Comic Review: Doctor Doom (2019-) #1

Doctor Doom (2019-) #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Christopher Cantwell

Art: Salvador Larroca & Guru-eFX

Struggling to be a good leader for his country (and the world if allowed), Victor von Doom will have to prove his opinions are more than a matter of ego while he’s framed for a massive terrorist attack. This is the plot of Marvel’s new ongoing title Doctor Doom, which takes an interesting approach towards the oh so knows supervillain.

The first chapter is present to kick things off. We’re explained in some detail what the Antlion is, its goal and especially Victor von Doom’s opinion of the project, being highly critical of it. Despite having good arguments, which are dismissed as jealousy, Doom is ignored by anyone involved with the project due to his background as dictator and criminal. However, Latverian warheads suddenly launch towards the moon and destroy the Antlion and kill thousands of people on it. Doom has no idea of what has happened as he’s just become world enemy number one, without actual fault this time.

Christopher Cantwell writes the story for this new title and he’s done amazingly regarding the character of Victor von Doom who’s… charming? Cantwell managed to maintain an incredible consistency along with the comic with Doom’s behavior towards his subjects. Although being frequently cold and distant Doom expresses affinity in a different way. Once you take into consideration what questions he’s asking and why Doom sounds somewhat kind and personal. Beyond that, we also see a personal and introspective Victor who gets lost imagining a life that never was and how things could be better. Showing these different sides of such a regarded character makes wonders for character development, at least for this new series.

The tracing is done by Larroca and it tore my opinion a little bit. I adored the backgrounds of every scene as well as the attention to tiny details the artist gives to what are obviously costly objects in Doom’s estate. However, I dislike how Larroca portrays faces and anatomy. The proportions take a weird turn depending on the angle in which the character is shown and the expressions feel exaggerated and stiff. The coloring, by Guru-eFX, deserves no reprimand as the scenes have a great range of lighting and every single one of them is colored wonderfully as well as consistently.

Despite not being a great fan of the artwork, the plot and characters have interested me deeply and I cannot wait for the next issue to come out. I also hope the series doesn’t extend itself beyond needed, feeling much more, at least for now, like a great mini-series instead of a new ongoing.