There are few villains more classic than Marvel Comics’ Doctor Doom, but what makes Victor von Doom one of the greatest villains of all time is also the very reason he is so compellingly tragic. According to the author of One World Under Doom, the villain's humanity makes him the best antagonist to the Fantastic Four and the most iconic rival to Reed Richards.

In Aipt’s interview with Marvel writer Ryan North, North dives into how Doctor Doom misses the mark in becoming a hero, despite his intelligence and moral compass. Doctor Doom is by all means a villain, as his dramatic ego and self-centered nature consistently take center stage in his goals of conquest.

Still, Doom shows there is virtue to his actions and that’s what makes him such a convincing yet tragic antagonist to the heroes. Ryan North also compares Doctor Doom to his nemesis, Mister Fantastic,...