коміксів «Доктор Дум» (2019) року була номінантом на премію Айснера у категорії найкращий онґоїнґ. Цей короткий ран, сценариста Крістофера Кантвелла і художника Сальвадора Ларрока, складається із десяти випусків, які у свою чергу об'єдналися у дві сюжетні арки. Сьогодні мова піде про першу арку «Доктор Дум. Поттерсвілль» #1-5, яку взялося видавати юне українське видавництво МРІЯ.

Мене завжди інтригують історії, де у центрі уваги лиходій. Вони, як правило, темні й захоплюючі. А найголовніше, змушують вас відчувати певні почуття до персонажа, якого ви знаєте, не інакше, як монстром чи лиходієм. Ці почуття можуть бути негативні, але цікавіше, коли ти починаєш співпереживати такій особі, що призводить до цікавого емоційного ефекту. У «Поттерсвіллі» Крістофер Кентвелл намагається створити саме таку історію.

Доктор Дум завжди був прихильником величі, це одна з його найцікавіших рис. Його часто характеризують як людину, яка твердо вірить, що саме його правління рятує світ. Він був супергероєм, він бував у пеклі й повернувся звідти, опанував магію та науку, переплевши їх одна з одною.

У цій арці Доктора Дума помилково звинувачують у знищенні місячної бази поблизу штучної чорної діри, яка призначена для очищення нашої атмосфери. Світові уряди та герої тиснуть на Латверію, спричиняючи політичну кризу, що змусило Дума вдатися до втечі та знайти безпечну схованку. Додатковою сюжетною лінією є марення Дума щодо майбутнього, де він є найбільшим героєм світу. Також він час від часу зустрічається з Канґом, що подорожує в часі, намагається знайти жінку, яка могла б стати його майбутньою дружиною і ще багато побіжних дрібних цікавинок.

Тут направду багато чого відбувається і часом через швидкий темп навіть важко стежити за всім. І тим більше звести це докупи. До кінця не розумієш, що направду має важливе значення тут, а що ні. Щодо художньої частини, то Сальвадор Ларрока справився добре. Щодо цього мав певні переживання, бо залишився неприємний присмак після його роботи у коміксі «Непережможна Залізна Людина», яку видало українське видавництво Molfar Comics, та ще кількох його інших робіт, які потрапляли мені під руки. Тому тут можна його добряче похвалити.

Також принагідно хотів би згадати переклад у коміксі, який відверто бажає бути кращим, бо окрім помарок різного роду, також відчувається певний «машинний переклад». Тому гарно попрацювати із перекладом і редактурою завершальної арки «Водоспад Белфорда» і видавати, бо історія є досить хорошою на мою думку.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a fun read. This is a version of Doom who is essentially back to his roots of being one of the greatest over the top comic book villains ever. However, Doom's roots include being the beloved (if tyrannical) leader of his home country of Latveria. This is what makes the character truly interesting to me. Yes, he is likely to yell something like, "How dare you defy DOOM?!" and that's great, but it would get old fast if he weren't loved by his people. The twist that maybe there's something worse than Doom going on is also interesting, enough for me to keep reading a book focused on a character who can easily become one note.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

But why Pottersville?

OK, OK, OK then...

A diverting story, I enjoyed the use of juxtaposition between cranky supervillainous Doom and hypothetical contented world-saviour Doom and the appearances of Kang the Conqueror as a kind of Ghost of Christmas Future Past.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read any solo Doom books but this was actually fun. It had a great comedic vibe to it plus doom kinda seemed a little off balance

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting take on Doom. He is almost humanized. Almost. Good story. Good art.

[Gabriell Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Další nominant na Eisnera.
Sólovka Doctora Dooma, který musí zjistit, kdo se rozhodl na něj hodit teroristický útok a zkouší ho připravit o život.
Dost tomu pomáhá humor, který se tu objevuje, ale bohužel ani ten nezachrání jednak kresbu a jednak příběh, který je napůl super a napůl docela mess. I tak si ale dám další díly až/pokud vyjdou a budu doufat, že ty super části převáží. Nebo že aspoň vymění kreslíře.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor Doom is always one for grandeur, it's one of his most entertaining traits. He's often characterized as someone who firmly believes that it is his rule that saves the world. In Secret Wars he became the god of the multiverse and all remaining reality, then lost it all. He's been a superhero. He's been to Hell and back, bartered souls, and mastered magic and science alike. And here he is, with Christopher Cantwell and Salvador Larroca questioning what this future really is. Victor Von Doom is seeing visions of the future, having his rule challenged from within and without, and has some time travel shenanigans helping and hindering him. They're humanizing him and showing weakness, while still playing into this god complex and how big and great he thinks he is or should be. It's a good set-up and a solid first volume, but... the art is done by Salvador Larroca. And so many faces are just distracting. When he's displaying Doctor Doom himself, with the mask or face covering, it's fine and sometimes actually great. But for a series focused more on human drama and politics the art consistently disappoints me and holds the story back.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always intrigued by stories where the villain is the star - they tend to be dark and engaging, forcing you to feel for a character who you know is otherwise a monster. In Pottersville, Christopher Cantwell attempts exactly this sort of tale: Doctor Doom is falsely accused of destroying a moonbase near a man-made black hole that's designed to clean up our atmosphere. The world's governments and heroes come crashing down on Latveria, causing a political crisis and sending Doom into hiding.

