For a more contemporary take on the 1964 origin of Dr. Doom, you may be interested in checking out a six-issue series from 2006 written by Ed Brubaker, and narrated by the Master of Menace himself. The series covers the period from Doom's childhood to his seizure of the throne of Latveria from King Vladmir (the former Baron whom he blamed for the persecution of his gypsy tribe and the loss of his parents); as a result, Books Of Doom has no real draw beyond the name recognition of its deadly and complicated subject, which is virtually a non-issue since Doom has always proven to be a bankable character for Marvel (at least until he crossed over into cinematic ventures).
The reader may also be reluctant to invest time in this story because of the series' perplexing title, which suggests that they're in for a mundane exploration of the character's motivations and thoughts while giving the impression of a diary or journal approach to its narrative. To be honest, well after finishing the series, I found myself wondering, "Wait--what 'books'? What's the title referring to?" His studies abroad? Some sort of allusion to the doomed path he set himself on? The spell books of Doom's witch-mother, the preoccupation of which would not only open the door to an affinity with science but would lead to a lifelong obsession to free her from her damnation? The title's true meaning always felt as if it were right in front of me, yet remains elusive to me to this day.Nevertheless, this story is a compelling one, with a solid script by Brubaker and breathtaking interior art by Pablo Raimondi that's belied by the impressionist style of the series' cover artist, Paolo Rivera. There are many things that will be familiar to anyone who knows of either the '64 origin tale in its entirety or any of its details passed down through subsequent stories in one form or another; yet there are also a number of variations that go beyond items that other writers have from time to time used to supplement the original story in order to fill in gaps without altering the authentic version. One minor example in this case would be from the Lee/Kirby tale, when the young Victor von Doom is visited in his tribal camp by the Dean of Science from New York's Empire State University, who offers Doom a scholarship; whereas in Brubaker's telling, the visitor is a U.S. general who offers Doom a position at a lab facility near the university to develop technology for the military, though he'll also be enrolled in classes at ESU--the same deal that's cut with Reed Richards. It seems counterproductive to the expectations the military brass have for both of these men, since anyone who's ever attended a university could tell you that a college course load is bound to sap a considerable amount of the time Doom and Richards are meant to devote to their lab work; unfortunately, Brubaker doesn't really justify splitting their time thus, except to conform to Lee's story.
Yet try not to jump to conclusions based on an alteration like this that occurs almost right out of the gate; instead, for now, regard the variations you'll encounter as a writer's prerogative to offer a different interpretation of prior events, and be assured that the overall structure of Brubaker's story will become clear in due time.
Until then, allow this series' host to beckon you onward.
In Lee's original telling, scant mention is made of Doom's mother, Cynthia, other than to establish her as a sorceress and showing Doom paying his respects at what is presumably her grave site. In the newer version, we see her in the flesh--for in the beginning it's her story which is focused on as well as her son's, since she's fated to become the catalyst for the path that Doom will choose for himself. Though a fine mother and wife, Cynthia is no saint--and her preoccupation with the dark arts worries her husband greatly, though she continues to tell herself that her efforts are ultimately for her son's benefit. But when she finally makes her move on the Baron's soldiers, she unknowingly makes an unconscionable sacrifice which eventually results in the loss of her own life.
The interjection of Mr. von Kampen alerts us that Doom's musings on his past are part of some other process. Shortly, we would discover that Doom is responding to comments and questions made off-panel, which is where we must leave them for the time being.
With the gypsy tribe now targeted by the Baron, Doom and his father, Werner, are on the verge of being asked to leave--but the tribesmen soon see how quickly Doom is becoming his mother's son in more than name.
The matter is settled for now--but the tension between the tribe and the soldiers is soon to escalate, following a plea from the Baron for the tribe's healer (Werner) to help his ill wife. Discovering that she is suffering from an advanced state of cancer, Werner is unable to save her life--and when he learns that the Baron intends to hold him responsible, he decides to flee with young Victor. As we know, the situation ends badly for both of them--and for Victor, it becomes a turning point in his life.
Another person speaking to clarify Doom's narrative, a woman this time, tells us that she believes that Victor's fate was sealed when he discovered Cynthia's strongbox among his father's things--and, indeed, that would seem to be the case, as Victor's desire to rescue his mother from what he was convinced was now a never-ending torment in Hell turns him to the Black Arts. But after failing to make any headway with his efforts, he turns his attention to another approach, a field for which he proves to have a greater aptitude.
