REVIEW: ‘One World Under Doom’ Issue 1

One World Under Doom Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Ryan North, art by R.B. Silva, colors by David Curiel, and letters by Travis Lanham.

Doctor Doom is now the Sorcerer Supreme and enacts his grand plan, taking over the entire world. The whole world now bows to him, except for a small resistance of heroes and Hydra, led by Baron Zemo.

At the start of the next blockbuster event, the spectacle is displayed very quickly in One World Under Doom Issue 1. Doctor Doom already seems to have won, with his face plastered across the world and a lack of response from any of the world leaders. All that is left are the superheroes: Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the other most famous faces. A slow opening showcases the complete control Doom has over the planet, crushing resistance with an iron fist. However, it isn’t just an oppressive regime.

Doctor Doom promises protection and prosperity, hiding any true agenda beneath his mask. Latveria has been sealed off since Doom took the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, with plans being made in secret. North instills a fantastic sense of dread across the book, with an expectation of traps and trickery. There is a tremendous amount of energy and fun within the second half of One World Under Doom Issue 1.

Both villains and heroes alike try to take a stand in their ways, with very separate outcomes. The action moves away from Latveria as Hydra joins the fray, and chaos unfolds. Doom is playing his own game, and both sides fall for it.

The cast of One World Under Doom Issue 1 celebrates classic Marvel characters. The group of heroes that have gathered to depose him are all of Marvel’s most notable faces. The way they speak is reminiscent of that history. The situation is dire, but North still finds time to have fun. Spider-Man and Human Torch have a long, hilarious argument just before they try to reach Latveria, and there is a terrific nod to one of the heroes in the other company.

Doctor Doom is menacing and imposing, but he is inherently ridiculous. North can recognize and shine with that. He talks with a sensational grandiosity. He respects the general public, relates to them, and promises them safety. Baron Zemo is also superbly written. He is not too different in his mannerisms to Doom, and seeing that conflict is fascinating. Every move Doom makes is brazen and shocking, yet he considers it a casual act.

The art shows the passage of time within the Marvel Universe. Although the characters are classic, many have new designs and costumes. Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, and many more have adapted over time. The level of detail in those costumes by Silva is extraordinary, especially on the busiest of panels. Doom is instantly recognizable and changed. He has Doctor Strange’s cloak wrapped around his signature outfit, with magical symbols etched onto it. It demonstrates his new status while also leaning into the character’s absurdity.

The absurdity is taken even further when his steed is revealed, elevating the mindblowing mania within this first chapter. It’s always fun to see the heroes join together. They take the fight to Hydra, unleashing everything. The battle is magnificent. The background loses its detail and is replaced with sound effects, smoke, or silhouettes. But the brutality and ferocity of the fight is beautifully captured.

The colors are sensational in One World Under Doom Issue 1. During the fight, the shades become bright and vibrant, accentuating the energy, fire, and lightning being unleashed. The background is always a terrific mixture of colors, never getting uninteresting. There are combinations of tones rarely seen together in comics, such as orange and purple. The lettering is fantastic, and the SFX is a pivotal part of the battle as One World Under Doom Issue 1 reaches its conclusion.

The start of the event is filled with both drama and fun, letting the excitement of the crossover blossom through the personalities of those within it. One World Under Doom Issue 1 is big, bold, and brazen. It’s also a phenomenal visual spectacle, brimming with color and energy. Doctor Doom does not mess around and now possesses the ultimate power to rewrite the entire world.

One World Under Doom Issue 1 is a new combination of classic heroes and villains. The event features one of fiction’s greatest foes at its heart, reminding readers as to why he is superb. Doom is immense, intelligent, and almost unstoppable, and his new title makes him even more powerful. The heroes are trying something, but the plans in place merely make them look like fools.

One World Under Doom Issue 1 is available now wherever comics are sold.