For Victor von Doom, the world officially ended the day that Valeria died.

From then on, something was missing from his incessant attacks on the Fantastic Four. Something – somehow – perhaps it was the flourish with which he christened his latest Laser-Attack-Bot. Perhaps it was the flair with which he set into motion the final phase of Project Total Annihilation B, or the finesse with which he delivered the always-essential Villainous Monologue.

Perhaps it was simply that, when he stepped away from his throne – a rare occurrence, nowadays – and stood in front of the big bay window, and looked out over his kingdom . . . there was no one standing beside him.

It had been years, decades, since Doom had last stood against the Fantastic Four. Of course, he had made time to send off the occasional Sudden Robot Attack. Just to let them know that he was thinking of them . . . you know? And, every now and again, he arranged for some manner of demon to jump out and grab one of the various little Richards or Grimm children.

But he had more important things to think of now.

a) His robots.

b) The Ruling of Latveria – Valeria had been the perfect queen, always tending to the citizens when Doom was busy in the lab. She'd been one of them. And they loved her for it.

c) His lab.

d) His robots.

e) His children.

He was coming close to striking E off the list.

Victoria, his firstborn – Valeria's firstborn – had left who-knows-how-long ago. He'd last heard from her two months ago, when he launched a Nuclear First-Strike against this idiotic punk, Justin something, whom she'd been dating at the time. Vikki had taken over the Mole Man's domain, was leading a Massive Minion Horde Attack against Quebec, and had pierced her nose.

She called herself Ruin.

Kristoff, the younger, didn't really seem to do much in the way of Villainous Deeds. Occasionally his footsteps were still heard in the grand halls of Castle Doom, or his cloak would be seen hanging on the rack outside the lab. But those occasions were far and few between now. He attended college somewhere in America, at least right now. He was something of a wanderer.

Doom would not visit Kristoff, or check up on his Possibly Traitorous Romantic Interests. Kristoff had inherited Valeria's eyes and hair and face and quiet demeanor, and it made Doom's head ache to look upon him.

So, instead of associating with his children, Doom spent his time in the lab.

He had one last project he wanted to finish.