No Marvel character, hero or villain, is as diva as Doctor Doom. A diva can best be described as a smug and often vain human being who is not only self-absorbed but can also be self-centered in the most theatrical fashion. Anyone remotely familiar with the Doctor Doom stories will agree that “diva” accurately describes Doom.
Dr. Victor Von Doom famously has a flair for the dramatic. He takes offenses personally and any small inconvenience to him seems like an attack on his well-being. Since it debuted in 1962 on a Fantastic Four history of the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Doctor Doom's entire comic book history has featured countless examples of him being the biggest diva known to grace a panel. These examples illustrate exactly why he's a supervillain, but also what makes him one of Marvel's most entertaining – and unintentionally hilarious – characters.
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Doctor Doom chooses to wear a mask to hide a small scar
“The fantastic origin of Doctor Doom!” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Chic Stone and S. Rosen from Fantastic Four Annual #2
The origin story of his mask and Doom's appearance behind it varies depending on the writer. Originally an experiment gone wrong for which Doom blames Reed is to blame for a horrific disfigurement. However, John Byrne's iconic work Fantastic Four run introduced this idea with a new twist. This time, although the experiment still leaves Doom scarred, the explosion leaves only a small cut on his chin that Doom blows out of proportion. His constant desire for perfection forces Doom to hide his small imperfection by forging a metal mask for himself.
However, he does not let the mask cool before putting it on, severely burning him and further disfiguring his entire face. Forging a mask is already a dramatic means of hiding an imperfection, but especially when the imperfection is barely noticeable. Being a drama king only causes Doom more pain – much more than necessary.
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Doctor Doom becomes obsessed with caviar while Sue Storm accuses him of forging Reed's diary
Fantastic Four vs. X-Men #4 by Chris Claremont, Jon Bogdanove, Terry Kevin Austin, Glynis Oliver and Tom Orzechowski
In this series, Reed Richards' long-lost diary, written before the Fantastic Four gained their powers, is found, but internal turmoil within the group ensues when his entries suggest that the fatal space accident was no accident. Reed doesn't remember writing these notes, but fearing that his subconscious is writing down his deepest desires, he begins to doubt himself in every aspect of life. Sue Storm determines that this is Doom's meddling. When confronted, Victor plays coy and instead turns his attention to enjoying his caviar.
The diva's specialized behavior includes taking absolute pleasure when people who say they don't like the diva have a bad day. That's on display here, as Doom takes great pleasure in not only seeing his supposed true rival doubt himself, but also gaslighting his wife, trying to create more doubt by avoiding her interrogations. He is rubbing and enjoying every second.
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Doctor Doom's self-obsessed phrases make him a true diva
Avengers and the Infinity Gauntlet #4 by Brian Clevinger, Lee Black, Brian Churilla, Terry Pallott, Sandu Florea, Michelle Madsen and Clayton Cowles
In a battle for the Infinity Gauntlet, it appears that unlimited power is at Doctor Doom's disposal when he takes the Gauntlet for himself. However, he struggles to figure out how to make it work, and Thanos takes the opportunity to rip Doom's head off. The Hulk, Carol Danvers, Wolverine, and Spider-Man are initially shocked and then confused to see that this “person” is actually a Doombot.
The execution of the ruse and the level of awareness to prepare a robot to take his place if necessary are admittedly brilliant. However, it is not the decision to make a robotic clone that is diva behavior. It's the fact that Doom didn't build the Doombot for strategy, but more to gift the galaxy with another version of himself. He constructs this double not only because, in his mind, two Dooms are better than one, but because he is convinced that the only worthy savior for the world besides himself is another. version of yourself.
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Doctor Doom refuses to admit that Reed Richards is smarter than him, even on Judgment Day
AX: Judgment Day #4 by Kieron Gillen, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia and Clayton Cowles
THE Judgment Day The event is Marvel's equivalent of Judgment Day in the Bible, in which a select few souls are granted access to the promised land, while others are doomed to suffer the end of the world. Iconic Marvel characters are judged by the Progenitor, a fallen Celestial who declares to Earthlings that everyone on the planet will be judged and tested to determine whether Earth is made up of the most evil people or just people. Doom's challenge to pass is simply to admit that Reed Richards is smarter than him. He laughs at the idea.
The animosity between the stars of Marvel's best rivalry has been well documented, but it takes a special level of pettiness for Doom to deny himself to be spared mortal judgment. He would rather die than give a brief eulogy to his enemy. Only a true diva could be so petty.
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Doctor Doom rebukes Namor's call for help because he didn't come to Doom to begin with
New Avengers #24 by Jonathan Hickman, Valerio Schiti, Frank Martin, David Curiel and Joe Caramagna
Moments like this, starring Doom and Namor, are why people cringe at asking for help, no matter how much they need it. Namor rarely asks anyone for help, but during the “Cabal” story arc, Marvel's deadliest team of villains puts the universe in danger, even for former member Namor. When the situation becomes uncontrollable, Namor turns to Doctor Doom for help, but Doom takes it personally that the Sub-Mariner didn't come to Doom for help first, before anyone else.
Doctor Doom is exactly the kind of person who says “I told you so” and instead of forgetting and forgiving, he rubs it in his opposition's faces whenever he can. This moment with Namor is one of those cases. Namor didn't go to Doom's door first for no personal reason. Doom just didn't cross his mind, and Doom took it personally.
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Doctor Doom challenges Reed to a sword fight because he wants Reed as his godfather
“Duel Intentions” by Dan Slott, Javier Rodriguez and Joe Caramagna from Fantastic Four #32
Doctor Doom is also not quick to ask anyone for help – or for anything else. Even when it comes to maintaining the sanctity of his marriage, he is too proud to simply ask someone to be his best man, not without resisting (literally). That's why, as he prepares to marry Zora Vukovic (aka Victorious), Doom challenges Reed Richards to a King's Challenge; the loser must bind the winner to any request the winner makes, including being the best man at the wedding.
This challenge is another example that shows the level of pettiness at the heart of Doom. He doesn't just want Reed at his wedding – he wants to humiliate Reed by defeating him in combat and thus feel like he's forcing Reed to do his bidding as victor. He's not just going to ask when he can assert his dominance over Reed and also get what he wants in one fell swoop.
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Doctor Doom destroys a universe because he said his armor is ugly
Doctor Doom #10 by Christopher Cantwell, Salvador Larroca, Guru Efx and Cory Petit
After plunging into a black hole, Doctor Doom meets his perfect counterpart: an alternate reality version of Victor Von Doom. He was unmarked, maintained his sanity through his arrogance, and transformed Doomstadt into an advanced civilization. Deep down, Earth-616's Doom admires this version of Doom, but the good Doom angers him when he suggests that in order to become good, he must forgive Reed Richards.
The Doom of this new universe has befriended his Richards, and the final straw for 616 Doom is when alt-Doom insults his wardrobe. Doom does the only rational thing he can think of to do: he kills his counterpart and his entire universe. Petty would be an understatement in this case, but more than anything, the destruction is an indicator that Doom is incapable of significant positive change, no matter how much he wants to. It's bittersweet. He's a petty diva who just can't help himself.
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Doctor Doom turns Johnny Storm into a literal human torch
Fantastic Four #34 by Dan Slott, RB Silva, Jesus Aburtov and Joe Caramagna
During Doctor Doom's wedding to Victorious, his special day is ruined when he learns that Sue's younger brother was close to Victorious. Doom is understandably and royally upset. In the confusion, Doom activates a Latvian device that essentially overheats Johnny to a degree that he cannot put out. Doom literally turns him into a Human Torch, giving Johnny the same affliction the Thing is suffering.
Some may argue that Doom is justified in his anger, but one has to ask if the punishment fits the crime. Something from Johnny's past probably shouldn't be devastating enough to ruin his future, especially when there are worse crimes out there. Then again, that's Doctor Doom's MO at the end of the day: any minor or major inconvenience against him needs to harm his opponent's life in the grandest way.
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Doctor Doom refuses to pay Luke Cage after hiring him
Hero for Hire #8 by Steve Englehart, George Tuska, Billy Graham, John Costanza and Andrea Hunt
Doctor Doom hires Luke Cage to go after his former Doombots, who have turned traitors and disguised themselves as black men. Since all Latvians are Europeans and he himself is not welcome in America, Doom needed to, in his words, “a black“to trap his bots. Cage isn't a fan, but he feels Doom has the same right to hire him as anyone else. The problem is, Doom acts like he's going to pay Cage, only to set a trap for Cage beforehand. fleeing the city.
Upon surviving the attack, however, Cage is ready for a little fight, as in the next issue he invades Latveria demanding his $200. Doom will do anything to avoid having to pay money – like a diva ready to skip a bill at the same time. pass it on to a friend, knowing that you have no money to give. Still, Cage could be a contender for Diva of the Year because of the great effort he gives for his money.
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Doctor Doom helps deliver Reed and Sue's son… for a price
Fantastic Four #54 by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin, Karl Kesel, Mark Bagley, Scott Koblish, Al Vey, Liquid! and Richard Starkings
When the time comes to give birth to their second child, Sue is having complications, largely due to the fact that she and Reed conceived in the Negative Zone. The only person capable of helping them is Doctor Doom, thanks to his skills in the medical field, as well as his prowess with magic, which can help ease Sue's pain. However, he only helps under one condition: he becomes the child's godfather and can give the child a name. The couple grudgingly agree to Doom's terms, naming their daughter Valeria after their former love.
Doom Names Reed's Son Largely to give his rival the daily reminder that Doom was the one who could help his wife when Reed couldn't. He even openly admits it, literally, to add insult to injury. Doctor Doom has always been a petty diva, but this moment is, without a doubt, the smallest “crime” he has committed in Marvel continuity.