It's important to note that Victor doesn't put aside his efforts to save his mother; but with the Baron's men still needing to be dealt with in some way, he learned that taking them on gave him a measure of peace in continuing on his current course.
"Vengeance on the Baron's men was simply an afterthought to years on the run from these same vicious men. For when I looked at these soldiers, I thought about Father's final embrace, and about Mother's fatal mistakes... and what drove me to save Mother drove me also to punish the people who forced her to seek counsel from the damned in the first place."
It wasn't long before Victor admitted to truly becoming his mother's son, when one of the Baron's patrolmen found him wandering at night and planned to collect the reward on his head. Taking the man by surprise by quickly attacking, Victor strangled him to death--an act that would weigh on him that night and the following morning, and, in one way or another, remain with him for some time to come, as well.
Fortunately, a distraction arrives in the form of the U.S. general, who makes Victor an offer that, in his current state, sees him welcoming an opportunity to leave Latveria and the past behind and embracing the wealth of knowledge and education being laid at his feet. Along with one other who has accepted such an offer.
Originally, of course, Victor's response to Reed's offer was more terse; but that aside, it's here that we get a strong indication that something about Brubaker's story isn't quite adding up. In this case, Doom almost appears to be adjusting his narrative to favor himself in the opinion of whoever he's responding to off-panel, and it could be as simple as that; but there's also the fact that the military, though clearly catering to Victor, has little reason to build and equip a lab for him that's attached to his dorm room, and more reason to insist that any such work be conducted and logged on their own premises. It all seems plausible--but there's something you can't put your finger on.
Regardless, Victor's studies at ESU proceed, and he finds himself immersed in charting his future, at least as far as his benefactors believe. But he never loses sight of his true objective--only now, with the resources at his disposal courtesy of the military, he's unknowingly veering toward disaster.
Another curious deviation by Brubaker--and this time not so subtle, given the very pivotal scene that we're dealing with: No mention by Reed whatsoever of Victor's equation computations, beyond the fact that they're way over his head. Instead, the failure of Victor's experiment will be the result of another meeting entirely.
Yet the experiment is successful to a point, in that Victor is able to see for the first time his mother in torment in the nether realm--only to be summarily rebuffed by the hellish demon who holds her, and permanently scarred by the experience. In more ways than one.
Expelled by the Dean, though assured by his "sponsors" that the University's actions wouldn't affect his work with the military, Victor is oblivious to all but his own pain, failure, and perceived weakness. Using the deadly inventions he's already created, he severs ties with those who brought him to America for their own purposes by obliterating all of his projects and data before disappearing, leaving the country for eastern Europe--yet still plagued by nightmares of not only what he saw during his experiment, but the mocking words of the demon who torments him with both his failure and the implication that he has become what the demon is. "I am inside you now... I flow in your cold veins like lifeblood... so how can you run from yourself?" Even his scarring reacts as if from the demon's touch--and for now it's not possible to say how much of this stems from his experiment, or from his sense of guilt.
In such a profile of Doom's early years, it was no surprise in this story to see Brubaker devote certain of its segments to the character of Valeria, Victor's childhood friend who would become much more to him. As we reach such a low point for him, this part of Victor's story--with its focus on Victor's recovery and coming back from near rock bottom--makes it the perfect point to pivot and bring Valeria back into his life to offer him a different path forward, while healing his spirit and soul.
Regrettably, their interlude isn't free of conflict, as a group of Soviets--unsuccessful in their first attempt to conscript Victor--return and attempt to do so by force, by holding Valeria at gunpoint and threatening her life if he doesn't comply with their wishes. Yet her life is saved by a counter-attack of technology and magic--not of Victor's doing, but of an old man who dies while urging Victor to seek out a temple in Tibet where he would learn the ancient secrets of those who dwell there. It's an offer that gives his life purpose and drive once more, an offer that sways Victor more than Valeria's heartfelt words--made by one who obviously knows a great deal about Victor von Doom and senses his destiny.
And so he abandons the girl he loves, and begins a journey to a secluded place in the mountains that will change his life forever--while unleashing on the world a nemesis the likes of which the world will never forget.
NEXT:
 | Books Of Doom, #s 1-3 Script: Ed Brubaker Pencils: Pablo Raimondi Inks: Mark Farmer Letterer: Russ Wooton |
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