Doctor Doom Appreciation

[Abishai100]

During the Indian festival of Holi, children throw dye-colored powders at each other. During Wet Monday, a segment of Easter weekend, Irish children engage in water-gun battle simulations.

People love lifestyle-celebratory activities, and indeed, America is founded on a populism-oriented exchange of lifestyle views (i.e., Thanksgiving).

This is what makes Doctor Doom (Marvel Comics) so representative of our modern age of globalization (i.e., eTrade). He is a villain who embodies our deepest fears about trust, public image, and the 'experience' of meetings. Doctor Doom is the ultimate fascist, perhaps more ominous than Mr. Sinister (X-Men), Scarecrow (Batman), or Brainiac (Superman).

When you want an accessible comic book translation of horror-film maniacal anti-social or nihilism fanatic monsters such as Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) or Michael Myers (Halloween), you turn to Doctor Doom.

I'd like to see Spider-Man and Captain America team up to challenge a devious alliance between Doctor Doom and Ra's al Ghul.

Ra's is already making a splash on "Arrow" (The CW), so maybe Doctor Doom can show up in a surprise appearance on "Gotham" (Fox TV).







Ra's al Ghul


doom.png ras.gif



BatmanandDrDoom.jpg

[Iron Maiden]

During the Indian festival of Holi, children throw dye-colored powders at each other. During Wet Monday, a segment of Easter weekend, Irish children engage in water-gun battle simulations.

People love lifestyle-celebratory activities, and indeed, America is founded on a populism-oriented exchange of lifestyle views (i.e., Thanksgiving).

This is what makes Doctor Doom (Marvel Comics) so representative of our modern age of globalization (i.e., eTrade). He is a villain who embodies our deepest fears about trust, public image, and the 'experience' of meetings. Doctor Doom is the ultimate fascist, perhaps more ominous than Mr. Sinister (X-Men), Scarecrow (Batman), or Brainiac (Superman).

When you want an accessible comic book translation of horror-film maniacal anti-social or nihilism fanatic monsters such as Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) or Michael Myers (Halloween), you turn to Doctor Doom.

I'd like to see Spider-Man and Captain America team up to challenge a devious alliance between Doctor Doom and Ra's al Ghul.

Ra's is already making a splash on "Arrow" (The CW), so maybe Doctor Doom can show up in a surprise appearance on "Gotham" (Fox TV).



Ra's al Ghul
doom.png ras.gif
BatmanandDrDoom.jpg

Regarding Doom's role in comics, I really don't see any link at all with Leatherface and Michael Myers . In the films, they are almost mindless, slaughtering automatons that have become walking plot devices to just wreak mayhem, mostly on attractive female victims. Off the top of my head, Doom owes more to the film versons of Phantom of the Opera and perhaps Hammer films recurring Victor Frankenstein as played by Peter Cushing. There's also a bit of Captain Nemo. But even that doesn't take into account the many facets of the character IMO.

The link to globalization fears? If anything there's more or less an isolationist history with Latveria. Doom clings to keeping things looking like how he wants Latveria to be, complete with castles and villages. There are no skyscrapers to be seen in Latveria and Doom has not commanded any to be built. In this respect it reminds me of Prince Charles and his preference for London to only use traditional Georgian or Victorian style buildings. IMO the skyline of London does look a bit of a mess but I've only been there once.

Some time ago on his MB, John Byrne had expressed is opinion that he felt it was a mistake to associate Doom with any kind of political movement. I certainly couldn't make the call as to whether he is right wing or left wing. My own view is that he is like a feudal socialist. He indulges in all the trappings of an absolute monarchy yet his is concerned for the welfare of the people. See Hickman's dinner scene with Doom and Namor in NA #24. Hickman's view is very similar to what we see in Byrne's view as seen in FF #246-247

As for being facist? I don't think most people these days don't even realize what facism entails. This is an interesting essay that goes into more detail.

