Doctor Doom #7

Doctor Doom #7 (2020)
by Christopher Cantwell & Salvador Larroca

Now that Kang is FINALLY gone from this book, will it recover?

We begin in the Latverian mountains, where Doom’s most loyal servants are waiting for him.
And this is where this comic drops a bombshell for Doom superfans: a whole 56 years after his first appearance, we FINALLY learn the last name of Boris!!!

Kristoff is also here, and at this point I think that what has been my personal theory for years has been confirmed… probably because of time travel shenanigans, Kristoff is older than he should be.
He was supposed to be only a few years older than Franklin, who at this point has just hit puberty; maybe it’s the beard, but Kristoff looks in his thirties.

Doctor Doom has finally returned to Latveria… riding a bear.

The reason for Doom’s return is to find out who has betrayed him. Believe it or not, there is a flimsy reason for the bear that we’ll see soon.

As for why he’s wearing this “tribunal mask”… I’ve got nothing.

The first one is Boris’s daughter Petra. She might be a suspect because she was introduced in this series, but Doom believes she’s loyal.
I’m not really sure how he tests this… perhaps she passes because she’s shocked at the suggestion that Doom is anything but perfect?

The next one is a very unexpected return: Larin, one of the Tibetan monks we saw in Books of Doom #4.

He’s currently the LAST monk of the order that debuted in Doom’s origin story.

Cantwell did his research this time, because all the battles where Doom’s general was decorated are from previous storylines.
The invasion of Malekith is the most recent (it’s from War Of The Realms), but we also have the war with Wakanda from Doomwar and shockingly even the conquest of Rotruvia from All-New, All-Different Avengers #15 gets a mention.

Unfortunately for him, Doom has some embarrassing documents in his hands.

That’s why the Latverian military was unprepared for the attack: its highest ranking general has been working with the deposed queen of Symkaria.

It’s the simple pleasures in life that give Doom the most joy.

Told you there was a reason for the bear.
I’m still waiting on one for the mask.

Considering that the traitor has been found, you would expect this trial to be over.
But Doom has been feeling existential lately.

You might recall that the Infamous Iron Man series left a dangling subplot, with Dr. Amara being pregnant with Doom’s child.

This is the last mention of that plot. Considering Doom’s choice of words, I’m inclined to believe that she miscarried… I don’t think he would have taken it this kindly if she had an abortion.
Could this be one of the reasons for Doom’s moodiness, and for why he’s SO interested in the family of his alternate self? Likely, but I appreciate that the story is being subtle about it.

Boris is, as always, the one to see through Doom’s projected image.

But he is still, unquestionably, Doctor Doom.

This is not even the most cruel thing Doom does THIS ISSUE, but the fact that after all these years he’s STILL treating his father figure like this… especially when Boris is sick (presumably with cancer)… might be one of the most monstruous things Doom has ever done.

Poor Kristoff only needs 2 panels before Doom is done with him.
Considering how he treats his father figure, no wonder he has SUCH contempt for his adopted son.

And finally we have Victorious; while she declares herself loyal, she continues to be more independent than the other loyalists.
I’ve noted with her introduction that she’s comparable to the other two female second-in-command of Doom’s published history: Fortune from the 2099 series and Lancer from the early 2000s.
Victorious is not as independent as those two, but she does show signs.

Doom trusts her SO MUCH that he even leaves the Ultimate Nullifier in her hands.
That weapon’s deal is that it’s SO powerful that it can destroy the entire universe if you don’t use it correctly, and typically it takes a cosmic figure like Galactus to do so.
Considering that Doom evidently doesn’t think THAT highly of himself is a clear sign of just how deep his depression is going.

But dealing with the loyalists isn’t the only reason why Doom is in Latveria.
He has to introduce himself to the current king.

Uh. Never thought that being passionate towards posture would be among the things he has in common with Darkseid.

However, if you want to rule Latveria there is one thing you can’t miss…

…very badly drawn scars.
Seriously, did Larroca think Doom was stuck in the middle of transforming into the Thing???

Despite that artwork slip-up, this is a terrifyingly dark scene.

The fact that the current king doesn’t say ANYTHING as he mutilates himself really speaks volume of just how much Doom has broken him.

But breaking and humiliating him is not enough. Because once again, Doom has to kill the king of Latveria before becoming king himself.

Despite clearly enjoying himself with that murder, Doom is also haunted by a vision of his children mutilating their own faces.

Throughout the issue, we briefly see Black Marvel going past the black hole’s event horizon (SOMEHOW) in order to stop its growth thanks to his antimatter powers.

However the issue ends with Blue Marvel discovering that the black hole is linked to another universe… where a benevolent Victor Von Doom has sent an emissary to help.

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Doom significance: 8/10
This sets up the eventual reveal of how the coup was carried out (although you basically already have all the details), but it’s also the conclusion of the Dr. Amara subplot and it finally, FINALLY reveals the full name of poor Boris.

Silver Age-ness: 6/10
Despite its dark themes and introspection, it has DOCTOR DOOM RIDING A BEAR.

Will it stand the test of time? 10/10
To answer my initial question: yes, getting rid of Kang helped A LOT.
My only real complain is once again completely botching Doom’s scarred face, but the issue does everything else SO right that I’m willing to cut it some slack.
Doom is just incredible here. Depending on which page you’re in and who he’s talking to: he’s threatening or silly, he’s efficient or petty, he’s cool or pathetic, he’s deep or shallow, he’s honest or hypocritical… yes he’s all over the place, but the fact that Doctor Doom can act throughout this entire range while also never feeling like he’s out of character is what makes him fascinating to me.

Kings of Latveria that Doom has killed: 3
This is now a trend. Doom has killed the first king he dethroned, then his son Zorba during the Byrne run, and now the illegitimate heir.
Rudolfo doesn’t count because he was never crowned (and technically Doom didn’t kill him himself).