Movies News Talk
The latest G.i. Joe miniseries from the Energon Universe is the darkest ever, with the armaments dealer Destro taking center stage. Destro, who appeared in both the Duke and Cobra Commander miniseries, now has his own five-issue limited series, and Skybound Entertainment has another winner on its hands. Destro succeeds as a darker, more brutal take on the G.I. Joe brand, thanks in large part to some outstanding world-building and a gripping psychological portrayal of the lead villain.
Destro #1, created by Dan Watters, Andrei Brissan, Adriano Lucas, and Rus Wooton, begins with a revolution taking place in the nation of Darklonia. A rebel army is seeking to depose their corrupt tyrant, with assistance from M.A.R.S. Industries and their new Energon-infused Battle Android Troopers.
The uneasy relationship between Destro and Cobra Commander has long been a source of drama and conflict in the franchise, and seeing them try to outmaneuver each other is still an engaging story thread. In this issue, Cobra Commander's dominion over the Energon-rich Louisiana swamplands enables Destro to usurp an entire country's authority. This relationship is expected to be a source of significant conflict and intrigue in future issues.
The additional conflict with Tomax and Xamot should create an imminent challenge for Destro to deal with over the next four issues, hopefully building up further deception and intrigue. Their attempt to assassinate Destro raises doubts about the Crimson Twins' true objectives and the possibility of future strife inside the Energon Universe.
Destro #1's somber tone is immediately noticeable. The creative team does an outstanding job of creating a sense of verisimilitude in the world, making many of the G.I. Joe franchise's outrageous elements more credible. Using a character who, according to writer Dan Watters in the back essay, dressed like a "pro-wrestling vampire" to investigate the consequences of war profiteering is an innovative way to flesh out this section of the Energon Universe.
Despite the overwhelming grimness, the creative team manages to balance the plot with some subtle dark comedy, resulting in a thoroughly fascinating read. The use of black humor adds depth and complexity to the plot, making it more interesting and thought provoking. It also emphasizes the futility of war and the intentions of those who benefit from it.
Destro, a high-tech weaponry manufacturer with roots reaching back to the Middle Ages, has long been a key villain in the G.I. Joe universe. Destro has established himself as a key participant in the global arms competition through M.A.R.S. Industries, but the unexpected advent of the Transformers and the discovery of Energon stores on Earth have changed the power balance dramatically.
The slightly insane portrayal of Destro makes him a darkly interesting protagonist, and it's an intriguing twist that distinguishes the Energon Universe version of the character. This sophisticated portrayal of Destro distinguishes him from prior renditions and introduces a fresh layer to his character. His fixation with his legacy, as well as his propensity to go to great lengths to keep power, make him both interesting and potentially dangerous.
The Energon Universe is a unique and fascinating world, and Destro #1 does a fantastic job of elaborating on it. The arrival of the Transformers and the discovery of Energon stores on Earth have had a significant global influence, as seen by the increased use of Energon-powered weapons and technologies.
The inclusion of Transformers in the G.I. Joe universe adds another degree of complexity to the plot. Their tremendous technology and power have changed the power dynamic, requiring Destro and other arms merchants to adapt and evolve. The Energon Universe world-building is outstanding, and it's evident that the creative team worked hard to create a believable and interesting setting.
The creative team assembled here continues Skybound's winning record, as another element of the G.I. Joe/Transformers shared universe comes together. Destro's battle with the Crimson Twins, as well as his fight to keep M.A.R.S. while keeping his tense alliance with Cobra Commander, will be fascinating to read in the coming months.
If fans are lucky, Destro and the other villains will eventually band together to establish the Cobra terrorist organization, which might lead to an ongoing G.I. Joe series based in the Energon Universe. This would be a nice addition to the Energon Universe, and it would be interesting to see how the creative team would expand on this new edition of the G.I. Joe franchise.