Marvel’s Newest Continuity Gap Echoes the Eternals Dilemma
Before Marvel Studios’ Eternals ever hit theaters, it was already a lightning rod for fan scrutiny. Critics and audiences alike zeroed in on the same, unavoidable question: Where were the Eternals during Thanos’ attack in Avengers: Endgame? Now, with Fantastic Four: First Steps opening a new chapter for the MCU, a smaller version of the same question is echoing once again — this time, about one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.
Despite heavy fan speculation and subtle teases, Victor von Doom — a.k.a. Doctor Doom — is conspicuously absent during the planet-threatening events of First Steps. And the omission feels less like a surprise and more like a narrative oversight that Marvel will need to address before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters.
Latveria Exists — So Where’s Its Ruler?
Director Matt Shakman made it clear in June that Doctor Doom wouldn’t appear in First Steps, but the movie still drops enough hints to stir speculation. The most direct comes in the form of an empty seat at the United Nations, labeled “Latveria” — the fictional Eastern European country ruled by Doom in the comics. A news ticker makes brief mention of Latveria, too, but the man himself never steps on screen.
The setup reads less like a no-show and more like a calculated tease. Even as a plan goes awry in the film, it initially appears Doom might be the hidden hand behind it. But ultimately, the culprit lies elsewhere, and fans are left wondering: If Galactus threatened Earth, where was Doom?
Historically, Doom is no bystander. He’s arrogant, brilliant, and fiercely protective of his homeland — and, on occasion, the Earth itself. In the comics, he may be self-serving, but he isn’t apathetic. That raises the stakes of his absence. Did he choose not to act, or is there something more going on?
Possible Explanations in the Multiverse
The MCU’s current sandbox — the multiverse — provides ample narrative wiggle room. The First Steps story is set in Earth-828, an alternate universe within the MCU’s increasingly sprawling multiverse framework. That opens the door to several plausible explanations for Doom’s absence:
- He’s not alive (or not Doom yet): This universe’s Victor von Doom could be dead, still evolving into Doctor Doom, or not the powerful monarch we know from the comics.
- He’s off-world: Doom might be off traveling the multiverse, potentially aligning with the rumored Battleworld storyline expected to shape Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
- He’s deliberately avoiding Earth’s heroes: True to character, Doom may simply not wish to be seen collaborating with heroes or showing concern publicly — especially in a forum like the U.N.
- He’s already maneuvering behind the scenes: Perhaps the most tantalizing option: Doom is already active, manipulating events for future gain. His absence now could be groundwork for a grander reveal later.
No matter the answer, Marvel will eventually need to address the omission, especially if Victor von Doom is set to become a cornerstone of the MCU’s next phase.
Echoes of the Eternals Problem — And Why Fans Care
The situation is eerily similar to the fan backlash following Eternals. Director Chloé Zhao tried to explain why the cosmic heroes sat out the universe-defining events of Endgame and Age of Ultron — they were ordered not to interfere in human conflicts unless Deviants were involved. But the explanation never landed. Fans didn’t buy that intergalactic genocide was just a “human issue.”
That’s because Marvel fans tend to be obsessive about internal logic. When a franchise invests so heavily in shared continuity and interconnected plotlines, viewers expect airtight storytelling. Anything less opens the floodgates to criticism, memes, and fan theories — often all three at once.
This is where First Steps finds itself. Doom’s absence is less of a problem now than the Eternals issue was in 2021, but as the franchise builds toward the high-stakes crossover events of 2026 and beyond, consistency will matter more than ever.
What Marvel Must Do Next
Whether Doom is introduced via post-credit scenes, multiversal incursions, or Battleworld chaos, Marvel Studios will need to weave his story tightly into the larger fabric of the MCU. With Robert Downey Jr. rumored to play a version of Victor von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, the stakes are too high to leave fans guessing much longer.
Fantastic Four: First Steps may not offer the answers yet, but it lays the groundwork for what could be Marvel’s next great villain arc. And if Marvel wants to avoid another Eternals-style backlash, it’s going to have to fill in the blanks soon — preferably with some of Doom’s signature flair.
TL;DR:
Doctor Doom’s absence from Fantastic Four: First Steps echoes the same continuity issue that plagued Eternals. As the MCU builds toward Avengers: Doomsday, fans are demanding to know where Victor von Doom was — and what he’s planning next.
