Did you think that STRANGE ACADEMY would be the same in the world with DOCTOR DOOM as SORCERER SUPREME?! NO! It is now DOOM ACADEMY! Relocated from New Orleans to Latveria, the best magic school in the world just got better (according to some). It’s the start of the second year for Strange Academy students, and you know that things will not go as planned! Doom Academy #1 moves Strange Academy to Latveria introducing a whole bunch of new characters and an interesting look into the Latverian life.

Written by Mackenzie Cadenhead, Doom Academy #1 is an interesting comic. It has a similar fun tone of Strange Academy but also has a dark cloud hanging over it. Doom is now Sorcerer Supreme and the world is under his control. But, it looks like at least some of the “Strange Academy” faculty is fine with that. Doom Academy #1 is intriguing, partially because there’s a certain amount of complicity within its pages but also a small sign of resistance.

So far, the “One World Under Doom” tie-ins have shown a broad, big picture aspect to the story with big moments with major impacts. Doom Academy #1 focuses things in taking place in a school and that’s about it. There’s a lot that works and some things that are headscratchers too. Doctor Voodoo is present, an oddity that feels like a hero bending to the rule of a villain as opposed to resisting. But, there’s no complicity across the board. A new character is introduced showing some of the propaganda that Doom uses to shape perceptions, a theme and concept seen in other issues that tie into the event so far.

Cadenhead delivers a bit of mystery and adventure in the comic too, delivering a plotline that’s not focused on the fact the world has been taken over by Doom. Together, the comic touches upon the status-quo but also knows it’s about the school, not macro-politics.

The art by Pasqual Ferry is pretty solid. With color by Edgar Delgado and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the visuals pop a bit. The comic has a nice balance of being a bit cheery but also a bit ominous too. There’s youthful feel to it but at the same time the lingering aspect of Doom is present. A lot of that balance is due to the small details of the comic. There’s small visual additions that emphasize that this is a magical school but there’s also clear queues that this is a school that’s under a watchful eye too.

Doom Academy #1 is a fun comic. It doesn’t quite have the serious nature of other “One World Under Doom” tie-ins but is squarely rooted in those events. It keeps the basic concepts from previous series going, a school that might give the X-Men a run for the money when it comes to danger for the students.

Story: Mackenzie Cadenhead Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color: Edgar Delgado Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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