REVIEW: ‘One World Under Doom’ Issue 3

One World Under Doom Issue 3 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 part of the One World Under Doom event. The Avengers take a swing at Doom, using a cabal of villains to try and uproot him.

This issue sees strange bedfellows be made in order to get one shot at the Sorcerer Supreme and the emperor of Earth. A selection of villains has been gathered and launched at Doom as a distraction. As with previous chapters of the event, One World Under Doom Issue 3 has a classic feel to the team-up with modern character changes. Even the plan feels like it was taken from a traditional Marvel Comic. Half the issue is not just setting up the attack, but the team-up. The villains getting involved have a particular reason for being there, which quickly becomes apparent when they reach the edge of Latveria.

The battle is loud and chaotic, with room for some ridiculous moments. However, even when the operation was drafted, a sense of dread began to fester, and the entire mission seemed doomed. The ending is ultimately similar to the previous issues too, and would be seen coming. The power and intellect of Doom are fascinating to see, but this is the third issue in a row that something similar has happened, and it’s getting tedious and repetitive. The trick Doom pulls is different and exciting, but it’s reduced to a few pages when it could be a full issue in itself.

The choice of villains is intriguing but makes sense once Captain Marvel and the other Avengers explain it. Doctor Octopus, M.O.D.O.K., Mysterio and others are schemers. They make plans and devise plans, masters of distraction. They’re geniuses in their own right. But none of them are more intelligent than Doctor Doom, or more powerful. That distinction makes the plan seem hopeless from the start in One World Under Doom Issue 3.

The villains are all well behaved, understanding how fruitless fighting the Avengers would be in a time like this. But some, like Baron Mordo and the Goblin Queen, don’t get that chance to shine or display why they are there beyond to serve a singular function. A few lines from the Avengers feel out of place, like Scarlet Witch calling Mysterio a “big nerd”. It seems odd and breaks immersion slightly.

One World under Doom Issue 3 also confirms how Doom claimed control over the world. The Avengers and the Fantastic Four have been trying to discover how he did it for several issues, and the answer is revealed. The truth isn’t a devastating surprise because it was always the most obvious twist. However, now that it is out in the open and known by all the major players in the event, it will be interesting to see how they overturn and repel Doom.

The art is fun, but it has some peculiar features, too. There are some quirky, new designs for many characters that have existed for decades. Most of the villains have been updated. Figures like Doctor Octopus and M.O.D.O.K. look disturbing and grotesque. That is the purpose of M.O.D.O.K., but Octavius doesn’t even look human any more either. These concepts have gotten weirder as the issues have progressed.

Others look phenomenal, especially Mysterio. Silva’s illustration of Quentin Beck makes him look worthy of standing alongside gods and mighty heroes. The Impossible City looks like an incredible technological masterpiece. The fight against Doom looks amazing. The dictator enters on a giant robotic dinosaur. He looks all-powerful yet captures the same ridiculousness as the other villains. But with him comes a sense of power and invincibility that no one against him can even dent.

This issue is gorgeously colorful. The Impossible City is filled with various bright, neon tones that make the pages bright and easy to read. Each hero has a single color in their eye, which serves as a pupil, and they are captivating. In Latveria, the green glow of Doom’s power is intense and startlingly bright. It makes the entire comic immersive and vibrant, especially when superpowers come into play. The lettering is consistent, smooth, and easy to read throughout the comic.

One World Under Doom Issue 3 wastes an amazing idea. Having the heroes and the villains team up to try and defeat Doom is a phenomenal proposal and well worth exploring. Especially with North’s penchant for using classic characters in this event so far. But the execution falls well short of expectation. There isn’t a satisfying ending for either Doom or the Avengers, and many of the characters don’t end up doing anything. It’s disappointing that such a fascinating concept of an event is rapidly becoming boring and repetitive. Even when the battle gets exciting, it ends as quickly as it began and fizzles out.

One World Under Doom Issue 3 is available where comics are sold.