Currently, excitement is palpable among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiasts as they eagerly await the premiere of Avengers: Doomsday. This anticipation stems not only from its status as the next major film in the franchise but also due to the triumphant return of the beloved Iron Man actor, Robert Downey Jr. After Tony Stark’s poignant sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, many are left wondering how his character will return. Interestingly, RDJ is set to portray a different character altogether: Doctor Doom. To bring this narrative to life effectively, the MCU should draw inspiration from an often-overlooked plot from Iron Man’s comic history.
The comic story in question is What If? – Iron Man: Demon In An Armor, crafted by the talents of David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and Graham Nolan. This one-shot comic presents an intriguing twist where Tony Stark and Victor von Doom are depicted as college roommates. While Stark frequently annoys Doom with his genius and wealth, Doom’s envy drives him to deceive Tony into helping him create a mind-swapping device. When activated, the device results in Doom assuming Stark’s identity.
In this narrative, Doom embodies Stark, leading to shocking developments such as the murder of Howard Stark, acquiring his company, and ruthlessly eliminating rivals. Intent on accumulating global power and influence, Doom believes that wearing Stark’s face facilitates his ambitions. However, a crucial error in his strategy arises when he allows Tony to survive.
As Doctor Doom’s consciousness occupies Stark’s body, Tony finds himself trapped within Doom’s form. Yet, demonstrating his ingenuity, Stark achieves success comparable to that of his former self, culminating in an epic showdown between the two identities. Ultimately, hero triumphs over villain. But what if the story took a different turn? What if Doom retained Stark’s identity without suffering any repercussions? This is the narrative direction the MCU should explore.
MCU’s Doctor Doom Should Steal Tony Stark’s Identity Before Venturing into the Multiverse
The MCU Should Draw from Demon In An Armor, Allowing Doctor Doom to Prevail
Recent confirmations suggest that the MCU’s iteration of Doctor Doom may originate from a distinct universe, potentially contrasting with the reality from which the new Fantastic Four emerges. Notably, the new Doctor Doom bears an uncanny resemblance to Tony Stark, hinting at deeper narrative implications rather than a mere desire to have Robert Downey Jr. return.
It’s feasible that in the universe where this Doctor Doom hails from, circumstances mirrored those in Demon In An Armor. In this alternate reality, Stark’s wealth and arrogance provide the perfect cover for Doom to execute his plans. Perhaps this iteration of Doctor Doom would take the drastic step of eliminating the original Stark post-body swap, cementing his dominance.
Doom’s cunning, combined with Stark’s resources, could pave the way for global conquest. However, this may not quench Doom’s thirst for power. Such an arc could ignite Doom’s obsession with the multiverse, marking Stark’s identity as merely his first conquest, with a trail of others to follow.
The MCU Could Also Seek Inspiration from the New Ultimate Universe for Doctor Doom
Reed Richards as the New Ultimate Doom, Reflecting Tony Stark’s Potential as Doom
While Demon In An Armor serves as an ideal source for revitalizing Doctor Doom in the MCU, Marvel Studios can also derive narrative threads from the new Ultimate Universe of Earth-6160. This iteration introduces an unexpected version of Doom — not Victor von Doom, but Reed Richards himself.
This pivot suggests that Doctor Doom doesn’t inherently need to be a variant of Victor von Doom. In the context of Demon In An Armor, Doom maintains his villainous traits while adopting Stark’s guise. However, in the Ultimate Universe, the Doom moniker is devoid of Victor’s influence, creating an intriguing backdrop.
The MCU could explore a scenario where Tony Stark, perhaps in a different reality, embodies evil traits. Utilizing his immense wealth and technical prowess, he could dominate the world, suppress superheroes, and manipulate organizations like SHIELD and Hydra. Additionally, he might fashion armor that visually aligns with Doctor Doom’s iconic look, amplifying his villainous persona.
The Ultimate Universe Could Provide Insight, but the MCU Should Prioritize Demon In An Armor
Demon In An Armor Remains the Premier Source for the MCU’s Doctor Doom
While the Ultimate Universe presents avenues for exploring an alternate Doctor Doom, implementing a straightforward evil version of Stark could lead to convoluted explanations separating him from the traditional villain. As fans have seen with Superior Iron Man, transforming Stark directly into a villain could be less compelling.
Therefore, Demon In An Armor remains the most fitting reference point for the MCU. It preserves the essence of Victor von Doom while allowing Robert Downey Jr. to inhabit this complex character. With suitable adjustments, a retelling of this classic comic could become a captivating centerpiece for Avengers: Doomsday.
Related Articles:
First Look: Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Stuns at CinemaCon
4:46
‘Because I Knew You’: My Perspective After Watching ‘Wicked: For Good’ Footage
4:42
Cast of ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Discusses Filming Challenges for Their New Dinosaur Adventure
23:47
Leave a Reply