Let's go over some of the ideas proposed in Italy's manifesto of 1919...and note that women didn't get the right to vote here in the U.S until 1920 when the 19th amendment was ratified.

• Universal suffrage polled on a regional basis, with proportional representation and voting and electoral office eligibility for women;
• Proportional representation on a regional basis;
• The quick enactment of a law of the State that sanctions an eight-hour workday for all workers;
• A minimum wage; (note that in a recent issue of Loki: Agent of Asgard shows construction workers in Latveria discussing their earning time and a half for recent reconstruction work)
• To show the same confidence in the labor unions (that prove to be technically and morally worthy) as is given to industry executives or public servant

I don't know about you but those are some pretty progressive ideas they proposed there.

[WTHIOTina]

We've got an article over at Marvel 616 Politics entitled "How To Make a Dr. Doom Series" - thought this would be a good place to share! Feel free to check it out.

We're also on Facebook if you'd like to follow us there! www.facebook.com/marvel616politics

[Iron Maiden]

Cool! I will have to check that out later since we get blocked from FB at work

[Master Planner]

Regarding Doom's role in comics, I really don't see any link at all with Leatherface and Michael Myers . In the films, they are almost mindless, slaughtering automatons that have become walking plot devices to just wreak mayhem, mostly on attractive female victims. Off the top of my head, Doom owes more to the film versons of Phantom of the Opera and perhaps Hammer films recurring Victor Frankenstein as played by Peter Cushing. There's also a bit of Captain Nemo. But even that doesn't take into account the many facets of the character IMO.

The link to globalization fears? If anything there's more or less an isolationist history with Latveria. Doom clings to keeping things looking like how he wants Latveria to be, complete with castles and villages. There are no skyscrapers to be seen in Latveria and Doom has not commanded any to be built. In this respect it reminds me of Prince Charles and his preference for London to only use traditional Georgian or Victorian style buildings. IMO the skyline of London does look a bit of a mess but I've only been there once.

Some time ago on his MB, John Byrne had expressed is opinion that he felt it was a mistake to associate Doom with any kind of political movement. I certainly couldn't make the call as to whether he is right wing or left wing. My own view is that he is like a feudal socialist. He indulges in all the trappings of an absolute monarchy yet his is concerned for the welfare of the people. See Hickman's dinner scene with Doom and Namor in NA #24. Hickman's view is very similar to what we see in Byrne's view as seen in FF #246-247

As for being facist? I don't think most people these days don't even realize what facism entails. This is an interesting essay that goes into more detail.

Let's go over some of the ideas proposed in Italy's manifesto of 1919...and note that women didn't get the right to vote here in the U.S until 1920 when the 19th amendment was ratified.

• Universal suffrage polled on a regional basis, with proportional representation and voting and electoral office eligibility for women;
• Proportional representation on a regional basis;
• The quick enactment of a law of the State that sanctions an eight-hour workday for all workers;
• A minimum wage; (note that in a recent issue of Loki: Agent of Asgard shows construction workers in Latveria discussing their earning time and a half for recent reconstruction work)
• To show the same confidence in the labor unions (that prove to be technically and morally worthy) as is given to industry executives or public servant

I don't know about you but those are some pretty progressive ideas they proposed there.

Doom's view about ruling is pretty simple and "primitive".A peaceful land and peaceful peasants.The reason why Doom's rule is so similar to a feudal lord is that Doom believes that he is so great that he commands and people must obey.No parliaments,no council of ministers and certainly nothing that reminds a modern government.The ministers and the bureaucrats are just simple lackeys who transfer and accomplish Doom's will.Rarely they have their own voice and only because Doom allowed it.

[Iron Maiden]

Doom's view about ruling is pretty simple and "primitive".A peaceful land and peaceful peasants.The reason why Doom's rule is so similar to a feudal lord is that Doom believes that he is so great that he commands and people must obey.No parliaments,no council of ministers and certainly nothing that reminds a modern government.The ministers and the bureaucrats are just simple lackeys who transfer and accomplish Doom's will.Rarely they have their own voice and only because Doom allowed it.

