Marvel Rebrands Infamous Iron Man as The Rise of Doom and Teases Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom

Marvel Comics is setting the stage for a huge 2026 by giving Victor Von Doom a fresh spotlight in print and on screen. The publisher is rebranding Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s fan favorite series Infamous Iron Man under a new title, The Rise of Doom, and tying it directly into Marvel Studios’ upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.

The move doubles as a smart entry point for new readers and a clear signal about where Marvel wants to take Doom next. With Robert Downey Jr. confirmed to return to the Marvel universe not as Tony Stark but as Doctor Doom, this reprint instantly becomes required reading for anyone curious about how Doom might be handled on screen.

From Infamous Iron Man to The Rise of Doom

Originally published as a twelve-issue run, Infamous Iron Man followed Victor Von Doom in the aftermath of Secret Wars. With his face restored and many of his enemies scattered, Doom made a shocking move: he stepped into a new suit of armor and tried to operate as Iron Man.

The series tracked Doom’s uneasy attempt at “heroism,” with the character walking a razor-thin line between genuine growth and hidden schemes. That tension is exactly what made the run stand out and why so many fans have pointed to it as a strong template for a big-screen Doom.

Now, Marvel is bringing the story back under the new banner, The Rise of Doom. The title does a lot of heavy lifting. It hints at Doom’s climb toward power, his flirtation with being a hero, and his likely return to full villain status just in time for Avengers: Doomsday.

Victor Von Doom Tries on Heroism

The core hook of the story is simple and wild at the same time. Doom, the Marvel Universe’s most dangerous villain, decides that he can do what Tony Stark could not. He puts on a new suit, steps into the Iron Man role, and insists he is ready to become Earth’s defender.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple with Victor. The reprint’s updated description leans into this idea, asking the real question: what is Doom’s master plan? Characters like Ben Grimm, Pepper Potts, and Riri Williams all circle around Victor’s new mission, each with their own doubts and suspicions.

Along the way, Doom faces both cosmic level threats and incredibly personal ones, including an enemy he believed he would never see again and a shocking twist involving his resurrected mother. The story constantly pushes at the idea of whether Doom can escape his own legend, or if the “legacy of Doom” will always overpower any attempt at change.

Marvel Confirms Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom

The biggest real-world twist comes in the updated marketing copy Marvel is using for The Rise of Doom. Buried in the description is a clear statement: “Iron Man’s very own Robert Downey Jr. returns as Doctor Victor Von Doom in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday,” currently set for December 18, 2026.

That line locks in what had been heavily rumored. Downey is back, but not as Tony Stark. Instead, he steps into one of Marvel’s most iconic villain roles. The idea of the actor most associated with Iron Man now playing Doom lines up perfectly with the themes of Bendis and Maleev’s story, where Doom tries to fill Stark’s shoes and redefine his identity.

Comics and MCU Storytelling Lined Up

Rebranding the trade as The Rise of Doom is not just a cosmetic tweak. It is a clear effort to sync the comics reading experience with the path Marvel Studios is taking on screen. For many fans, movie news is the hook that pulls them back into the comics. Marvel is leaning into that by giving them a Doom story that already feels “cinematic” in scope.

The series shows Doom as more than a one-note ruler in armor. He is brilliant, proud, haunted by his past, and strangely sincere in his belief that only he can fix the world. Those qualities line up nicely with the kind of layered performance people expect from Robert Downey Jr.

If Avengers: Doomsday uses even part of this material, we could see a version of Doom who is not just a simple final boss, but a character wrestling with identity, legacy, and the shadow of Tony Stark.

What This Means for Fans

For longtime readers, this reprint is a chance to revisit a modern Doom classic with fresh context. Knowing that Marvel is now positioning the story as a bridge to the next Avengers film adds an extra layer of fun to every issue.

For newer fans, or for people who mainly know Marvel through the movies, The Rise of Doom looks like an ideal starting point. You get:

• A complete, twelve-issue story that stands on its own
• A deeper look at Doom beyond his usual “world conqueror” role
• Key themes and visuals that may echo in Avengers: Doomsday

Add in Alex Maleev’s moody, grounded art and you have a book that feels both very “comic book” and very cinematic at the same time.

Looking Ahead to Avengers: Doomsday

With a release date set for late 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be the next major tentpole in Marvel’s big-screen slate. Confirming Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom gives the movie instant buzz and a built-in emotional hook for fans who followed his journey as Tony Stark.

If Marvel continues to mirror elements from stories like The Rise of Doom, we can expect a version of Doom who is less of a cartoon villain and more of a tragic powerhouse. Someone who might see himself as the only one capable of saving the universe, even if his methods are terrifying.

Between the rebranded trade, the return of Bendis to Marvel, and the constant drip of film news, 2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for anyone who has been waiting for Doom to finally take center stage.

Whether you are in it for the comics, the movies, or both, The Rise of Doom looks like the perfect place to watch Victor Von Doom step into a new era, with the entire Marvel Universe watching.

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