Issue – 1

Title – Slayers from the Sea!

Writer – Tony Isabella

Art – Sal Buscema

 

Summary:

In the aftermath of their battle with Andros, Namor decides against allying himself with Doom and leaves Latveria, an act that infuriates Doom. Left alone to his thoughts, Doom ponders his many defeats and realizes that pride has blinded him too often and he decides that he needs Namor as an ally, not a pawn. Namor meanwhile travels to Hydro-Base where he finds it in the hands of Attuma, Dorca, and Tiger Shark. While attempting to save Dr. Jennings, one of the scientists of the moving island, Namor battles the three but is defeated when shot from behind.

 

Notes:

  • Namor cites Doom’s defeat at the hands of the Fantastic Four & Silver Surfer (in FF#157) as his reason for reconsidering Namor’s idea of an alliance.

 

 

 

Comments:

Right off the bat, Tony Isabella demonstrates that he gets Doom. He puts some very welcome and serious thought into the character. Instead of ignoring the fact that Doom is supposedly one of Marvel greatest villains, yet always loses, he has Doom actually ponder this phenomenon. Very good stuff. The development of Namor’s side of the story is equally compelling and exciting. All in all, a very good start to the series. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

 

Issue – 2

Title – In the midst of life…!

Writer – Tony Isabella

Art – Sal Buscema

 

Summary:

After observing Namor’s defeat at the hands of Attuma, Tiger-Shark, and Dr. Dorcas, Doom travels to Hydro-Base to his rescue. On the island’s sandy shore, Doom quickly dispatches a pair of Octo-Meks before finding Betty Prentiss, a former love interest of Namor’s, who brings him up to speed on events. Under her direction, Doom finds a spot to drill a tunnel leading to where Namor is held captive. There they are confronted by his captors. Dorcas derides Doom by saying that they considered offering him a partnership, but found him untrustworthy. Doom then fires a blast at Attuma and Tiger-Shark, meanwhile Dorcas decides to execute Namor. Betty flings herself in front of his fire and catches the blast. An enraged Namor breaks free of his bonds and holds her as she dies.

 

Notes:

 

  • Doom cites Namor’s ability to channel the natural power of electric eels as the reason he redesigned the circuitry in his armor to absorb such power.

  • Doom’s palm is equipped with an instant hypnotism impulser. His armor is also equipped with a hologram projector to project decoy images of himself.

  • Doom has familiarized himself with Namor’s extensive history, familiarizing himself even with Namor’s former love interests!

 

Comments:

A fantastic follow up to the previous issue. I dare say I liked it better than the first issue. Doom speaks surprisingly little, but his actions speak for him. Doom actually takes his role as Namor’s ally seriously, going so far as to call him friend. Sal Buscema’s art is fantastic her. Isabella’s writing, awesome. “Yes, Mrs. Prentiss…I’m ‘game.’” Classic stuff. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

 

Issue – 3

Title – If Vengeance Fails!

Writer – Jim Shooter

Art – George Evans

 

Summary:

Leaveing Betty Prentiss’ corpse aside, Namor attacks her killers. Doom intervenes, immobilizing them all. Namor quickly recovers and rages against Doom for betraying him again. Doom attempt to convince Namor that vengeance against the likes of Attuma, Dorcas, and Tiger-Shark should be beneath them. Unable to reason with him, Doom teleports him off Hydro-Base. In Latveria, Namor’s wounds are tended to and Doom finally decides to help Namor exact his vengeance. As part of their plan, Doom attacks the island and distracts Attuma and his forces while Namor frees the imprisoned inhabitants of the island. Namor then sneaks up behind Attuma, Dorcas, and Tiger-Shark to use one of Doom’s weapons to freeze them. However Namor refuses to defeat them in this manner and opts instead to battle them with his fists. Abandoned by Namor to battle Attuma’s army alone, Doom is surrounded. Saru-San, Attuma’s court jester mocks Doom as it appears that he is about to be killed. Grasping two fallen missiles from a defeated Octo-Mek, Doom detonates the explosives and blows away Attuma’s forces. Namor meanwhile kills Dorcas and defeats both Tiger-Shark and Attuma. From the cliffs overlooking the beach, Namor observes Doom forcing Sara-San to reenact his triumphant move from moments previously. Not wearing any armor, Saru-San is killed instantly by the blast. Namor chastises Doom for the murder of a harmless man. Doom dismisses him and warns him to keep his emotions in check the next time they go into battle together.

