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Episode 1505 Talkback - Spotlight on Doctor Doom
Adam_Murdough
Posts: 506
He's a scientist, a sorcerer, a diplomat, a despot, a cold-blooded killer, a would-be world conqueror, a devoted son, an implacable enemy--a tortured soul. He's the most magnificently megalomaniacal menace mentioned in the Malleus Maleficarum of Mighty Marvel, and this episode is HIS! As a supplement to our ongoing series of Spotlights on the Fantastic Four, we present this character profile and suggested reading list devoted to the greatest Marvel Comics villain of them all: DOCTOR DOOM! (2:06:20)
Listen here. So commands Doom!
Listen here. So commands Doom!
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Not many people are aware that the catchy, yet irritating, hit single "MMMBop" by the trio of brothers known as "Hanson" was originally entitled "DoomBot." That is, until attorneys representing a certain Latverian client showed up at their doorstep and, you know ... (does the air-quote thingy) *convinced* them to change it. Doom bought up most of the then-produced singles on e-Bay. Here's one of the few known copies of the original album cover though:
(Tell the truth ... you're singing that song in your head right now with the words "DoomBot," aren't you?)
It's amazing to think that for a guy who has never had a book of his own to speak of, Doom has appeared over 700 times. That amounts to more than once per month for his entire 52 year career. Amazing.
The bit about Ben Grimm monkeying around with Doom's equipment and causing the fateful explosion was revealed in Original Sin.
Could not agree more with Professor Eberle on "Books of Doom." A great, great take on Doom's origin and his rise to power.
Given the Professor's love for the Black Panther though, I was mildly surprised there was no mention of the "Doomwar" mini-series, which I found to be another fascinating look at the inner workings of Doom's mind. Then I thought perhaps you're saving if for the (much-anticipated!) Black Panther Spotlight? (*fingers crossed*)
I literally "laughed out loud" at the "Otisburg" reference. Well played, Mr. Mulholland.
One of my favorite comics as a kid was "Super-Villain Team-Up." I loved both Doom and Sub-Mariner and to have them together in the same book was heaven for me as a 10-11 year old. I can remember at the time searching *everywhere* unsuccessfully for issue #3, as I was too much of a dumbass kid to realize it was a bi-monthly. :-)
And finally, one of my favorite recent "appearances" of Doom (actually it's a "non-appearance") has been the running gag in "Superior Foes of Spider-Man" where the gang hatches this crazy caper to steal a legendary portrait done of Doom without his faceplate on.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/prev_img.php?pid=23639&cover=1
Just inter-googled it, and the Professor was right ... it was revealed during Age of Ultron in FF #5 during the Fraction run.
I was confusing it with the Original Sin plot line where the Thing finds out that Johnny Storm had tampered with one of Reed's experiments to turn him back to Ben Grimm.
And Doom 2099! Oh man this is my 3rd edit, because I have forgotten how much I love Dr Doom
I think @Adam_Murdough would agree. In the Original Sin tie-in for Fantastic Four we learn that Johnny Storm accidentally messed up a machine that would have cured Grimm for good. That might be what you're thinking of?
It is so so much fun to listen to Chris and Murd discuss anything. :)
I have that Dixon Doom mini. Got it at the London con last year for £1.50. Makes a little more sense now I know some more context!
Also agree that this was a fantastic episode!
I've read a few of the stories mentioned in the episode but none of them recently. I see I've got some buying and reading to do.
I didn't realize Doom's use of magic went back that far.
The 1st meeting of Doom and the X-Men (Uncanny X-Men 145-147) is a fun story but more for the X-Men than the Doom. I talked about it on Episode 42 of Dave Talks Comics.
If you are planning any additional Spotlight episodes, may I suggest any of the following?
1) Iron Man
2) Thor
3) Inhumans
4) Marvel Supernaturals (Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, Tomb of Dracula, etc)
4) Marvel / DC crossover events (From Superman Vs Spider-Man in the 70's to Batman & Spider-Man in the 90's, Amalgam, etc)
5) Flash (Silver Age, Bronze Age, Modern Age, etc)
6) JLA (Silver Age, Bronze Age, Modern Age, etc)
7) and my favorite... Marvel Cosmic Spotlight
I also enjoy your podcast @Kilmarock!
Doom also appeared in Amazing Spider-Man Annual 14 by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, which I talked about on Episode 38 of Dave Talks Comics. But it wasn't a prominent role for Doom, despite what the cover seemed to indicate, or the first time I was fooled by a cover. :D
While I hesitate to nitpick any spotlight episode, I will offer 1 minor bit of correction. The issue where Doom names baby Valeria is actually during the Pacheco/Marin run on the FF, quite a few issues after Claremont left.
I really only picked up on it because I'm working through some FF reviews on my blog now and this run is in there. http://exploringmarvelu.blogspot.com/2014/09/pachecos-fantastic-four-inhumans.html