Doomwar #1
On the surface, Doomwar sounds like a great idea, Dr. Doom, Black Panther, Deadpool, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four all battling it out for control of Wakanda and it’s precious supply of vibranium. Based on issue number one, however, I think the concept is better then the actual comic book.
The problem I had, with this issue, is the reader is dropped into a story that is already well along. Right from page one, I was somewhat confused and felt like I was playing catch-up for the whole issue. Now, for those people who have been reading Black Panther on a regular bases I’m sure this would not be the case. In fact, I’m willing to bet that the events that lead up to what happens in this issue have been covered, in great detail, in the regular Black Panther series but that is of no use to anyone just starting with Doomwar #1. It’s true that at about the halfway point T’Challa does a nice job of filling in the back-story that he as a character is aware of but this still leaves the reader with a lot of unanswered questions.
The Doomwar storyline maybe the logical culmination of everything that has been happening, for the past year, in the regular Black Panther series but that does not mean it is suitable for a mini series. I think, I can safely say after reading issue number one that Doomwar would have worked better as a storyline within the Black Panther series crossing over into other titles when it was called for. It’s just a guess on my part but I dare say the decision to turn Doomwar into a mini series had more to do with money then with good storytelling.
The bottom line is, for those who have been reading the Black Panther series you’ll probably enjoy Doomwar. As for those who haven’t been reading Black Panther you probably can afford to skip Doomwar.
Keith Forney