Fresh off his epicSan Diego Comic Con 2024reveal, Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr is set to rejoin theMarvel Cinematic Universeas the penultimate super-villain,Doctor Doom. Unquestionably among the greatest comic villains of all time, Doom’s entrance into theMCUhas been long awaited by fans, new and old. Luckily, if any actor can deliver a true-to-comic representation, it’s the incomparable RDJ.
Debuting inFantastic Four (1961) #5, Doom will resonate with fans, establishing his devious demeanor and trademark of referring to himself in the third person. And despite his fearsome moniker, Doom has been cast as everything from savior to tyrant. With Doom’s history in mind, I’ve expertly narrowed down the ten best Doctor Doomcomicsto read before RDJ rejoins the MCU.
Fantastic Four (1961) #5
Spawned fromMarvelOG’s Stan ‘the Man’ Lee and Jack ‘King’ Kirby,Fantastic Four (1961) #5introduces fans to this enduring Latverian antagonist. After being trapped, the FF’s Mr. Fantastic recounts his former classmate, Victor Von Doom, a scientific genius on par with him. But, after Victor is grotesquely scarred from delving into the dark arts, he forges his mask, becoming Doctor Doom.
Like many time-hopping tales of the age,FF #5sees Doom coerce the FF into retrieving a treasure chest from the infamous pirate, Blackbeard. Surprises ensue in this entertaining origin story, as the Thing imprisons his fellow FF members for mutiny and Doom matches wits with Mr. Fantastic. Indeed, Doom’s rivalry with Mr. Fantastic will become a driving force for the character and it all starts here.
Iron Man (1968) #149-150
Appropriately titled, ‘DoomQuest’ is a creative tale that harkens to Arthurian legends of yore. When Stark International runs afoul of some pirates, Iron Man traces them back to Latveria and Doctor Doom. This investigation leads to a confrontation at Castle Von Doom, where Hauptmann, Doom’s chief scientist, enacts his revenge, teleporting the armored foes to the mystical city of Camelot
Stuck in the past, Iron Man and Doom eventually oppose each other in a battle between King Arthur and his sorceress sister Morgana La Fey. In particular, ‘DoomQuest’ is an excellent comparison of these tech savants and marks Doom’s first meeting with his eventual lover La Fey. The result is a revealing Doctor Doom story that warrants a read before RDJ brandishes the verdant cowl.
Fantastic Four (1961) #247
The story, ‘This Land is MINE’, shows Latveria rotting after Zorba Fortunov’s coup usurped Doom’s throne. Over the years, Doctor Doom has been labeled many things: a conqueror, a villain, a despot. And though true, he is also the proud sovereign of Latveria and its people.
Thus, while labeled a villain,Fantastic Four #247shows Doom’s compassionate side. Here, after reprogrammed Servo-Guards kill the young boy Kristoff’s mother, Doom adopts him. Ultimately, no good deed goes unnoticed, as the FF aids in Doom’s reclamation of Latveria. In particular, Doom’s love for his native soil is a trait RDJ should incorporate in hisMCUportrayal.
Secret Wars (1984) #1-12
Secret Wars (1984)would see Marvel’s best, like the Avengers, Spider-Man, andDeadpool’s bestie Wolverineunexpectedly whisked away to a patchwork planet. Dubbed the grandest battlefield and created by the omnipotent Beyonder, BattleWorld pitted heroes against villains with promises of great power.
Ultimately,Secret Warspoignantly shows Doom’s unbending will and genius-level intellect in usurping the Beyonder’s power. Thus, while only briefly becoming the strongest being in Marvel, Doom emphatically proved himself Earth’s multiversal safeguard in this best Doom comic to read before RDJ rejoins theMCU.
Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment (1989)
After winning a prestigious sorcery competition held by Aged Genghis, Doctor Doom requests Doctor Strange’s help during his annual pilgrimage to Hell. Here, they will battle the denizens of Hell and the infernal tormentor Mephisto for his mother’s soul.
A banger of a story almost 30 years in the making,Triumph and Tormentfeatures top-notch art and meaningful exchanges between these mystic masters. Here, fans witness mutual respect as Strange and Doom resolve his greatest shame and deliver a heartfelt conclusion, stamping this a best Doctor Doom comic.
Fantastic Four (1998) #67-500
In ‘Unthinkable,’ Doom sacrifices his first love’s soul in his eternal pursuit of power. After accosting the children of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, Doom sets his sights on Mephisto for his numerous affronts. But, after banishing Franklin to Hell and turning Valeria into his thrall, Doom must face the vaunted sorceror…Mr. Fantastic?
This best Doom comic vividly depicts the extreme lengths Doom goes to achieve his goals and proves why many consider him among the greatest villains in all comicdom. Lastly, much like Thanos in theAvengerssaga, Doom forever eyes the end game despite the consequences, a nuance RDJ will employ when rejoining theMCU.
Books of Doom (2005) #1-6
Books of Doomis a fresh twist on an old legend, examining how tragedy, madness, and destiny forged an innocent gypsy boy into Doctor Doom. Expertly weaved through private interviews and Doom’s recollections, this deep dive takes readers from his tragic beginning in the wild hillsides of Latveria to his violent ascension as Latveria’s Monarch.
Complete with picturesque depictions of Doom’s early plotlines, like his rivalry with Reed Richards and his fascination with the dark arts,Bookschecks all the boxes. Moreover, this Doom best provides a bevy ofsource material for RDJto pull from when he brings Doom to theMCU.
The Mighty Avengers (2007) #9-11
It’s a bonanza of goodness with Doctor Doom, time-hopping shenanigans, and the Secret Invasion. After tracing a viral symbiote attack on America back to Doom, the Mighty Avengers invade the sovereign nation of Latveria. The situation worsens when this inadvertently knocks Iron Man, Doom, and the Sentry back in time.
Rendered in nostalgic coloring from the Golden Age, the trio must find a way back, culminating with another display of Doom’s tactical dominance. Ultimately, bested by interventions from the Skrulls and the Superman-esque Sentry, this best Doom read givesMarvel Studiosa viable choice as the Omega-level check on RDJ’s Doom.
DoomWar (2010) #1-6
Full of striking imagery,DoomWar (2010)portrays Doctor Doom’s brilliant tactical mind and mastery of science and magic. After usurping the Wakandan throne, Doom sets his sights on the refined Vibranium stockpiles. But can even mighty Doom pass the panther god Bast’s purity test and access his prize?
Complete with appearances from the Fantastic Four, two Black Panthers (T’Challa and Shuri), and perhapsMarvel’s best Vs fighter,DoomWarwould feel at home in today’sMCU. Most importantly,DoomWarmakes the case that all of Doom’s actions, until now, have been for his love of mankind, an angle RDJ could utilize when he dons Doom’s mask
Secret Wars (2015-2016) #1-9
Secret Wars (2015)shows the entirety of the multiverse under attack from the Incursions. With the Sorcerer Supreme and Molecule Man’s help, Doctor Doom will enact his master plan and save all reality as God Emperor. But can even a god hold reality together with the unexpected reappearance of his greatest rival?
Combining everything a comic fan could want with Hickman’s signature flow and Ribic and Svorcina’s brilliant artwork,Secret Warsis Marvel storytelling at its finest. Alreadyreferenced inDeadpool and Wolverine,Secret Warsshows Doom’s at his best when the stakes are highest and should be top reading material for RDJ when he rejoins the MCU as Marvel’s Doomsday Dictator.
