The Cobra threat grows with every passing month, and Destro aims to develop the villain side tenfold. The new series launches this Wednesday from Dan Watters and Andrei Bressan, two creators who have made a case for being the best in their field. From Bressan’s stellar Dark Ride series to Watters’ DC Comics works and more, this series is in good hands. So far, Cobra Commander has been the most seen on the villain side of the Energon Universe’s reboot of G.I. Joe, but don’t count Destro out, especially after reading this first issue.
Destro #1 opens with the overturning of a government, as is seen in the preview already released. As for his issue, we know Destro controls a corporation known as M.A.R.S. Industries, but it seems his strength needs a boost on a geopolitical scale. Given that Cobra Commander has the tech and Energon to power super advanced technology, it seems fitting that Destro needs to up his game to stay in line and not be overpowered. Destro still takes orders from Cobra Commander; however, it is distasteful.
The geopolitical elements do lend a more realistic look at these characters; the overtaking of a government as a very real thing that happens in our reality. Something the Energon universe has been good at is keeping things grounded as much as possible, and that continues here.
Dan Watters does a good job fleshing out Destro via his ancestral connections and his love for war and weaponry. He’s as evil as evil gets, but also a man of principle and ambition. Given that Cobra Commander comes from another planet, Destro adds a human element to the evil side of the Energon Universe. His ambitiousness is obvious, although the man seems a bit too simple. There isn’t much time spent on him as a person.
War isn’t fair when you have flying robot troopers!
Credit: Skybound
Similar to Scarlett #1, this issue also plucks a few familiar G.I. Joe characters and plops them into the narrative. A specific duo is written exceptionally well, as they’re cold, calculating, and dangerous on a sociopathic level. Their inclusion adds another army of enemies that’ll likely eventually pad out the Cobra side for an eventual battle with G.I. Joe. Lifetime fans of this series won’t be disappointed.
Bressan’s art brings a lot to the table, and Adriano Lucas’s colors help bring a lot of fire and effects to life. His style’s a nice cel-shaded look with a thicker black line that adds to the details in between. Like Dark Ride, Bressan uses double-page layouts to show off exteriors with plenty of details. In one, you’ll find yourself lingering to check out the vehicles and such inside castle walls. Much attention was spent on Destor’s shiny silver head, with many nuances to show its reflection. His overall look, while pretty ridiculous, works well here.
Destro #1 appropriately reveals who Destro is in a few ways while fleshing out the bad-guy side of an ongoing building of an army for Cobra. The worldbuilding is strong with Destro, making it a can’t-miss series for fans of the Energon Universe.
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