Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for One World Under Doom #1

Doctor Doom has taken control of the world...but it really doesn't seem all that bad to me. 6 months earlier in the Marvel Universe, Doctor Doom claimed the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme from Doctor Strange before hiding himself away in Latveria under a massive unbreakable dome, leaving many heroes to prepare for the worst. However, Doom has now done the unexpected with his emergence, offering what looks to be a true means of improving the planet and its people.

In the new One World Under Doom #1 by Ryan North and R.B. Silva, Marvel's first major 2025 crossover sees Victor von Doom addressing the entire world with the surprising announcement that every nation's leaders have sworn fealty to Doom, claiming they've all done so willingly. However, Doom has no intention of creating slave labor camps, erecting giant monuments of himself, or hunting down his enemies with death squads as some might assume. Instead, Doctor Doom proves yet again that "supervillain" is far too reductive a label considering what he's offering to the world (which does sound pretty nice).

Doctor Doom Just Became Emperor of the World

A Leader Who Can't Be Corrupted or Bought

In his opening address, Doctor Doom claims he's above all other leaders as he can never be bought or corrupted. He considers himself above the vices and temptations that would (and have) made others falter in their leadership duties. While this is likely true, Doom's biggest problem has always been his ego, arrogance, and pride, which often leads to his own undoing once he goes too far to achieve his goals, whatever they may be at the time.

Now, Doom wants to rule the entire world as a "United Latveria" with himself as its new global emperor. While he assures the world that their chosen leaders will be allowed to lead and operate as they have been, the only real change is that they must follow his orders when given, as he seeks to improve the world for all of his new subjects. That said, Doctor Doom's first two decrees for the new "United Latveria" are certainly mandates I could get behind in real life.

I Can't Lie, Doom's Promises Sound Really Nice Right Now

Offering "Basic Human Rights" To Every Citizen of The World

Confirming that too many citizens of the world have been denied basic human rights that should come with living in developed societies, Doctor Doom establishes two core laws for the new United Latveria in this first issue. The first decree is the Pax Victoris, declaring that war between nations is now outlawed, demanding a lasting peace between his new provinces. Doctor Doom's second decree establishes that every citizen of Earth will be given free universal health care and access to higher education, which are non-negotiable.

"It's really hard for me to imagine myself waking up in Doom's United Latveria tomorrow and not being excited about those new rights so many people in the real world have long been arguing for..."

Doom argues that while these two rights are indeed expensive and complex, they've never been impossible to attain. Instead, they've always been "left on the table due to greed and moral cowardice". Keeping his new promises in mind, it's really hard for me to imagine myself waking up in Doom's United Latveria tomorrow and not being excited about those new rights so many people in the real world have long been arguing for.

Doctor Doom's Global Takeover Feels Like A Good Thing (So Far)

There's Gotta Be A Catch, Right? Right??

Things certainly get more fantastical as One World Under Doom #1 continues. Case in point, Doom wipes out Hydra riding a T-Rex variant of himself while confirming he'd already killed both Baron Zemo and Red Skull. Doom was unwilling to tolerate the ongoing bigotry and hate from these Nazi leaders who led an organization of terrorists and racists Marvel's heroes had been unable to fully defeat since WWII...and the world's new emperor did it in a single day.

It's also worth noting that Doom had Hydra clearing land mines and building schools and hospitals by installing a Doombot copy of Zemo to give them orders, at least until the Avengers exposed the truth, thinking they'd found evidence that Doom might have also replaced world leaders. Having been deceived, Hydra lashes out at the public, forcing Doom to take them out completely. That said, Doom had planned for this potential outcome as a means to gain more goodwill from the public (while also putting the Avengers in a bad light).

I know the other shoe will eventually drop as One World Under Doom continues, and that Doom's rule will eventually need to end. However, I can easily see how the public will accept and see Doom as their new leader. Likewise, it's more than likely going to be really hard for the Avengers/Fantastic Four to stop Doom without looking like the bad guys as this new Marvel crossover continues.

One World Under Doom #1 is now on sale from Marvel Comics.