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Destro issue 4

2024-09-21T13:46:53Z

DemonS: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' #4
|prev=Destro issue 3
|next=Destro issue 5
|image=Destro 4 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[September 18]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=September 2024
|written by=[[Dan Watters]]
|art by=[[Andrei Bressan]]
|colors by=[[Adriano Lucas]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Destro discovers the truth behind the recent attacks against him, while Tomax and Xamot make moves with a powerful new ally.'''

==Synopsis==
Having not been seen for eight days following Chameleon's attack, [[Destro]] has been presumed dead and [[Tomax and Xamot]] are ready to seize [[M.A.R.S.]] for themselves, meeting with [[Darklon (G.I. Joe)|Darklon]] - now the acting CEO of his cousin's company - in [[Darklonia]]. While Darklon initially balks at the idea of selling his family's company, the Crimson Twins present him with a ''very'' generous check. Darklon reluctantly accepts and orders [[Mercer]] to prepare a demonstration of the [[Battle Android Trooper]]s. The Twins are impressed with the B.A.T.'s offensive capabilities, wondering why Destro hadn’t unveiled them before, though they soon get their answer as the B.A.T.s turn on each other after eliminating their targets. Upon seeing their flaw, the Twins call them utterly unmarketable.

Meanwhile, Destro has been pouring through the files he received from [[General Flagg]], learning all sorts of secrets about military operations, including one involving [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Conrad "Duke" Hauser]] encountering an [[Starscream (G1)|an intelligent plane]]. As he learns, this report led to further investigation of who could be behind such technology, leading the [[CIA]] to infiltrate various American companies. On a list of infiltrated companies, one stands out to Destro: [[Hybrid Technologies]].

Destro ends up crashing the party of [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]], who is shocked to see him alive. She invites him to a meeting room upstairs, but flees out the back door. Destro alerts [[Scrap-Iron]] to her position, and as Astoria exits the building, the M.A.R.S. weaponsmith fires a rocket at her. However, Astoria turns around and neutralizes the missile with an EMP blast... one that appears to come from her own body! Destro reveals that he had deduced the truth: her father had always dreamed of what robotic enhancements could do for humanity, experimenting with them on Astoria. ''She'' was Chameleon the entire time, using a blonde wig and goggles to disguise herself. Destro also believes her to be behind the attack on the Darklonia arms fair, but she reveals that she was only responsible for attacking him in the [[Scottish Highlands]], only doing so out of the (incorrect) belief that he was aware of Project: [[Overkill (G.I. Joe)|Overkill]].

Project: Overkill was her and her father’s pet project: a "peacekeeping" artificial intelligence that could learn about and neutralize potential threats before they happen on a global scale. Astoria believed it to be a path to world peace, but Destro sees it for what it is: the ultimate weapon. She then reveals that the Overkill AI woke up before it was ready and, while still working with Astoria, has begun making its own decisions; Overkill attacked the arms fair against her orders because it perceived it to be a threat. And Astoria is afraid of what it might do next. When Destro asks where the AI is, she reveals it to be watching them from a satellite in orbit.

Now acting as the heads of M.A.R.S. Industries, Tomax and Xamot dig through Destro’s files, discovering one of his recent contacts. Believing their goals more mutually aligned than that of Destro, the Crimson Twins arrange a meeting… with [[Cobra Commander]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[M.A.R.S.]]|c1=
* [[Mercer]] (3)
* [[Darklon (G.I. Joe)|Darklon]] (4)
* [[Battle Android Trooper]]s (5)
* [[Destro]] (6)
* [[Scrap-Iron]] (10)

|h2=[[Cobra]]|c2=
* [[Cobra Commander]] (11)

|h3=[[Extensive Enterprises]]|c3=
* [[Tomax and Xamot]] (1 & 2)

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[General Flagg]] (7)
* Private [[Dana Ferrez]] (8)
* [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]]/[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Desto. I-It’s wonderful to see you. I heard you were dead." 
“I was. But Hell couldn’t afford my consultation fee, so I came back.”
:—'''Astoria''' and '''Destro'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Darklon has been ruling Darklonia since he and Destro aided the revolution back in [[Destro issue 1|issue #1]].
* Through the files he gained from General Flagg, Destro learns of the circumstances that brought Duke to his door in the ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' miniseries. While Duke had briefly alluded to it in [[Duke issue 5|Duke #5]], Destro appears to now have the full story concerning Hauser’s encounter with Starscream back in ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|#2]].
* While the fact that the apparently dud missile was working perfectly well was discovered by Scrap-Iron last issue, this issue reveals why it didn’t work: Astoria’s cyborg implants.
* Scrap-Iron’s comment last issue of weapons thinking for themselves proves to be foreshadowing for the revelations about the Overkill AI this issue.

===''G.I. Joe'' references===
* As stated previously, Overkill is traditionally the name of the either robotic or cyborg agent of Cobra that serves as commander of the Battle Android Trooper. Here, Overkill has been reimagined as an artificial intelligence.
* It’s also worth noting that Astoria is here depicted as having cybernetic implants, in a distinct echoing of the second incarnation of Overkill.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Astoria demanding her employees party echoes a similar scene from her debut episode of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], “[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]”, with the quote “It’s my party and I’ll get us all blacked out if I want to” even paraphrasing her G1 counterpart’s line of “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.”
** Astoria also had an inexplicable ability to jinx any machine she touches in her debut episode. Here, it's explained to be a personal EMP burst provided by her robotic implants.