 

Notes:

 

  • As Namor recuperates in Castle Doom (here referred to as Castle Latveria), there are an unusual number of women working in the castle. Workers in Doom’s castle are usually depicted as either male or robots.

 

 

Comments:

This issue is a nice resolution to the Hydro-Base arc. The writer this time around is Jim Shooter. I wonder if Tony Isabella plotted any of this? Would he have done things differently? The issue focuses a lot more on action than it does on Doom’s internal turmoil. Its good to see Doom portrayed so ruthless in battle, however this new direction somewhat undoes the previous two excellent issues was building up to. Still, since it does serve as the ending of the first arc, and the first two issues are so good,

Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue – 4

Title – Time of Titans

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Herb Trimpe & Jim Mooney

 

Summary:

After having witnessed Doom kill Attuma’s harmless court jester in cold blood, the two begin to argue. Their argument quickly degenerates into a full on battle. Their fight is witnessed by a navy vessel captained by Simon Ryker. Ryker needs a powerful energy source to bring to life his cyborg soldier. Doom and Namor’s battle eventually moves off Hydro-Base and onto the passing ship. Doom crashes into Ryker’s lab where Ryker uses a device to siphon off energy from Doom’s armor. Doom punishes Ryker for daring to interfere with his battle, but he lets him live because he is content that his last shot at Namor was a fatal one. With the battle concluded, Doom flies away back to Latveria. Meanwhile, under the sea, Namor contemplates recent events and concludes that he was right to make Doom think him dead. The battle was useless. He then swears never to become a pawn of surface dwellers ever again.

 

Comments:

The issue is nothing more than an epilogue to the previous story and a prologue to another story that has nothing to do with Super-Villain Team-Up. The cyborg creation which this story actually centers around is none other than Deathlok. It makes you wonder if Deathlok was slated to make an appearance in this series (that would have been cool!). I think that makes sense considering that there is no editor’s note indicating where a reader should look for the continuation of this storyline. The only possibility is that perhaps this is mentioned in the letters page. I’m reading this off the Essential Super-Villain Team-Up, so it’s possible I’m missing something. In any case, there isn’t much here. The Namor/Doom alliance which had such a good foundation in issue #2 is definitely out the window. It’s a shame really because the set up and progression made by the character in that issue is lost here. Doom is back to being childish and egotistical beyond reason. Not much to recommend here unless you're in the market for a prolonged fight between Namor and Doom. Bottom Line: * * *  out of 5

 

Issue – 5

Title – And Be A Villain!

Writer – Steve Englehart

Art – Herb Trimpe

 

Summary:

While working in his laboratory, Reed Richards is abruptly interrupted when Namor crashes through the building wall. Seeing that Namor is unconscious and deathly dry, Reed submerges him in water so that he may recover. As the rest of the team gather around, Namor regains consciousness and relates his ordeal. Although he convinced Doom of his death, it was not long before he found Namor out and struck. Doom’s attack damaged the protective garb which allowed Namor to breathe above the surface. Doom however provided him with a temporary antidote to the condition which afflicted him. With the limited time the effects would hold, Doom instructed him to seek out Reed. Doom proposes to challenge Reed’s abilities to cure Namor, with his life at stake. Reed accepts the challenge. As he labors away, The Human Torch spies someone watching the Baxter Building. Flying on his own to investigate, Johnny finds himself confronting The Shroud. Reed meanwhile realizes that the antidote Doom gave Namor changed his biology once again, thus rendering repair to the garb useless. A weary Namor decides that he cannot escape his promise to Doom and leaves the Baxter building to join Doom or die in the process. Doom awaits him outside the Baxter building and the two disappear.

 

Notes:

 

  • Beginning with this issue, Steve Englehart and Herb Trimpe become the first consistent creative team during the titles’ short run. The only other writer to stick with the title (for more than 2 issues) was Bill Mantlo.
     

