After the shocking reveal of One World Under Doom #6, it seemed as if Doom’s reign may be coming to an end. However, with three more issues to go, how might things unfold? Given the intensely realistic take of the world’s reaction to a dictator type taking over, many can probably guess his reign has only just begun!
I was critical of the ending of the last episode on the AIPT Comics podcast, but from the very start, this issue reveals that there are always disbelievers and rationalizers. Writer Ryan North smartly carries us from the day after the reveal to ten days later, and each day, we see the general public’s narrative switch from disbelief to support of Doctor Doom’s behavior. It goes from the Latverians being locked up as innocents, to criminals, and anyone who disagrees being locked up themselves. It’s fascism to a T, which makes this issue take the next logical step.
That step is the heroes banding together to deal a punch to Doctor Doom’s teeth like never before. Plot-wise, North does a fantastic job of making this one last stand, and one that you think the heroes can win. It crescendos into a reveal involving Mr. Fantastic that purists might scoff at, but it unfolds in a logical and entertaining way. Frankly, it’s a transformation I could have seen get a tie-in or spinoff!
This issue is also smartly narrated, first by Valeria and then by Doctor Doom. Valeria gives the narrative an unbiased take to start, with Doom taking over when the tables are turned. It mimics the events well and carries the story forward nicely.
Doom is not forgiving.
Credit: Marvel
Art by R.B. Silva is as good as ever, with energy effects a major win once again. In this issue, Silva has to draw a large number of characters, featuring a cool double-page splash of heroes preparing for battle. The strongest visual comes by way of two full-page splashes that run back to back. The first shows Doom ready to fight the agitators, and the second…well, it’s the results of that battle. It gives you a sense that the fight took milliseconds, and it shows how unforgiving Doctor Doom is when pressed. Other visual highlights include Juggernaut sending T-Rex Doom, a new costume design for Mr. Fantastic, and a shocked J. Jonah Jameson getting carted away.
As far as gripes, the event’s length seems to be hindering its impact. We’re many months in now, and the main event title gives us a glimmer of battles with social commentary, but doesn’t move the needle too far. The central point of fascism on the rise and the people gobbling up continues, and the beat goes on.
One World Under Doom #7 maintains the tension with sharp social commentary, brutal action, and inventive character twists, but the extended event format risks diluting its impact. Even so, Ryan North and R.B. Silva deliver another engrossing chapter that makes Doom’s rise feel chillingly plausible while staging a battle that crackles with energy.
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