The rivalry between Doctor Doom and Reed Richards is one of the greatest in all of Marvel Comics. A new comic special set in the days before the foundation of the Fantastic Four introduces a minor change to the origins of that relationship. However, this retcon only serves to make the feud even sadder on several levels.
The retcon is introduced in Challenges of Doom: Mr. Fantastic #1, by Al Ewing and Mike Henderson. The story draws deeply from the classic origins of Doctor Doom presented by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. However, the retelling introduces two minor changes to the original.
The first is that Doom finds a mistake in Reed’s calculations regarding an experimental rocket when the two scientists first meet. This sets up an ironic echo of the classic origin, where Reed attempted to correct Doctor Doom’s calculations. It also references the mistake that led to the creation of the Fantastic Four, though it is left unclear if that was due to Doom being mistaken or Reed later refusing to follow Doom’s advice.
The other major retcon is that Doctor Doom and Reed Richards establish something close to a traditional friendship. Most retellings of their origins paint Doom as completely anti-social and barely civil to his academic rival professionally. Contrastingly, here the two are chummy enough to share a drink and discuss their having both lost their parents. While the young Victor is still as arrogant as ever, it is hard to see any version of Doctor Doom ever bonding with Reed Richards on this level.
How Doctor Doom and Reed Richards’ friendship changes their Marvel rivalry
It has been observed that Richards and Doom are rivals because of what they share rather than their differences. Challenges of Doom: Mister Fantastic #1 makes a good case for that argument. Ewing examines the common ground the two rivals share in a way that few stories have explored.
Ewing also shows the friendship that might have formed were it not for that common ground. Things might have been different had Reed been gentler in his criticisms and Doom more willing to entertain possibly being wrong. This adds another tragic element to the origin of Doctor Doom.
Challenges of Doom: Mr. Fantastic #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.