In this review of G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom #1, Wyn and Emperor Doom grapple for the soul of a young apprentice while battling demons in the heart of the sun.
G.O.D.S.: ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #1
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Main Cover: VALERIO SCHITI
Variant Covers: YASMINE PUTRI
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: July 30, 2025
This review contains spoilers
G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom introduces Mia DiMaria, an apprentice to the Avatar of the powers-that-be, Sir Reddwyn, (better known as Wyn). Mia is a novice with potential, but she feels ignored and unappreciated by her mentor who has not even bothered to learn her name. As if on cue, Wyn appears in Mia’s dorm room, calls her “apprentice” and recruits her for a mysterious mission.
Mia is shocked when they arrive at Victor Von Doom’s sanctum, while the Emperor is merely miffed that Wyn was able to bypass his magical wards with minimal effort. Doom berates Wyn (by using his proper name and title), but welcomes Mia, who is awed by Doom’s presence. Doom clearly admires the young novice, who is adept at both magic and science (as is Doom).
Wyn reminds Doom that his duties as Sorcerer Supreme include protecting Earth’s sun from demon infestation (those little buggers love the heat). Eons ago, magic sigils were placed inside the sun’s core to prevent its devastation, but now those sigils are failing. The trio transports inside the sun (in a protective bubble) and Doom recruits Mia to help with the repair job. But their arrival does not go unnoticed (demons).
Meanwhile, Mia feels torn between her “chained” (ominous) apprenticeship to the aloof Wyn and the recognition offered by Doom. She helps Wyn channel a banishment spell against the demons, but the creatures destroy the trio’s protective bubble in the process. Doom deploys a temporary backup, but tempers flare as the seconds count down to imminent incineration.
An annoyed Doom finally uses a workaround to whisk himself and Mia back to his sanctum, leaving the immortal Wyn trapped inside the sun. Mia shows her true nature by telling Doom that Wyn might be a jerk, but he doesn’t deserve to be stuck in such a hellish place. Doom tells Mia all she has to do is ask for the favor. Mia pauses, but ultimately declines, not wanting to owe him anything.
Sometime later, a singed and relieved Wyn appears at Mia’s place, thanking her for the save (he thought it was Doom). Wyn apologizes for his behavior and offers to make it up to her, but Mia isn’t having it, (her self esteem now emboldened by her time with Doom. She demands a change in their dynamic.
G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom ends with Mia renegotiating her deal with Wyn, from master and apprentice to an equal partnership and Wyn accepts.
Analysis
While G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom might not be required reading to follow the One World Under Doom, it is a recommended read. First, One World Under Doom series writer Ryan North (Fantastic Four) crafts a compelling done-in-one tale with implications beyond this one-shot (and the miniseries). Second, Mia DiMaria is an interesting new character with potential, and finally, we get a peek behind the mask as Doom regards Mia in a manner usually reserved for Valeria Richards.
The G.O.D.S. miniseries created by Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti added new characters to Marvel Comics’ sprawling roster of immortal beings, giving the pantheon a needed shakeup. Ryan North’s taut script manages to reintroduce Wyn, introduce a new character, throw in a world-ending threat, a personality clash, a fateful decision and a satisfying resolution all in the span of 30 pages.
Mia follows in the footsteps of recent female apprentices including Zelda Stanton (Doctor Strange) and Darcy Lewis (Scarlet Witch) G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom #1 unfolds from Mia’s point-of-view, revealing her insights, frustrations, concerns and aspirations regarding both Wyn and Doom.
Mia is a relatable character within the first page and her fateful decisions regarding Doom and Wyn comes as a surprise and relief. Despite Mia’s respect for Doom, she finds the prospect of any kind of arrangement to be suspect and chooses the better path.
Artist Francesco Mortarino (Power Rangers, Imperial) brings his accomplished style to the world of One World Under Doom, mixing clean lines, with dynamic figures and keen facial expressions that reflects the look and feel of One World Under Doom artist R.B. Silva, without simply imitating it. (Also, Mia has a poster of Jeff the Land Shark, a Spider-Man bag and a Doctor Strange hat).
Colorist Raul Angolo expertly matches the color palette for Doom’s scenes from One World Under Doom (that mix of dark greens, reds, orange, yellow and black), while filling the remainder of the issue with hoards of fiery orange demons, Mia’s violet drenched dorm room, ghostly shades of blue magic and a pop of yellow for Mia’s sweater.
Final Thoughts
G.O.D.S.: One World Under Doom #1 is an entertaining one-shot, with cheer-worthy character moments, action, humor and conflict that fleshes out the main One World Under Doom story. Mia DiMaria is a character to watch out for, as it is likely Ryan North has plans for her in the near future.
