We are incredibly close to ending the 2010s for the Doom retrospective.
Let’s have a look at a bunch of minor appearances that don’t warrant a full review.
War Of The Realms: War Scrolls #3
by Christopher Cantwell & Cian Tormey
This is an anthology of stories connected to the company-wide crossover about… uhm… something from Asgard invading Earth?
I’ll be honest, this crossover was such a snoozefest that I remember next to nothing about it.
Fortunately it’s not important for this story, which follows a random Latverian soldier during the invasion.
Ah, one of my favorite bits of research… figuring out if the writer is using random words for Latverian or if they based it on an actual language.
I could not find any potential real word influencing these specific words, except a general attempt to sound Slavic.
This is explicitly set weeks after the Galactus storyline. Latveria sure is a busy place.
It’s rare to see the point of view of regular Latverians, especially when they are this close to Doom.
Doom’s rule is so absolute that his subjects are terrified of even THINKING against his rules.
Well, I was wrong about the unmasking being never mentioned outside of the Slott run… at the very least it’s mentioned HERE.
We get another point of view, from a Latverian little girl, of when the Dark Elves invade Latveria.
Her family wants to leave for the neighboring Symkaria.
Doom is taking the invasion well.
Two fascinating things here. Doom cares enough about Victorious to mount a rescue mission, and Saving Private Ryan is not banned in Latveria.
This is the kind of tidbit that I strive to find in these reviews: the Latverian National Anthem!
Possibly the most powerful indication of the fanatical love that Latverians have for Doom: it’s a PRIVILEGE to die under his boot.
The dead soldier is the father of the little girl, who witnesses Doom slaughter some Dark Elves.
This is either propaganda and Doom only killed like three… or it’s 100% true.
Both are equally likely.
If you ever doubt how monstrous the Latverian regime is… see how its citizens think of Doom.
Even when he treats them like this.
We don’t hear Doom’s thoughts about this. But given the final page, he absolutely believes that this is what the king is supposed to do.
Doom significance: 0/10
How does Doom not take the occasion to obliterate the realm of the Dark Elves after this? No wonder that crossover sucks.
Silver Age-ness: 0/10
Not a chance.
Does it stand the test of time: 10/10
This is everything I want in a story about Doctor Doom. I wish we had more stories focusing on regular Latverians because their viewpoint is FASCINATING.
Marvel Knights 20th #1 (2019)
by Donny Cates & Travel Foreman
cover by Geoff Shaw
This miniseries is the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the “Marvel Knights” brand.
The main plot is that the world seems to have forgotten the existence of Matt Murdock.
Including Kingpin.
And it turns out that Doctor Doom is behind it, manipulating not only Kingpin but also Crossbones and Taskmaster.
Yeah it’s not as impressive.
Marvel Knights 20th #5 (2019)
written by Matthew Rosenberg & Donny Cates
pencils by Niko Henrichon
Doom doesn’t show up again until issue 5.
Doom seems to be as bored with this story as I am.
The story is kind of acknowledging that if Doom actually took a direct role… there would be no story.
The ONLY reason why Kingpin survives this is that he’s a popular character.
Even a Doombot would disintegrate him on the spot.
Yeah either that’s a Doombot, or this is a Kingpin-bot.
Marvel Knights 20th #5 (2019)
written by Donny Cates
pencils by Kin Jacinto & Richard Friend
Yep. Doombot.
If the mention of a dragon protecting Doom’s machine sounded exciting… it’s just Sentry.
Doom significance: 0/10
Mercifully forgotten by everyone who is not unreasonably hyping Kingpin.
Silver Age-ness: 3/10
Even the lamest non-combat Doombot SHOULD be able to one-shot Kingpin.
Does it stand the test of time: 0/10 
Number of superheroes who have fought Dr. Doom: 137
The “Marvel Knights” are Daredevil, Elektra, Punisher, Black Panther and Hulk.
Elektra is the only one who is not already in the count, and while she’s not 100% a superhero… I included the Punisher, so it’s only fair to also include her.
Ziggy Pig-Silly Seal Comics vol.2 #1 (2019)
written by Frank Tieri & John Cerilli
pencils by Jacob Chabot
cover by Nic Klein
Is this the most unexpected review I’ve ever done?
If you’re wondering why this is published by Marvel: Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal were characters of the “funny animals” variety published by Timely, the predecessor of Marvel, during the Golden Age.
While they are OBVIOUSLY not in the Marvel Universe, this special re-imagines them as such in a far different tone.
This book is definitely NOT for me; I just don’t find it funny.
Well except maybe this gag.
But the story sees the two characters visit Latveria, so I could I NOT talk about it?
The “plot” is that Ziggy Pig is trying to kill Silly Seal because he’s in his will, and he’s trying to get Doctor Doom to murder him.
The gag is supposed to be that Ziggy Pig absolutely HATES Silly Seal, but the latter is too dumb and optimistic to notice and believes they’re best friends.
Silly Seal is SO optimistic, in fact, that he doesn’t care they’re being kidnapped by Doombots.
Doom is disappointed in all these shenanigans, because he’s a huge fan.
Okay that WAS also funny. Two gags that I liked.
The two talking animals would absolutely die right now…
…if it wasn’t for their lawyer.
And THAT is why Doom was in this special. He just loves cameos.
Doom significance: 0/10
Silver Age-ness: ∞ / LOONEY
Does it stand the test of time?
Best sight gags in that trophy room:
1) The other three of the FF have their full names up there (although why is Sue referred to by her maiden name? Is Doom in denial?) but Reed’s is just labeled “RICHARDS”
2) “Nurse who gave Doom a shot once. ONCE.” It’s a reference to the movie Johnny Dangerously. If you haven’t seen it, do so at earliest opportunity. It’s basically an Airplane-like send-up of Prohibition-era mob films, and is hilarious from beginning to end.
…I now think I want to see a crossover of these two with Howard the Duck and Cosmo and Rocket…
I think I need to drink to sober up!