Warning! Spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy #18 ahead!
A casual remark by a fellow member of the MCU. The cinematic version of Drax is presented as a vengeance-obsessed strongman and occasional comic relief, whereas the comics version is more nuanced. In fact, when reflecting on this version’s motivations and very existence, there is a sense that Drax originally lost more than his dead family and that he has since evolved into a complex being.
Drax's origin story in the comics contains a tragic and human element that is lost in his cinematic portrayal. Rather than starting out as an alien out for vengeance after his family was slaughtered by Thanos, Thanos, who is a prolific murderer in his own right, are muddied by the fact he was willing to slaughter whatever and whomever is in his way.
This origin is why when Doctor Doom calls Drax the “Dead Man” in Guardians of the Galaxy #18 by Al Ewing and Juan Frigeri, it reinforces that Drax is so much more than what he appears to be on the surface. Arthur Douglas eventually regains his memories, meaning that Drax has lived two lifetimes in a single body, as it contains both Arthur’s memories and the Destroyer’s. He is technically a dead man, whose chance at second life comes from a creator with its own ulterior motives and unhealthy hatred of Thanos - which would be Mentor’s undoing.
Mentor’s actions also have spiritual consequences, as Drax’s body is acknowledged to not just contain two sets of memories, but also two distinct souls. The sense that Arthur would not be so singularly minded is evident in how he has responded since taking control. His obsession has become far less than what it was, allowing him to proceed in a reasonable, thoughtful fashion, interacting with others in ways where they are not just viewed as means to an end. This has also allowed him to recognize and bond with his daughter Heather, who did not really die and was instead raised on Titan, becoming the hero Moondragon and later ing the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Drax’s creation as a sentient weapon raises ethical questions on whether his obsession with slaying the Mad Titan or his stature as a killing machine are even his choice. That is why it is good for the comics to reflect on the fact that Drax was created by suppressing the memories of a rational, intelligent man who loved his family and music. Doctor Doom’s remark recognizes Drax’s more complex origin in comics. It also serves as a reminder that the MCU’s portrayal of a foremost Guardians of the Galaxy member has omitted some of what makes Drax compelling.