  • First appearance of The Shroud

 

Comments:

After 4 issues and 2 giant size specials of Namor and Doom arguing, bickering, fighting, and double crossing, we’re back to old territory. The FF are now crashing the scene which previously belonged to only Namor and Doom. In this issue they basically steal the show. Doom does very little here and the focus is primarily on Namor’s plight and the introduction of the new character, The Shroud. Englehart is not my favorite writer when it comes to Doom, but given that his appearances here are brief, I’ve nothing to complain about. This issue essentially reads like an issue of the Fantastic Four, which is in no way a bad thing. Bottom Line: * * *  out of 5

Issue – 6

Title – Prisoner!

Writer – Steve Englehart

Art – Herb Trimpe

 

Summary:

The Fantastic Four travel to Latveria to confront Doom and free Namor. After evading Doom’s border defenses, the team then battles some of his android army. Meanwhile, as the four fight on, Doom entertains a mysterious guest. One of his servants interrupts the meeting to advise him that the androids have been all but defeated. To this news, Doom reacts by calling Namor into action and forcing him to do battle with his own rescuers. Namor fights them reluctantly, and with the Invisible Woman’s help, he is temporarily immobilized. As the four poise themselves to attack Doom next, the mysterious guest is revealed as US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. Kissinger orders them to stand down as he has just concluded a non-aggression pact with Latveria. Much to their own chagrin, they stand down. From the shadows, The Shroud observes these events and plots Doom’s death.

 

Notes:

 

  • Secretary of State Henry Kissinger negotiates a non-aggression pact between he US and Latveria. Given the number of times Doom has attacked various US based heroes, its unknown for how long this pact remained in effect.
     

  • Reed makes reference to Luke Cage’s recent visit to Latveria in Heroes for Hire #8-9. That adventure was also written by Steve Englehart.
     

  • Doom’s android army is used to repel the Fantastic Four. Androids were last seen rebelling against Doom in Hero for Hire #8-9 under instructions from The Faceless One. Androids first rebelled in Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #2 under the guidance of Andros (the former Doomsman).

 

 

Comments:

A decent follow up to the previous issue. The only problem I have with this issue is that it puts in plain sight the chink in the plot of this story. Why on Earth does Namor fight the FF? Is it honorable to kill people who just tried to save your life? That are at that very moment trying to save you? Perhaps it’s just a matter of perspective. Perhaps, Englehart means to show exactly how far Namor is willing to go to keep his word and how much he values it. Bottom Line: * * *  out of 5

Issue – 7

Title – Who is The Shroud?

Writer – Steve Englehart

Art – Herb Trimpe

 

Summary:

As the FF leaves Latveria as instructed by Dr. Kissinger, The Shroud reveals himself to Namor and recounts to him his origin and his intention to kill Doom. In the town, Doom is taking his dogs out to hunt when he stops by a peasant house. Declaring his sovereign right of droit de seigneur, Doom takes away the peasant’s young daughter. Leaving the dogs to hunt on their own, Doom is alone with the girl when suddenly The Shroud appears. The Shroud quickly goads Doom into a fight. After using a string of devices to attack, The Shroud finally places magnesium bomb onto Doom’s armor, forcing him to remove his chest plate. With chest plate removed, Doom becomes a target to his dogs who push him over a cliff edge. Convinced that he has killed Doom, The Shroud returns to Namor’s cell and frees him. Meanwhile, Doom awakens from his fall to see that he has been captured by Atlanteans from Hydro-Base.

 

Notes:

 

  • The origin of The Shroud is revealed here. The character is clearly inspired by both Batman and The Shadow (in turn an inspiration for Batman as well). You can read some of Englehart’s own brief comments on his Super-Villain Team-Up work on his website here.
     

  • Doom and The Shroud have a lot in common and neither ever realize it. Both men lost their parents at an early age. Both Doom and The Shroud traveled to the Himalayas seeking power. In Doom’s case, he sought to remedy his scarred face. The Shroud sought power to battle evil. Both of them found obscures mystical groups and emerged as the men they are today.
     

