The Superior Avengers #6 – Misguided Doom

The Superior Avengers #6 by Steve Foxe, Kyle Hotz, Luca Maresca, Rachelle Rosenberg & Mattia Iacono & Cory Petit, Marvel Comics.

THE STORY SO FAR

Previously, Doctor Doom tasked Kristoff Vernard with searching for proof of his success in the future. Doom took over the world as Sorcerer Supreme. As such, Doom believed his success inevitable. Vernard ventured into the future which led to the discovery of the Superior Avengers.

A group sanctioned by Doctor Doom himself. Seemingly reformed villains based on their mantles. Such as Killmonger, Malekith, Onslaught and others. When they arrived, Doom claimed them as his Avengers. But more importantly, propaganda tools for Doctor Doom’s regime.  

ANNO-DOOM +128

However, the Superior Avengers seemed to work for Doctor Doom, they had ulterior motives of their own. Turned out, these members of Doom’s court betrayed him in the future. Unfortunately, they were not aware that Doom had merged all magic with himself.

So, the moment Doom perished, so did magic with him. The death of Doom left the world exposed and wide opened for an Annhilus Wave invasion. When Kristoff Vernard summoned them, the Superior Avengers found a way to stop their future disaster.

THE ARCANE WARHEAD

Since their arrival they have executed a plan to stop Annhilus in the future. First, they stole the Arcane Warhead from the Negative Zone. Then, Onslaught and Malekith harnessed or stole as much magic as they could get their hands on.

Finally, they fueled the Arcane Warhead with the stolen magic. While at the same time fighting the Avengers, doing any mission assigned by Doctor Doom and being paraded as the living proof of Doom’s inevitable success.

ANNHILATION PARADOX

Previously, issue #5 revealed the predicament of the Superior Avengers. Just as their own actions unleashed their doom in the future, we saw the same correlation in the present. When they decided to kill Doctor Doom in the future, they were not aware of the consequences. Because Doom had been isolated for years, merging all magic with himself in secrecy.

Unbeknownst to the Superior Avengers, they had brought the Annhilus Wave with them from the future. The muscle of the team, Abomination, had been possessed by Annhilus during a mission. Now, just before they sent the Arcane Warhead to the future to stop the invasion of their world, Annhilus revealed himself from within their teammate Abomination.

*SPOILERS AHEAD FOR ISSUE #6*

FROM SOLICITATION:

“AVENGERS: DISASSEMBLED! Kristoff did everything he could to make his father, VICTOR VON DOOM, proud. This may be his biggest failure ever.” (Marvel Comics)

WHO CAN STOP ANNHILATION?

With the chips down, doom was inevitable. Without Ghost, Abomination and no Arcane Warhead. The Superior Avengers were left with Killmonger, Doctor Octopus, Onslaught and Malekith. They were clearly outmatched. Even though there was no wave to fight. Annhilus alone was a problem for just about anyone.

ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM

Eventually, Doctor Doom himself made his entrance. All this ruckus at Doomstadt castle drew the attention of the Sorcerer Supreme. Without skipping a beat, Doom took control of the situation by instructing Kristoff Vernard what to do.

One by one the Superior Avengers fell. By Doctor Doom’s machinations. Or in the case of Killmonger, by the revenge of Ghost. After the dust settled, the Superior Avengers were no more. Along with Annhilus who was slayed by Kristoff Vernard. With the help of Doctor Doom.

ANNO-DOOM’s TIMELINE SECRET

Anno-Doom +47: Victor Von Doom the Sorcerer Supreme reached all possible knowledge of magic. Therefore, he decided to leave for another plane of existence. But before he left, he passed on to Kristoff Vernard the office and responsibilities of Sorcerer Supreme.

Who in turn, also took on the mantle of Doom. So, every flashback shown so far from the future were not of Victor Von Doom. Instead, it was Kristoff, his adopted son. Killmonger’s entire life purpose was built on her hatred for a paradox of a man under someone else’s mask.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

The appearance of Annhilus in the present timeline allowed Luca Maresca and Mattia Iacono the opportunity to create some incredible action sequences. The resolution of the conflict was filled with high stakes, vibrant action and amazing feats of power and magic.

Although the future timeline has been depicted gnarly and barren. The final scene between Victor Von Doom and Kristoff Vernard was very peaceful and majestic. Proving that even at the worst of times, there can be beauty and heartfelt moments.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Steve Foxe managed to subvert expectations of this story. This story was a tie-in to “One World Under Doom”. Which doesn’t necessarily change the course of that event. At least not yet. But it did manage to add another wrinkle to Doom as Sorcerer Supreme and ruler. Eventually, Victor Von Doom abandoned the world in search of more knowledge and purpose.

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