REVIEW: ‘One World Under Doom’ Issue 2

One World Under Doom Issue 2 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Ryan North, art by R.B. Silva, colors by David Curiel and letters by Travis Lanham.

This is the main book within the One World Under Doom event. The Fantastic Four take another swing at Doctor Doom, now the ruler of Earth. But dethroning him may be difficult considering his popularity.

The enormity of the task at hand is clear early in this event. Doctor Doom has already won without much of a fight and now is excessively powerful. It’s not a war — The Fantastic Four and the Avengers are now the resistance. There is such a helpless feeling inside One World Under Doom Issue 2, utterly unsure of how to act or whittle down the mighty emperor. The issue splits into parts, all accentuating the desperation felt among the hero community.

As her parents strategize, Valeria Richards secretly visits her godfather, Uncle Victor. What follows is a fascinating political discussion on the different forms of government and their benefits and negatives. It’s highly intellectual and thoughtful, digging into the broader themes of the comic. One World under Doom is a heavy investigation into fascism, dictators, and populism, but on an extreme, fantastical level.

The next part of the comic sees the heroes enacting their plans. Even as it happens and there is positivity to the fighting, a sense of dread is always there. The reader can start to expect what will happen, but North does not attempt to dissuade that. Because how Doom reacts is more humiliating, devastating, and shocking than anyone can imagine.

The pacing can be slow and ponderous at times, but that is to accentuate the comfort that Doom is in. The book isn’t rushing because he isn’t rushing. Even as the next issue’s hints are readied, Doom’s throne never seems threatened. But the fascination comes at seeing how the Avengers and Fantastic Four try again, with a surprising reveal showing how low the Avengers have to stoop.

There is a small cast within One World Under Doom Issue 2, which is a novel idea considering the heavy event. It is ultimately a Doctor Doom and Fantastic Four comic, with Doom as the main character. North captures so much of this amazing character’s personality. To Valeria, he is welcoming, caring and trustworthy. You never feel like that is ill-intent of danger towards Valeria, embracing her intellect and letting her challenge him in a way no mortal would dare.

Victor is magnanimous and generous in public, practically forcing them to like them. He is using kindness to build his soft power, whilst it’s very well-known what he’s getting up to in secret. The small flickers of what’s underneath are terrifying because Doom can casually slip into being Marvel’s most evil villain in a second.

The Fantastic Four have been made to look like helpless idiots who are damaging the world order. That mixture of real-world contemplation, seen within the conversation between Valeria and Doom, can seamlessly transition into a superhero story, showing an expertise in storytelling.

That conversation isn’t going to grip everyone; some may outwardly reject it in a superhero comic because it is so unlike anything seen in a mainstream comic of this magnitude. It’s a grown-up chat between a super-intelligent whiz kid and her dictator godfather. The ridiculous nature of the situation, with the seriousness of the debate, is mindboggling.

The art infuses that balance of placing superhumans within an everyday world. Every character included in this issue is such a famous, iconic piece of Marvel history, and it all takes place in its home city of New York. The world looks realistic and recognizable, from the streets to the people in it. The magical and technological characters often teleport in, invading and altering the world with their chaos. Doom now has an immense power radiating from him, so he is calm and composed.

The level of detail in Doom’s costume and body language is sensational, especially since his elevation to Sorcerer Supreme. Victor and Valeria aren’t stationary during their discussion on governments. They travel to cities and space, with some stunning landscapes around them that represent an enormous scale. But even if the dialogue scene is dull to some, it is followed up by a fight scene that is so much fun. The Fantastic Four get to whale on some Doombots. The robots’ fragility and the heroes’ strength is a cathartic release in such a frustrating atmosphere.

The colors are mesmerizing. One World Under Doom Issue 2 is dazzling and intensely bright. It makes the premise of the book disconcerting by emitting positivity. This is a better world the heroes are trying to interfere with. The sun is shining, there is a golden aura, and the planet seems to glow because of it. But all the characters involved have a rich color palette, which is a key reason why they’ve existed since the 1960s.

One World Under Doom Issue 2 is part of such an odd but enthralling event. The story has a classical feel, using characters that have been part of Marvel’s fabric for generations. It’s an age-old conflict that has just been upgraded and taken to new heights. But the atmosphere and pacing of the book are so peculiar.

Because it’s not all-out action, One World Under Doom Issue 2 is a philosophical, sprawling story featuring a villain pre-empting every move with kindness and wisdom, not blood and violence. In what other mainstream blockbuster would multiple pages be dedicated to talking about democracy and fascism? Some will find it offputting and strange, but exploring a new way of telling this story is exciting and fascinating.

North uses the classic elements to make the story palatable. It’s got capes, magic, robots, colors, and everything in between. But the infusion of real-world troubles and influences makes it gripping.

One World Under Doom Issue 2 is available where comics are sold.