First off, I’d like to see Marvel do more of this sort of thing, reprinting their 1980s graphic novels in the comic book format. They did it just recently with Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment, though I didn’t buy that one since I still have the original hardcover. But Emperor Doom by David Michelinie and Bob Hall is one that eluded my personal purchase back in 1987, and has been reprinted in that convenient floppy form this week for probably obvious Doom reasons.
So here’s the deal: this is a very old-fashioned superhero comic…nothing here that wouldn’t have been out of place in Avengers, or pretty much any mainline Marvel superhero comic, of the period. Clear, traditional layouts and storytelling, lots of dialogue and thought balloons: it feels every bit of its nearly 40 years of age, but that’s not a knock. It’s a nostalgic bit of playing in the Marvel Universe, all focused around the company’s greatest villain.
And speaking of which, I do find it interesting that they did reprint this so soon after the recent “One World Under Doom” event, given that Emperor Doom is such a clear antecedent to that storyline. They contain different approaches to the same premise (Doom takes over the world, and things are…better?), but here in 2026 you can’t read this one without comparing it in your head to the other one. Frankly, I think this earlier comic may be the superior of the two, given its relative brevity (only one book to read here, as opposed to the multi-issued crossover) and the characterization of Doom himself. Emperor Doom takes the time to show that Doom, having achieved his goal of world domination, finds himself bored with the actual logistics of “ruling the world” and craving some challenge. That really is a nice touch, and is itself something of a precursor to comics like Empire, another storyline that takes place after the Bad Guy wins and controls the planet.
Also, how can you not love a comic that gives us this panel?
It’s a fun read, and I’m glad it’s available again.
Legion of Super-Heroes #3 continues the very slow assembly of this newest iteration for DC’s long-running super-team. It’s still holding my interest, which is a good sign, and the focus on a limited number of characters to introduce us to this future setting is, I believe, a positive for anyone new to the franchise. Plus, it’s a take that’s both referencing the familiar aspects of the series, while giving enough twists on them to make even jaded Legion fans pay attention. Hayden Sherman’s artwork is doing a lot of heavy lifting on this comic, with wild layouts and character designs keeping everything fresh and not feeling like yet another rebooted rehash of a property that’s already had too many of those.
I feel like we’re still a long way from “Let’s go fight Mordru, Legionnaires!” adventures, but that’s probably a good thing.
Well, in The Snail Garth Ennis and John McCrea give you the premise (a talking snail gives a loser everything he wants) and by golly they stick to it. The proceedings are gross and violent and vulgar, as you might imagine, and you’re gonna have questions that really aren’t answered. However, there are some tantalizing hints at whatever larger…thing is going on behind the scenes that’ll keep you thinking about this story well after everything comes to its bloody end. Definitely a weird one.