The Complex Relationship Between Doctor Doom and Kang the Conqueror

In the world of Mighty Avengers and the ULTIMATE Comics lines, the intricate relationships among supervillains can be both intriguing and perilous. Two such figures, Doctor Doom and Kang the Conqueror, stand out as recurring antagonists in the Marvel universe. Their interactions, particularly in terms of their complex relationship, shine a light on themes of admiration, rivalry, and mutual respect.

Admiration and Nemeses

Early in their portrayal, Nathaniel Richards, who would later become Kang the Conqueror, was often depicted as a deep admirer of Doctor Doom. In many readers' minds, the characters were related, but today, the consensus is that Nathaniel is more of a relative to Reed Richards, Doctor Doom's arch-nemesis. Nevertheless, maintaining his respect for Doom, Nathaniel's admiration for Doom initially signals a bond of admiration and almost reverence.

However, as Kang matures, his relationship with Doom changes. Unlike his younger self, Kang finds it challenging to openly respect Doom due to his increasingly egocentric nature. His future self, Kang, looks at Doom as a competitor rather than a respected figure. This shift in attitude is crucial in understanding the personality and character development of Kang the Conqueror.

Key Moments and Examples

A significant moment that highlights this shift is depicted in the 2021 film Timeless. In this series, a historian of supervillains considers Doom to represent the pinnacle of villainy. When Kang learns of this, he kidnaps the historian in a petty maneuver aimed at persuading him to consider Kang as the superior villain. Although Khan is no stranger to pettiness and narcissism, this interaction underscores the competitive nature of their relationship.

Characteristics and Flaws

Their mutual egocentricity and drive for self-improvement are starkly similar, forming a "bond" of sorts between them. However, this similarity often leads to conflicts, as both consider themselves superior to everyone, including each other. Their self-centeredness leads to a constant power struggle and a deep-seated rivalry.

In Venom25, an exchange between Kang and Doom succinctly captures their complex relationship. In essence, they "like" each other in the sense that they can tolerate each other's presence, but they see one another as competition. Their mutual accomplishments are respected, but their ongoing rivalry means that even their "friendship" is defined by a struggle for power.

Power and Rivalry

Their relationship is defined by their desire to be exceptional, which means they cannot tolerate any equals. Despite occasional alliances or pleasant conversations, their fundamental nature makes their interactions unpredictable and charged with tension.

In essence, their relationship can be summarized as a mutual respect for accomplishments, punctuated by occasional cooperation, but ultimately characterized by a deep-seated rivalry driven by their self-centered and competitive natures.