Doom: The Emperor Returns #1 (2001)
by Chuck Dixon & Leonardo Manco
This sequel from the Doom miniseries is the last time “Planet Doom” will show up in this retrospective, and the first cover is the best use of the awesome Latverian flag.
We begin with Planet Doom in open revolt against its master. It might be thanks to the actions of Bucky following Thunderbolts, but there’s no open reference to that.
This miniseries is, sadly, the last appearance to date of Lancer.
I truly miss her interactions with Doom. They just have a phenomenal chemistry.
It’s hard not to see parallels between this situation and Emperor Doom.
There, Doom grew tired of ruling the world without any opposition.
Here, Doom grows tired of ruling the world WITH constant opposition.
The guy just can’t catch a break!
Doom receives word that his henchmen have found something that demands his attention, so he leaves Lancer in charge of everything. Again.
Doom’s latest plan is to use the geothermal energy of Planet Doom to power up his defenses, but the drilling has discovered something else…
…and whatever it is, it’s MASSIVE.
Apparently when Franklin Richards created the planet, it manifested some kind of machinery that regulates everything.
Also: while I overall like the artwork in this issue, that has got to be THE worst Doctor Doom mask ever.
Then thinks turn very trippy: Doom tries to interact with the machine, ending up talking with a mental projection of Franklin.
It may not look so because he’s like six years old, but if you think too much about how Franklin’s powers work, HE’S TERRIFYING.
But again, he’s like six, so it’s not like Doom has a hard time manipulating him.
The sketchy artwork really works in this surreal conversation, because you get the feeling Doom is not entirely real here. Plus by keeping him in the shadows he really comes off as a demonic figure.
Only Doctor Doom would make “There will be ponies” sound threatening!!!
While Doom is busy with Franklin, Lancer is heading the resistance. Which apparently necessitated a questionable attire.
She’s taken out by the leader of the forces assaulting Doom’s base: an alternate Doctor Octopus, of all people.
Eventually Franklin cedes control of this world to Doom…
…meaning the place is just one colossal Latveria now.
Doom: The Emperor Returns #1 (2001)
by Chuck Dixon & Leonardo Manco
Seriously, those flags are awesome!
I’m definitely counting this as Doom gaining ultimate power AGAIN, even though it only works on Doom Planet.
Again: only Doom could possibly make this sound badass.
This new version of Counter-Earth has its Lancer as well. Kind of interesting to see Doom has a more traditional look in mind for her.
Before Doom can move to ruling this new world… he has a promise to fulfill.
There will be ponies indeed.
I doubt Doom would’ve seriously murdered a child in cold blood, even if it was to gain ultimate power… but that was just an avatar of Franklin, so it’s 100% in character for him.
That was by far the best part of the series. Because now we move to see what a planet shaped by Doom’s mind is… and it’s not all that different from Latveria.
And yep, it’s Emperor Doom all over again: this is already boring for him.
The cracks are already showing up. This new reality has a version of Doom’s mother… but he STILL isn’t able to fully bring her back: she’s just an empty vessel.
Things are already spiraling out of control: Doom’s henchmen are unable to give him access to Hell, including a familiar face.
It seems Doom just can’t stop blaming Richards for everything. Even in a reality where Reed doesn’t exist, Doom just subconsciously created him.
With science failing him, Doom decides to go to Hell the old-fashioned way: magic.
And holy crap is this an AWESOME panel!!!
It’s unclear whether Doom goes to the real Hell and faces Mephisto or if this is still part of the pocket dimension, but either way he can’t recover his mother’s soul.
Probably because following Triumph and Torment she’s now in Heaven, not Hell anymore, but it’s abundantly clear Doom is not thinking straight due to Franklin’s power.
At this point Doom has had enough of this place and of this version of Lancer, lamenting the loss of her defiant temperament.
Sadly, this is her last appearance to date.
Like I said, the guy can’t catch a break. I’d be sorry for him if it wasn’t for, you know, the whole megalomaniacal tyrant thing.
Sorry Doom, but you signed for THREE issues, you can’t just leave after two.
So Doom decides to take a more risky route to return to his home, taking a shortcut through a weird portal.
And this is when we say goodbye to Lancer.
Doom: The Emperor Returns #3 (2002)
by Chuck Dixon & Leonardo Manco
This is a good cover but a terrible statue. We all know the real Doctor Doom would be physically incapable of sitting down like a normal person.
I’ll be honest, I have no idea where that portal is supposed to lead to. And considering what lurks inside, I don’t really want to know.
I think this MIGHT be some kind of nether realm between Earth and Hell? In any case, it’s where the duplicate of Doom’s mother ended up.
Yep. I’m totally lost, guys.
Has anyone seen the plot? Because Chuck Dixon seems to have lost it.
Oh well, at least Doom still has a few badass moments left.
Okay, to the best of my understanding… which isn’t a lot, I assure you… I think we still haven’t left Counter-Earth and this is all caused by Doom’s misuse of the power.
I told you Franklin Richards is TERRIFYING.
Okay so MAYBE this really is some kind of Limbo? And Franklin’s avatar manifests because it’s liked to Doom? I’m back to being lost.
Also: I praised the artwork of the first issue, but that has gone just as much downhill as the story.
This turns into a fight between Doom, who’s trying to save his mother’s recreation, and the Franklin avatar. Which can do whatever it wants, so it’s not really a fight.
Following this Doom is lost in the Negative Zone (????) for months (????) before he manages to return.
And so we end with Doctor Doom returning to the Baxter Building.
It’s unclear whether it’s in the regular universe or if it’s on Counter-Earth, where Doom used the building as his base of operations for a while.
Either way, this was the last time Doctor Doom did anything related to Counter-Earth.
So… yeah. That was the third issue.
Doom significance: 0/10
At this point I’m inclined to believe Doom somehow completely forgot he ever ruled that planet.
Silver Age-ness: 0/10
It includes a scene of a child and his pony exploding, so definitely no.
Does it stand the test of time?
The drop is so noticeable I really have to split this into the three issues.
The first part is a solid setup, the second starts very strong but then turns to a rehash of Emperor Doom paired with a VERY questionable use of Doom’s mother, and we don’t talk about the third part.
First issue: 8/10
Second issue: 6/10
Third issue: 0/10
It was a Doombot all along
Normally I would write off the possibility, but Doom is so stupid in the last two issues that it would surely help.
Times Doctor Doom has gained ultimate power: 7
It only applies to this reality, sure, but even a fraction of Franklin’s power more than qualifies.
Times Doom has tried to save his mother from Hell: 9
I thought I could retire this counter since he’s ALREADY saved here, but here he tries again anyway!
Crazy tech
It’s very low tech for Doom, but I like the idea of the glove releasing the toxins.