Issue- 16

Title- The Micro-World of Doctor Doom

Writer- Stan Lee

Art- Jack Kirby

Summary:

The team is perplexed by a recurring phenomenon in which each of them shrinks to the size of an insect for brief periods. In order to get help, they attempt to find the super-hero called Ant-Man. The masked hero hears the call and provides them with a serum to counteract the shrinking effect. Soon the team also begin to hear a warning that Dr. Doom will strike soon. The team decides to voluntarily shrink to investigate. However during the reduction process, they begin to shrink too fast until they land in a micro-sized universe. Reigning over the kingdom in which they land is none other than Doom. He has the team throne into a dungeon with the kingdom's true rulers. Using the walls of their very own underwater dungeon, the team escapes the lake of acid that Doom submerged them in and attack Doom. With the help of the Ant-Man, who followed the team's trail, Doom is sent running and escapes back to the regular-sized world.

Notes:

• The first meeting between Doom and Ant-Man

• Doom provided the Micro-World kingdom with advanced weapons and devices

• Doom wished to take Princess Pearla as his bride

• Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics #11, Essential Fantastic Four: Volume 1, and Marvel Masterworks' The Fantastic Four: Volume 2 (pictured below)

Comments:

I love how no matter where Doom is, he takes over the place. Its just his nature. The science of another microscopic universe, with its own planets and aliens existing is an intriguing one, though I doubt this is something we'll ever see pop up again. Although I'm curious if Ant-Man ever returned to this universe? Notable is that Doom apparently wanted to take the Princess of the Microworld, Pearla, as his bride. Also, I think Stan Lee wrote a piece of dialogue here which pretty much defines Classic Doom. "They live in peace! They are contented and happy! But I'll soon put a stop to that!" That's what Doom was really all about, making sure people were unhappy and discontented. Bottom Line: *** out of 5