  • The Atlanteans presence would seem to indicate one of Latveria’s rivers has access to the ocean.

 

 

Comments:

My favorite scene of the whole issue is that after hearing The Shroud recounts his origin to Namor he then declares his plan to kill Dr. Doom. Namor’s reaction: “Oh. I see...you’re insane. For a moment I thought you might be of some help to me.” My least favorite scene in this issue…nay, my least favorite Englehart scripted piece of Doom dialogue: Doom claims the right of a nobleman to bed any virgin on his land. It may not be how Doom explains it in the issue, but that is what droit de seigneur means, and it doesn’t take any stretch of the imagination to see what is being implied in the scenes between Doom and Gretchen. I believe this to be completely out of character for Doom. At his worst, Doom is written as doing evil things simply because they are evil. This however is completely uncharacteristic. Doom has never before or after been shown to be lecherous. If this scene could be purged from Doom’s (or comic book) history, I think it would be a good thing. Also…Doom’s armor can be taken out by a magnesium bomb? Overall the issue is a weak follow up to the previous one. Bottom Line: * out of 5

Issue – 8

Title – Escape!

Writer – Steve Englehart

Art – Keith Giffen & Owen McCarron

 

Summary:

Now a captive of Atlanteans from Hydro-Base, Tamara demands that Doom release Namor. Doom then attempt to deceive them into thinking that Namor came to him of his own free will, asking that he try and cure their condition (they were once human but were turned into water breathing beings). In the forests of Latveria, Namor accompanies the Shroud to his plane, only to discover that the peasantry is ripping it to pieces. The mob then catches sight of the heroes and they are forced to run. After shaking off their pursuers, the two stumble upon the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime at a nearby village. Namor asks the Ringmaster to help smuggle them out of Latveria. After a brief confrontation, the Ringmaster reluctantly agrees, provided they complete the night’s performance. At the performance, the disguised heroes are shocked to see Doom alive and well. With Doom alive, Namor believes he must still fulfill his promise to him and poises to reveal himself. The Shroud then knocks him out, but not before the conflict catches his attention.

 

Notes:

  • Boris makes a brief appearance and is shown to be in uniform, a rarity as he is typically depicted in plainclothes.
     

  • Latverians are seen here to be paranoid of foreigners.  
     

  • The Ringermaster’s circus is apparently allowed to travel and perform in Latveria.

 

Comments:

I’m at loss to understand how the people from Hydro-Base can buy into Doom’s story. Doom continues to be portrayed as a sleazy character. Apparently without his chest plate, his armor ceases to be of any defensive or offensive use because he is reduced to lying to the women who have captured him. I find it interesting that the Ringmaster would take his circus to Latveria. Why on Earth would he? Maybe he thinks Doom has a non-extradition treaty with the US? Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue – Avengers 154

Title – When Strikes Attuma?

Writer – Gerry Conway

Art – George Perez

 

Summary:

Flying over the Pacific Ocean to dispose of the Serpent Crown, The Vision is attacked and taken captive by a group of Atlanteans. In New York, the Avengers take a wounded Whizzer to the hospital and ponder on the return of Wonder Man. Meanwhile at the Avengers mansion, the Scarlet Witch receives a visit from Triton of the Inhumans. He begs her to call the Avengers. She soon realizes that Triton is an imposter and he reveals himself to be Tyrak, one of Attuma’s spies. Some of the Avengers return from the hospital and engage in battle but all are eventually defeated and captured.

 

Notes:

  • Not an appearance

 

Comments:

Not a Doom appearance, however this is an important set up for events in Super-Villain Team-Up. Without Doom, there should be nothing for me to complain about, right? Well, I have one quibble. How on Earth does one guy take out 5 Avengers? These are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! At least they could have added a few more opponents to make the Avengers look better when they’re beat. The Beast running off is also just terrible…sure, I know there is a reason for it, but still, he comes off bad. Bottom Line: N/A

 

Issue – 9

Title – Pawns of Attuma!

