The Guardians of the Galaxy have had some pretty surprising members. But the newest Guardian is someone nobody saw coming. With a grave new threat on the horizon, the only man who can help the Guardians of the Galaxy save the universe is Marvel’s Doctor Doom!
SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy #14 by Al Ewing, Juan Frigeri, and Federico Blee
Looking to amass power to battle the oncoming imbalance in the universe, Doom came in search of Emperor Hulkling’s sword in the last issue. But when the sword frees itself from his grasp to return to its master, Doom uses his powers to swap bodies with Hulking.
Doom battles the Guardians with Hulkling’s body and powers. Meanwhile, he forces Hulkling to fight his teammates inside of his body’s automated armor. But like always, Doom’s greatest weakness is his ego. Seeing an opening, Moondragon and Star-Lord begin to taunt Doom. The pair goad the villain and tell him that his own powers are weak compared to Hulkling’s shapeshifting abilities.
This strikes a nerve with Doom—the archenemy of the superelastic Mister Fantastic—and he tries to make his way back into his own form. But mid-transfer, Moondragon interrupts the process and shoves Doom into Rocket Raccoon’s body. Knowing how great a threat Doom is, the Guardians determine even in Rocket’s small frame, Doom is still too dangerous to be held in any Kree/Skrull prison.
That’s when Star-Lord has a terrifying, but brilliant idea. Doom is nothing but a man of his word. Violating his word would be a greater punishment to him than any prison. Quill tells Doom that if he’s serious about stopping the threat, he has to do it the Guardians’ way. And if he wants his body back, he has to give his word that he’ll join the team.
