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

Destro #4 - Image Comics

DESTRO No. 4, September 2024

Pedantically plodding, as well as somewhat illogical when it comes to the motivation of the Crimson Twins in wanting to buy M.A.R.S. Industries with a “really big cheque” despite the evident “unmarketable” deficiencies of the company’s B.A.T.S. project, Dan Watters narrative for Issue Four of “Destro” was probably seen by many readers as an example of sluggish storytelling. Indeed, apart from a fleeting example of the aforementioned deadly, though utterly undeployable “fully functioning autonomous soldiers” gunning one another down, and an incredibly brief physical spate involving Astoria Carlton Ritz, this particular twenty-page periodical is practically devoid of any action.

Instead, its plot is infuriatingly padded out with conversation after conversation, or even worse – the titular character writing a long letter to Major Flagg, thanking the United States of America’s military for being “so very naughty.” Such sequences would ordinarily have been fine if interspersing the high-octane dramatics normally associated with Hasbro's "G.I. Joe" media franchise. But when each dialogue-driven scene simply runs into another, with absolutely no respite, then many a bibliophile will surely start to struggle to make it through this entire comic book in a single session; “Honestly, you’re going to make me start to think that rich white board members of billion-dollar-valued tech companies can’t party.”

Of course, that isn’t to say that this mini-series’ penultimate instalment doesn’t have any merits, as the revelation that Ritz’s sentient Artificial Intelligence is behind the assassinate attempts upon Destro is definitely an intriguing, surprise twist. However, even something as enthralling as a warmongering computer arbitrarily deciding “how to end war on Earth” arguably loses a tremendous amount of its impact when such a disclosure occurs amidst a rather tiresome nineteen panel long discussion.

Quite possibly just as uninspired by this sedentary script is Andrei Bressan, who appears to have ‘won’ the lion’s share for padding this publication out to its required length. The Brazilian artist is clearly trying his very best to do so, as seen with his drawings of Astoria desperately attempting to outfox Destro by running through a luxurious nightclub. Yet even so proficient a penciller as him can’t manage to imbue all that much interest in a carousel of verbal exchanges, where the majority of the cast just scowl at one another whilst talking.

Writer: Dan Watters, Artist: Andrei Bressan and Colorist: Adriano Lucas

Destro #3 - Image Comics

DESTRO No. 3, August 2024

Containing an impressively-paced bout of pugilism between the titular character and marvellously mysterious Chameleon, as well as a truly fascinating flashback to the English Civil War when Laird Destro was cruelly first introduced to his family’s now famous metal mask, this comic’s terrific trip into the “Energon Universe” must surely have landed well with any fan of the “G.I. Joe” franchise. True, Dan Watters’ plot for this twenty-page periodical probably only adds to the mountain of questions surrounding the identity of James’ would-be murderer. But frankly such uncertainties only increase the sense of excitement generated by this comic’s conclusion as the advanced weapons manufacturer quite astonishingly turns to General Flagg for help.

Of course, the biggest draw is undoubtedly the aforementioned unsuccessful assassination attempt in the Scottish Highlands, and the way the British author beautifully pens the leader of the Iron Grenadiers constantly defying the odds against an opponent who seemingly holds all of cards. This scrap is tremendously well delivered, and quite wonderfully shows that despite wearing an incredible amount of sophisticated protection about his person, along with “a lot of Kevlar”, Destro is still willing to get ‘close and personal’ when the situation requires it.

Similarly as successful though, has to be the writer’s detour back into the villain’s past to a time when his ancestor was busy supplying weapons to every side involved in King Charles’ eventual removal from the throne. This scene is as impactful as the entrepreneur’s fate is deeply disturbing, and should leave a lasting impression upon the reader as to just where the current Laird gets his seemingly super-human sense of determination from; “They thought to shame a Destro through discomfort. As though discomfort is not a weaponeer’s stock in trade.”

Furthermore, a good deal of gratitude should be given to Andrea Milana, who breathes palpable life into all these sense-shattering shenanigans with her positive pencils. Chameleon’s frantic attempts to kill her quarry are so dynamically sketched that the cold-blooded killer’s frustration at repeatedly failing is clear for all to see. Whilst the heat emanating from the Medieval furnace slowly melting down enough lead shot for a mask can easily be felt by any bibliophile witnessing the diabolical deed unfolding.

