What If? #52

WHAT IF? vol.2 #52 (1993)
by Dan Slott & Manny Galan

You’re not fooling anyone, What If, that is unmistakably the Doom 2099 logo you’re stealing.

We begin with the young Doom invading Doctor Strange’s origin story by demanding the help of the Ancient One. Interestingly, the story goes by Kirby’s version and Victor only has a minor scar on his cheek. I’ve discussed many times why I don’t think this detail works (see the Questions page).

The Ancient One reads his mind to retell Doom’s origin, hitting all the familiar spots; we don’t get any new information or insight, but it is kind of funny to think just how many secret temples and cities there are on the Himalayas.

As we’ll see in the “Triumph and Torment” story (it’s coming soon), Doom can learn magic absurdly fast… and Baron Mordo doesn’t like that.

When Mordo faces Doom, however he’s confronted by a Doombot that installs a nanite bomb inside his skull! Sorry, a “nannite” bomb. (???)

Stephen Strange does eventually show up to get his own origin story, and Doom’s reaction is quite hilarious.

The Ancient One pushes Doom to help Strange regardless… which Doom does by CHOPPING HIS HANDS OFF and replacing them with implants!!!

The Ancient One isn’t sold of having Doom as his successor, but he doesn’t have another viable option. So he goes along with it, even helping Doom against Mephisto.

Aaaand he’s dead.

Which, considering this is the Ancient One… means absolutely nothing.

Only Doctor Doom would be upset that Freaking Satan is not trying to fight him.

With the Ancient One ascending to another state of being means that Dormammu is now ready to attack Earth’s dimension, and Doom looks for unexpected allies.

The Thing has a point.

Interestingly, part of Doom’s plan involves sending them back to pirate times, like in his first appearance. But this time the Invisible Girl doesn’t have to stay behind!

This creates an unexpected twist: the fact that she’s there means the Thing remains in the past as Blackbeard, because Susan is more respectful of his wishes than Reed, which… okay, that’s fair for 60s Reed.

The team returns to the present day recovering the magic jewels Doom wanted, and just in time because he’s fighting Dormammu himself.

The plan works perfectly, as Doom is able to banish Dormammu…

…at the cost of Doom’s life.

Even Strange’s new robotic hands are not enough to save him.

Except… Doctor Doom always, always has a backup plan.

And so we end with the memories of Doom being implanted into Stephen Strange, much like it was done to Kristoff in the main timeline.

Not gonna lie, I did not see that coming.

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Did any of this show up in continuity?
Doctor Doom becoming the next Sorcerer Supreme has been teased a couple times, but it’s mostly thanks to other stories.

Silver Age-ness: 3/10
Just as a reflection of the absolutely bonkers idea that the Thing is Blackbeard. Or is it the other way around?

 Does it stand the test of time? 8/10
It’s a good premise, there are a couple of good plot twists, Doom’s characterization and dialogues are spot-on, and there are both subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the main timeline. But man is the artwork rough! Some of the darker moments could really have used better pencils.