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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
Blood Hunt #5 has broughtMarvel’s big summer eventto a close, and as Marvel itself spoiled over the weekend at Comic-Con International: San Diego, Doctor Doom has officially inherited the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme from Stephen Strange.
As shocking as the development may be - and as potentially disastrous for the Marvel Universe - it’s been a long time coming, as Doom has often been considered one of the top contenders for the title. Here’s how it finally comes to pass, and what it may mean for the Marvel Universe.
Spoilers ahead for Blood Hunt #5
Strange accuses Doom of “engineering” the entire vampire insurrection just to achieve the position of Sorcerer Supreme, but gives the title to Doom on the condition that Doom will return it to him “once the world is saved.”
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
Normally the mantle can only pass to someone new when the current Sorcerer Supreme dies, but Strange uses a loophole to do it anyway, since his body is currently an undead vampire while his astral form remains conscious outside his physical body.
With the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme now his, along with the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation that go with it, Doom enlists the help of the students of Strange’s own Strange Academy for his ritual, combining each of their unique magical styles with his own knowledge of Atlantean magic to reverse the Darkforce spell.
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At the same time, Bloodline, the daughter of Blade, and Miles Morales arrive at the First Temple of Atlantis, where Varnae the first vampire (in Blade’s body) is fighting the Avengers. Just as Varnae seems like he’s about to win, Bloodline and Miles attack, critically wounding Blade but also banishing Varnae. Blade is stabilized just as Doom’s spell takes effect, removing the Darkforce barrier and letting the sun shine through.
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
Back in Latveria, Strange entreats Doom to return the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme to him, now that the world is saved from the vampires. Doom has a trick up his sleeve, however, telling Strange he had promised to give him back the title of Sorcerer Supreme “once I have saved the world. And I have only just begun Stephen,” dismissing Strange’s astral form.
With the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme now in his possession, Doom addresses the entire world, telling them that he is the one who saved them all, and that he is now the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth.
We already know that Doom will be the main villain of the Marvel Universe in 2025, an announcement that came just asRobert Downey Jr. was being announced as the actor who would portray Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel dropped a teaser with the phrase"One World Under Doom" with all of Marvel’s heroes kneeling at his feet.
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
In other words, things are looking quite ominous in the days ahead, with Doom apparently stepping back up to being a threat big enough to take on the entire Marvel Universe, just in time for the 10th anniversary of 2015’sSecret Warsevent, and the 40th anniversary of the original 1985 Secret Wars, both of which featured Doctor Doom as the main antagonist - with reality altering results.
Avengers: Secret Warswill directly adapt the concept of the Secret Wars comic event.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”