Marvel’s upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is one of the most anticipated Marvel projects and will mark the return of Robert Downey Jr. However, this time he will play the villainous Dr. Victor Von Doom.
It’s a shocking twist, but it’s not the first time the two armored geniuses have been blended into one. Their histories are deeply intertwined, and several comics have explored what happens when Iron Man and Doctor Doom merge in some way.
Tony Stark, In One Timeline, Became A Tyrant Like Dr. Doom
In Exiles #23-25, we visit a reality where Tony Stark isn’t just a billionaire playboy, he’s a ruthless dictator. This version of Stark, much like Doom, orchestrated global disasters to make himself the ultimate savior. Once elected President, he took things even further. He struck a deal with Doom to destroy Washington D.C. in exchange for ultimate control.
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However, Doom, being Doom, tried to backstab Stark. It didn’t work. Stark not only survived but took Doom’s signature green cape as a trophy, proving his dominance. Additionally, in another twisted timeline, Victor von Doom didn’t just become Iron Man, he stole Tony Stark’s life.
In this reality, Doom and Stark were college roommates, not Stark and Reed Richards. Doom, envious of Stark’s effortless brilliance and wealth, built a machine to swap their bodies and erased Stark’s memory in the process. The real Tony was cast out to Latveria, believing himself to be Victor von Doom.
But here’s the wild part: Tony, thinking he was Doom, rebuilt his life from nothing, eventually rising to power as Latveria’s leader. Unlike the real Doom, though, this Tony-turned-Doom wasn’t a dictator, he used his genius for progress instead of oppression. When he finally learned the truth, he refused to swap back. This was his life now, and he had made peace with it.
When Doctor Doom Became Marvel’s Most Unlikely Hero
Marvel fans defending RDJ’s casting as Doom in the MCU often point to Infamous Iron Man (2016). And it makes sense as this was the story where Doom literally became Iron Man. After Civil War II, Tony Stark was in a coma, and Doom, seeking redemption, decided to take up the mantle of Iron Man. But, of course, he did it his way.
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His suit was sleeker, with a dark gray design and a flowing green hooded cape, blending Doom’s signature look with Iron Man’s tech. Unlike past versions where Stark and Doom were adversaries or merged into villains, Infamous Iron Man was different. It wasn’t about Doom trying to be Tony, it was about Doom trying to be better than himself. Moreover, the story was deeply tied to his rivalry with Reed Richards.
After Secret Wars, Reed had healed Doom’s scarred face and encouraged him to become something more than a tyrant. Doom took that challenge to heart. However, the world wasn’t ready for a heroic Doctor Doom. SHIELD hunted him, old enemies didn’t trust him, and even the spirit of Tony Stark (who existed as an AI) doubted his sincerity. But Doom kept trying, because, for once, he wasn’t doing this for power.
