Tyler Gibson
Prepare for a twist in the Marvel Universe as a new miniseries, Doomquest #1, penned by Ryan North and illustrated by Francesco Mobili, sees the notorious Doctor Doom battling fascism, with Reed Richards attempting to thwart him. This unexpected turn of events may leave casual fans bewildered, as Doctor Doom is typically portrayed as the ultimate villain and a dictator himself. However, the plot thickens in this intriguing new series.
The story kicks off with Doctor Doom, the ruler of Latveria, contemplating the struggles of his people. Despite his relentless efforts to ensure peace and prosperity, he realizes that his nation’s global potential remains untapped. His reflections are interrupted by a news broadcast featuring his arch-nemesis, Reed Richards.
The broadcast features an interview with the self-proclaimed Mister Fantastic at a scientific conference, where he muses about the potential of time travel to prevent major catastrophes. This sparks an idea in Doctor Doom, who becomes resolute in his mission to create a paradox-free time machine. After a year of tireless work and utilizing all of Latveria’s resources, he succeeds. His people hail the device as “the Doom Engine,” capable of transporting a person’s mind into someone from the past.
However, Reed Richards senses Doctor Doom’s intentions. Assembling a team of Avengers and X-Men, Richards invades Latveria, determined to prevent Doom from using his time machine. The irony lies in the fact that Doctor Doom had no plans to alter his own life or erase his enemies. His primary goal was to change the outcome of a 1919 peace conference that led to Latveria falling under fascist rule post World War I.
Reed Richards is no better than Doctor Doom
Doomquest #1 highlights an irony often seen in the Fantastic Four comics but rarely acknowledged outside of them. Reed Richards, much like Doctor Doom, exhibits traits of arrogance, pettiness, and a flair for the dramatic.
Richards, aware of Doctor Doom’s plans for almost a year, chooses to act only at the moment of the Doom Engine’s activation. There’s no attempt to investigate or halt Doom’s plans beforehand, only a grandiose raid involving dozens of superheroes. This decision is even more questionable considering Richards’ wife, with her spy training and superpowers, would have been perfect for a covert investigation.
Another irony is that both Richards and Doom are quick to assume the worst when considering the potential of unrestricted time travel in the hands of their rival. Neither can fathom any positive outcome from the other’s actions. However, Richards takes a step that seems more fitting for the tyrant Doctor Doom is often portrayed as.
Instead of disabling the Doom Engine, Richards alters Doom’s destination. Rather than being transported to the peace conference, Doctor Doom finds himself aboard the Titanic in an unfamiliar body. This seems like a calculated move by Richards to eliminate his long-standing adversary.
Experience the thrilling twists and turns of Doomquest #1, now available at comic shops everywhere.
