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Doctor Doom Reading Order

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Meet Doctor Doom! With recent news that Robert Downey Jr. (aka Iron Man) will portray Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making his first appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) in a post-credits scene, the popularity of the monarch of Latveria is sure to spike! Not that he needed it—he’s already one of Marvel’s most iconic supervillains.

If you’re here today, it’s because you want to learn more about Doctor Doom, alias Victor Von Doom! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as a “super sensational new villain,” he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962), with his origin story revealed two years later in Fantastic Four Annual #2.

Raised as part of a Latverian Romani tribe, Victor’s mother died when he was young, sacrificing herself to the dark arts. His father was killed while trying to escape an order from Baron Von Doom. Victor survived and discovered his mother’s occult instruments. He chose to study both magic and science, aiming to combine the two. Obsessed with building a machine to free his mother’s soul, his invention backfired and scarred his face. Doom then embraced his iconic iron mask and emerald cowl, becoming Doctor Doom!

As a villain, Doom is a force to be reckoned with. He is a master of both science and the mystic arts, an expert combatant and swordsman, an artist and a pianist, a charismatic leader, and much more. His only and greatest weakness—if you could call it that—is his ego!

Doom is primarily the arch-enemy of Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, but he has also clashed with many other Marvel superheroes, including Thor, Spider-Man, The Avengers, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Iron Man. Occasionally, he acts as an anti-hero when it, of course, serves his interests.

Minions of Doom, we invite you to check out our Doctor Doom Reading Order to know more about your Supreme Leader!

Doctor Doom Comics Reading Order

This reading order wouldn’t have been possible without the works of Roarian at Sufficient Velocity and Comics Archeology. Go check them out!

As Doom is the arch-enemy of the Fantastic Four, we also invite you to check out our Complete Fantastic Four reading order for all the adventures of Marvel’s First Family (with or without Doom).

Where to Start with Doctor Doom? The Book of Doom!

Bow before the majesty of Doctor Doom! Marvel had the good idea to celebrate the character with an omnibus collecting the most important story of the past six decades! Featuring the Latverian ruler’s first battle with the accursed Reed Richards and his Fantastic Four — and their most epic clashes since! Plus, Doom’s unforgettable encounters with Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men and the Avengers! A trip to hell with Doctor Strange! The power of the Beyonder! Victor von Doom’s incredible life story is contained in the Book of Doom! And more tales of the Lord of Latveria!

  • Doctor Doom: The Book of Doom Omnibus
    Fantastic Four (vol.1) #5-6, #39–40, #246–247, #258, #278–279, #350, #352; Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #5; Marvel Super-Heroes #20; Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1-2; Super-Villain Team-Up #13-14; Champions (vol. 1) #16; Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14; Uncanny X-Men (vol. 1) #145-147; Iron Man (vol. 1) #149-150; Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #10-12; Marvel Graphic Novel: Emperor Doom, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom – Triumph and Torment; Fantastic Four (vol. 2) #67-70, 500; Fantastic Four Special #1; Books of Doom #1-6; material from Fantastic Four (vol. 1) #236, 358; Fantastic Four Annual #2; Astonishing Tales #1-3, 6–8; Marvel Double-Shot #2

All the issues collected in The Book of Doom Omnibus are indicated in green in the reading order.

Doctor Doom in Marvel’s ’60s & ’70s

Want more Doom? Dive into Doctor Doom’s history, including his first battles against the Fantastic Four, his “Freaky Friday” story with Daredevil, his epic fight against Thor, his early encounters with Namor, and much more!

Marvel Super-Heroes #20

Super-Villain Team-Up! Doctor Doom didn’t have his own series and Namor had just lost his. So what’s better than a team-up? However, it doesn’t take long for the Sub-Mariner to regret his decision. He soon discovers that it’s not easy to walk away from a pact with Doom. Can anything rescue him from this torturous alliance?

Bow to Doctor Doom! Marvel Comics’ Iconic Villain in the ’80s

The beginning of the 1980s was marked by John Byrne’s six-year run on Fantastic Four where Doom was a major villain. He made Victor a ruthless leader, but a man of honor. Doom also appeared in other comics, including Iron Man, Cloak and Dagger, and… Dazzler! And he also participates in some Marvel events:

Secret Wars! Drawn from Earth across the stars, the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes and villains are set against one another by the mysterious and all-powerful Beyonder — with the winner promised the ultimate prize! But as battle lines are drawn, new alliances forged and old enemies clash, one among them is not willing to settle for anything less than godhood. Can even the combined might of the Avengers, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men prevent Doctor Doom from becoming the most powerful being in the universe?

  • Secret Wars Omnibus
    Collects Secret Wars (1984) 1-12; Thor (1966) 383; She-Hulk (2004) 10; What If? (1989) 4, 114
Secret Wars #10

Acts of Vengeance! Loki’s villainous schemes play out across the Marvel Universe, as an array of heroes face unfamiliar enemies! For Doom, it means fighting The Punisher! Though Doom appears in several issues of this event, his role is not that big.

