The recent trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has ignited considerable fan speculation, particularly regarding Doctor Doom's astonishing display of power where he seemingly repels a blow from Thor's Stormbreaker with only two fingers. This formidable feat, if mirrored in the film, suggests an iteration of Doom far exceeding typical villainous threats and aligns with his portrayal in specific Marvel comic storylines.
The inspiration for this powerful rendition of Doom appears to stem from the "Time Runs Out" comic saga, published between 2014 and 2015. This extensive narrative, primarily featured in Avengers (vol. 5) and New Avengers (vol. 3), served as the culmination of years of intricate storytelling by writer Jonathan Hickman, directly preceding the Secret Wars event. The core conflict of "Time Runs Out" revolves around the "incursions," catastrophic multiversal events where different Earths collide, leading to the destruction of realities.
Within this complex plot, Doctor Strange discovers that the entity known as Rabum Alal, implicated in the incursions, is in fact Victor von Doom from the primary Earth-616. However, Doom's objective is not destruction but salvation. After encountering an artifact from the Mapmakers and later the immensely powerful Molecule Man, Owen Reece, Doom learns that the Beyonders have orchestrated a plan to detonate every universe simultaneously as a grand experiment.
To evade the Beyonders' notice, Doom adopts the mantle of Rabum Alal and even cultivates a following. His initial plan to preemptively kill the Molecule Men across the multiverse proves insufficient, forcing him to collect their power. This accumulation is intended for a final confrontation with the Beyonders.
If Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Secret Wars remain faithful to "Time Runs Out," the MCU's Doctor Doom will likely embody this Rabum Alal persona. This version of Doom transcends his traditional role as a scientific and magical genius, acquiring powers on a scale that dwarfs the abilities of Earth's heroes. The capability to halt Thor's strike with minimal effort would be a trivial display if Doom commands an arsenal of Molecule Men or similar cosmic power sources.
The Rabum Alal iteration offers a compelling exploration of Doom's character, showcasing his insatiable pursuit and absorption of knowledge and power to achieve a higher state of being, a stark contrast to his rival Reed Richards' more detached quest for discovery. This narrative arc culminates in Doom transforming the Molecule Men into a weapon against the Beyonders, ultimately becoming the god of Battleworld, the sole surviving planet after the multiverse's collapse. Nevertheless, his pride ultimately leads to his downfall, as absolute power eludes his grasp.
The portrayal of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be one of the most powerful and fascinating versions of the character seen in the Marvel canon. For MCU fans accustomed to Thanos as the benchmark for villainous might, this iteration of the "smartest man on Earth" may necessitate a reevaluation of their standards.