Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Venom #25As far as Marvel Comics characters go, Doctor Doom is the absolute pinnacle of villainy. With an unparalleled intellect, along with an uncanny mastery of the mystic arts, Victor Von Doom can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone foolish enough to challenge him – and though he has yet to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe himself, Doom recognizes the threat posed by the MCU’s next major antagonist.
Venom #25 – by Al Ewing, Sergio Dávila, Sean Parsons, Ken Lashley, Cafu, and Julius Ohta – finds the scion of Latveria cast into the timestream alongside the King in Black, only for the duo to cross paths with Kang the Conqueror.
Though their encounter is brief, it is clear Doom has some degree of respect for Kang, going so far as to describe the Conqueror as, “almost on [Doom’s] level.“
Doctor Doom Is A Great Judge Of Character
In Venom #25, the time displaced Victor Von Doom and Kang the Conqueror have a short, tense exchange, before Doom is returned to his own time. Once back in his own era, Victor ruminates on his rival, thinking to himself, “Though I consider Kang an enemy, he is at least a foe of substance – a self-made man, almost on my level.” Doom and Kang have tried to kill one another on more than one occasion, but there is a mutual respect between the pair, something each villain only affords to adversaries they deem worthy – which is measured by an incredibly high standard.
Doom And Kang’s Grudging Respect Should Alarm MCU Fans
That Kang is considered by Doom himself to be a worthy adversary should give MCU fans a sense of what to expect from the Conqueror.
While Doctor Doom’s infamous ego would never allow him to acknowledge anyone else as his superior, Victor’s recognition of the MCU’s next big bad as near his stature is major praise. Doctor Doom is considered by many Marvel Comics characters and fans to be the greatest villain within the House of Ideas, and while he may not consider himself a villain, Victor definitely considers himself the greatest. His incorrigible arrogance aside, Doom’s respect one should not be taken lightly, as it’s only given to a select few.
As Doom notes, it is Kang’s drive as a self-made Conqueror that makes him truly dangerous. Doctor Doom may be one of the most arrogant characters in Marvel Comics, but even he is not blind to Kang’s legitimate status as one of the universe’s greatest threats. Though both ambitious villains are often at odds with one another, the fact that they’ve frequently butted heads should speak to just how dangerous each is. If the silver screen’s Kang the Conqueror is anything like the man respected by Marvel Comics’ Doctor Doom, then MCU fans are in for a huge surprise.
Venom #25 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
