When it comes to Marvel’s most fascinating villains, Doctor Doom has always stood at the top. He is a figure of genius, arrogance, and tragic ambition. For years, fans have eagerly awaited his proper arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially now that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to introduce him as the next big threat.
However, while Doom’s live-action debut is shaping up to be monumental, one of the best modern comic stories featuring the character, One World Under Doom, seems destined to stay on the page. And that’s a shame, because the comic could have given the MCU its most compelling villain arc.
Doctor Doom’s New Comic Arc Is The Perfect Dark Story
Doctor Doom has always been a complex villain. He isn’t just evil for evil’s sake; he believes in his mission to bring order to chaos, even if it means ruling the world to do it. The recent Marvel Comics story One World Under Doom captures this idea perfectly, and in doing so, it presented a story that could have made Doom’s MCU arc both grand and deeply human. In the comic, Doom takes a drastic step: he declares the entire Earth to be Latveria, renaming it “United Latveria.” This isn’t a mere act of conquest; it’s a philosophical statement.
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Doom believes the world needs his control to thrive, that humanity’s flaws can only be corrected through his singular rule. It’s the ultimate expression of his ego, but also his conviction. What makes the story so powerful is that it doesn’t paint Doom as purely monstrous. Many people within the Marvel Universe actually support his leadership, believing he offers stability and justice. For once, the world begins to question whether Doom’s reign might not be the worst option. That moral ambiguity gives One World Under Doom a striking resonance.
This could have easily served as the MCU’s version of ‘Infinity War’, with Doom positioned as both a conqueror and a savior in his own mind. It’s the kind of story Marvel Studios could have used to elevate Doom into a Thanos-level figure. Unfortunately, the MCU’s current timeline makes it nearly impossible to tell such a story.
Why MCU Cannot Adapt “One World Under Doom” Now
The biggest reason Marvel can’t use One World Under Doom in the near future is simply timing. The comic is brand new. So, it’s too recent for Marvel Studios to have incorporated its themes or characters into the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’ scripts, both of which are already deep in development. However, even more importantly, the emotional backbone of One World Under Doom revolves around a character who doesn’t yet exist in the MCU: Valeria Richards. Valeria’s presence is crucial.
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In Marvel Comics, she’s one of the most intriguing characters in the Fantastic Four’s extended family. She is also sometimes portrayed as the daughter of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, other times as a surrogate daughter to Doctor Doom himself. Regardless of the version, Valeria shares a deep and complicated connection with Doom. She’s one of the only people he truly listens to, the one person who can appeal to his humanity. In One World Under Doom, this bond becomes the emotional centerpiece of the story. Valeria challenges Doom’s vision of a “perfect” world and forces him to confront the damage he’s causing.
Tragically, Doom ends up severely injuring, or even killing, her during a pivotal confrontation. The act shatters him, turning his victory into personal devastation. For the MCU to make that story work, it would need years of buildup. This includes introductions for Reed and Sue, a developed father-daughter relationship with Valeria, and a nuanced understanding of Doom’s twisted affection for her. None of that is possible in the current phase.
Instead, the MCU seems to be setting up a different emotional focus for Doom’s arc, one centered on Franklin Richards. The post-credits scenes from ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ and ‘Thunderbolts*’ reportedly tease a connection between Doom and the young Franklin, potentially exploring the villain’s fascination with power and creation. While that could make for an intriguing dynamic, it’s still a far cry from the raw emotional tragedy of One World Under Doom.
