In this review of One World Under Doom #2, while Valeria takes an unexpected trip, Doom achieves another victory against the Fantastic Four.
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #2
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: R.B. Silva
Main Cover: Ben Harvey
Variant Covers: CARLOS GÓMEZ, ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO, JEROME OPEÑA, R.B. SILVA, WILL SLINEY, LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: March 19, 2025
This review contains spoilers
One World Under Doom #2 begins with the Fantastic Four workshopping their next move against longtime nemesis Doctor Doom while foiling a truck hijacking in Arizona. FF team leader Reed Richards has deduced that Doom’s next public appearance will be at the United Nations in New York, and the team arrive at a terrible (and tone-deaf) plan to publicly expose Doom’s past villainy to the world.
Public opinion has recently been shifting in Doom’s favor as his efforts to construct numerous schools and hospitals around the world have received sweeping international support (hey, the Doombots did most of the work). Meanwhile Reed and Susan Richards’ daughter Valeria lies to her parents and secretly meets up with Doom (her godfather) in New York, demanding that he explain his recent actions.
Sometime later, the FF arrive at the UN and demolish a legion of Doombots before busting through a wall to confront Doom during his self-serving speech. As expected, Doom grandstands before a packed house, declaring that he has accomplished what other world leaders were too craven or indifferent to achieve (the assembly should really know better than to trust anyone who repeatedly proclaims their own benevolence).
Doom calls the Fantastic Four’s bluff as select members of the assembly rise and pull weapons on the heroes. To further prove his point (and to stick it to Reed Richards), Doom depowers The Thing (Ben Grimm), reverting him back to his human form. Satisfied with his nemeses’ public humiliation, Doom flies away, leaving the FF reeling in shock.
One World Under Doom #2 ends as Carol Danvers rallies The Avengers for a new mission with some unexpected new allies, The Masters of Evil (MODOK!).
Analysis
One World Under Doom #2 continues to chip away at the status quo of the Marvel Universe, as Doom’s efforts to solve global crises begin to gain traction. Victor Von Doom spent six months planning for this takeover, and he’s well aware that with the eyes of the world (sorry, New Latveria) upon him, his words and actions have weight.
Meanwhile the Fantastic Four are slow to pivot to Doom’s recent machinations, instead continuing to act as if it’s business as usual in the Marvel Universe. Clearly the FF have an easier time battling gun-toting hijackers than embracing this massive paradigm shift. At least the Avengers are attempting a bold and out-of-the-box approach, but it’s going to take more than just extra firepower to topple Doom.
Valeria’s subterfuge, lying to her parents and crossing the country to secretly meet up with Doom is not a total surprise (but in the Baxter Building of all places), still it’s unsettling. But since Doom helped with her difficult birth, and also gave her the name Valeria, clearly she wants to hear the truth from the man himself.
Doom has always had a soft spot for Valeria (which could be exploited), and it remains to be seen whether or not she will choose to side with him again, (as she did in Secret Wars 2015). Valeria is super smart like her father, compassionate, like her mother, and strong-willed like her uncles. So since the Valeria-Doom connection is undeniable, why don’t the Richards’ suspect that Valeria would seek him out?
Writer Ryan North crafts a seemingly valid argument for Doom’s takeover in his scenes with Valeria Richards in One World Under Doom #2, despite the glaring examples of Doom’s past tyrannical behavior in his homeland of Latveria and across the globe, or that time with the Beyonder in space.
It would have been truly shocking if Doom had simply depowered the entire FF team, but unexpectedly taking a heavy hitter like The Thing off the board has some serious ramifications for team morale, their personal safety, (and for Ben Grimm’s psyche as well).
Artist R.B. Silva (Jimmy Olsen) delivers some more stunning visuals, particularly the fun action sequence showing the FF battling the hijackers, and the full page depiction of the shocking hug between Valeria and Doom (the image speaks volumes as Valeria has her arms wrapped tight around him, while Doom embraces her gently with only one arm. Valeria is probably one of the few people in existence who can get past Doom’s armor literally and figuratively.
Also it is important to note that Doom didn’t bother to ask Ben Grimm for permission before “curing” him. His actions are tantamount to an assault, and illustrates his callous disregard for others, while simultaneously proclaiming his own benevolence. In truth, Doom’s “gift” was a not-so-subtle show of force.
At least the final page of One World Under Doom #2 shows some promise for a change in the heroes’ tactics going forward.
Final Thoughts
Overall, One World Under Doom #2 succeeds in further destabilizing the Marvel Universe as heroes again fail to meet the moment while the world embraces a known villain. The writing is solid (if unsettlingly relevant), and the art is impressive.