Oh, and Doom is also catching glimpses of a future where he's the world's greatest hero. And he's occasionally meeting time-traveling Kang, trying to find the woman who might be his future wife, and hanging out with Morgan Le Fay in New York City. There's a lot going on Pottersville, and only about half of it makes sense. But the pace is quick and Salvador Larroca's art is unexpectedly decent (I have sour memories of his Star Wars days). Even though it's hard to follow what's going on in Pottersville, it's still a surprisingly fun read and I'm intrigued enough to pick up the next volume.

[Ondra Král]

Není to úplně směr, který bych čekal od Doomovy sólové série. Celkové směřování příběhu mě zajímá, ale dílčí sešity jsou docela nuda. Některé pasáže (peklo) pak působí úplně zbytečně a jen na efekt.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing (among many good things) in this latest version of Doctor Doom is that he's off balance throughout, not much of the self-assured arrogant ruler and tech/sorcery master that he's usually portrayed as and always with the latest world conquest plan.
The time-traveling conqueror Kang (often hinted at as a future version of Doctor Doom) keeps materializing beside Doom at inopportune moments to pass on cryptic messages, and sometimes help him get out of a jam. Doom is troubled by visions where he glimpses a happy utopian world where he's no longer disfigured and enjoys a loving family life. He begins to question his purpose, but is interrupted by a scheme where he's set up as the villain behind a massacre of a climate control project on the moon.
Doom is hiding out in Queens, NY in witch Morgan Le Fey's apartment. Before he can figure out what's going on, he's dead and then resurrected. The rightful heir to Latveria moves into his throne room. Doom is reduced to using a public library to learn more about the woman in his vision who becomes his alleged future wife. She's a meteorologist with reason to despise Doom.
The only disappointment here is that Volume 1 ends on a cliffhanger, without nothing actually resolved. The monthly series is ongoing, and Marvel just likes to package five stories per trade paperback.
I've read issue #6. It's fun and worth continuing with this series. There are some very humorous conversations between Doom and Kang about their relationship. Who's the father, who's the son? Brothers? Some chance encounters with disrespectful local residents during a journey to Texas is hilarious.

[Mitch Kukulka · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I am -- and always will be -- the Doom of this world, and it will always -- ALWAYS -- bow before me."

Cantwell has Doom's characterization in the bag, giving writing him with a unique mix of humility and ego, confidence and paranoia.

Shame the plot and supporting cast weren't written to quite the same level.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want a Doctor Doom book, but not Doom on the run taking trains with Kang and in the gutters of New York. I was encouraged when this started with the world blaming Doom for a mass extinction, but then it went south and he was any other character.

[Dusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Doom gets framed and the chase is on... the world is chasing him & he is chasing answers and maybe love... what? Plus Kang arrives and is so funny. Good supporting cast. Loved it! But I love Doom so it was easy for me.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid

Let’s spend some time with Doom *not* seeing him purely as a despotic sorcerer with a PhD

How’s that strike ya?

Doom approves.

[Alex Sarll]

Doctor Doom's name may be the stuff of villainous cliche, but – at least when written with any finesse – he's always had enough of a code and a sympathetic quality to make him the sort of antagonist you can see sustaining a book as protagonist. He cares for his people, if nothing else, and by extension the world. So the scenario here makes sense, a replay and inversion of his origin, with him convinced that Reed Richards' new plan to tackle global warming has terrible flaws, but nobody prepared to accept his reservations because, well, he's Doctor Doom. There's a wonderful melancholy note to this, with Doom haunted by visions of another life he could have had, forever separate even from those to whom he's closest, and occasionally interrupted by random visitations from a temporally unstuck Kang. And then Latveria falls, again... I didn't buy everything which follows (there's a sudden reversal of his plans when he's captured which isn't explained quite enough to make sense as more than manufactured action, and he seems a little too prone to talking about himself in the first person instead of the third) – and sometimes the melancholy shades a little too far into resignation. Looking at the state of the place, I would tend to agree that "In truth the world is too far gone – we are too far gone – for saving," but then unlike Doom I don't have enormous mad science, magical and national resources at my disposal, and a history of having stolen more-than-divine power to reshape the world, twice. In general, I found the moods and the scenes more convincing than the progression between them, but there's a lot to like here, not least Doom's line as he smacks down Union Jack: "Brexit stage left, flea."

