In 500 AD, the tyrannical king of Latveria, Vladimir Fortunov, creates the Crown of Sabbat, which gives the wearer great power. After attempting to stage a revolt, a young Romani boy is given the cosmic power by the Silver Surfer, transforming him into Latveria's heroic champion, who allegedly kills Fortunov and ends his reign. Werner gave Victor his powers to save his life, and Fortunov's assassins immediately killed the depowered Werner. An enraged Doom slaughtered all of the king's men and inadvertently destroyed Latveria's palace. He was subsequently deemed unworthy by the Silver Surfer and imprisoned. Feeling incapable of becoming a true hero, Doom surrenders. The West Coast Avengers takes him to a secret Thunderbolts black site. Doctor Strange has a premonition of Wonder Man's impending death. As the West Coast Avengers return to the city, they realize Dimitri intentionally made Doom kill him while he was wearing the Crown of Sabbat so that he could be reborn with the Power Cosmic, who arises from the dead to claim his throne.
