The Will of Doom #1 Is a Good Epilogue That Doesn’t Do Much to Sell the Future (Review)

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Marvel’s big event comics haven’t been as impactful lately. What used to feel special now feels routine, and it’s hard to get invested knowing the story’s consequences won’t last. A good example is One World Under Doom – the first issue was great, but the story lost momentum and became confusing as it stretched to nine issues and included a lot of unnecessary spin-offs. While not a bad story, it doesn’t carry the weight of classic events like Civil War. The Will of Doom #1 wraps up the One World Under Doom storyline and also sets the stage for Marvel’s next major event, Armageddon, but it’s an uneven read.

Chip Zdarsky, a writer with a fantastic grasp of the Fantastic Four, penned this book, and that really shines through. He previously demonstrated his understanding of the team with the Marvel Two-In-One reboot, and many fans, myself included, hoped he’d get the chance to write their more recent series. Because he truly gets these characters and their dynamic, the dialogue feels natural and strong. Ultimately, this is a fun and well-crafted Fantastic Four story that benefits greatly from Zdarsky’s skill.

Rating: 3.0 out of 5

Pros Cons
Zdarsky unsurprisingly nails the Fantastic Four Repeats the Marvel superhero idea we’ve seen so many times
Interesting main plot Repeats Marvel superhero idea we’ve seen so many times
CAFU’s art is great throughout the issue; it feels like he had a lot of time to draw the issue and it paid off

The comic One World Under Doom suffered from typical problems with Marvel’s large-scale event comics, and this issue feels like a setup for the next big story. It does an okay job of connecting the two. The main storyline is enjoyable, but the smaller plots meant to lead into the next event aren’t very strong. One major theme – superheroes operating outside the law – feels overused, as Marvel has explored this concept repeatedly in past events, and it’s clearly setting up the conflict for Armageddon. While the story isn’t bad, it’s predictable, and it’s easy to guess what will happen and why, making it hard to get truly excited about it.

CAFU’s Art Is Exciting and Emotional

I was surprised to see a slight difference in the art style in this issue, as I had anticipated something more reminiscent of anime or manga – a feeling partly influenced by the artist’s name, which reminded me of UDON. While it wasn’t what I initially expected, the artwork is actually very well done, with impressive detail. I especially enjoyed his depictions of the Fantastic Four and Red Hulk, and his subtle changes to the Doombots really worked. But what truly stood out to me was how well he captured the characters’ expressions and personalities.

The success of Zdarsky’s Fantastic Four run relies heavily on the artwork, and CAFU delivers beautifully. The art truly conveys the emotions Zdarsky intended, and that’s what made the story resonate with me. While there’s plenty of action, the most powerful moment wasn’t a fight scene – it was the panel showing Sue’s grief over Valeria’s death in One World Under Doom. It’s a genuinely heartbreaking depiction of a complex emotional state. Beyond the drama, the action sequences are dynamic and well-paced, with page layouts that enhance the excitement and impact of each fight.

I’m a big fan of both Doctor Doom and the way Zdarsky writes the Fantastic Four, which is why I was looking forward to this book. It ended up being pretty much what I anticipated – enjoyable, but not groundbreaking. I expected a solid Fantastic Four story, and I figured the setup for the upcoming ‘Armageddon’ event wouldn’t be particularly strong, and that’s exactly what I got. It’s not bad by any means, just fairly standard. The artwork is definitely a highlight. If you’re looking for a fun Fantastic Four read, this will do the trick, but don’t go in expecting it to build major excitement for the next big event. I’m hoping Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon will do a better job of that.

The Will of Doom #1 is on sale now.

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2025-12-24 17:43