When Robert Downey Jr., the actor portraying the famously dead Iron Man, stepped out on that 2024 Comic Con stage as Doctor Doom, the emotions ranged from what? to hell yeah to this makes no sense.
Without the Internet, I would consider myself a Marvel Head. But I’ve learned who is out there, so I know I’m a mere peon. Which is why I had no opinion on Doctor Doom, because I knew nothing about Doctor Doom.
I know we were supposed to be boycotting Disney, but I was in the middle of a deep dive and I couldn’t stop — I am what “the problem” looks like. My primary place of entertainment, a row of content on the Disney+ app, titled “Throwbacks.” And here, the Marvel cartoons of the 60s-2010s, a collection of shows I’d never seen.
Intentional television watching is my preferred way to watch. And I was getting into my annual rut of rewatching 24. So I created a mission for myself — watch every cartoon featuring Doctor Doom.
It’s 19 episodes spread over 6 shows and 19 years, 1994-2013.
The shows and episodes, to direct your journey:
Fantastic Four (1994)
Season 1
Episode 7: “The Mask of Doom pt. 1”
Episode 8: “The Mask of Doom pt. 2”
Episode 9: “The Mask of Doom pt. 3”
Episode 25: “Doomsday”
The Incredible Hulk (1996)
Season 1
Episode 7: “Doomed”
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes (2006)
Season 1
Episode 1: “Doomsday”
Episode 3: “Doomed”
Episode 12: “Bait and Switch”
Episode 14: “Doomsday Plus One
Episode 24: “Out of Time”
Episode 25: “Doom’s Word is Law”
Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009)
Season 2
Episode 8: “The Might of Doom”
Episode 20: “Doomsday”
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (2012)
Season 2
Episode 1: “The Secret War of Doctor Doom”
Episode 11: “Infiltration”
Avengers Assemble (2013)
Season 1
Episode 4: “The Serpent of Doom”
Episode 10: “The Doomstroyer”
Episode 15: “Planet Doom”
Episode 19: “The Ambassador”
I’m guessing you’ve noticed a theme, Doctor Doom episodes having DOOM in the title. I found that funny and deeply uninspired, but also helpful when looking for episodes with Doctor Doom.
I found this deep dive to be deeply enjoyable, he’s a complex guy.
For some background, his main enemy is Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic, the stretchy genius from the Fantastic Four. They went to grad school together, before Doom became fully evil. This is the greatest drawback to Doctor Doom, his beef is with a corny quartet.
After watching these 19 episodes, I realized I do not like the Fantastic Four. The Thing is a b-side Hulk (and also, very dumb), The Human Torch annoys the shit out of me, and Reed Richards/Susan Storm’s relationship is all over the place. Sometimes, they’re legit horny for each other, and in other toons they’re like two teachers aides for a graduate seminar. They had some ingenuious ways to get out of a jam or two, but I genuinely think Doctor Doom should have won, on numerous occasions. Because he’s powerful as hell and smarter than every.
Speaking of horny, Doctor Doom also has a thing for Susan Storm. That was another takeaway, Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman, is an “it” girl.
Doctor Doom runs a country called Latveria and the issue of his protection by international law is a focal point of his numerous escapes. Doom will spend an entire episode killing people and then Reed Richard or Capitan America will be like, “let him go, we don’t want to be in trouble with the US GOVERNMENT.”
I found that silly.
To no surprise, my strongest fascination with Doctor Doom were the outfits. I think his drip is legendary, which matches is sassy little attitude.
My final thought about this deep dive — which I know has been true for years — I hate the fact you can no longer screenshot streaming television. That action was the cornerstone of my blog life for years, pumping posts with stills of Breaking Amish and Pretty Little Liars. Now, just black boxes in my camera roll.
Despicable. So this is me, apologizing for taking photos of my television and laptop. But also, who cares — a scrappy, lo-fi Internet has always been the best Internet.
VICTOR VON DOOM, I LOVE YOUR WORK