Doctor Doom just confirmed his genius with an unlikely recruit to a new team of Avengers. As a sorcerer, scientist, and statesman, Doom is recognized as dangerous on many levels. However, it is the first member of the new team which showcases Doom’s greatest asset; his strategic mind.
The new Avengers of Doom were revealed in Godzilla: Infinity Roar #5, by Gerry Duggan, Domenico Carbon, and Javier Garron. The sequel to Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe, Infinity Roar finds the King of the Monsters making his way back to Earth with the aid of the Symbiote god Knull after being banished to deep space.
Over the course of the series, Godzilla grows even more powerful, devouring Galactus and gaining the Power Cosmic. When an alliance of X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Asgard fail to stop Godzilla, Doctor Doom assembles his own team to save the universe.
Doom’s first recruit is close to home, physically and spiritually. Herr Kagelmacher is a humble baker, considered the finest in Latveria and, in Doom’s estimation, “the most talented baker in the world.” As a loyal Latverian, Herr Kagelmacher is all too happy to aid his leige lord, even before Doctor Doom saves him from a symbiote.
On the surface there would seem to be little logic to Doctor Doom’s first recruit to his Avengers team. While Herr Kagelmacher is skilled at his craft, he is not as powerful as Kang the Conqueror, White Queen, or Ghost Rider. However, there is method to the apparent madness of Doom and a place for even the most unlikely of heroes in his design.
Why Doctor Doom recruited a baker to his Avengers
Herr Kagelmacher’s role is revealed as Doctor Doom journeys to the Florida Everglades, along with the newly recruited Miles Morales and Johnny Storm. They seek out the Man-Thing, for Doom’s plan involves access to the Nexus of All Realities that Man-Thing guards.
The shambling swamp creature is not one for listening to reason. However, he famously has a sweet tooth. It is here that Herr Kagelmacher’s skill is proven, as a steady stream of treats wins them the aid of Man-Thing.
While this is played for laughs Herr Kagelmacher’s inclusion subtly shows Doctor Doom’s skill as a strategist. Beyond helping recruit Man-Thing, Doom’s travelling with a kindly-looking baker throws off the more cynical souls he must approach. If nothing else, the promise of cake does ensure some degree of goodwill. However, this also showcases the craft Doom deploys in approaching his other recruits to the Avengers of Doom.
Doom seeks out Miles Morales, for instance, because he knows of his status as a survivor of the Ultimate Universe. Doom reasons that the young Spider-Man, knowing what it is to lose one reality, will fight to avoid losing another. He recruits the Human Torch because his powers will be invaluable in fighting Knull and his followers. The rest of his recruits possess similar skill sets and powers that will prove invaluable in fighting Godzilla. They also almost universally are willing to do whatever it takes to win. However, it all begins with Doom recruiting Earth’s Mightiest Baker to make some cakes.
Godzilla: Infinity Roar #5 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