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Jim Shooter

 

Summary:

As part of Attuma’s master plan, the Avengers are being forced to travel to Hydro-Base to battle against Namor. Each Avenger has been fitted with a slave collar leaving them unable to go against Attuma’s commands. Back in Latveria, Doom orders the circus out of Latveria but demands to be left alone with the Shroud and Namor. Once alone, Doom gives Namor the antidote to his weakening condition and removes his mask and revealing himself to be Rudolfo, former prince of Latveria. Once again convinced of Doom’s death, Namor leaves the Shroud and Rudolfo to plan their revolt. The Avengers meanwhile attack Hydro-Base in search of Namor. By proclaiming their target as Namor, the Atlanteans side with Doom and battle them.

 

Notes:

 

Comments:

Talk about complex plots! Doom is running his own private game with Tamara, Namorita, and the others on Hydro-base. In Latveria, the Shroud and Rudolfo are plotting a revolution. The Avengers are looking for Namor in the wrong place. Attuma has got some kind of master plan. Doom is making a deal with someone in secret. And to top it off, someone unknown is watching all of these events. Unfortunately, the down side to his overall entertaining issue is that even though we have a new writer at the helm, Doom is still being portrayed crummy. He addresses a female inhabitant rudely, and instead of perhaps tackling the challenge of curing the people of Hydro-Base (and maybe show off how brilliant he really is) he instead opts to continue his charade. Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue – Avengers 155

Title – To Stand Alone!

Writer – Gerry Conway

Art – George Perez

 

Summary:

Sluggish because of the slave collars around their necks, the Avengers prove to be no match for Doom and the inhabitants of Hydro-Base and are restrained. Back in New York, Beast enlists the aid of Wonder Man and Whizzer to help rescue the other Avengers. Using a tracking device, they follow Attuma to a secret under sea lab where he is attacking to gain a powerful new weapon. Namor soon arrives at the scene and Attuma manages to fool him into thinking the three are his allies. Namor then begins to fight them. After defeating the Whizzer, Namor realizes his error, but not before Wonder Man strikes him down. In the confusion, Attuma gets away with the weapon. On Hydro-Base, the captive Avengers manage to free Vision from his bonds and his slave collar. Mysteriously, he leaves his allies behind without a word only to approach Doom with an offer.

 

Notes:

  • Issue features a cover by Doom co-creator, Jack Kirby.

 

 

Comments:

Despite his prominence on the cover, there is very little Doom here. He only shows up at the beginning to defeat the Avengers and then later when he is approached by the Vision. However the issue is memorable because it does feature a fight between Doom and Iron Man, which is always a treat.

Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue – Avengers 156

Title – The Private War of Doctor Doom!

Writer – Jim Shooter

Art – Sal Buscema

 

Summary:

Free from the bonds that keep his fellow Avengers captive, Vision strikes a bargain with Doom to become allies against Attuma. Now working as allies, Doom has the other Avengers freed and together they home in on Attuma. When they arrive, Namor has already been defeated by a now super-powerful Tyrak. Free of their slave collars, the team now fights as one and manage to defeat Tyrak. Afterwards, they realize that Doom has stolen the device used to empower Tyrak. While the team battle Doom, the Vision sneaks up behind him and destroys the device. With the device gone, there is no further reason to battle and Doom flees.

 

Comments:

This issue is a rather straight forward ending to a very convoluted tale. The arc is very hard to recommend. Really it’s just about bad guys doing bad things while heroes try and stop them. Nothing really stands out. The only intriguing idea I found here was the idea of Doom teaming with the Avengers. Unfortunately you hardly get the sense that they work together as the battle ends almost as quickly as it begins. And by the time its over, Doom has already double crossed them all. If like me you buy the Essential Super-Villain Team-Up, you will end up owning these issues. Otherwise, Bottom Line: * * out of 5

Issue – 10

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Bob Hall

 

Summary:

Following up on a hunch, Captain America infiltrates the Latverian Embassy to confront Doom regarding a scepter he took off a spy. The spy had been following the Avengers and an analysis revealed the device was fabricated in Latveria. The scepter however bears the insignia of the Red Skull. Under the ocean waves, Namor returns to his city of Atlantis to ponder on the condition of his comatose people. He is interrupted when miner begin to topple part of the city in order to mine the ocean floor. Enraged he destroys their machines and sends them fleeing. After interrogation, one of them reveals their employer is called Orbiter and he operates out of Latveria. Back in Latveria, former Prince Rudolfo and the Shroud lead a revolt in Doom’s castle. When they reach the throne room they find that the Red Skull has already taken control over the country. At that very moment, he orders Latveria’s own defenses against Doom who is flying back to the castle with Captain America.

