Destro #5 - Image Comics

DESTRO No. 5, October 2024

Pushed by its Portland-based publisher as depicting “the most dangerous powers in the Energon Universe [being] at war” with one another, fans of Hasbro’s “G.I. Joe” franchise most likely found this mini-series’ finale rather disheartening. True, Dan Watter’s narrative for Issue Five of “Destro” does show the titular character pummelling his way through the Crimson Twins at the M.A.R.S. Industries Headquarters. But this enjoyably lengthy bout of fisticuffs doesn’t debatably amount to anything other than giving the Scottish leader of the Iron Grenadiers the satisfaction of physically beating down some rivals before allowing Xamot and Tomax to live.

Indeed, the promise of the mysterious Cobra Commander participating in the brutal contest doesn’t even occur, with the fanatical terrorist simply looking on from the side-lines as a spectator; “I am keeping my options open, Destro.” This distinct lack of consequences to the highly-anticipated confrontation sadly sucks all the life out of the comic, if not the entire mini-series, and lamentably transpires just when the arrogant brothers appear to be about to get their well-deserved comeuppance, having arrogantly strolled straight into the armament’s factory only to unexpectedly find its founder still alive and well.

Similarly as dissatisfying though, is arguably this twenty-two page periodical’s conclusion, which sees James McCullen Destro XXIV somewhat bizarrely pardon his would-be-murderers, and then actually offer them (as well as Cobra) an alliance so as “to keep the world in a state of perpetual war.” Considering that the Crimson Twins had literally just tried to kill him with a garrotte, such forgiveness may strike many a bibliophile as being fairly unfathomable - albeit the weapons manufacturer is later depicted as having an intimate relationship with Astoria Carlton Ritz, who had also previously gone to great lengths to assassinate him.

However, what doesn’t disappoint are Andrei Bressan’s layouts, which do a cracking job in representing the savage speed of Laird Destro’s frantic fight. Onlookers should easily be able to imagine the pain inflicted by the man’s solidly-struck punches, as well as his momentary desperation when one of his attackers manages to get behind him with a deadly ligature. Furthermore, the Brazilian illustrator’s handling of Chameleon’s well-co-ordinated strike against the Crimson Guard shows all the efficiency expected for a successful military operation by highly-experienced operatives.

The regular cover art of "DESTRO" #5 by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas