Marvel's Doctor Doom Is Getting an Avengers Team: Meet the Superior Avengers
The world of Marvel superheroes has a new threat to worry about, as Doctor Doom is using his new role as leader of the entire world to unite villains into his own new super team. But who are the Superior Avengers, and what is their mission in Marvel's grim new world?
The series from Steve Foxe and Luca Marseca ties directly into Marvel’s next major crossover event, One World Under Doom. The six-part miniseries features an uncanny cast of heroes that, while familiar at first glance, is anything but. In an interview with Marvel Comics, the series’ writer Steve Foxe offered some insight on what’s to be expected from this cast of Avengers.
According to Foxe, Superior Avengers will offer “some of the most ruthless, wide-scale action [Foxe] has ever written.” If the title is any hint as to the series’ direction, readers should remember the last time a villain called themselves the “superior” hero. Now Marvel’s biggest villains are coming together to defeat the Avengers with their greatest weapon: themselves.
Doctor Doom Isn't the First Villain to Pretend to Be a Superior Hero
These Villains Genuinely Believe They Can Do Better
"The Avengers that readers are going to meet here may have familiar names, but you’ll quickly come to learn why they consider themselves superior to other teams. This book features some of the most ruthless, wide-scale action I’ve ever written at Marvel, and I’m so thrilled to be telling this story alongside Luca Maresca. Luca nails both the subtler mind games at play in our story and the (sometimes literally) breakneck action." - Steve Foxe
As much as Doctor Doom wants to play hero, he knows that nearly every hero in the world is unifying to stop him. The Avengers, the world’s greatest defense force against evil, have fervently opposed the Emperor Supreme’s rise to power, terrified that his version of a peaceful world will just create an oppressive global regime. Doctor Doom doesn’t look to be trying very hard to fight those allegations. While not much is officially known about Doom’s Superior Avengers, these heroes won’t be the first to have assumed a station that was not theirs to take.
In 2013, Marvel debuted the Superior Spider-Man, another comic series that featured a major Marvel villain taking over the body and responsibility of a hero. Doctor Octopus had attempted to steal Peter Parker’s body, but after successfully doing so, decided to put aside his villainous ways and become a better Spider-Man than Peter ever was. Based on the cover art for Superior Avengers #1, it’s safe to say that Doctor Doom has taken notes from Doc Oc’s previous work. While the Superior Avengers look powerful, this isn’t the first time a team of pretenders has tried to usurp the Avengers.
Malekith Makes His Return With The Superior Avengers
Not Even Death Can Stop Doctor Doom
"Doctor Doom is one of my favorite villains, and I can't wait for fans to learn the story of his new Avengers. In designing these characters, I tried to keep as many elements of their classic versions as possible. In clothing or equipment, they always have some reference to their source character or their media versions. I was very excited to co-create new Marvel characters. Giving them a life and a new identity is something I love to do, and as the story progresses, I’m excited to peel back their layers, deepening them and baring their soul! Readers are in for some big surprises!" - Luca Maresca
Composed of Abomination, Doctor Octopus, Ghost, Killmonger, Malekith, and Onslaught, the Superior Avengers are a stacked cast of villains. These are some of the biggest villains in Marvel history, most of whom are nemesis to Marvel’s equally powerful heroes. While most of the names are independent threats, there is one member that could spell even bigger problems for the Avengers in the future. While not present on the Superior Avengers #1 cover art, Malekith is an extraordinary member to have been drafted into Doom’s team.
While Malekith died at the end of the event, Doctor Doom is the new Sorcerer Supreme and death is not beyond his reach.
Malekith already threatened to overthrow the Earth during the War of the Realms event. He despises Midgard, believing humans are the lowest of the Ten Realm’s races. While Malekith died at the end of the event, Doctor Doom is the new Sorcerer Supreme and death is not beyond his reach. Since taking the mantle, Doom has been locked inside an iron dome, leaving the Avengers clueless about his plans. Little do they know that when Doctor Doom is ready to take the barrier down they will have to face their “superior” evil opposites and the magic of a long-dead conqueror.
Superior Avengers #1 will be available on April 16 from Marvel Comics.