 

Notes:

 

 

Comments:

An excellent issue! Why they ruin the surprise by putting the Skull on the cover, I have no idea. Finally, we have another “team-up” as here Doom teams up with Cap. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue – 11

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Bob Hall

 

Summary:

In the throne room of Latveria, the Red Skull stands triumphant over the Shroud and the former Prince Rudolfo. Together they all witness the apparent death of Doom and Captain America as their ship crashes. In reality, the two escape but only to find that the Red Skull has shrunk them to miniature size. Together they make their way into the castle throne where they observe that Namor has arrived investigating the mining of Atlantis by Latveria. After a failed attack, Dr. Doom calls upon his former ally Namor to press the controls which will reverse his and Captain America’s condition. Back to full size, a massive battle ensues with everyone attempting to stop the Red Skull from activating the Hypno-Ray which would allow him to take control of the world. A wounded Rudolfo uses a nearby device to cause an explosion which results in the Red Skull fleeing to the moon. But even there, he still has control of the Hypno-Ray.

 

Notes:

  • The Red Skull has his revenge on Doom for previously shrinking him and his Exiles after they first attempted to take over Latveria. See Astonishing Tales #5

 

Comments:

Captain American and Dr. Doom team up against the Red Skull? This is exciting storytelling. Although there are various plot holes (such as why Doom would sell the Hypno-Ray to a ‘mysterious buyer’ he suspected was the Red Skull?), the story proves to be the most entertaining since possibly SVTU #1-4. Saddled with so many characters which are all over the place, Bill Mantlo does his best to give everyone something to do without losing focus of the story or its principal players. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue – 12

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Bob Hall

 

Summary:

With the Red Skull on the moon and prepared to use the Hypno-Ray to turn all of Earth into his mindless subjects, Doom and the Shroud race to stop him. While the Shroud works against time to disable the orbiting ray, Doom flies to the moon to duel with the Red Skull. The two engage in a battle which spans the surface of the moon. Using ionic blades, the two eventually rip each others suits open to the airless atmosphere. Doom however manages to uses the Red Skull’s own blade to cause an avalanche of moon rocks to bury him. The Skull’s minions arrive but side with Doom after seeing that the Red Skull is defeated. Doom boards one of the Skull’s ships and leaves the Skull behind to suffocate. The Shroud meanwhile succeeds in disabling the ray, but at the cost of having been doused himself. Using a SHIELD space craft, Captain America arrives on time to save the Shroud from suffocating in space and heads back to Earth to take him to a hospital for treatment.

 

Comments:

The highlight of this arc has to be the no holds barred fight between Doom and the Red Skull. The only let down is that in the end Doom succumbs to the cliché of all super-villains. He leaves and assumes that his opponent will die. With the Red Skull pinned down, really he should have just sat and watched the Skull run out of air. I’m sure it would not have taken long. Oh well. Still, an excellent wrap up to the main plot, though once again we’re left with some other plotlines hanging. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue – 13

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Keith Giffen

 

Summary:

Journeying to the undersea city of Atlantis, Doom and Namor are shocked to find that Krang the War Lord has taken over. Instantly Namor engages his forces in battle. Ignoring the battle raging before him, Doom instead focuses on fulfilling the promise he made to Namor to cure his people of their endless slumber. Releasing his own specially prepared gas, the Atlanteans awake. Doom informs them of Namor’s plight and warrior rush to his aid. Unfortunately, in his desperation, Krang has used an ancient Atlantean trumpet-horn to summon a massive monster. Uncontrollable, the monster devastates the city. As the recently awakened Atlanteans surround Krang’s forces, Namor drives the monster underground once more. The only remaining foe is Krang himself. Doom faces him in a duel of swords and defeats him. With Atlantis free, Doom’s promise is fulfilled and he quietly leaves the scene as all Atlantis cheers to their return and victory.

 

Notes:

  • Namor received Doom’s antidote by Prince Rudolfo’s hand in SVTU #9. This is the first confirmation we’ve had that it actually worked.

  • Doom is also able to cure all of Atlantis, a feat which apparently not even Reed Richards was able to do.

  • Doom notes that he has studied under all of the sword masters of Europe.

 

Comments:

I think this single issue proves that Super-Villain Team-Up worked best when it was just Namor and Doom. This issue provides a final and long needed closure to the unfulfilled obligations Namor and Doom had to one another. Much like the first two issues of this title, this issue ends on a introspective note as Doom observes that Namor’s strength is derived from the love and trust of his people. Doom’s is derived from his own strength and ingenuity. Art and story are both fantastic, and the characters are finally portrayed appropriately. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Issue – 14

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Bob Hall

 

Summary:

The militant mutant Magneto travels to Latveria to offer Dr. Doom an alliance. To his dismay, Doom reveals to him that the world is already his. Using a gas of his own design, Doom has already subjected the world’s unconscious will to his own. In order to make his conquest more sporting, Doom gives Magneto the antidote and a chance to wrest control from him. Traveling to New York, Magneto then attempts to obtain the aid of the Avengers, only to find that they are completely enslaved by Doom’s gas. Doom offers Magneto to allow one of the Avengers to be free of his will. Magneto chooses Beast. Together they search in vain for aid from other heroic groups. Beast finally suggest they team with the LA based Champions. Unfortunately upon their arrival, they quickly learn that the brainwashed Avengers have convinced the team that Beast has joined Magneto on the wrong side.

 

Notes:

  • The last page states that this was the last issue of Super-Villain Team-Up, though in fact there were 3 more issues: #15, a reprint issue, followed by #16 – 17 which featured the Red Skull and the Hate-Monger teaming together.

  • This is not the only time Doom has taken over the world and grown bored with the ease of his victory. See also: Avengers: Emperor Doom and Doom: The Emperor Returns.

  • On Doom’s chessboard, there is a woman standing in the queen’s place, the issue identifies the woman as none other than his former love, Valeria.

Issue – Champions 16

Writer – Bill Mantlo

Art – Bob Hall

 

Summary:

Convinced that the Beast has defected over to Magneto’s side, the Champions refuse to listen to their claims that Doom has control over all of them. Unable to reason with them, Magneto abandons his plan to seek allies and instead opts for a direct confrontation with Doom. The Champions follow the fleeing mutants and track them to the White House where Doom has summoned the Hulk to defend him against Magneto’s assault. A massive battle ensues between all parties. Eventually Ghost Rider unleashes his hell fire on Doom, causing Doom to remove his face plate. By removing his mask, Doom inhales his own neuro-gas and becomes a slave to himself, locked in an endless loop as he awaits his own commands. Without Doom’s will to impress himself on the others, everyone returns to normal.

 

Notes:

  • According to Giant-Size Hulk #1, the events of this issue have been retconned from 1977 (its original publication year) to taking place sometime during Bill Clinton's administration (1993 - 2001)

 

Comments:

Doom has already taken over the world…and he is bored. This arc establishes a precedent in Doom’s character. This is the first, but it is not the last time we will see this scenario. My only question is why on Earth, of all the Avengers, would Magneto choose Beast (a question he ironically asks himself in the second part of this story)? The arc is noteworthy for a number of firsts. Aside from establishing that Doom can take over the world, it is also the first encounter between Dr. Doom and Magneto. This is also case with the 70’s super group The Champions. Curious is that the issue does not state that the gas will ever dissipate. In fact it says that both Beast and Johnny Blaze inhale it at the very end. Are we to believe that the gas is still affecting the planet? Perhaps Doom is toying with us all? The big unanswered question is how Doom escapes the loop he is stuck in at the end? While not one of my favorite stories, this is essential reading as it is one of Doom's greatest victories. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

 

Issue – 15

 

Notes:

 

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