The Energon Universe continues to grow with its latest entry into the G.I. JOE side of things being Destro #1. This new mini-series following up on the character’s appearance in both Duke and Cobra Commander mini-series. This continues the trend of building out the G.I. JOE side of the Energon Universe through several mini-series rather than one big ongoing. We recently got a new Scarlett mini-series that debuted strong. Can this mini-series continue the positive momentum the GI Joe franchise has within the Energon Universe? Find out with our advance review of Destro #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Rus Wooton
DESTRO #1 SOLICITATION
“THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE COBRA 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.
Acclaimed writer DAN WATTERS (UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON LIVES!, Loki) and artist ANDREI BRESSAN (DARK RIDE, BIRTHRIGHT) change the balance of power in the Energon Universe forever.” – Image Comics & Skybound
REVIEW
Following in the footsteps of its Cobra Commander predecessor, Destro #1 gets things off with a strong statement. We aren’t just locked down to seeing how the good guys are able overcome the villains. Thanks to the variety provided by each franchise in the Energon Universe we can get a ton of different journeys.
Nailing the fact that Destro is looking out for themselves and his clan with everything they do is Dan Watters and Andrei Bressan’s biggest success. The opening is a great way to start establishing this. At first we are lead to believe their would be more of a shades of grey with this interpretation of the M.A.R.S leader. That is quickly done away with how a later scene confirms this is a villain title first and foremost.
Making sure that Destro is treated as a villain makes him a much better protagonist for a series. Just like Cobra Commander before him, everything Destro does is for his great mission as clan and M.A.R.S leader. Watters and Bressan are at their best as a creative team when they balance out his charm with a tone that makes you love to hate him. There is always something more to what the character does and says that you expect from a villain manipulating every scene they are in.
Destro #1 also further develops how M.A.R.S and Cobra operate in order to obtain power and influence over the world. For all the sci-fi Energon Universe elements the overall story is grounded because of Destro’s mission. Creating a world grounded with real world elements helps make the G.I. Joe characters standout even more.
It all leads to an interesting set up for how Watters and Bressan approach creating a conflict against a villain lead character. It’s carefully done in a way that you don’t sympathize with Destro. Rather you’re left wondering what response will be to a development he did not foresee happening. This allows the ending to enhance the strengths of the M.A.R.S leader.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Destro #1 is another great addition to the Energon Universe. Dan Watters and Andrei Bressan nail how to tell a story around a villain as the protagonist of the series. The way things are developed around Destro leaves you intrigued by what this will mean for the leader of M.A.R.S and the greater impact it’ll have on the G.I. JOE side of the universe. This a must-read for G.I. JOE and Energon Universe fans.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Get an early look at some of the opening pages of Destro #1 by checking out this preview.
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