Broken, depleted, but having bought the time he needed, Doom ensured that all Earth’s heroes would survive. These heroes now face a choice: They can allow Earth to fall to Dormammu – or they can align with Doom and fight for Earth beside him. Doom is at his highest – with Earth’s heroes behind him, nothing can stop him now. Nothing, that is, save for an unexpected return of an old foe… One World Under Doom #5 has doom rallying Earth’s heroes to take on Dormammu and leaves everyone questioning if maybe Doom is a good thing?

One World Under Doom #5 continues what has been one of Marvel’s strongest events in years. It not only feels relevant to the world today, it also presents a debate that isn’t so clear cut and lets the readers decide who’s right and who’s wrong. Written by Ryan North, the issue picks up on the previous one with Doom facing Dormammu, bruised, beaten, and looking like he might actually lose. But, Earth’s heroes who were banished by Dormammu have returned and are willing to fight by Doom’s side.

Where the issue gets interesting is the impact of this event. Doom really did stand up for Earth and protected it. Yes, there’s always a question if it was all a show, but on the surface, it makes Doom look like a hero. Add in his protecting individuals during the initial attack, you have a character who shows off the complexity he deserves. North has also played the long game with this aspect. He’s teased with each issue the good Doom is doing. There’s better healthcare, better education, better quality of life overall. But, you have a ruler who hates dissent making it all happen. Doom has become the benevolent dictator and the world is better off in many ways. Is “One World Under Doom” actually a bad thing? At least some heroes don’t think so which creates a spirited debate among them. North throws out some interesting examples, and questions if the way Earth has been run as a whole is the problem?

R.B. Silva’s art is of course fantastic. With David Curiel on color and lettering by Travis Lanham, the comic looks great with every page. Doom looks bruised, beaten, feeble, the weakest he’s been in years. It’s interesting visual storytelling in that that not only do we get to see these powerful heroes around Doom but also, it’s a perfect moment to strike Doom down. The only tease of that are in the art, adding to the storytelling, whether it was meant to or not.

One World Under Doom #5 taps into some interesting classic stories like Civil War, Dark Reign, and even to some extent Secret Empire, but mixes it all up making answers all the more gray and ambiguous. It’s the halfway point and has delivered with each issue mixing in big action along with big questions for readers to ponder.

Story: Ryan North Art: R.B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Sensing vulnerability, Dormammu has attacked Earth – and only Doom stands in his way! Dormammu has banished all other heroes to a pocket dimension, leaving Doom to stand alone against the Dark Lord of Chaos. But on the other hand… Doom has never needed allies in order to ensure that his will is done. It’s the ultimate showdown between two titans – with an ending you won’t see coming. As Earth hangs in the balance, it all comes down to DOOM VERSUS DORMAMMU. One World Under Doom #4 presents Doom in an interesting light… hero!?

One World Under Doom #4 continues to paint an unexpected picture of Doom that muddles up further his already muddled villainy. Written by Ryan North, One World Under Doom has painted the villain as a benevolent dictator that might rule the world with an iron fist but is also delivering improvements like quality education, healthcare, and working conditions. While one might fear speaking out against him, he does seem to have the best interests of the world and his vision of it at the center of his moves.

One World Under Doom #4 focuses on him further as the hero as he must battle Dormammu on his own to save the Earth. The issue is mostly just Doom vs. Dormammu with Doom’s thoughts acting as most of the dialogue for the comic. We see the two use their magical abilities against each other as Dormammu spouts out and focuses on the failure of Doom that has led to this moment. But, it really shows Doom in a new light, a vulnerable character that’s fallible and to an extent, frail.

The art by R.B. Silva really punctuates that last bit. With color by David Curiel and lettering that really stands out by Travis Lanham, we see Doom go from a fearsome force to one of a battered old man. Doom starts in his armor looking like a foe that will handle Dormammu and ends with Doom looking like Mr. Burns after Marge Simpson paints a portrait of him. Silva’s last page emphasizes that Doom is vulnerable but even Doom needs allies at times.

One World Under Doom #4 is an intriguing issue whose art gives us an emphasis that Doom isn’t unbeatable and that while he’s strong in so many ways, when you take that away, he’s a feeble old man. Whether that is done on purpose for the art is unknown but that’s the way it comes off and it only makes Doom a more intriguing character and more worthy of another event centering around him.

Story: Ryan North Art: R.B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Doctor Doom has taken over the world, and Earth’s mightiest heroes have failed twice: first to stop him, and now to overthrow him. But the Fantastic Four know Doom better than anyone, which makes them ideally suited to take on Earth’s new Emperor…except for the fact that he knows THEM just as well. As Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, and Sue and Johnny Storm prepare to face down Doom at the United Nations, Doom pays a secret visit to speak to the only person on Earth who holds both his favor, his respect…and his love. But can Valeria Richards change her uncle’s mind? And if she fails, what will stop Doom from visiting a shocking fate on the Fantastic Four that not even he can undo? One World Under Doom #2 is an issue that packs a lot in, filled with philosophical debate and action.

