Begins with a difficult childhood in a Romani camp in Latveria. He lost his mother, a witch, and later his father. These experiences and his subjugation under a harsh regime fueled his ambition and quest for power. He was offered a scholarship at Empire State University in the United States where he met Reed Richards. His rivalry with Richards began when Doom, working on a device to contact his deceased mother, ignored Reed's warning about a flaw in his calculations. The device exploded, leaving his face severely scarred, an injury he attributes to Richards. Expelled, he traveled the world, learning about science and magic before eventually taking over Latveria and cementing himself as the nation's ruler. Doom's primary goal is world domination. He believes he's the only one capable of bringing order and peace to humanity, albeit under his autocratic rule. He deeply desires to prove his intellectual superiority over Reed Richards, fueled by their long-standing rivalry. Beyond this, Doom has also shown a commitment to the welfare of his people in Latveria, and on several occasions has collaborated with heroes to combat greater threats to humanity, suggesting a complex morality.