Although most would probably single out hubris as Dr. Doom's fatal flaw, that's only part of it. Doom can't accept that anyone could be his better, true; but he doesn't see anyone as an equal either. There's Doom, and then there's his lackeys. Even those that don't yet know their fate as lackeys will learn under his firm guidance...and I really don't like that sentence. Ah, moving on.
So, I don't know or remember all of Lancer's story: she's the surprised looking woman above with Doom. I'm pretty sure she's a Chris Claremont creation: uber-competent female, with mutant powers, burdening sense of honor, crazy-long fingernails...sounds kinda familiar, doesn't it? Completely loyal to the missing Doom, she spends this series holding Doom's Baxter Building against invaders including a fake Doom, a corps of Iron Men, and the Atlantean army. The last was led by Byraah, so it's not that impressive. Did Attuma call in sick?
But, even though Lancer is strong, fiercely devoted, and resourceful; Doom is simply incapable of seeing her as anything other than a tool. A resource to be used, and if necessary, used up. This is why Doom will always fail: Reed is (or was) able to have equals, teammates, who will fight beside him and never surrender, and in turn Reed would never quit on them. (Insert Civil War snark here.) Even though Lancer would fight for Doom just as hard as Sue or Ben or Johnny would fight for Reed; it's a lot harder to picture a situation where Doom would do the same for her. And Lancer's like the one good henchman Doom's had in, well, about ever.
I do recall Lancer also making an appearance in an X-Men/Dr. Doom novel; where Doom has again altered reality to make himself Emperor of earth, then found the victory hollow, and lost it again as the status quo resets. I'll be honest here: it is a plot I like, even if I know I've seen it five times off the top of my head. (Counting here, and Doom's Counter Earth; similar stories have been Emperor Doom, the Heroes Reborn/Wildstorm Universe mashup, and the first Secret Wars. Probably more if you think about it!)
Yeah, that's a lie: Doom is all about having the upper hand, and taking that moment to explain to the lackeys how frickin' brilliant he is; and we all know where that leads...
From Doom #3, "Fight Back to Baxter" Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Leonardo Manco. You may remember Manco's gritty, textured art from Hellstrom, Druid, and I believe the Werewolf by Night revival from a few years back. He also did the sequel to this series, but I like this one better. Need to look up what he's up to know... Read more!
