Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers are bringing Doctor Doom back into the Marvel universe in a big way! If Marvel's claims are accurate, Doom's reign will be a prolonged era, akin to "Dark Reign," rather than a short-lived event. This means the Marvel universe will continue throughout most of 2025, but under Doom's iron fist as World Emperor, Sorcerer Supreme, and leader of the Superior Avengers.
As expected, the Superior Avengers will include villains, but not the familiar versions. New characters will adopt the mantles of iconic villains:
The Superior Avengers will be a 6-issue miniseries, written by Steve Fox (known for X-Men '92: House of XCII, Dark X-Men, Dead X-Men, Spider-Woman), with art by Luca Maresca (X-Men: Forever, Children of the Vault). The series launches in April.
This isn't a completely novel concept. Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers in 2009 featured villainous replacements for the Avengers, and Hydra's Avengers in Secret Empire also utilized a similar tactic.
But how did Doom achieve this level of power? This guide will trace the key events leading to "One World Under Doom."
Table of Contents
Emperor Doom: While Emperor Doom (1987) is a significant story, it's not necessarily required reading to understand Doom's current position. It showcases Doom's global domination, a concept perfectly embodied in his current role.
President Doom 2099: In Doom 2099, a future iteration of Doom nearly conquers America. Warren Ellis and Pat Broderick's series features a memorable Doom, showcasing his ambition and ideology.
Secret Wars (2015): This event highlights Doom's relentless pursuit of power and immortality, even using his power for what he deems "good governance." His actions, including marrying Sue Storm, are driven by his personal ambitions.
Blood Hunt (2024): This vampire invasion event is crucial. Doctor Strange enlists Doom to combat the threat, granting him the title of Sorcerer Supreme. Even after the immediate threat is neutralized, Strange acknowledges Doom's continued necessity.
While we await the Russo/Downey Jr. collaboration, let's explore this new world ruled entirely by Doctor Doom.