Fantastic Four: Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur

The Superhero Show #637Fantastic Four: Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur The Superhero Show — Doomasaur the Doctor Doom DinosaurThis week, The Superhero Show takes another break from its coverage of the 1994 Fantastic Four animated series to focus entirely on Ryan North’s Fantastic Four #13, “A Thing or Two.” And honestly, there may be no better reason to stop everything else than the arrival of Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur.Picking up the dinosaur-filled storyline from the previous issue, the Fantastic Four find themselves dealing with a collision between two universes—one populated by humans and another populated by dinosaur versions of Marvel's greatest heroes and villains. But while dinosaur versions of the Fantastic Four are already plenty of fun, the real highlight comes when Doctor Doom encounters the only person he believes he can truly trust: another Doctor Doom.That's right. Human Doom teams up with Dinosaur Doom, creating the short-lived but glorious partnership of Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur. The hosts break down the ridiculousness of the concept, why Ryan North somehow makes it work, and how the story eventually gives Ben Grimm and his dinosaur counterpart the opportunity to save the day.DOOMASAUR the Doctor Doom Dinosaur: The Most Logical Team-Up in the MultiverseThe hosts begin by discussing one of the greatest ideas imaginable for a Fantastic Four comic: Doctor Doom meeting a dinosaur version of himself.With two universes threatening to collide and destroy one another, the situation quickly becomes even more dangerous when another incursion point opens in Latveria. There, Doctor Doom discovers his dinosaur counterpart, and naturally, the two versions of Victor Von Doom immediately decide that working together is an excellent idea.The hosts absolutely love the team-up between Doom and Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur, especially because it perfectly fits Doom's personality. Of course Doom would trust another version of himself more than anyone else in existence.The partnership may be relatively short-lived, but the hosts agree that the comic gets every possible ounce of entertainment out of the idea. A human Doctor Doom teaming up with a dinosaur Doctor Doom is exactly the kind of wonderfully absurd concept that Ryan North's Fantastic Four has become so good at embracing.DOOMASAUR the Doctor Doom Dinosaur: Two Universes Are About to CollideThe larger story centers around the increasingly dangerous collision between the human Marvel Universe and a parallel universe populated by dinosaur versions of its inhabitants.The Fantastic Four have already encountered their prehistoric counterparts, but the situation becomes far more serious as the two realities begin to threaten each other's existence. One universe may have to be sacrificed if the heroes can't find a solution.Meanwhile, the two Dooms see opportunity rather than disaster.Instead of working to save both worlds, Doom and his dinosaur counterpart devise their own plan to bring the universes together and create even more territory for them to rule. The hosts discuss how perfectly this captures both versions of Doom: faced with a universe-ending crisis, their first instinct isn't simply to survive—it’s to figure out how they can come out of it with more power.DOOMASAUR the Doctor Doom Dinosaur vs. The Brothers GrimmWhile the Fantastic Four and even the Avengers struggle against the two Dooms, the story eventually comes down to an unexpected pair of heroes: Ben Grimm and his dinosaur counterpart.The hosts have a great time discussing the team-up between The Thing and Dinosaur Thing—collectively known as the Brothers Grimm—and why they are the perfect characters to take center stage during the issue's climax.Rather than simply defeating Doom through bigger punches or greater strength, the two Things ultimately succeed through something much more important: understanding exactly what makes Doctor Doom tick.The hosts love that Ryan North gives Ben Grimm the opportunity to prove that he's much more than the Fantastic Four's muscle. Ben understands people, understands Doom, and knows that sometimes the best way to defeat Victor Von Doom is not through force at all.It's through his ego.DOOMASAUR the Doctor Doom Dinosaur: The Secret to Beating Doom Is His EgoOne of the biggest takeaways from the episode is the hosts' discussion about Doctor Doom and the one weakness that always seems to bring him down: himself.Doom may be one of the smartest people in the Marvel Universe. He may have incredible technology, mystical knowledge, armies, and enough confidence to challenge almost anyone.But Doom also has an ego.The hosts discuss how Fantastic Four #13 understands this fundamental part of the character. The way to defeat Doom isn't always finding a bigger weapon or assembling a stronger team. Sometimes all you need to do is give Doom an opportunity to prove how brilliant and superior he believes he is—and let that arrogance do the rest.The fact that this issue has two versions of Doom only makes that weakness even more entertaining.After all, what could possibly go wrong when two of the most arrogant people in the multiverse are both convinced they are the smartest person in the room?Why the Dinosaur Fantastic Four Stories Are So Much FunBeyond the Doom storyline, the hosts spend time reflecting on just how much they have enjoyed this dinosaur detour in Ryan North's Fantastic Four run.The concept could have easily been treated as a throwaway joke, but the hosts appreciate how much fun the creative team has with the premise. Dinosaur versions of familiar Marvel characters, alternate versions of the Fantastic Four, dinosaur Avengers, and now Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur all combine into one of the most delightfully ridiculous stories of the series.The hosts praise Ryan North for being willing to embrace the inherent silliness of superhero comics while still treating the characters and stakes seriously enough for the story to matter.That's what makes the dinosaur storyline work so well: the comic knows exactly how ridiculous the concept is, but it never acts embarrassed by it.Ryan North Continues to Make Fantastic Four FunAs they wrap up the discussion, the hosts once again talk about how much they continue to enjoy Ryan North's approach to Fantastic Four.Issue #13 is filled with giant ideas, alternate universes, superhero action, dinosaurs, and two versions of Doctor Doom plotting together—but underneath all of that chaos is a story that understands its characters.The hosts especially appreciate how the issue gives Ben Grimm an important role in the resolution. Even surrounded by cosmic disasters and superpowered heroes, Ryan North finds a way to remind readers that Ben's greatest strengths aren't always physical.Sometimes the person who knows how to defeat Doctor Doom is simply the person who knows Doctor Doom best.Final Thoughts — Doomasaur the Doctor Doom DinosaurBy the end of the episode, The Superhero Show finds itself celebrating everything that makes this stretch of Ryan North's Fantastic Four run so much fun. Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur may not have been around for long, but the team-up between human Doom and Dinosaur Doom is exactly as entertaining as it sounds.Between two universes colliding, the Fantastic Four meeting their dinosaur counterparts, the Brothers Grimm stepping up to save the day, and Doctor Doom once again being defeated because of his own enormous ego, Fantastic Four #13 delivers one of the most wonderfully ridiculous adventures of the series.For the hosts, Doomasaur the Doctor Doom Dinosaur is proof that sometimes the best comic book stories begin with a completely absurd idea—and then commit to it one hundred percent.Are You a Research Nerd Who's Looking For More?Here are some links for all your research wants and needs!1994 Fantastic Four Animated SeriesRyan North's Fantastic FourJoin the discussions online! 1994 Fantastic Four Animated Series, Ryan North's Fantastic FourCatch Up On Past Episodes!Missed any of our past episodes? 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