Advance Review: Crimson Guards and Burning Robots Liven Up ‘Destro’ #2

The first issue of Destro was a character study of its title character, introducing readers to a man so obsessed with gaining power that he fails to realize he’s already lost it. Destro #2 is much more of a formalist exercise, using a parallel visual structure to compare and contrast Destro with his immediate rivals, Xamot and Tomax of Extensive Enterprises. But the visual parallelism still further underscores Destro’s characterization as a man failing to see how his efforts are costing him the very thing he’s trying to gain. 

In the wake of the attack on Destro’s MARS Industries-hosted arms fair in Darklonia last issue, Destro is blaming the so-called “Crimson Twins” of Extensive Enterprises for the attacks. The twins, Xamot and Tomax, meanwhile, are accusing Destro of launching the attack himself, as a false flag exercise.

Their arguments, and the ensuing escalation of conflict between Extensive Enterprises and MARS Industries, unfolds across much of the issue via a series of parallel panel constructions. Artist Andrei Bressan cuts back and forth between the two sides. Events happening in an Extensive Enterprises training ground are narrated by Destro. Meanwhile, an attack on MARS Industries is narrated by the Crimson Twins. 

At times, both sides are positioned in immediate parallel to each other: a panel looking over Destro’s shoulder, fist raised, as he rallies his trips, followed immediately by a panel of the Twins, their fists raised, rallying their troops. During each group’s attack on the other, the action of each is depicted the same way: two pages, each divided into four rectangular panels, followed by a finishing splash page.

Each attack also involves the other side learning something about the operations of their opponent (the creation of the BATS by Destro, and Extensive Enterprises near-successful implementation of the future Cobra ASP).  By the end of the two conflicts, the page is split down the middle, Destro and the events at Extensive Enterprises on the left, Xamot and the attack on MARS on the right. 

What this structure does is underscore how alike the two sides are. It also shows how both fail to realize they’re merely softening each other up in a way that will ultimately lead to both being forced to work together under a common banner.

It’s easy to draw a line from the events of Destro #2 to the ultimate integration into Cobra of both groups, their feud here weakening both sides to the point that they’re forced to work together under someone else’s guidance. In that way, the events of this issue connect back to issue #1, and further the arc of Destro’s character, as his pride continues him along a path to his downfall (something further highlighted by the cliffhanger ending to the issue). 

In addition to the panel and page layout of the issue, Bressan also gets to show off his chops in some other places as well. In particular, the Extensive Enterprises attack on Destro’s South Carolina BAT manufacturing facility (carried out by troops wearing the iconic Crimson Guardsman uniforms) is a fun bit of horror storytelling.

After the “Sieges” fire rockets into the facility, Destro orders all BATs to be remotely activated, regardless of their condition. The end result is an army of burning BATS emerging from the wreckage — many crawling, missing a limb, or with half their face blown off — to attack the Sieges. Bressan renders the whole thing like a zombie attack, except the zombies are metal. And on fire. It’s a blast. 

Destro #2 is another successful issue for the series, and the Skybound G.I. Joe imprint overall. The parallel storytelling underscores the conflict between Destro, Xamot, and Tomax, making it clear that, despite their rivalry, they represent different sides of the same coin. That said coin is destined to slip into the pocket of Cobra Commander makes the whole thing even more tragic (and ludicrous), which is the point. Once again, Destro’s fight to be the best is the very thing that will keep him from becoming the best. 

Destro #2 is available for purchase tomorrow July 17, 2024.