Doom’s reign has been a success for months – with even some of the heroes questioning if they’re on the right side. A final desperate gamble is conceived, and Reed reveals a terrible secret he’s acquired about Doom’s global domination – but will it be enough? And what has Doom been hiding under that Latverian Dome? One World Under Doom #6 lifts the veil as we find out what’s being hidden in Latveria and Doom’s perfection is anything but.

Written by Ryan North, One World Under Doom #6 has the reveal we’ve all be waiting for. For the previous five issues, North has been making the case that a world under Doom’s rule isn’t all that bad. The quality of living, from what we’re told, has increased as Doom has focused on healthcare, education, and freer migration. But, it’s Doom, so there has to be something nefarious underneath. One World Under Doom #6 is that final gamble to reveal the truth and it’s not done through fists, but through brains and guile.

At its core, One World Under Doom #6 is a debate between Reed Richards and Doom, but it’s really Doom debating the superhero community as a whole using history, facts, and emotion to drive his point him. And, let’s face it, much like what North has shown up to this point, Doom is right. Marvel’s superheroes are a selfish community who hoard knowledge, technology, strength, and more for their own means. Tony Stark could share his technology with the world and deliver unlimited, clean energy. The mutant community could have shared its secret of resurrection. Storm could end drought and death and destruction due to weather. Hank Pym could feed the world through his Pym Particles. These are all examples Doom uses to show that the superheroes have been defenders of the status quo because that status quo benefits them. They could do really amazing things that could change the world, but don’t. It’s a debate comic readers have had for a long time and at its heart, Doom is right. But it’s Doom, so we know there’s something more to it all.

While Reed debates, the team attempting to get into Latveria finally succeed and what they discover is the key to Doom’s power and shifts the whole narrative and adds to the debate North has waged through the series. It’s no longer would you give up some freedom to live in a paradise, it’s now a debate if you’d sacrifice others so you could live in a paradise? And, how many would you sacrifice? One World Under Doom #6 in some ways feels like a continuation of the debate that waged during COVID lockdowns, who and how many would you sacrifice so you could return to eating at Applebees?

The art by R.B. Silva is solid. It’s an issue that’s mostly a debate, but it’s done in such a dynamic way. It really emphasizes Doom’s ability to command a crowd with emotion as well as facts, contrasting with Richards’ focus on just the facts. The colors by David Curiel help it all pop and of course the lettering by Travis Lanham is key since it really is an issue that’s all talking and debate. It’s a comic that looks great while also gets you to think about Marvel’s heroes. But, it’s what’s discovered at the end that really sticks out as the extent of Doom’s plan is revealed and it delivers visuals that evokes the shock and horror that’s intended.

One World Under Doom #6 wraps up the latest “arc” as it lifts the veil of Doom’s actions setting up the downfall we all knew would come. It’s all a guess as to how the rest of the series plays out but so far, it continues to be one the best events Marvel has put on in years.

Story: Ryan North Art: R.B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle