Spoilers for The Ultimates #4 and 5!As part of theUltimateMarvel Universe’s continued radical reinventionDoctor Doomand theFantastic Four, theheroic version of Doomhas officially dropped the “Doctor” from his codename. While it might seem like a minor point, compared to the other changes to the character, from his origin story, to his goals,it signifies just how completely distinct from the original iteration this Doom actually is.
The Ultimates#5–written by Deniz Camp, art by Juan Frigeri–officially labels its Reed Richards as just “Doom,” as the character was presented in the previous issue, which offered a shocking reimagining of theFantastic Fourmythos, and elaborated on the role this incarnation of Reed has to play in the grand scheme of theUltimateUniverse.
More than just a name change, Doom’s role inThe Ultimateshas proven to be a historic new take on the character, taking the operating premise of theUltimatecontinuity to its most extreme lengths, perhaps ever.
In The Ultimate Universe, Doom Is More Than A Man–It Is A State Of Mind
The Ultimates#5–Written By Deniz Camp, Art Juan Frigeri; Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By Travis Lanham
The origin of the newUltimateDoom might be convoluted at a glance, but it is worth unpacking, because it is one of the most fascinating character dynamics in comic books right now. The arch-villain of theUltimateUniverse isthe Maker, the originalUltimateReed Richards, who escaped the destruction of his original timeline and eventually invaded another, using time travel to reshape its history, creating a vastly different, second iteration ofUltimateMarvel. This included intervening in the origin of the Fantastic Four, turning it into a catastrophe which only this reality’s Reed survived.
UltimateDoom is the product of “extreme despair,” as he tells Tony Stark in the issue, and he only lives to take down the evil Maker.
The Maker subsequently captured and tortured his counterpart,disfiguring him and locking him away behind an iron mask–resulting the the birth of a new, very different Doom. AsThe Ultimates#4 made strikingly clear, the character has been more than just made in the image of the original Doctor Doom, but he has been forged into a desperate, tragic hero who embodies the moniker perhaps even more than the infamous villain.UltimateDoom is the product of “extreme despair,” as he tells Tony Stark in the issue, and he only lives to take down the evil Maker.
Whether Ultimate Doom Can Escape The “Negative Zone” Could Determine The Fate Of His Universe
The Ultimates#4 – Written By Deniz Camp; Art By Phil Noto; Available Now From Marvel Comics
The Ultimates#4 also contained a startling reimagining of theFantastic Four’s"Negative Zone,“turning this into a term Doom uses to describe the depths of the “periods of extreme despair” that he grapples with. As many exciting anddynamic changes asUltimateMarvel has made–in both its original and rebooted incarnations–to familiar lore, this one is surprisingly potent. It offers a visceral emotional connection to this broken, beatenReed Richards variant. It also sets up a major struggle for the character, ashe must refuse to submit to darkness in his battle against the Maker.
The Ultimateshas put the Doom version of Reed in a position where he could…[become] one of his Earth’s mightiest heroes, or [fall] from grace just as the Maker did.
To put it another way: in time, the firstUltimateReed Richards proved himself not to be the stalwart hero of Marvel’s main continuity, but rather a diabolical and downright cruel villain. Now,TheUltimateshas put the Doom version of Reed in a position where he could go in either direction, either becoming one of his Earth’s mightiest heroes, or falling from grace just as the Maker did. This is a powerful dramatic set-up, one thatUltimatescan hopefully carry through to a satisfying conclusion.
No Character Feels The Ultimate Universe’s Ticking Clock More Than Doom
The Ultimates#6–Written By Deniz Camp, Art Juan Frigeri; Available November 6 From Marvel Comics
Another unique, exciting conceit of thisUltimateUniverse is that it is progressing in real time–and there is a huge ticking clock hanging over the heroes' heads. The end of theUltimate Invasionminiseries, which rebooted theUltimateUniverse, featured the Maker being temporarily defeated and locked away by the newly empowered heroes of this reality. However, it was stated that he would return in eighteen months, meaning each issue brings Doom and the otherUltimateheroes one massive step forward toward their next confrontation with the villain.
Doctor Doom’s “Project Four” Redefines Everything We Know About the Fantastic Four’s Powers
Doctor Doom is trying to recreate the Fantastic Four, redefining what fans thought they knew about their powers by making them utter nightmare fuel.
No character feels this time passing more urgently than Doom, as made clear byTheUltimates#4, which places a great emphasis on his attempts to recreate the Fantastic Four’s powers. Doom knows the world is running short on time, and in many ways, he is the centerpiece of the heroic effort to be ready when the time comes, even moreso than Tony Stark. This makes the next year ofUltimatesone of the most exhilarating storylines in comic books, and the rechristenedDoctor Doomand his twistedFantastic Fourorigin story is at the heart of it all.
The Ultimates#5is available now from Marvel Comics.
Ultimate Marvel
Created in 2000, the Ultimate Marvel imprint redesigned the entire Marvel Comics universe with a new set of origin stories and relationships. The reboot reinterpreted Marvel continuity from scratch in an attempt to simplify and update the company’s 60-year history for modern audiences. With famous comic book writers such as Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, and Mark Millar at the helm, the Ultimate universe (named Earth-1610 within the Marvel multiverse) lasted 15 years and provided plenty of inspiration for the MCU.
