Anyone else’s head still spinning from the news? Sure, Dr. Doom’s integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe was clearly on the horizon, and Robert Downey Jr.’s return was very much in play. But no one could’ve anticipated this development.
Yet, like most things the MCU does, there is precedent in the source material that is Marvel Comics.
What if…
Marvel Studios has shown an affinity for the “What if?” comics in recent years, releasing a pair of Disney+ seasons inspired by the concept. With things shifting toward the multiverse, exploring that concept was a natural fit. In fact, Marvel is expected to have one last season of “What if…”
Marvel’s Freaky Friday
In 2010, Bob Layton, David Michelinie and Graham Nolan gave the world What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor #1. This was a one-shot story, like many of Marvel’s “What if?” comics, in which Victor von Doom and Tony Stark were college roommates.
While both were brilliant, the pair had their issues, which ultimately led to Doom using a tool he’d developed to switch his consciousness with Stark’s. Doom’s goal was to provide himself with the cache of the Stark name to give him a leg up on the rest of the world.
Yet through it all, Doom still turned out evil while Stark found a way to recover from the disorienting experience to make the most of his situation.
More to come…
Using What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor #1 as a jumping off point makes sense. Still, it’s also not a whole lot to go on. Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s Infamous Iron Man story has been brought up as a potential inspiration, as well. Yet, that story still doesn’t resolve the matter of Doom having the same face as Stark.
But, it seems that a comic that’s yet to release may help MCU fans understand what’s on the horizon.
The Ultimates is an ongoing series at Marvel within their Ultimate universe. Following the news about RDJ as Doom, series writer Deniz Camp tweeted that The Ultimates #4 of the series will help MCU fans understand the development:
Here’s the synopsis for this story:
THE FATE OF THE ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR! Doom’s years of torture at the hands of the Maker finally catch up to him in this secret history of the real Reed Richards! And tensions rise among the Ultimates when Doom might be more fixated on re-creating the life he should have had than the life he’s got…
