(Image Source: Marvel / Alex Ross)
A new Spider-Man retcon muddles the history and motives of Doctor Doom. This retcon was introduced in the latest issue of Challenges of Doom; one of many comics miniseries released in the build to Avengers: Doomsday. However, rather than showcasing one of Marvel’s greatest characters, it only serves to confuse matters regarding Doom’s priorities and will.
Written by Al Ewing, with art by David Messina, Challenges of Doom: Spider-Man retells the earliest tales of how Doctor Doom first faced Peter Parker. For the most part, Ewing’s writing is true to Stan Lee’s scripts. The jokes and references are updated for modern times, but Doom remains a regal presence and Spidey a total smart-aleck. It is not until their third encounter, however, that things change significantly.
Doctor Doom confronts Spider-Man, confessing he was confused as to why he fought crime. He concluded that Spidey was a thrill-seeker and that “action is your reward.” However, Peter is quick to correct him, saying he does what he does because he lost someone he cared about. Spidey goes on to mock Doom and how, for all his power, he apparently has nothing better to do than fight people like him and the Fantastic Four.
(Image Credit: Marvel / David Messina)
Surprisingly, Doctor Doom does not kill Spider-Man for this impertinence. Indeed, he shows him some respect, referring to him as a jester who will “speak the truths to the king that nobody else will.” The comic concludes with Doctor Doom, recalling how he first began studying science and sorcery to rescue his mother from Hell, swearing to renew his efforts and challenging Mephisto. This will be the first of many annual battles with the demon lord, culminating in Doom’s eventual success in the graphic novel Triumph and Torment.
Why retcon calls Doctor Doom’s history into question
Challenges of Doom: Spider-Man is a fantastic story for Spider-Man fans. It drives home how, more than any other Marvel hero, Peter Parker often wins through talking to the villains. He can use his wits or fists, but he’ll happily talk his way out of a fight if possible. This is why, traditionally, Doctor Doom has shown Peter some degree of respect.
(Image Credit: Marvel / David Messina)
However, the story also serves to make Doctor Doom look bad in several respects. Doom’s final thoughts in the issue reflect on how he first began to develop into who he was and why. He admits that he errored in not continuing his efforts to save his mother after his first failed attempt.
This seems somewhat out of character, given Doom’s obsessive nature. Even his determination to prove himself superior to Reed Richards always came in second to his desire to save his loved ones. Indeed, many stories suggested that only Doom’s efforts to complete his mystic training delayed his plans to beat Mephisto. Given that, while the effort to show that Doctor Doom and Spider-Man share a sense of power and responsibility is well-intended, it conflicts with too much of Doom’s history.