The regular cover art of "DESTRO" #3 by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas

Destro #2 - Image Comics

DESTRO No. 2, July 2024

Essentially comprising of a series of ‘tit-for-tat’ military operations against one another, Dan Watter’s narrative for Issue Two of “Destro” should certainly leave none within the mini-series’ audience in any doubt that the founder of M.A.R.S. Industries and the Corsican Crimson Twins really don’t get along. In fact, the two world-leading weapons manufacturers appear to go to some quite extraordinary lengths to ensure the total destruction of one another'' armament facilities; “Just look at how those beautiful, educated minds splatter on the ground.”

For those readers who enjoy such senseless slaughter, these high octane action sequences are certainly well-presented, most notably Xamot and Tomax Paoli’s attack upon Destro’s primary store of Energon in South Carolina – which results in the chrome-headed despot activating all of the merciless Battle Android Troopers (B.A.T.s) garrisoned there against the encroaching, scarlet-uniformed mercenaries. But after a while, some bibliophiles might find themselves needing to take something of a break from so much unrelenting, mutual death and destruction.

Impressively however, that is precisely what the British writer subsequently offers by suddenly spotlighting a very private meeting between the two warring factions’ leaders at an undisclosed location in the Pacific Ocean. The subsequent tense, somewhat haughty dialogue, threats and interactions on show are easily as captivating as all the mayhem depicted in this twenty-page periodical’s first half, and also establishes just how far Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV is willing to go with his secret stash of retrieved American nuclear warheads to win the day. Furthermore, the conversation definitely suggests that the ever-manipulative Cobra Commander may well have had a hand in causing the entire conflict in the first place.

Perhaps though it is this comic’s final scene showing “the Scottish leader of the Iron Grenadiers” single-handedly traipsing across the snow-covered Highlands to his family’s secret tomb, which is the highlight of this publication. Extremely well pencilled by Andrei Bressan and coloured by Adriano Lucas, any onlookers will feel the biting cold tearing through the titular character as he makes his arduous mountain trek, as well as gain a valuable insight into both the man’s strong superstitiousness and surprising hubris when it comes to outfoxing anyone thinking of following him.

The regular cover art of "DESTRO" #2 by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas

Destro #1 - Image Comics

DESTRO No. 1, June 2024

Apparently presenting “the next chapter of the Cobra threat”, Dan Watters’ script for Issue One of “Destro” must surely have thoroughly entertained any fans of the “Real American Hero” media franchise with its incredibly engrossing opening featuring an insurgency in the Republic of Darklonia, and subsequent side-plots involving various shady armament dealers. Indeed, considering the sheer scope of some of this mini-series’ numerous storylines, such as the rising power struggle behind M.A.R.S. Industries’ owner and Cobra Commander, some readers will doubtless be disappointed that the title will be limited to just five instalments; “I hope I see you in Hell, Laird Destro.”

Leading this assault upon the audience’s senses is arguably the British author’s excellent handling of James McCullen Destro XXIV, who is initially depicted as the chilling saviour of a population already squeezed dry by the corruption of a greedy Prime Minister. This redemption genuinely appears to be little more than the ‘backwater nation’ exchanging one blood-thirsty ruler for another. But is soon revealed to have also been partly prompted by the weapons manufacturer’s infatuation with both “the emergence of Energon”, as well as the desire to field test his Battle Android Trooper project – something which ultimately fails when it becomes evident the robotic killing machines’ “volatile” programming means “they shoot anything with a face in that face, until they’re switched off.”

Equally as engrossing though are this comic’s action sequences, which hint at just how truly vicious a world the likes of a “blood-soaked” Artyom Darklon dwell in. It takes quite a bit of penmanship to make “the Scottish leader of the Iron Grenadiers” appear to be this book’s heroic saviour – at least to begin with. Yet that is precisely what the writer initially achieves when Destro is compared to a Prime Minister willing to have his soldiers gleefully “gut shot” a few protestors just to show the others how they ‘drowned in their own intestines.’

Likewise, artist Andrei Bressan and colorist Adriano Lucas provide the publication with some marvellously crafted visual pieces, most notably the emergence of a B.A.T. advanced prototype from amidst the insurrectionists, and the Crimson Twins’ massacre of a military infirmary in Sierra Gordo, South America. Packing a far portion of gratuitous violence and physical mutilation, the layouts make it very clear that even the tiniest mistake, whether on the battlefield or inside a politically-charged boardroom, will have atrocious consequences for those making them.

The regular cover art of "DESTRO" #1 by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas