Marvel Read-Through: Doomquest
Tony Stark has overcome his bout with alcoholism, Iron Man has alleviated his stress by stepping down as leader of the Avengers, so things seem to be going right for the beloved hero. That is, until Doctor Doom comes along. The Fantastic Four’s arch-nemesis goes head-to-head — and teams up — with shellhead for a change in Doomquest, David Michelinie and Bob Layton’s celebratory 150th issue extravaganza.
Michelinie is not at his best; Demon in a Bottle didn’t meet my expectations, and Avengers #200 was a disaster to say the least. Can he redeem himself with this one? Ehhhh, kind of. Doomquest is good, there’s no denying that. It’s above average when compared to every comic I’ve read. Maybe it’s unfair coming off of Days of Future Past because most comics are a downgrade from that. But trying to be as fair and partial as possible, I can say that this is a perfectly enjoyable two-issue arc, but it won’t be making any top 10 lists.
When Tony discovers a sale between Stark Industries and Latveria, he promptly fires the man responsible and cancels the delivery. Doctor Doom ends up stealing the shipment so Tony goes to Latveria to deal with him personally. It’s a wonderful moment for Tony, exemplifying his heroic arc after realizing the damage he’s done as a weapons manufacturer and salesman. This is why Tony became Iron Man in the first place, so bringing that back is a genius move to set up an anniversary issue.
A disgruntled scientist working for Doom interferes during the ensuing fight and sends Iron man and Doom back in time before destroying the machine. The unlikely duo is now trapped in Camelot in the time of King Arthur. Doom seeks out Morgana Le Fay to learn her ancient magic and in return commands an undead army to attack Camelot. Iron Man’s technology is beyond Morgana’s comprehension so she flees, ending the undead assault.
Still trapped, the two geniuses are forced to work together to build a time machine and get back to the present day. Their adventure over, the two acknowledge their temporary truce, but Doom vows that he will come for Iron Man one day. It’s a fun quest, full of comic book-y magic and action. I had a good time reading it.
Both characters are very well-written here, but it is Doctor Doom who truly shines in this arc. It’s the perfect Doom story for me. He’s evil, he uses science and magic, but most of all it is his hubris that is his downfall. Underestimating Iron Man and King Arthur and refusing to see that he could possibly lose are Doom’s mistakes that lead to his defeat. And that’s Doom in a nutshell: he’s a genius, but he can’t see past his own arrogance. Michelinie might not be writing the most compelling plots, but when he focuses on a character, he excels. Doom’s pride is articulated so well, it is the standout part of Doomquest (similar to how Demon in a Bottle’s standout was Tony’s internal struggle). But when Doom has to set aside his pride and ask Tony to work together is where the characterization is perfect. Doom is a genius after all, and even he knows when it’s time to team up with a foe. Excellent characterization throughout.
My biggest compliments here goes to the artwork. John Romita Jr. is the star of both issues. The character designs and action are stunning, while his landscapes and settings are beautiful. He’s proven why he’s a Marvel legend right here. You can see Kirby, Ditko, and his father’s influences, but he still has his own distinct style.
I guess I don’t have much else to say about Doomquest. I’m glad I read it. It was good, but mostly standard. A showcase for Doom and for Romita Jr.
Next: We bid farewell to our beloved Mar-Vell
Issues Read:
Iron Man #149–150
Favorite issue: 150 is where all the action happens
