Secret Wars Issue 2

1st full appearance of Victor Von Doom as God Emperor Doom

1st appearance of Night Machine (Nikola Tesla)


"Doom Messiah"

The issue opens with a ceremony in which a Thor is attempting to lift a Mjolnir. The Thor fails, and another steps forward and succeeds in lifting the hammer. The eldest Thor explains to him that he is now to become the executor of God's justice, as he is cheered by a hall of Thors. The young Thor, who hails from Higher Avalon, is asked by the elder to tell the story of the creation of the world. The young Thor narrates the story of how Doom created the Earth and the universe, and how he raised up the Kingdoms of the Earth. The elder Thor explains their duty and takes the younger Thor on his first mission.


NOTE: The titles "Doom Messiah" and "God Emperor Doom" are both allusions to titles from Frank Herbert's Dune novels. The internal politics within the science fiction setting are also alluding to this.

NOTE: The Shield is virtually identical in structure and purpose to the Wall from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), a massive wall guarding the realms of men from otherworldly threats and protected by lawbreakers as punishment for their crimes. Prior to being identified as "the Shield", it was even called "the Wall" on the map of Battleworld.