The Life and Death of Doctor Doom in the ’90s Era

The ’90s were a tough period for Doctor Doom, with our Supreme Leader dying more than once and being exiled from Latveria. However, there’s a silver lining in the form of another famous version: Doom 2099! You can explore our Marvel 2099 reading order to learn more about this futuristic world and discover Doom’s stories written by Warren Ellis.

Infinity Gauntlet! Death has released Thanos from her cold embrace, and he plans to repay her by murdering half the universe! But even as the Mad Titan gathers the six Infinity Gems from across the galaxy, assembling them into the Infinity Gauntlet and gaining truly godlike powers, a host of heroes gather to oppose him – including the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Doctor Strange and the Hulk! Even with Doctor Doom, Galactus and the universe’s cosmic powers aiding them, can Marvel’s mightiest possibly prevail against Thanos the all-powerful? See our reading order for more information about this event where Dr. Doom is not really on the side of the villain!

  • Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus
    Collects Silver Surfer (1987) #34-38, 40, 44-60, Thanos Quest (1990) #1-2, Infinity Gauntlet #1-6, Cloak & Dagger (1988) #18, Spider-Man (1990) #17, Incredible Hulk (1968) #383-385, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #31-36, Quasar (1989) #26-27, Sleepwalker (1991) #7.

Infinity War! The Infinity Saga continues with a second part where Doom participates in a limited role. Adam Warlock’s dark half has resurfaced. The Magus is here. And the cosmos shall feel his wrath! As the Magus schemes for ultimate power, an army of evil doppelgangers overwhelms Earth’s heroes, Dr. Strange and Galactus seek answers and Thanos enters the fray -alongside the Infinity Watch! Can the Avengers, X-Men and more turn the tide? To defeat the Magus, Eternity must be awakened…and the Infinity Gauntlet reassembled!

  • Infinity War Omnibus
    Collects Infinity War #1-6, Fantastic Four (1961) #366-370, Spider-Man (1990) #24, Deathlok (1991) #16, Daredevil (1964) #310, Warlock And The Infinity Watch 7-10, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme 42-47, Silver Surfer (1987) #67-69, Wonder Man (1991) #13-15, Alpha Flight (1983) #110-112, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack 4-5, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1990) #27-29, Quasar 37-40, New Warriors (1990) #27, Marc Spector: Moon Knight 41-44, Nomad (1992) #7, Sleepwalker 18, Material From Captain America (1968) #408, Alpha Flight (1983) #109, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #108-112.

After this issue, Doom is completely absent until 1995, though there are several issues where someone else pretends to be Doom:

Doom is back! Unfortunately, he doesn’t make a worthy comeback after two years of absence, and even his meeting with Doom 2099 is not that worthwhile. And soon enough, Doom finds himself entangled in another Marvel event for a few issues!

Onslaught! The psionic force of nature known only as Onslaught sprang forth from the fractured psyche of mutant mentor Charles Xavier and the genetic terrorist called Magneto. Powered by his progenitors’ rage, Onslaught laid siege to humanity — touching off a cataclysmic conflict destined to deprive a world of its most revered icons! Doctor Doom appears in a few issues of this X-Men crossover, but it has an impact on his story as he is presumed dead again, like many Marvel Superheroes at the time! Check out our Onslaught reading order for more information.

As Doom is once again supposed dead (and part of Heroes Reborn, see below) and a few issues covers what happens in Earth-616, when the Master was away:

Heroes Reborn and Return

With the Onslaught Saga, the Marvel Universe was… changed. Following the apparent deaths of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and Doctor Doom, Marvel asked the Image Comics founder to come back to relaunch their heroes. This led to the Heroes Reborn era where our superheroes have been transported into a pocket universe by Franklin Richards. During this short period, Doctor Doom is mostly present in the Fantastic Four.

One year later, the Celestials asked that Franklin Richards eliminate one of the two universes. He, of course, decided to keep Earth-616 alive and well, but he also worked to bring back everybody before the disappearance of the Alternate Universe. But Doom messes with the plan, and as he attempts to take over the ship, Thor fights him and both of them are sent to another dimension. And so, Doom becomes the savior for all the people left behind…

  • Heroes Reborn: The Original Epic Omnibus
    Collects Heroes Reborn (1996) 1/2, Captain America (1996) #1-12, Avengers (1996) #1-12, Fantastic Four (1996) #1-12, Iron Man (1996) #1-12, material from Incredible Hulk (1968) #450.
  • Heroes Reborn: The Return Omnibus
    Collecting Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4; Thor Annual 1999; Heroes Reborn: Doomsday, Ashema, Masters Of Evil, Rebel, Remnants, Young Allies And Doom; Fantastic Four (1998) #25 And #31; Doom #1-3; Doom: The Emperor Returns #1-3; Thunderbolts (1997) #51-52, #60-62, #64, #66, #68, #70, #72 And #74; Exiles (2001) #81-82; Onslaught Reborn #1-5; Onslaught Unleashed #1-4; And Marvel Spotlight: Heroes Reborn/Onslaught Reborn

Doctor Doom, Master of Evil in the 2000s

Doctor Doom became more prominent in this era, obviously boosted by the release of the two Fantastic Four movies (in 2005 and 2007). Why not begin this period with what is now considered a classic Doom story? This is Books of Doom, a re-telling of Victor Von Doom’s origins by Ed Brubaker and Pablo Raimondi. From the black steppes of Eastern Europe, to the college campuses of New York City, and finally to the throne of Latveria — this is the life of Von Doom!

As Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s run on the Fantastic Four begins, Dr. Doom still wants to destroy Marvel’s First Family. Soon a Civil war (see reading order) divided our superheroes and launched a tumultuous and dark period in the Marvel Universe…

Dark Reign! In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion (see reading order), Norman Osborn came out as a hero and rise to national power. This led us to Dark Reign, a period in the Marvel Universe where the former Green Goblin was in control and Doom was part of the Cabal — see the Dark Reign reading order for a complete list.

It’s also the moment when Jonathan Hickman took over Fantastic Four and produced one of the most celebrated runs of modern Marvel comics. If Doom is not present in all the issues, it is advised, even for Doom Minions, to read the complete run for a better comprehension of the story. For a reading order issue by issue (and in trade paperbacks), see our dedicated Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four reading order.

Doom enters the 2010s and the Heroic Age

The Dark Reign era came to a conclusion with Siege (see reading order). After some dark years, we entered the Heroic Age. Jonathan Hickman’s run on the Fantastic Four continues, The Young Avengers meets Doctor Doom, and Bucky comes face-to-face with the ruler of Latveria.

Fantastic Four (1998) #582

Doctor Doom, The Supreme Leader in Marvel Now (2012-2015)

It’s time for Marvel Now, when Doctor Doom can be found mostly around the Avengers. The Supreme Leader finds himself casting a spell with the Scarlet Witch during the AXIS event (see reading order) and became the nicest he’s ever been for a short time.

  • She-Hulk Vol. 3 #3-4
    Collected in She-Hulk Volume 1: Law and Disorder
  • Avengers & X-Men: Axis
    Collects Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1-9. Doom appears in the following ties-in:

    • Loki: Agent of Asgard #6-8
    • Magneto #11-12
    • Deadpool #36, #39
    • Axis: Carnage #1
    • Avengers World #15-16 (offers a sort of follow up to Children’s Crusade)
    • Axis: Revolutions #4
    • Avengers & X-Men: Axis #6-9

Soon enough, Time Runs out as it is the end of Jonathan Hickman’s run on The Avengers and you can count on Doctor Doom to play a part in this important event, leading us to a Secret Wars…

The 2015 Secret Wars! The interdimensional Incursions have eliminated each and every alternate universe one by one. And now, the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe have collided…and been destroyed! All that exists in the vast empty cosmos is a single, titanic patchwork planet made of the fragmented remains of hundreds of devastated dimensions: Battleworld! Go here to find the full reading order of the event.

  • Secret Wars
    Collects Secret Wars #0,#1-9, Free Comic Book Day 2015.

Doctor Doom is the infamous Iron Man!

Following the events of Secret Wars, the Marvel Universe was relaunched, with Doom as a new man! He decides to search for new ways to find personal realization and when Tony Stark falls into a coma, he takes up the mantle of Iron Man, becoming the Infamous Iron Man!

Victor Von Doom is Infamous Iron Man

Civil War IIThere is another Civil War. This time, Tony Stark and Captain Marvel fight each other when a new Inhuman emerges, with the ability to profile the future. Doom doesn’t play a part in it, but this event has ramifications for Tony Stark, and why Doom chooses to take the Iron Man mantle. See our Civil War II reading order for more information about this event.

The Return of Doom

After a short stint as Infamous Iron Man, it’s time for Doom to take back the reign of Latveria and his rightful place in the Marvel Universe. Better yet, Doctor Doom is finally headlining his own solo series written by Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell.

Doctor Doom: Pottersville

It’s time for The Reckoning War! Doctor Doom prepares for the event with a wedding and a trip in space with the Guardians of the Galaxy before going into action in Fantastic Four for the end of Dan Slott’s run on the title.

For some optional reading, Doom also pops up in Thor for another ambitious plan of his, whose “plot lies deep in Asgard’s history” (if you believe Marvel!), before Eddie Brock needs something from him in Venom.

If you like the interaction between Doom and The X-Men, the leader of Latveria has recently introduce the Seven Daggers of Latveria, a group of mutants from Latveria:

Doctor Doom, Powerful Sorcerer in the Marvel Universe

Doom is right now involved in one Marvel event or another, but before discovering the recent attaks affecting the Marvel Universe, you can take a little detour for a one-shot featuring Doom. Set in the near future, Marvel’s most notorious villain, Doctor Doom, is the only man that can save the Marvel Universe – in a story from writer Jonathan Hickman.

When the entire world was enveloped in Darkforce, the sun was blocked, allowing vampires to begin their global conquest—known as the Blood Hunt. During this Marvel event, Doom seized the opportunity to gain more power before getting involved in the Venom War.

  • Blood Hunt
    Collects Blood Hunt (2024) #1-5. Doctor Doom is also present in Blood Hunters #3 set after Blood Hunt #4.
  • Coming soon… Venom War: Fantastic Four #1

Did we forget an important issue? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

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