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the premise was really interesting. What happens when there's a terrorist attack and they claim to be Latverians? Unfortunately, the rest of the book kind of goes off the deep end. Doctor Doom is blamed, and almost goes willingly to his arrest. But then he talks to Kang and escapes. He meets up with Morgan Le Fay and then Taskmaster shoots him in the head. He winds up in Hell (not his first time) and punches Mephisto until Death brings him back to life. Then he goes to A.I.M., fights Taskmaster, and stabs MODOK. Throughout the book, Doom is having visions of himself as a benevolent ruler with an unscarred face and a scientist for a wife. He goes to find that scientist, and when he does there is a battle with some super people. I think the book could have played out differently, but I'm curious to see where it goes.

[Megan Farve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept for this storyline with Doom being falsely accused and alternate timelines . I felt like we go to see another side of Doom who dreams of a better life. However, I felt that they ended the story pretty quickly. There was a lot of building for an abrupt ending. Otherwise I would have given it 4 stars.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and colours were lovely, the portrayal of Doom was interesting, but the whole thing was kind of … confusing? A lot of stuff happens with stuff-all explanation. I think I know what’s going on, but honestly can’t be sure. I’m not sure I even need to, honestly. I am neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed. I am merely … confused.

[Timo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun.
Doom is always good and when things are not good with main character, it is interesting. Looking forward to reading the next bit of this.
And there is Kang also wanking around. I like Kang a lot.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book I've freakin read in forever! I've managed to read single issue comics but nothing else.
This was rather entertaining for me as I think Doctor Doom is a fun character. Watching him have to leave Latveria and give up the throne along with his interactions with Kang were all delightful. I won't say it was groundbreaking but it provided solid entertainment. I also appreciate that Cantwell doesn't paint Doom as some hero nor purely evil villain. He's a lot like Magneto.

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doom-centric book by Christopher Cantwell. Doom is framed for the murder of some scientists on the moon and has to go on the run.

Really enjoyed this. However it’s pretty much all setup and no payoff. If volume 2 can’t deliver, I may have to drop this rating down a half star. Or more.

[Madelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit confusing from all the jumping around.

[Rodolfo Santullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hace un par de domingos estaba muy frío y por razones varias yo estaba solo en casa. No hubo mejor ocasión para mandarme tremendo atracón de historietas, entre algunas cosas que tenía guardadas (los tomos de Salvat que se han vuelto rutina) y algunas cosas digitales. Era oportunidad además para descubrir alguna serie nueva y sobre ésta en particular había leído buenos comentarios en esta mismísima red social. Tenían toda la razón del mundo. Victor Von Doom siempre ha sido bastante más que “el villano de los Cuatro Fantásticos” e incluso teniendo periodos oscuros en su historia narrativa (cómo cualquier personaje de tan extensa vida) ha logrado mantenerse en la órbita de los más interesantes del Universo Marvel. Creo que ya había tenido antes serie propia, pero difícilmente fuera tan buena cómo la que orquestan Christopher Cantwell y un muy inspirado para la ocasión Salvador Larroca. Doom domina Latveria con mano de hierro y siendo el terror para sus vecinos (o países más lejanos). Pero también -y casi que a su pesar- sueña con un mundo mejor, uno donde se vea a sí mismo recuperado de sus deformidades y siendo el líder de la humanidad, logrando llevarla a un lugar mejor. Estos sueños -y la misteriosa mujer que aparece en ellos- lo tienen bastante desconcertado, pero la realidad lo reclama: una conspiración se organiza para desbancarlo del gobierno, culpandolo de un crimen que no cometió (y nadie le cree por obvias razones). Con Kang el Conquistador cómo esquivo secundario -sale y entra del espacio continuo temporal sin demasiada lógica- Doom deberá descubrir quién se esconde detrás de esta movida maestra que lo ha puesto en fuga. Dos grandes virtudes en este arranque de serie: uno, lo bien desarrollada que está dentro de la lógica de un mismo universo Marvel, con sus muchas apariciones especiales y todas ellas con sentido (Taskmaster, M.O.D.O.K., Blue Marvel, Mephisto, etc.). Y dos, que nunca deja el protagonista de ser un villano irredimible pero incluso así uno no deja de involucrarse en sus aventuras. Veremos cómo sigue.

[Danger]

I love the fact that since he is ostensibly a "bad guy" the moral dilemmas he is faced with actually have weight to them, as unlike most superheroes, he doesn't have to make the most moralistic choice. Though too driven by altruism, the path Doom takes is one fraught with danger to himself, his country, and the entire world. Aside from the overly slick Marvel artwork, I really like the first half this two-part story arc.

[Andrew Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the radar title, but some interesting stuff happening here. And Doctor Doom kidnapping and torturing a TV talking head who cuts him off in an interview? Hilarious.

[Hella · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکی از بهترین کمیک هایی که در مورد دکتر دووم خوندم. از معدود کمیک هایی بود که پلات، توئیست ها و حتی شخصیت پردازیش هم خوب بود (خیلی کم دیدم کمیک ها شخصیت پردازی اصلا داشته باشند). کمیستری بین دکتر دووم و کنگ هم خیلی خوب بود و واقعا به نظرم رابطشون در طول داستان جذاب بود.