And in Byrne's run we see Doom holding an audience for people to petition the throne for various reasons. In a nation of millions, this would not be very efficient. In the GN Emperor Doom, we do see Doom's lack of interest in hearing about hog futures,crop reports and other minutiae. I would think at some point he would have to place trust in others to handle these kind of issues but things move rather quickly in the story and it's not something we see him undertake.

[Gigglesdemon]

We've got an article over at Marvel 616 Politics entitled "How To Make a Dr. Doom Series" - thought this would be a good place to share! Feel free to check it out.

We're also on Facebook if you'd like to follow us there! www.facebook.com/marvel616politics

That was a fun read, but I would like to point out....it sounds like you are describing the Doom 2099 series. It mixed him talking with advisers and how best to rule the country and solve various problems with larger than life superhero fights. The initial arc of him planning a revolution against Tyger Wylde, gathering allies and resources before the final climactic conclusion is a good example. Or when he took over the US in Warren Ellis's run. Honestly, I would give Marvel all of my money if they did a Doom series (either a limited [but not like a 6 issue set, more like 12 or 16] or a continuing until cancelled series).

[Master Planner]

And in Byrne's run we see Doom holding an audience for people to petition the throne for various reasons. In a nation of millions, this would not be very efficient. In the GN Emperor Doom, we do see Doom's lack of interest in hearing about hog futures,crop reports and other minutiae. I would think at some point he would have to place trust in others to handle these kind of issues but things move rather quickly in the story and it's not something we see him undertake.

Ι could see Doom ruling the world with ministers and governors being Doombots,only because those robots would have the mentality of Doom.And if they decided to be more Doom than usual(trying to surpass their lord)Doom would always have a safeguard for that.People like Boris,Kristoff or Lancer(people forgot her) would be the exception.

[Rahul]

I'm actually wondering how the hell Dr Doom has any value if you take him out of the MU.

Really, he may have started out as an FF foe, but there is a whole history he has in the MU, with Iron Man, with Dr Strange, with Thor( andeven Blade) that has enriched the character.

How can you express the grandness of such a character in the absence of those characters?

How can you write Dr Doom outside the Marvel Universe? This is what has harmed all cinematic portrayals of Doom.

[WTHIOTina]

That was a fun read, but I would like to point out....it sounds like you are describing the Doom 2099 series. It mixed him talking with advisers and how best to rule the country and solve various problems with larger than life superhero fights. The initial arc of him planning a revolution against Tyger Wylde, gathering allies and resources before the final climactic conclusion is a good example. Or when he took over the US in Warren Ellis's run. Honestly, I would give Marvel all of my money if they did a Doom series (either a limited [but not like a 6 issue set, more like 12 or 16] or a continuing until cancelled series).

Glad you enjoyed it Gigglesdemon! I will check with my writer and ask him if he's ever read the Doom 2099 series! When he presented that article, I knew I wanted to share it with people that really knew Doom and wondered what they thought about the content.

Feel free to like us on Facebook and keep checking out our website!!

[Iron Maiden]

I'm actually wondering how the hell Dr Doom has any value if you take him out of the MU.

Really, he may have started out as an FF foe, but there is a whole history he has in the MU, with Iron Man, with Dr Strange, with Thor( andeven Blade) that has enriched the character.

How can you express the grandness of such a character in the absence of those characters?

How can you write Dr Doom outside the Marvel Universe? This is what has harmed all cinematic portrayals of Doom.

