Doctor Doom Officially Names the 1 Character in All of Marvel Lore He Actually Respects (2025)

As the entire Marvel Universe falls under Doctor Doom's control, the villain is launching a devastating attack against the Fantastic Four. However, even as he unleashes the full power of the Sorcerer Supreme against his rivals, Doom still has to admit that one team member has not just his respect, but also his love.

In recently released solicit information, Marvel has revealed the cover art and issue summary for One World Under Doom #2. 2024's Blood Hunt event ended with Doctor Doom stealing the position of Sorcerer Supreme from Doctor Strange. In 2025, he'll be ready to wield that power, launching his definitive attack against the Fantastic Four - the one superhuman team he believes can stop him.

One World Under Doom #2
Release Date:	March 3, 2025
Writer:	Ryan North
Artists:	R.B. Silva
Cover Artist:	Ben Harvey
Doctor Doom has taken over the world, and Earth’s mightiest heroes have failed twice: first to stop him, and now to overthrow him. But the Fantastic Four know Doom better than anyone, which makes them ideally suited to take on Earth’s new Emperor... except for the fact that he knows THEM just as well. As Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, and Sue and Johnny Storm prepare to face down Doom at the United Nations, Doom pays a secret visit to speak to the only person on Earth who holds both his favor, his respect... and his love. But can Valeria Richards change her uncle’s mind? And if she fails, what will stop Doom from visiting a shocking fate on the Fantastic Four that not even he can undo? And, as the Avengers reel from their losses, the course of the Marvel Universe will change — and Marvel’s First Family won’t be the same!

Before taking on the FF, Marvel's issue summary reveals Doom will seek counsel from Valeria Richards, the daughter of Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic and Sue Storm's Invisible Woman. Marvel notes that Valeria is the only person on the planet Doom respects and even loves, but that still might not be enough to save her family. ​​​​​​​Speaking about the issue, writer Ryan North says:

Things really kick off in ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #2. Doom is consolidating his power, and of course, the only thing that's really standing between him and his ambitions is the Fantastic Four. So, Doom simply solves that problem. The way he does it will have repercussions for the FF for quite a while! This issue in particular is basically a surprise secret issue of Fantastic Four - and anyone reading that book will not want to miss it.​​​​​​​

Variant covers from R. B. Silva and Jerome Opeña show the Thing battling an army of Doombots and Doom unleashing his magic power, while Ben Harvey's art shows Doom casting a spell on Ben Grimm's Thing.

Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Doom Is Ready to End the Fantastic Four

But His Bond with Valeria Richards Could Save Their Lives

Doctor Doom has a long history with Reed and Sue's super-genius daughter, having delivered her as a baby when the Invisible Woman's pregnancy threatened her life. In exchange for using his magic to safeguard Reed's family, Doom claimed the right to name Valeria, choosing the name of his long-lost love. While Doctor Doom only wanted to needle Reed over his inability to protect his family, the naming ended up creating a surprising bond between Valeria and Doom - not least because with her incredible intellect and undeveloped morality, Valeria sees a lot of herself in the villain, calling him "Uncle Doom."

But while Doctor Doom may respect and even love Valeria, nothing will stop him from 'saving Earth' by subjecting it to his rule. It's likely that Valeria can persuade Doom to spare her family's lives, but Doom will still feel a need to neutralize the heroes who have brought him low so many times in the past. It's possible that Doom intends to destroy the family by killing the Thing, who acts as the heart of the team. However Ben Harvey's cover suggests another possibility...

Will Doctor Doom Depower the Thing?

It Would be an Ironic Twist with Major Consequences

One easy way for Doctor Doom to neutralize the Fantastic Four is to rob them of their powers. With his regular magical abilities now enhanced beyond anyone else on Earth, it's something Doom is more than capable of, and it would be a truly ironic twist for the Thing to regain his human form (something he's wanted from the very beginning) as a way of keeping him from opposing Doctor Doom.

Marvel promises that Doctor Doom's attack on the Fantastic Four will have major consequences for the heroes, with fallout that will only be revealed when One World Under Doom #2 hits comic store shelves. Whatever happens, Doctor Doom's love and respect for Valeria just turned her into the most important hero in the Marvel Universe, as she alone has the ear of the despotic ruler who even the Avengers don't stand a chance against.

One World Under Doom #2 is coming March 3, 2025.

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Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four is a superhero franchise centered on Marvel Comics' first family of superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the team made its comic book debut in 1961 and quickly became a cornerstone of Marvel's success. The franchise follows four astronauts—Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—who gain superpowers after being exposed to cosmic radiation. Over the years, Fantastic Four has been adapted into several live-action films, animated series, and video games. The films have seen multiple reboots, with varying levels of success, and are now set to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a new film slated for release in 2025.