Ryan North so far has been knocking it out of the park in the main series for Marvel’s current status-quo shaking “One World Under Doom.” Doctor Doom has taken over the world and seems to be improving it. And thus the interesting depth of the second issue. One World Under Doom #2 focuses in an not just what has changed, and the attitude of various people around the world, but gets to the underlying philosophy driving Doom.

It’s an issue that challenges the reader to decide for themselves if what Doom is doing is right or wrong, and so far, hasn’t taken a position. North interestingly presents a situation where yes, Doom has taken over the world, but with that he’s bringing peace, improved healthcare, improved education, overall, a perceived improvement in the quality of life for individuals. We learn what has changed and the why in an intriguing discussion between Doom and Valeria as the two discuss various political philosophies while also examining that state of the world pre and post Doom’s take over.

But, not everything is peaceful and North sets up and resistance to Doom’s total domination. Of course the Fantastic Four make a move while the Avengers plan and find allies to help their cause. While the Fantastic Four aspect is interesting at times, presenting difficult decisions, the sequence feels a little rushed and not well planned out, especially for the FF. It’s much more punch for results than an actual plan to confront Doom. In no way do their actions really match what is said by Reed and the rest. That’s the one negative. But, it also highlights that not only is Doom ahead of the heroes in every way, but he also has followers that truly are supporting his vision.

The art by R.B. Silva continues to be solid. With color by David Curiel and lettering by Travis Lanham, the comic does an interesting thing with presenting a world that feels a bit like a utopia. It’s bright, it’s clean, it seems visually like an ideal place to live. That is juxtaposed with when heroes are present which presents a bit more dirt and destruction. Visually, there’s order and chaos, peace and violence, and the team highlights that perfectly. The “person on the street” segments too show off a wide variety of individuals which helps visually to nail down how wide Doom’s support is. The art is key in nailing down the points North’s narrative is trying to make.

One World Under Doom #2 is another excellent issue for a series that so far has exceeded expectations. It challenges the order of heroes in many ways and challenges the politics of our real world while presenting an offer some might choose if presented in reality. It’s an issue that makes you think and entertains.

Story: Ryan North Art: R.B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Six months ago, Doctor Victor Von Doom became Sorcerer Supreme – then disappeared behind Latveria’s closed borders. For most, there’s enough going on in the world that Doom’s absence is not a priority, and some time without him feels like a blessing. Only a few recognize it for what it truly was…the calm before the storm. It is a storm that has now arrived. One World Under Doom #1 is the official start to Marvel’s new status quo that shows us a world under the rule of Doom, one where the leaders are going along with it.

Planned for quite some time, Marvel has once again tapped into the zeitgeist with a storyline that feels like it has some underlying exploration of the world we currently face. A villain has taken over and while they promise a lot, can they deliver, and what will we give in return?

What’s interesting with One World Under Doom #1 is we see the complicated nature of Doom. The man is driven by jealousy of Reed Richards, he’s a villain in many ways, but he’s also a statesman, the leader of the nation of Latveria, one who is adept in both science and magic. It’s the statesman part that’s intriguing. We’ve been told the people of Latveria live a relatively good life but one under possible fear and tyranny, and definite instability with Doom as the leader. And, the vision that Doom delivers to the world is a complicated one. There is now universal healthcare. There is now universal education. In theory, these are good things. Doom has outlawed war. He crushes Hydra and twists them to help build schools and hospitals. He just wants loyalty and fealty. In theory, he’s bringing peace and stability. There’s just the question of the cost to it all. Is it all worth a dictatorship? What’s the fine print.

Writer Ryan North doesn’t answer those questions but instead focuses on the shock of what has happened. Earth’s heroes aren’t sure what to do. Earth’s villains are in the same boat. The people too are surprised at this new reality. What Doom has done might be good? Should the heroes oppose it? How can they? And what else does Doom have up his sleeve to counter the heroes eventual attack?

R.B. Silva‘s art captures the shock of it all quite well. There’s an ominous feel and cloud that feels like it overhangs the issue. The rather bewildered and unsure nature of what’s going on pervades every aspect. The comic looks solid overall with some minor quibbles on certain characters and moments. The color by David Curiel adds to the rather odd nature of what’s going on and lettering by Travis Lanham really hits the moments well.

One World Under Doom #1 nails the complicated nature of what I think is one of the best villains out there and teases a story that might explore the current dilemma the world faces, demagogues promising the world in exchange for our fealty. There’s massive potential in this series which is a concept we’ve seen before but one that’s never been more relevant than today.

Story: Ryan North Art: R.B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.65 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle