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Doctor Doom is assaulted by the British superheroic agent Union Jack, in Doctor Doom #1, Marvel Comics (2019). Christopher Cantwell, Salvador Larroca/Marvel Comics

Doctor Doom just made a radical career change

It’s a Doom-derful Life?

By Susana Polo
Susana Polo is an entertainment editor at Polygon, specializing in pop culture and genre fare, with a primary expertise in comic books. Previously, she founded The Mary Sue.

There are quite a few superheroes and villains who govern nations in the Marvel Comics Universe — but now there’s one fewer. In the pages of this week’s Doctor Doom #1, everybody’s favorite megalomaniac stepped down from the throne in Doomstadt.

Doctor Doom is master of Latveria no more. And it’s not even Reed Richards’ fault.

What else is happening in the pages of our favorite comics? I’ll tell you. Welcome to Polygon’s weekly list of the books that our comics editor, me, enjoyed this past week. It’s part society pages of superhero lives, part reading recommendations, part “look at this cool art.” Let’s get started!

Doctor Doom #1

After decisively blasting two assailants off the roof of his castle, Doctor Doom informs them that he intends to surrender, in Doctor Doom #1, Marvel Comics (2019). Christopher Cantwell, Salvador Larroca/Marvel Comics

Reed Richards and Tony Stark created the Antlion station to convert excess CO₂ in Earth’s atmosphere to fuel, to save the world from global warming, and Latveria has just been framed for its destruction. But instead of buckling down, Victor von Doom instead surrendered and abdicated.

The issue’s title, “Pottersville” — an It’s a Wonderful Life reference — indicates that we’re wading into a story about Doctor Doom considering what the world might be like if he’d been less of a meanie. It’s also a nice reference to how much Doom likes to name stuff after himself.

Pretty Deadly: The Rat #2

A corrupt Old Hollywood director sees visions of death and the women he’s exploited while the Grim Reaper of Vengeance holds his head under water for information, in Pretty Deadly: The Rat #2, Image Comics (2019). Kelly Sue Deconnick, Emma Rios/Image Comics

In its second issue, Pretty Deadly: The Rat digs deeper into its plotline, and illustrator Emma Rios still absolutely delivers.

Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3

J. Jonah Jameson is transformed by a Carnage-controlled symbiote, into a slavering red symbiote monster in a business suit and tie, in Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3, Marvel Comics 92019). Saladin Ahmed, Frederico Vicentini/Marvel Comics

Have you ever wondered what J. Jonah Jameson would look like with a symbiote? Wonder no more! (Don’t worry, Miles got it off of him real quick.)

The Batman’s Grave #1

Batman stands on a rooftop above Gotham’s streets, cap billowing, in The Batman’s Grave #1, DC Comics (2019). Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch/DC Comics

Warren Ellis begins his Batman book as a psychological and gritty detective story, which is, of course, pure Ellis, but the real star in this first issue is Bryan Hitch and colorist Alex Sinclair.

House of Whispers #14

Djuna, wreathed in fire, embraces the cockatrice creature who embodies her anger, and decides she’s not going to take it anymore, in House of Whispers #14, DC Comics (2019). Nalo Hopkinson, Dan Watters/DC Comics

It feels like all the Sandman Universe series are stretching out and spreading their wings in their third arcs; becoming “thrill of excitement when I realize there’s another this week” books.

Superman #16

Superboy hugs Robin, who is very annoyed at how he got so much taller and older, and hit puberty so fast, in Superman #16, DC Comics (2019). Brian Michael Bendis, David Lafuente/DC Comics

In recent Superman books, Jon Kent went through some time travel stuff and aged five years in three weeks, which mean that he had to go back and break the news to his best friend, Damian Wayne, that he’s older than him now. It takes most of the issue and it’s great.

Batman Universe #4

An exhausted Batman comes out of a time jump in Crime Alley wearing clothes from the Old West, and calls Alfred to come pick him up, in Batman Universe #4, DC Comics (2019). Brian Michael Bendis, Nick Derington/DC Comics

Bendis’ Batman is so chatty and reasonable and tired. It’s a take that I like, but man, haven’t seen in a while.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #49

A reformed Sentinel robot battles Fin Fang Foom in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #49, Marvel Comics (2019). Ryan North, Derek Charm/Marvel Comics

It’s tragic to think that we’re only getting one more issue of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.

Powers of X #6

Moira and Wolverine realize that a post-human ascension is the real threat to mutantdom as the Librarian monologues about it in Powers of X #6, Marvel Comics (2019). Jonathan Hickman, R.B. Silva/Marvel Comics

Powers of X #6 brought the whole Hox/Pox epic to a close with a galaxy brain revelation that the X-Men are no longer at war with humanity, but a future post-humanity. Are you ready for X-Men #1?

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