QFT

Quite frankly, as a long time fan of the character I've been secretly envious of fans of the characters that Marvel Studios owns. I feel like we will never see a movie version of Doom that has the scope of the comics' depiction of the character. IMO Iron Man has a very weak rogues gallery and adding Doom to the mix would serve to beef that up in the films. Thanos is good for cosmic level stories and that is going to be huge in the future films. But it would have been great to have Doom in the mix also as a wild card. We will never get to see that I'm afraid. The MU has been so successful bringing what Hollywood thought were their "B" characters to the screen that I really find it bittersweet that Marvel Studios will never get to use him unless Fox studios gets swallowed up by an earthquake or something. I really don't have much faith in Josh Trank's film particularly with Mark Millar as a consultant. He's probably going to be more like Ultimate Doom. Let's hope he doesn't have goat legs. Plus I like the idea as Doom being older and more established than going back to barely out of his teens Doom.

[Iron Maiden]

Glad you enjoyed it Gigglesdemon! I will check with my writer and ask him if he's ever read the Doom 2099 series! When he presented that article, I knew I wanted to share it with people that really knew Doom and wondered what they thought about the content.

Feel free to like us on Facebook and keep checking out our website!!

I had a chance to check that out too. I liked the plot proposed about Doom using his time machine and creating an alternate timeline. Although strictly speaking, I think that would be a flaw. The reason why the Time Variance Authority wanted to kill Doom on the spot in FF#352 was they thought his time machine was too dangerous. Later, In his X-Factor series from a couple of years ago, PAD put forth the idea of Doomlocks as part of Doom's chronotech. Essentially his chronotech works so that whatever happens does effect the traveler's timeline and does not create a divergent one.

[Rahul]

QFT

Quite frankly, as a long time fan of the character I've been secretly envious of fans of the characters that Marvel Studios owns. I feel like we will never see a movie version of Doom that has the scope of the comics' depiction of the character. IMO Iron Man has a very weak rogues gallery and adding Doom to the mix would serve to beef that up in the films. Thanos is good for cosmic level stories and that is going to be huge in the future films. But it would have been great to have Doom in the mix also as a wild card. We will never get to see that I'm afraid. The MU has been so successful bringing what Hollywood thought were their "B" characters to the screen that I really find it bittersweet that Marvel Studios will never get to use him unless Fox studios gets swallowed up by an earthquake or something. I really don't have much faith in Josh Trank's film particularly with Mark Millar as a consultant. He's probably going to be more like Ultimate Doom. Let's hope he doesn't have goat legs. Plus I like the idea as Doom being older and more established than going back to barely out of his teens Doom.

Isn't there an expression, a hero is only as good as the villain?

Most of the MU need Doom!

[Iron Maiden]

Isn't there an expression, a hero is only as good as the villain?

Most of the MU need Doom!

Agreed. More important, Marvel Studios need Doom!

[Mahes]

QFT

Quite frankly, as a long time fan of the character I've been secretly envious of fans of the characters that Marvel Studios owns. I feel like we will never see a movie version of Doom that has the scope of the comics' depiction of the character. IMO Iron Man has a very weak rogues gallery and adding Doom to the mix would serve to beef that up in the films. Thanos is good for cosmic level stories and that is going to be huge in the future films. But it would have been great to have Doom in the mix also as a wild card. We will never get to see that I'm afraid. The MU has been so successful bringing what Hollywood thought were their "B" characters to the screen that I really find it bittersweet that Marvel Studios will never get to use him unless Fox studios gets swallowed up by an earthquake or something. I really don't have much faith in Josh Trank's film particularly with Mark Millar as a consultant. He's probably going to be more like Ultimate Doom. Let's hope he doesn't have goat legs. Plus I like the idea as Doom being older and more established than going back to barely out of his teens Doom.

Just to chime in here: I feel the exact same way. Doom started as a FF baddie but what's been done with him is so so much more than that. Doom operates as an essential piece of the MU and it's only do the rights issue that he gets somewhat sidelined in the FF movie. I'd love to see him, along with the FF, in the MCU or in some special deal between the studio but just a pipe dream.