The next chapter of The Cobra Threat threat begins here! James McCullen Destro XXIV is the man behind M.A.R.S. Industries, the undisputed leader in providing high-tech weapons to world powers… for the right price. But the emergence of Energon has changed everything. As Destro’s ambitions grow, the “Crimson Twins” Tomax and Xamot Paoli emerge to destroy their competition, and Cobra Commander realizes his current ally could be his future greatest enemy. Destro #1 adds a lot to the Energon Universe in one issue but overall is an unexciting start.

Skybound‘s Energon Universe has been amazing so far. It brings together Transformers, G.I. JOE, and more in a cohesive universe that makes sense and plays off of the contrasts in the properties. The world of G.I. JOE launched with Duke and Cobra Commander that introduced us to each character for G.I. JOE and Cobra existed. Each was unique in that their style and voice adding to the characters and the world, while introducing pieces of the puzzle slowly and methodically. The second wave of the G.I. JOE corner of the universe has launched with the debut of Scarlett and now Destro #1.

Written by Dan Watters, Destro #1 picks up after the end of Cobra Commander with Destro and M.A.R.S. now in a partnership with Cobra Commander to build him weapons. But first, a test of sorts as Destro decides to overthrow a small nation using his amped up weaponry. The issue lays out the relationship between Destro and Cobra Commander as they argue about Destro’s move to take over a nation and field test their weapons. We get a sense of their uneasy business relationship, a bit testier than the original cartoons. It also emphasizes Destro is a capitalist. He’s in it for the dollar and to make a profit which opens up opportunities as to where his loyalty may lie in the future.

But from there, it’s an introduction to rivals and other characters from the world of Destro. It folds in Tomax and Xamot as rival arms dealers, a logical introduction that deftly adds in more classic elements of G.I. JOE to the world and does so in a way that seems logical.

Where the issue falls flat is that it’s just not all that exciting. With art that feels a bit rough at times, the overall result feels like a walk from point A to point B but one that lacks. Destro’s overthrow of a nation doesn’t quite hit like it should, lacking drama and excitement. The introduction of Tamox and Xamot is the highlight portraying them as real ruthless businessmen who will get their hands dirty. Destro though is given a lot to work with but is done little. Unlike Duke and Cobra Commander, where we learned a lot about the characters, here, we learn more about the world leaving Destro as “capitalist” and not much more.

The art is part of the problem with the issue. Done by Andrei Bressan with color by Adriano Lucas and lettering by Rus Wooton, the style feels rough and not as smooth as the other three series. Characters look a little off and a bit more cartoony and comical making moments that should be dramatic, not as much. Then you get to the arms bazaar held by Destro and it feels like “Where’s Waldo” spotting references to the G.I. JOE that has come before.

It’s not that Destro #1 is bad. It adds more to the world but it feels like that’s what its goal is. It’s not a story first and references and teases second. It comes off as the references and teases were first and a story crafted around them at times. Expanding the Energon Universe, it does a fine job, but adds little to Destro as a character. It leaves him as one note, and falls a short compared to what has come before.

Story: Dan Watters Art: Andrei Bressan
Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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