Customer Reviews

The Villainy of Doctor Doom (Marvel Comics)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am one of the biggest Doctor Doom Fans of all time. I bought this book because the cover was a previously unpublished masterpiece by Jack Kirby which is gold. Where this book fell way short was the incomplete reprints of a few of the issues. It was noticeable that parts of the book were cut out, and that is a big sticking point for me. I felt cheated on the full story. Where Marvel usaully leaves me grinning ear to ear with the Trade Paperbacks, I was left needing more. Dr. Doom was definately villainous in this as we get to see two of the greatest FF writers in Stan Lee, and John Byrne and two of the greatest Pencillers of all time Kirby, and Byrne. But the incomplete issues left me feeling cheated on the full scope of the book. And I think they could have found some other comics where Doom proved his evil than just the Fantastic Four. The book is called the Villany of Dr. Doom not the Fantastic Four vs. Doctor Doom, seeing him clash with the Avengers, The X-Men, Spider-Man or the Hulk would have made this a more enjoyable book. But Doom is awesome and this book is good when it does not clip out part of the comic.

Some of the finest FF stories featuring Dr Doom collected in a single volume. FF #39-40 is here, a fabulous story where the Fantastic Four try to regain the Baxter Building from Doctor Doom without their powers. Also included is FF #84-87, where the FF go to Latveria. Beautiful Jack Kirby art never has looked better. They should have included the story where Dr Doom stole the Silver Surfer's powers or FF #200 (Doom vs Reed alone). The stories appear to be edited with some scenes being omitted. However, all faults aside, this is a good volume with great stories and art.

The book was a dissapointment for me. I am a big Dr Doom fan and expected a lot better. I thought about returning it, but i usually keep the comics i buy, just to add to my collection. The highlight of the entire book seems to be the fight between the thing and the doc in the battle of the baxter building. Other than that it was a let-down. The writing in some of the stories did dissapoint me at times and devaluated my image of the charater of Dr Doom. In one story, when Doom refered to two bombs he had set, he replied: "my subjects!!----I forgot!!" It may seem my complaint is over the top, but the Doom we all know would never admit to a fault. This is but one example of one the times i felt let down by the writers. Additionally, since the book featured more footage of the fantastic four than Dr Doom, it probably should be called Doom V the FF, at the least!Overall, I wasn't too impressed with the book but I guess if you are a true Dr Doom fan, you probably better see for yourself, afterall, you can always return it. As a final note, i will say to any Dr Doom fan who has not read Triumph and Torment, you must read this book to see Doom at his finest...

JACK KIRBY IS STILL THE KING OF COMIC BOOKS!!! Yes, I hate to admit it, but I agree with most of the other reviewers that the writing in this graphic novel reprint of some old FANTASTIC FOUR stories is not Kirby's best work--or even the best Dr. Doom appearances, because those were issues 57-60!!!--but even a Kirby collection at 80% is still better than 90% of other comic books, and so I rate this graphic novel 4 stars.

But Kirby's artwork--inked by INKER SUPREME JOE SINNOTT, THE MOST UNDERRATED MAN IN THE HISTORY OF COMIC BOOKS JUST FOR HIS INKING OF JACK KIRBY'S WORK!!!--in reprinted issues 84 through 87 is...FANTASTIC!!! And that's not just the way they drew Dr. Doom, but also Mr. Fantastic, The Torch, The Thing, the supporting characters, the scenery, and of course, the women!!!

I've bought a lot of graphic novels over the years--including the first ever printed, THE ORIGINS OF MARVEL HEROES--but I'd probably rank THE VILLAINY OF DR. DOOM #2 after that, because...

JACK KIRBY IS STILL THE KING OF COMIC BOOKS!!!

Chari Krishnan RESEARCHKING

Do you like art of Jack Kirby? Do you enjoy scripts of Stan Lee? Do you consider John Byrne excellent author? I do. And I do love comics of yesteryears. For me there is no other possibility: five stars, no less.