Secret Wars #3 (2015)
by Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribić
cover by Alex Ross
Even with the whole multiverse destroyed, Doom is not safe from Reed Richards.
We begin with Doctor Strange giving a report on the latest attempts at rebellion, highlighting a very important part: God Emperor Doom might be omnipotent, but he’s not omniscient.
Which would technically imply he’s not omnipotent, sure, but we’re not trying to write a theological treaty here.
We learn a crucial detail here: unlike basically anyone else in this new reality, Doctor Strange actually remembers the old universe.
In fact, Doctor Strange COUL have become God Emperor. He simply refused the call, while obviously Doom jumped at the occasion.
Strange’s role in this new reality is fascinating. We don’t get hints of him being manipulated by Doom: Strange is perfectly willing to do everything to keep this new reality going.
I would guess it’s a combination of his guilt of having been unable to avoid the destruction of the previous universe, plus this new reality seems to be easier to protect.
Which makes sense, considering God Doom is on his side and the universe currently consists of a single planet.
Investigating the ship left behind by the Cabal, Strange discovers there was an additional stowaway: Spider-Man.
This is Miles Morales from the Ultimate Universe, a.k.a. the whole reason this entire crossover bothers to keep anything from that universe around instead of getting rid of it.
Aaaaand now there’s more people around with memories of the previous universe.
Susan Richards is definitely not one of them, knowing only Doom’s reign…
…but she’s intrigued by the legends running around.
Doom might not be omniscient, but he DID rebuild this universe and eradicate the memories he didn’t want people to maintain… and yet, he consciously allows people to rebel and to believe in other gods.
We discover here what happened to another member of the Fantastic Four: the Human Torch was TURNED INTO THE SUN OF BATTLEWORLD.
Susan is a true believer in Doom, even more so than Strange.
The whole mythology that developed surrounding Doom is amazing.
Susan doesn’t remember the old universe, but besides Strange she’s the only one in this new reality to know that Doom wasn’t always God.
Doom has basically achieved everything he could ever hope for… and now he’s depressed BECAUSE HE’S GOD.
This is one of the reasons why I find Doom’s character development during this event fascinating.
It took achieving super-godhood for Doom to acknowledge he’s not perfect!!!
And he STILL can’t heal his own face!!!
The implication is that he can’t do this because deep down he still doesn’t believe he’s worthy of happiness, not because he literally can’t.
Susan is obviously in love with him, but it doesn’t seem to be because of outright mind control.
It’s a combination of having taken away her memories of Reed and, more importantly, the fact that she only knows Doom’s heroic deeds.
This is a momentous occasion because it’s the closest thing we’ll probably ever get to actually seeing Doom’s scarred face.
TECHNICALLY this isn’t how he’s always looked under the mask: this is the result of his botched attempts to heal himself.
So it can get away with not being as gruesome as it’s been suggested over the decades (even though it’s still horrific on its own); I think it’s the right call, because nothing can look scarier than what’s not directly shown.
Meanwhile Strange discovers more survivors from the old universe.
Specifically Spider-Man (the original one), Star-Lord, Captain Marvel and Jane Foster, who had been given the powers of Thor lately.
This is not the first time the Spider-Men meet, by the way.
And that’s not all! Cyclops is also here, having absorbed the Phoenix Force…
…as well as Black Panther and Reed Richards. From their point of view, the universe JUST ended.
From Strange’s point of view, it’s been eight years.
That’s an appropriate reaction to discovering Doctor Doom is now God.
Technically speaking Strange discovered the raft carrying the survivors three years ago.
Helping Doom save the multiverse after refusing to become God himself was one thing.
It’s going to be a lot harder to justify Strange’s loyalty.
Doom significance: 10/10
Shockingly, Doom’s realization of his imperfection will carry over after the crossover.
Silver Age-ness: 2/10
Doom turning the Human Torch into the Sun.
Does it stand the test of time? 10/10
A much-needed on Doom himself, but I like how we mostly learn about him from his interactions with other people until the moment he flat out admits he’s overwhelmed by his position.
His plight is fascinating, a combination of “careful what you wish for” and that seeking power can’t solve everything, even when you become all-powerful.
Showing Doom’s scarred face is controversial, and I suppose I could criticize the comic for using the copout of this not being TECHNICALLY how Doom’s face has always looked under the mask… but it’s a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation, and it’s a nice compromise.
I certainly could have done without it, but I know it bothers some readers that we never see his scarred face. This is a good compromise.
There’s also the subtle corruption of Strange; his current position seems due to both the guilt of his own failure and his own slightly flexible morality. After all, Strange rarely has second thoughts about taking decisions that affect the lives of everyone on the planet, ignoring laws.
And while the reaction of the survivors will be covered more next issue… just imagine being Reed Richards here. In order, Reed has:
-directly witnessed his family die in front of him, because he could not save them
-directly witnessed the entire universe dying because he could not find a way to save it
-been told by one of his closest friends that he left him in the freezer for three years
-been told that his worst enemy has succeeded in saving his family, in saving the universe, and gaining the absolute trust of one of his closest friends
All THAT and he doesn’t even know yet that Susan loves Doom or that his children treat him like a father!
