While trying to find Doctor Doom’s first battles, I found the resources to list those issues lacking. So, I hope to fill in the gaps for anyone hoping to make their wish list.
Note: This is an in-process post, as much as my friends think I am a walking encyclopedia of Marvel… and other fandoms. I am constantly learning new details, , not to mention I have not gotten every issue, like Fantastic Four Vol 1 Issue 5. There may be inaccuracies; if there are, be sure to let me know, and I will happily correct them. I also might change the direction of this post, as I was only going to cover first battles, but I realize there were key issues that would be great to showcase. Regardless, this post will focus on my favorite villain, Dr. Doom. From his first battles, team-ups, key stories… and whatever else lies between. Maybe even other collectibles. The cut-off for this list will be anything after 1996, as that was when my interest in Marvel Comics was ruined by greed. I will be filling in the details for the issues as I go, so they will only be light on details for now.
So, pardon the mess. This will take a while to refine and fill in the gaps, not to mention add affiliate links (ergo, I get paid if you click a link and buy. I will write a better disclosure once affiliate links are up) to both digital copies and, where possible, the original copies so I can fund this site and my hobby.
I first saw Doctor Doom in Spider-Man, and His Amazing Friends, but it was not until I got into comics that he became my favorite villain. The first comic I got featuring him was bought by a stepbrother on Black Friday after Thanksgiving in 1989: Iron Man Vol 1, Issue 250.
The year I first got into comics, and what a time to get into it. This issue was part of Acts of Vengence, one of my favorite crossovers, where heroes went up against villains they normally didn’t fight, like Thor versus Juggernaut. In 2022, I finished this series and moved on to Captain America, then Thor.
All images are of comics I own. Any issues covered here without images are not in my collection, so I may add them later. I am also willing to offer a home to any of those issues if anyone wants to get rid of them.
Fantastic Four – Vol 1 Issue 5
April 10, 1962 – First Appearance – First Battle
No image for now – It is, after all, the biggest issue. Seriously, happy to rehome this issue.
Doom’s first appearance and the issue cement him on the top of the Fantastic Four’s rogues gallery.
Fantastic Four – Vol 1 Issue 6
June 12, 1962 – First Teamup
First Teamup with Namor
No image for now.
Amazing Spider-Man – Vol 1 Issue 5
July 9, 1963 – First battle
Also covered here, The first battle between Doctor Doom and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Also, Doom’s first appearance outside of the Fantastic Four series. The crown jewel of my collection.
After being defeated by the Fantastic Four, Doom watches one of JJ Jameson’s rants about Spider-Man, and he tries to recruit the webhead.
There is a common misconception that Doctor Doom appears in the 5th issue of a series because he did so in ASM and FF #5. But you are not going to see that happening going forward.
Avengers – Vol 1 Issue 25
December 9, 1965 – First Battle
The first time the Avengers Battle Doctor Doom.
Daredevil – Vol 1 Issues 36 – 38
November 9, 1967 – January 9, 1968 – First Battle
36 is technically Doom, is only in the shadows.
Marvel Super Heroes – Vol 1 Issue 20
February 11, 1969 – Key Issue
Sub-Mariner – Vol 1 Issue 20
September 9, 1969 – First battle,
I can’t say I am a big fan of Namor. Still, between key issues in relation to the Serpent Crown (Something I got into after the Atlantis Attacks crossover back in 1989 with my first annuals) and characters I like (Ben Grimm), this issue certainly does not help prevent me from collecting the entire series.
Fantastic Four – Vol 1 Issues 84 – 87
December 12, 1968 – March 11, 1969 – Jack Kirby’s last Doom Issues
Thor – Vol 1 Issues 182 & 183
September 1 – October 6, 1970 – First Battle
The first time Thor battles Doctor Doom. Thor aids a protestor after learning her dad is being coerced by Dr. Doom to build missiles.
Incredible Hulk Vol 1 Issues 143 & 144
June 8 – July 13, 1971
Astonishing Tales – Vol 1 Issue 8
July 20, 1971 – Key Issue
The first appearance of Cynthia von Doom. Doctor Doom’s mom. This story sets up the team-up between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange.
Luke Cage, Hero for Hire – Vol 1 Issue 9
February 20, 1973 – First Battle
I have one problem with this story: Doom is not paying his debts. While Doom can be pretty, the last thing I can see him do is not pay the bills.
Dazzler – Vol 1 Issue 3
February 3, 1981 – First Battle
Uncanny X-Men – Vol 1 Issue 145
Iron Man – Vol 1 Issues 149 & 150
Punisher – Vol 2 Issues 28 & 29
October 17 – November 21, 1989 – First Battle
These are my first Punisher issues and some of the few issues in my collection. While I am not a fan of Frank Castle, I could not resist getting more Doom after Iron Man 250.
