Doctor Doom Takes A Vacation

[shakalooloo]

Canto Bight was fully booked.

Take a drink at every hypocrisy to consign your liver to DOOM.










Astonishing Tales issues 4-5, written by Larry Lieber with art by Wally Wood, save for last scan, which is drawn by George Tuska

Comments

[alicemacher]

I'm told there are stories in which Doom, even as he plots the ruin of Reed Richards and his team, is a benevolent ruler to his Latverian subjects. This is clearly not one of those stories.

As for his hypocrisy... yeah, it's defintely on display here. Partly because, for all his "This bores me" talk, I suspect he rather enjoyed destroying that casino. Though he'd consider it beneath him to admit it.

[icon_uk]

Yes, there are two basic types of rule of Doom in Latveria, which vary from writer to writer and era to era.

The above, where everyone lives in fear of him because he is a despotic ruler with no actual interest in those he rules.

And the other, later, stories where he uses his genius to make Latveria a place where there is always food, the finest healthcare (at no charge), an average income greater than anywhere else on earth, and everyone lives in complete confidence in their continued safety thanks to a national weapons system that makes NATO look like the Girl Guides.

He's STILL an absolute despotic ruler, but whether through political savvy or genuine concern, he wants his sheep to be happy and to love him mindlessly for that, especially as that tends to damp down rebellions and uprisings as they can't get popular support.

"It is better to be 'loved', than 'feared'" as Macchiavelli put it.

"It is better to be 'permanent' than either" as Lord Vetinari appended.

[lonewolf23k]

As we can sadly see in many real-world dictatorships, there are plenty of those where there are just as many people who genuinely love their tyrannical ruler, as those who simply obey out of fear.

So in my mind's eye, Doom's "real" Latveria lies somewhere between the "Doom is feared and obeyed by a terrified populace" and "Doom is a benevolent ruler loved by his people."

I can definitely see Doom as the kind of guy who makes sure the people of Latveria are well-fed, healthy and safe, but only because they're HIS people. And his love and care is absolutely NOT unconditional. Turn against Doom, and you will pay the price.

Remember, Macchiavelli said it is better to be Feared than Loved if you cannot be both. And Doom makes sure he is BOTH.

[lbd_nytetrayn]

This is what I was thinking. There are multiple sides to many things, and viewpoints can vary depending on who you ask. It's practically a constant in life today.

I kind of wish Marvel would lean into that more here.

[donnblake]

Yes- Doom oscillates between Petty Tyrant and Well Meaning Tyrant (Who is Incredibly Petty About Other Things, Especially Involving That Accursed RICHAAAAAAAAARDS!).

[thanekos]

The man who broke everything at Monte Carlo.

[tinygaylaura]

The moral of the story is don't accuse a man wearing a magical murder tank as formal wear of counting cards

[super_fly]

"I shall take a holiday while my people labour tirelessly for my benefit!"

That's some Ted Cruz leadership right there.