Issue - 15
Title - The Power of the People

Writer - Doug Moench
Art - Tom Sutton

Summary:
The recently elected King Zorba watches as citizens protest his reforms and cry for Doom's return. His advisor, Starn, tells him that the mob is the minority, the majority of Latveria is content. Starn however warns that Doom loyalists could grow in number and topple him the same way he toppled Doom. Believing them to be harmless without a leader, Zorba checks on Doom in his cell only to find that he has been replaced by a robot. Elsewhere, Doom loyalists led by Boris transport Doom's comatose body to a lab where Dr. Hauptmann will restore him. Back in the castle, Zorba realizes that if Doom's supporters can get his body, surely they will also get his armor. No sooner does he confirm that the armor is under lock and key, the castle is attacked and  the armor is stolen. Though wounded in the attack, Zorba manages to capture one of the soldiers. He arranges to have the man "escape" and followed. Hauptmann uses the power of Doom's armor to stimulate his brain and break the barrier which keeps him in a coma. The energy surges through his body and Doom awakens at last. The escaped guard enters their chamber and instantly Doom realizes that he has led Zorba's army to his doorstep. With ease Doom defeats the attacking forces leading them to retreat. Doom orders his men to find a new base of operations while he prepares for his return elsewhere. Taking to the sky, Boris watches him go filled with a sense of triumph and defeat.

Comments:
It's an interesting choice to bring Doom back in a story that does not involve the FF. I wouldn't mind if they would do something like this in future. I have always thought that Doom as a character progresses more when he is not trapped in a story trying to kill the FF. Still, there isn't much development for the character here. There is however some for Boris. For the first time we get the sense that he is an unwilling ally. Previously he has always been silent and thoughtless. In this story we are given a glimpse into his motivation and his thoughts on Doom. The only curious thing is that he says he vowed to aid and protect him. In reality, so far as we know, Boris vowed to protect the world from Doom. A task which he has done very poorly if you ask me. This story, being in an annual, is easy to miss. I read FF#200 and then later read FF#246/47 and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Byrne's recap of events in FF#247 pretty well brings you up to speed so that you don't really need to read this. Nevertheless I recommend tracking it down as its an important yet easily overlooked chapter in Doom's story.
Bottom Line: * * * * out of 5

Notes:

• Zorba was elected king by the people of Latveria.

• Lt. Borgo is Doom's first lieutenant.

• Hauptmann's brother was the scientist who operated on Zorba's eye.

• Victorum Mountain is north of Castle Doom.