So in light of One World Under Doom ending, I decided to share a revelation that I've had.
I've gone back and forth on whether or not I hate Doom as a character since this "event" was first announced. And I've honestly come to the conclusion that no, I don't hate Victor von Doom. In fact, I would actually say that he's grown into one of my favorite characters in Marvel over the past year or so.
That being said, I think what I hate (and subsequently what I've been throwing a hissy fit over these past few months) is how Marvel Editorial treats Victor.
I don't know if this was prevalent before or if this is a more recent development, but it really feels like Marvel doesn't treat him like a character. They treat him like a God.
HE'S the most powerful character in all of Marvel!
HE'S the only one capable of surviving a great cataclysm!
HE can't be brainwashed but others can!
HE'S the most amazing villain in the history of ever!
In other words, Editorial are major Doom fanboys and fangirls. Which wouldn't be an issue, if Editorial didn't let their enthusiasm for the character overtake the story. This is why I think OWUD is written the way it is; instead of it being a story that examines what being Sorcerer Supreme actually means for Doom, it's mostly a collage of fight scenes where he's just SOOOO unbeatable!!! And that's just not compelling storytelling. Yes, it's a comic book and not everything in comics has to be serious. But when you're trying to tell a politically charged story? I expect just a teensy bit more nuance than that. Especially with a character like Doom.
Doom is at his best when he's written as a well-intentioned extremist; he means well, but his vanity and ego don't exactly make him a very good person. But we still love reading him because despite his flaws, he can back up his boasting and melodramatic grandiosity, even when he's being a petty bitch. But it feels like so much of the time, editors at Marvel, and some writers to be honest, forget that and just act like Doom can do anything because he's Doom (You see why I think Batman vs. Doom is the better crossover idea?)!
Basically what I'm getting at is this;
The Death of Doctor Strange is a genuine, heartfelt love letter to the character Stephen Strange, faults and all.
One World Under Doom by contrast feels like it's one giant fap fest from Editorial to Doctor Doom. Instead of the complex, Machiavellian supervillain we all know and love, he's just written to be a petty asshole but without any of the nuance that makes him beloved saved for his love for his Goddaughter. And then he gets to die "nobly" so Marvel doesn't have to deal with the consequences of his actions. MAKES IT EASY!!! 🙄
