Comic Review: One World Under Doom #1 – “Only Doom Can Save Us”

 

Marvel has been serving us events for years some memorable, others forgotten the day they were released. But One World Under Doom by Ryan North with art from R.B. Silva is an event that tries to stand out from the very beginning. Not only through sheer scale, but more importantly by daring to ask: does Doctor Doom, Marvel’s classic archvillain, really have to be seen as the villain?

A World According to Doom

The first issue surprises right out of the gate. Doom doesn’t attack the heroes directly, doesn’t show up with yet another doomsday machine. Instead, he presents a vision of a world where his rule authoritarian but effective would improve the lives of billions. That’s the genius of this story: it’s hard for the reader to dismiss his proposal outright, because it sounds tempting, even logical.

Of course, all of it comes wrapped in Doom’s trademark megalomania and theatrics. But when the heroes react impulsively, trying to stop him with force, Doom cleverly turns their own strategies against them, exposing them as unprepared and shortsighted.

Heroes Under Fire

Ryan North writes the team dynamics very well from the iconic Avengers and Fantastic Four to the more unexpected picks like Squirrel Girl and Nancy Whitehead. The latter’s presence raises eyebrows (should they really be at the center of an event of this scale?), but it’s clear North is having fun by including his “pet characters” and giving them more personality than one might expect.

The dialogue is sharp and natural. Tony Stark’s exchanges sparkle with wit, while the war of words between Baron Zemo and Doom is one of the highlights of the issue. The “everyone sits around a table and talks about the problem” scene so common in Marvel events works surprisingly well here, thanks in large part to Silva’s impressive spread.

R.B. Silva – Strengths and Weaknesses

Visually, the issue is a feast, though not without its flaws. Silva excels at “big event” energy, delivering epic splash pages like Sue Storm unveiling an invisible plane, or Doom addressing the United Nations. These are images that stick with you.

On the downside, there’s sometimes an overload of effects and colors (especially lens flares and heavy contrasts) that makes certain panels feel too chaotic. Silva is often criticized as imitating Larraz’s spectacle rather than cultivating his own unique style and that’s fair. Still, the visuals overall work well and strengthen the atmosphere of a monumental Marvel event.

Doom as the Voice of Reason?

The biggest strength of this comic is the way Ryan North writes Doom. He’s not a cartoonish villain here, but a visionary dangerous, yes, but fascinating. His speeches have weight, written with charisma and nuance. At certain points you may even catch yourself thinking: “Maybe only Doom really can save us?”

This puts readers in an intriguing position rooting for the heroes, but at the same time asking themselves the same questions that trouble the Avengers. If life for most of humanity really would improve under Doom’s rule, is fighting him morally justified?

A Strong Start, Though Not Flawless

The first issue isn’t free of problems. The opening feels less spectacular than promised especially compared to the darker, more ominous tone teased in Blood Hunt #5. The pacing is uneven, and some character choices feel random. There’s also a sense of limited build-up from earlier series making this feel like a story appearing a little out of nowhere for some readers.

Still, One World Under Doom is a fascinating start. Dense with content, full of energy, sharp dialogue, and above all a refreshingly layered take on Doom as more than just a mustache-twirling villain.

Conclusion

One World Under Doom #1 is a strong opening to Marvel’s new era. It’s not perfect sometimes chaotic, sometimes overly polished but it asks questions we don’t usually get from events. Ryan North and R.B. Silva create a world you want to return to, with Doom as the centerpiece of a narrative far more complex than a simple clash of good and evil.

Final Score: 8/10

Pros:

+Fascinating portrayal of Doom as a visionary

+Excellent dialogue, especially between heroes and villains

+Epic, memorable splash pages by R.B. Silva

+Intriguing mix of cast (Avengers, F4, and unexpected characters)

+Dense, meaty story with lots of content in one issue

Cons:

-Overuse of color and effects in some panels

-Uneven pacing

-Limited setup in prior Marvel books

-Some characters feel too randomly chosen

-Opening feels less spectacular than the teasers promised