WARNING: The following contains spoilers for recent issues of Avengers by Jason Aaron, Javier Garrón, David Curiel & VC’s Cory Petit, on sale now
The major storyline currently running through Marvel’s Avengers series finds heroes and villains gathered together, as they compete in a tournament to be crowned the new host of the powerful Phoenix Force. While only six Marvel heroes and villains remain in the running, many signs point to one individual eliminated early in the story being victorious.
“Enter the Phoenix” by Jason Aaron, Javier Garrón, David Curiel and Cory Petit began with a showdown between Captain America and Doctor Doom. Each participant in the Phoenix’s tournament is granted a small fraction of the cosmic firebird’s powers, upgrading the combatants’ abilities tremendously. Doctor Doom, being his typical narcissistic self, believed no one was worthier than him to wield the Phoenix. He pummeled Captain America over and over again, but the Phoenix would not allow Steve Rogers to die. Disgusted by a perceived weakness in the Phoenix’s judgment, Doctor Doom forfeited his match against Cap.
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Now, the final competitors are Red Widow, Shanna the She-Devil, She-Hulk, Namor, Captain America and Black Panther. However, none of the six finalists may be Marvel’s new Phoenix, and that honor could go to Victor von Doom, giving him a reason for his upcoming role with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Marvel spent January and February teasing an all-new cosmic roster for the Guardians to coincide with a “New Age of Space.” Joining Doctor Doom on this new Guardians of the Galaxy team are Star-Lord, Nova, Gamora, Groot, Hulkling, Wiccan, Rocket Raccoon, Moondragon, Quasar (Avril Kincaid), Super-Skrull, Phyla-Vell, Drax, Mantis, Marvel Boy, Hercules and the original Quasar, Wendell Vaughn. The big mystery heading into this status quo change is why would the Guardians allow Doctor Doom to join their ranks? Victor Von Doom has battled cosmic threats such as Galactus in the past, but he has never been known as a team player, aside from his time spent on the Avengers as the Infamous Iron Man.
The answer to this question may be connected to the outcome of “Enter the Phoenix.” Whoever becomes the new Phoenix host will more than likely play a significant role in the Marvel Universe moving forward. The Phoenix is one of the original primordial forces, dating back to its presence among the prehistoric Avengers of 1,000,000 BC. Since the Phoenix has cosmic origins — while also being categorized as a galactic threat — the Guardians of the Galaxy may feel more comfortable keeping an eye on its host, Doctor Doom, at a close range.
Another possibility is Jason Aaron is beginning to set up a future he previewed in his and Christian Ward’s Thor #5 from 2018. The story saw an older King Thor reunite with Old Man Wolverine in possession of the Phoenix in the far future. The former drinking buddies and Avengers teammates had a disagreement about returning life to a dormant Earth. While King Thor is pleased to have brought the Earth back to life, Wolverine-Phoenix wanted Earth to remain under the radar and not draw attention to itself. Unfortunately, King Thor’s actions attract Doctor Doom, who has the powers of prehistoric Avengers‘ Iron Fist, the Starbrand, Agamatto (Doctor Strange) and Ghost Rider. While Doctor Doom is missing the Phoenix, he could have gained it many years in his past at this point, which would be in the present-day.
The early elimination of Doctor Doom in “Enter the Phoenix” could have been intended to throw fans off for his eventual reveal as the winner. Regardless of who wins the competition, Doom has a history of stealing power for its rightful wielders, and there’s no reason he wouldn’t try again here, especially after his uncharacteristic forfeit. With story threads picking up in the double-sized Guardians of the Galaxy #13 by Al Ewing and Juan Frigeri in April, readers wouldn’t see it coming, and it would continue Doctor Doom’s rise in prominence ahead of his upcoming wedding in Dan Slott and R.B. Silva’s Fantastic Four run to celebrate Marvel’s First Family’s 60th anniversary.
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