Doom’s Division #1: The Whole World Under Doom

Doctor Doom’s Pax Victoris provides peace and prosperity to all nations that recognize his authority. As much as that is the case, though, it’s primarily depicted affecting western characters in western settings. Doom’s Division #1 is a chance to take the story elsewhere in the world.

Seoul, South Korea is under attack in Doom’s Division #1. A Bulgae–a fire dog who causes eclipses by trying to steal the sun–threatens the city. That is, until Korea’s own super team, Tiger Division, arrives on the scene. After an extended fight, the Bulgae is defeated. In a world controlled by Doctor Doom, though, was Tiger Division’s help even needed?

Doom’s Division #1 is most immediately approachable by existing Tiger Division fans. Lee doesn’t start going into much background until after the extended action sequence that opens the issue. When the issue turns to any kind of character introduction, it largely settles on Luna Snow. Lee uses her as a lens through which to examine Doom’s impact on Korea. In Luna’s case there is at least some understanding of why she takes the stance that she does. Unfortunately Tiger Division’s remaining characters aren’t explored in as much depth. Most of what is learned about the rest of the team comes via a discussion about Doom.

Lee does get the characters’ discussion about Doom’s impact on Korea right in the sense that it is attempting to explore their larger culture. Though Doom’s Division #1 does open with an extended fight sequence against a supernatural enemy, the issue features no real antagonist. The conflict is more a philosophical one, such as whether Korea’s new openness resulting from Pax Victoris is a positive development.

This discussion is largely where Doom’s Division #1’s story succeeds. One World Under Doom doesn’t lack for social commentary, especially in some of its tie-ins. Since this event purports to affect the entire world, wider viewpoints are especially welcome.

Action isn’t Doom’s Division #1’s true focus, but it does take up a significant portion of the issue. Jung provides more than enough detail in clothing and immediate backgrounds to give character poses speed and overall intensity.

These action sequences are further punctuated by Iacono’s coloring choices. In a general sense Doom’s Division #1’s color scheme is rich without being overly vivid. As a result, energy bursts and flames, all of which are brighter than their surroundings, stand out and draw attention in every page and panel.

The visual meat of Doom’s Division #1, though, is in how Jung tackles characters’ appearances. With so much of the issue’s conflict revolving around discussion and debate, capturing how characters present themselves is critical. Jung succeeds here, especially with Luna Snow. Luna is the sole character to take certain pro-Doom positions (or at least Doom adjacent). Jung gives her an abashed quality with a combination of downcast eyes and even hanging her head. These moments contrast heavily with her first appearance in the issue where she is unmistakably upbeat. They’re also necessary to convey the emotional weight of Luna’s disagreement with the rest of Tiger Division.

Lanham’s most noteworthy work in Doom’s Division #1 is the introduction of Tiger Division. Luna Snow appears first and the first use of her name in dialogue is done via a larger, three dimensional block-like font colored in blue to match Luna’s costume. Tiger Division gets a similar introduction with large, bright purple letters. In both occasions, the names expand well beyond the dialogue bubbles. The remaining members of Tiger Division get their own introduction on a splash page. But their identifying labels are smaller and less extravagant. Lanham simultaneously singles them out for importance while minimizing them in comparison to Luna Show and the team as a whole.