One World Under Doom concluded today with its ninth issue, but Doctor Doom's greatest victory—over all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes—has come at a terrible cost.
Doom used his powers as the Sorcerer Supreme to ensure that his victory would become a fixed moment in time: a thing that will stand forever, impervious to magic or time travel alike. Unfortunately, Valeria Richards, Doom's beloved goddaughter, was caught in the crossfire and is now dead.
In a bid to resurrect her, Doom confronts the Vishanti and ultimately lays himself bare before the Living Tribunal, the personification of multiversal law. To restore Valeria to life, Victor Von Doom sacrifices his powers, kingdom, and ultimately his life.
While she's restored, Doom's time is at an end. In his final moments, the villain has one final confrontation with Mister Fantastic in the hero's laboratory. Having ensured that Valeria is safe, Doom has the last laugh and leaves behind a parting gift: Reed Richards is now the executor of his will!
That's a plot point we'll likely see addressed in future issues of Fantastic Four. As for Doom, characters rarely stay dead, and he'll surely return somewhere down the line. For now, he's been shelved, but we'd expect that to change by this time next year, especially with Robert Downey Jr. set to play Victor in Avengers: Doomsday.
In a post-credits scene, of sorts, the Scarlet Witch becomes the Marvel Universe's new Sorcerer Supreme. We shared details on that yesterday, and while Doom's time in that role is over, the impact he had in this event and beyond is likely to be felt for a long time.
You can check out some highlights from One World Under Doom #9 below. The issue is now in comic book stores everywhere.
FINALE! Doom has confronted all of Earth's heroes in battle - and he's won. What's more, he's used the magical power of Sorcerer Supreme to ensure that this victory has become a fixed moment in time: a thing that will stand forever, impervious to magic or time travel alike.
But unbeknownst to Doom, in that climatic moment that can now never be changed, the seeds of Doom's downfall were also fixed for all eternity.
Left with an intolerable defeat that cannot be changed, Doom makes a choice he can never undo - and the rest of the world will pay his price... ...it all comes down to this in the big finale of ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM! PLUS: If the Sorcerer Supreme falls, who will rise to take his place? Find out here!
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #9
Written by RYAN NORTH, STEVE ORLANDO
Artwork by BERNARD CHANG, R.B. SILVA
Cover by BEN HARVEY
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