Marvel Comics has just shown the perfect way to introduce according to Hawley that film's in limbo after Marvel regained the rights as a result of Disney's Fox acquisition.
It's surely only a matter of time before Doctor Doom enters the MCU. In the meantime, however, Marvel Comics is making Doom an increasingly prominent part of their stories. Marvel recently announced the Darkhold, a book of forbidden knowledge compelled by the demonic Elder God named Chthon. This monstrous being once ruled Earth, but was banished to another dimension; his agents have attempted to use the Darkhold to bring him back on countless occasions, but thankfully they've been defeated every time. Unfortunately, Doctor Doom is egotistical enough to believe he can handle the dark secrets of the Darkhold - and it looks as though he's about to unleash Chthon.
The Darkhold event serves as a useful pointer for Marvel Studios, showing how they can use Doctor Doom in a fresh and creative way. Fox always treated Doctor Doom as a scientist, but this event is a reminder that he's a sorcerer in the comics as well. Doom has been shown growing in his mystical prowess over the last few years, to the point where Strange considered him potentially the next Sorcerer Supreme. Indeed, when Scarlet Witch's magical powers were flaring out of control, she fled to Doom because she believed his growing mystical power exceeded both her own and Strange's. It would be fascinating to see Marvel Studios take this approach, perhaps even using Doom as an antagonist for Doctor Strange, and introducing him ahead of the Fantastic Four.
Curiously enough, it really wouldn't be difficult for the MCU to tell this exact same tale. There's some evidence Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and that's actually a crucial step towards introducing the Darkhold itself. In the comics, Wanda Maximoff was born in a place that was rich in magical energy, and as a result Chthon was able to imbue the infant with latent mystical potential. It took years for that potential to be realized, and when it was, Chthon possessed Scarlet Witch. Fortunately he was ultimately banished to his own dimension, but Wanda has always been vulnerable to Chthon's influence.
Written by Steve Orlando and with art by Cian Tormey, Darkhold is sure to be one of the most exciting stories of the year. It's particularly well-timed, though, because it serves as potential inspiration for the MCU; the story sounds to be easy to adapt for the movies, and the take on Doom is fresh and original. This really is how Doctor Doom should make his MCU debut.
