Warning: The following contains spoilers for 2099 Omega #1, by Nick Spencer, Gerardo Sandoval, Zé Carlos, Victor Nava, Morry Hollowell, Brian Reber, Andrew Crossley and Caramanga, on sale now.
Doctor Doom is back and is in the process of undoing the happy ending Miguel O'Hara got in 2099. In 2099 Omega #1, Doctor Doom created a world without superheroes and is desperate to keep it that way, to the point where he has enslaved one of the most powerful beings in existence: the otherwise benign Uatu the Watcher. In this issue, however, Doom has done the unthinkable, apparently cutting the cosmic entity down with a gut shot of power from his gauntlet, and allowing the all-seeing being to bleed out.
Doom isn't known for mercy, of course, but fans were surprised by the brutal death delivered to Uatu. As a member of the Watchers, Uatu is very old and has near omniscience, being able to see every facet and event of not just our reality, but others throughout the Marvel multiverse, monitoring the events of 2099 included. That is why Doom captured him in the first place, to be his non-compliant soothsayer as a means of seeing the threats to his power before they become insurmountable.
Throughout the event, Doctor Doom steadily increased Uatu's torture, growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of progress. This all comes to a head when Doctor Doom states he knows Uatu is covering for an unknown person who could bring everything down around him, and that the torture will stop in exchange for the information. Uatu refuses, causing Doctor Doom to reach his breaking point. Blasting a hole in Uatu's chest, Doctor Doom leaves him to die in his prison.
This isn't the first time Uatu has taken punishment for helping the heroes of Marvel, of course. He famously "nudged" the Fantastic Four in a victory against Galactus, for example, and has at other times all but eschewed his vow to never get involved with the people or events he watches.
Of note, too, is that this series isn't the first time Doctor Doom has attacked and usurped the power of a Watcher. He did so way back in Fantastic Four #374, when he originally built the armor that first appeared in 2099. With it, he captured and contained the cosmic energies of Uatu's fellow Watcher, Aron, a rogue of his species who decided to directly act in the affairs of the universe. That transference also harmed the victim, putting Aron into a coma.
It remains to be seen what will happen next for this "new" Doom in 2099, but in his dying throes, Uatu heralds in a "New Age of Heroes" in 2099, a prospect which will certainly be at odds with the dictator's nefarious plans.