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Update: Marvel has released a look at Mark Brook's cover to June 2's Fantastic Four #33, the second part of the 'Bride of Doom saga' that begins in May (see below) by writer Dan Slott and artist R.B. Silva.
According to the publisher, Doom is marrying "his most devoted and noble subject, Victorious" in Fantastic Four #33.
Yes, Marvel just revealed the identity of the bride (whose face is still obscured in the new cover, go figure?), a secret it kept for a month across February and March about a book coming out in May.
Victorious is the codename of Zora Vukovic, a Latverian citizen who helped Doom reclaim his throne and who Doom imbued with a portion of the Power Cosmic (the mysterious power that Galactus provides his heralds such as Silver Surfer), making her Latveria’s national champion and his personal enforcer.
The second chapter features guest stars such as Prince Namor and Black Panther and "packs a gut-punch of an ending that no one will see coming."
Original story follows...
The modern Marvel Universe got its start in 1961's Fantastic Four #1, and to celebrate the start of the FF – and the Marvel Universe in general – the publisher has announced big developments for the Fantastic Four starting in May to coincide with the team's 60th anniversary.
Marvel Comics has confirmed writer Dan Slott and artist R.B. Silva will walk Doctor Doom down the aisle as part of their celebration of the Fantastic Four's 60th anniversary.
"This May, you're invited to the wedding of… Doctor Victor Von Doom!" reads the publisher's announcement. "And Marvel's chief megalomaniac won't be the only Fantastic Four character whose love life will be changed forever! The Human Torch suddenly must choose between his soulmate and his ex-wife. And because a simple love triangle isn't enough, has Johnny Storm's first heartbreak, Crystal, come back to rekindle their flame?!"
'Betrothal,' the first part of what Marvel is calling the 'Bride of Doom saga' begins in May's Fantastic Four #32 with a cover by Mark Brooks.
Marvel also promises an ominous decree by Doctor Doom and a second story in which "Reed Richards duels his arch-nemesis for the strangest prize imaginable!"
Doom is going to be a busy guy considering he's also joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. Hope his new wife doesn't mind a long-distance relationship.
A teaser image from former Fantastic Four artists Valerio Schiti and Marte Gracia (above ) show Doom, his unnamed and unseen bride, Reed and Sue Richards in FF-themed wedding attire, Namor and Black Panther in ceremonial outfits, and Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters.
Doom's bride is obscured by a veil, so her identity remains a mystery. However, Doom has been married before, in other timelines. In the House of M reality, he was married to Valeria Richards (who is his goddaughter in the mainstream Marvel Universe). And in 2015-16's Secret Wars, Doom remade reality to his whims, creating a world in which he was married to Sue Richards, the wife of his arch-enemy Reed Richards.
But the apparent wedding isn't the only imagery at play in the art. Behind Doom and his wedding party stand apparitions of Kang the Conqueror, the time-traveling villain who has ties to Doom and the Richards family, and the Scarlet Centurion, another time-traveling warrior who has at times separately been an identity for Kang, and his son Marcus.
A series of panels on the left side of the art also shows what could be glimpses of future events, including shots of Ben Grimm apparently going berserk, Doom's protégé Victorious and a group of allies, the Human Torch flaming on, and what looks like members of the reality-altering alien Beyonders.
"Dan and R.B. are working to make the Fantastic Four's 60th Anniversary a nonstop thrill ride for fans, one that touches on all aspects of the FF's world and re-establishes them as the cornerstone players of the Marvel Universe," states executive editor Tom Brevoort in Marvel's announcement. "Expect some big surprises, status quo changes, and shocking revelations in the months ahead—to say nothing of the return of some classic villains that readers have been asking for!"
All these clues will start to pay off in May's Fantastic Four #32 from writer Dan Slott and artist R.B. Silva. Look for Marvel's full May 2021 solicitations later this month on Newsarama.
With the Fantastic Four about to revisit some classic villains and concepts, it's a perfect time to dig into the best Fantastic Four stories of all time.
