Victor von Doom always believed he was destined for great things. Among them was being the savior of the universe. During Jonathan Hickman’s classic run (featuring New Avengers, Avengers, Fantastic Four, and ending with Secret Wars), Doctor Doom worked on saving the multiverse. This led to him becoming a god. Believe it or not, he did a good job. Too bad, like every other time he’s been winning, Doom’s arrogance was his downfall.
Losing godhood didn’t stop him from trying to be the ruler of all things or asking the question “Why?”. Why was he dealt with hardship? Why does he lose? Doom knew the answer to both queries, but the question of why the universe was created eluded him. Thankfully for him, it was answered with the help of Rocket in Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon No. 1.
Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon No. 1 creative team
- Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
- Artist: Will Robson
- Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
- Cover Artist: Gary Frank
Doctor Doom is a genius, but even his intelligence isn’t on Rocket’s level. So Victor put his hubris aside and asked for help to see what happened before creation. Marvel Comics fans know that Doom travels through time like we go to the grocery store. However, he couldn’t get to the time before, well, time. But Rocket figured it out. He said, “You don’t move through time. You move through entropy.” All they had to do was reverse entropy to zero point (the moment of the Big Bang) and go from zero to minus one.
And on the thirteenth day, Doom and Rocket made it happen.
"The purpose of the universe is to understand the purpose of the universe. Evolving through pain and uncertainty until the day when that purpose is finally defined, and understood, and manifested."
When they get to their destination (minus zero point), they’re given a moment of confusion and then clarity. A being that looked like mud talked in riddles and nonsense because, as Rocket pointed out, the concept of understanding didn't exist. The more the duo talked, the more the being learned. Then Doom asked the question to set things in motion. “How am I to understand why?” That's when everything became clear.
Doom asking “why” and needing understanding began the purpose of the universe itself. Then the pre-primordial being touched a piece of Doom’s soul (Victor took a piece of it and turned it into a crystal) and felt his pain and uncertainty. After that, the Big Bang happened and so was the purpose of the universe. Therefore, the universe was molded in - wait for it! - Victor von Doom’s image.
So, when any of the Marvel Comics characters suffer, remember that it’s Doctor Doom’s fault. The universe saw the pain in his soul the second it was created and made that the point of living. Also, let's see how this comic book ties into the upcoming crossover, One World Under Doom.
What do you think of the universe being molded after Victor von Doom? How will this affect the Marvel Comics event One World Under Doom? Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow and our social media platforms Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter for more news as it comes out.