If told a couple of years ago, few Marvel fans would believe thatFortnitewould create one of the most threatening non-comic interpretations of Doctor Doom. In the present, though, this assertion proves to be correct;Fortnite’s interpretation of Victor Von Doom is an unparalleled menace.
Doctor Doom is no stranger to video game portrayals, considering his status as one of Marvel’s oldest and most beloved antagonists. However, 2024 has really starteda gaming renaissance for Marvel’s Doctor Doom—coinciding with his role as the MCU’s next big threat. Not only is he headlining inFortnite, enjoying the focus of a massive live-service title, but he’ll also be the main villain inMarvel Rivals—the brand’s answer to games likeOverwatch 2andValorant.
Fortnite’s Doctor Doom Is What A Future Fantastic Four Game Should Aspire To
On the subject of the former,Fortnitehas made Doctor Doomthe cosmic threat he ought to be. Epic Games' live-service darling isn’t known for massively advancing the characters it uses, erring on the side of what’s been established without creative liberties. Despite this reputation,Fortnitehas gone above and beyond when it comes to empowering Victor Von Doom—from giving him a grisly trophy hoard to having him punch far above his weight on the power scale. Now that the Fantastic Four are finally returning to the pop-culture zeitgeist, any games based on them should take notes fromFortnite.
How Fortnite Gave Doom His Groove Back
After years of being upstaged by the likes of Thanos and Green Goblin, Dr. Doom is getting his time in the cross-media limelight. Coinciding with the announcement ofAvengers: Doomsdayand Robert Downey Jr.’s castingas Doom,Fortnitegot the chance to make the villain a main feature of its latest season. This version of Doom proudly displays his kills, a list that probably includes the dead Galactus bobbing in the water. Felling the world-eater Galactus is incredibly impressive, but Doom has more trophies still. Versions of The Silver Surfer, Thanos, Ultron, Magneto, Namor, and Doctor Strange have all been slain by Doom—placing him squarely at the top of the food chain.
The Fantastic Four, Doom’s nemeses, get it the worst. The Thing has been horribly contorted, his body twisted into Doom’s throne. Human Torch’s heart has been carved out for use as a fireplace, while Invisible Woman’s cell is a glass cage with an empty chair—implying that her corpse is lying there on full display. Mr. Fantastic got a darker fate yet, his still-living body crushed into a twitching ball. Across all of his many interpretations,Fortnite’s Doctor Doom is one of the strongest.
Fortnite Doom’s Ruthlessness Should Be Accounted For In Future Fantastic Four Games
Despite being one of Marvel’s oldest superhero teams, the Fantastic Four have been getting the shaft at every turn—and Doctor Doom has long outpaced them, being used as an antagonist across Marvel’s canon. Luckily, withTheFantastic Four: First Stepscoming in 2025, theFantastic Four may get another shot in gaming.
Fortnite’s Doom is a great case studyfor such a game, encompassing much of what makes the character great. Firstly, his hatred of the Fantastic Four (and Reed Richards in particular) is well shown by his special treatment of them. His power level is also excellently demonstrated; not every version of Doom should be able to kill Galactus, but his Machiavellian grandeur, world-conquering ego, and terrifying intellect should make him a threat to the world.
While there’s a lot to say about Doom’s more lawful behavior, the nuances that give him gentlemanly characteristics, his wrath shouldn’t go understated. The way he turns those he slaughters into grim trophies, especially in the Fantastic Four’s case, is a great way to keep him firmly of evil alignment.
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