===Real-life references===
* The above referenced line also serves as a paraphrasing of the chorus to {{w|Leslie Gore}}’s classic 1963 pop song “{{w|It's My Party}}”.

===Errors===
* Private Ferrez’s uniform should be displaying her Armed Forces branch on her left breast, not her first name.

===Other notes===
*

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Destro and Chameleon attacked by drone, by Andrei Bressan & Adrian Lucas.
* '''Cover B:''' Destro rocking that drip, by [[Siya Oum]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Nikola Čižmešija]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Scrap-Iron on explosion background, by [[Travis Moore]] & [[Adriano Lucas]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Chameleon takes aim, by [[Homare]].

<gallery>
File:Destro 4 Cover A.jpg|
File:Destro 4 Cover B.jpg|
File:Destro 4 Cover C.jpg|
File:Destro 4 Cover D.jpg|
File:Destro 4 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* 5-page preview for ''Ultramega''

===Reprints===
* '''''Destro Volume 1: The Enemy''''' ([[December 4]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534357688 / ISBN 978-1534357686 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Destro V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: The Enemy''''' – cover art by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Destro issues]]

Destro issue 2

2024-09-21T09:54:09Z

DemonS: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' #2
|prev=Destro issue 1
|next=Destro issue 3
|image=Destro 2 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[July 17]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=July 2024
|written by=[[Dan Watters]]
|art by=[[Andrei Bressan]]
|colors by=[[Adriano Lucas]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''M.A.R.S. and Extensive Enterprises go to war! Whoever wins, the world will lose.'''

==Synopsis==
After the devastating attack on [[Darklonia]], [[Destro]] addresses his [[Iron Grenadier]]s, assuring them that though the damage [[Extensive Enterprises]] did was considerable, their retaliation will be far worse, for [[M.A.R.S.]] has the greater firepower. Meanwhile, [[Tomax and Xamot]] address their [[Crimson Guard]] and tell them that Destro's false flag attack on his own fair will not sully their reputation. If Destro wants a war, they will give him one. After all, Extensive has the superior manpower.

The two companies engage in a series of battles: M.A.R.S. attacks a Crimson Guard training ground in [[Belarus]] to cripple their army. However, their [[Despoiler]]s are quickly eliminated by the Guards' [[Assault System Pod]]s, weapons stolen from M.A.R.S. themselves. In contrast, the Crimson Guard attacks a factory in [[South Carolina]] that is secretly manufacturing [[Battle Android Trooper]]s. However, unbeknownst to them, the facility also contains M.A.R.S.'s primary store of [[Energon]]. Not wanting the fuel to fall into enemy hands, Destro orders all B.A.T.s in the facility to be activated. Though damaged by the destruction of the facility, the android troops crawl out of the flaming rubble and eliminate their targets. Witnessing the destruction their war is causing, both parties decide it’s time for parlay.

Destro invites the Paolis to the [[Scrapheap of Empires]], a massive landfill in the middle of the [[Pacific Ocean]] where nations across the globe have dumped their old weapons of war and a fitting place to settle their conflict, lest they turn the entire world into a similar wasteland. Tomax balks at Destro calling for a ceasefire when he started this war, prompting the Laird to insist that, unlike the twins, he does not lie. Each side sticks to their story, and when Tomax threatens him again, Destro reveals he has a nuclear warhead aimed at their position. Ultimately, the CEOs agree that they will focus more on corporate warfare than physical combat.

Destro then returns to his ancestral home in the [[Scotland|Scottish Highlands]] to once more seek counsel from his ancestors. As he speaks to them of how only those with Destro blood can know the location of this tomb, [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|a lone assassin]] waits for him in the mountains outside...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[M.A.R.S.]]|c1=
* [[Destro]] (1)
* [[Iron Grenadier]]s (2)
* [[Battle Android Trooper]]s (6)

|h2=[[Extensive Enterprises]]|c2=
* [[Tomax and Xamot]] (3 & 4)
* [[Crimson Guard]]smen (5)
|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* While the narrative certainly implied Tomax and Xamot to be behind the attack on Darklonia last issue, it was never stated outright. This issue confirms they were not behind the attack… so who was?
* Destro’s possession of Energon, first given to him by [[Cobra Commander]] in [[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]] [[Cobra Commander issue 5|#5]] is still unknown, much like the existence of the B.A.T.s, which were established to be a secret last issue.

===''G.I. Joe'' references===
* One of the Crimson Guardsmen shown without his helmet has blond hair, making him resemble the "Fred" operatives from the original ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' comic from [[Marvel Comics]].
* The Crimson Guard is shown using the Assault System Pod (A.S.P.), a classic Cobra vehicle from the 1984 range of toys. Fittingly, they are colored red, similar to how the A.S.P. were decoed in the 2004 "Operation Crimson Sabotage" box set.
** The A.S.P. is also shown being pulled by a V.A.M.P.-esque jeep.
* Chameleon, introduced in this issue, has an interesting conceptual history. Introduced in 2000 as a trademark replacement for the [[Baroness]], Chameleon was the Baroness’ long-lost, near-identical half-sister who used their resemblance to infiltrate Cobra on behalf of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. She was later used in a similar (though slightly more complicated) manner in [[IDW Publishing]]’s [[Hasbro Universe]], which gave her real name as "Erika Le Tene". Recently, [[Renegade Game Studios]] included her in their "[[Cobra/Con Fusion]]" adventure scenario for the G.I. Joe and [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]s, now with the real name of Eléa Cisarovna. What will the Energon Universe version look like? Only time will tell.
* Chameleon reports to [[Overkill (G.I. Joe)|Overkill]], the cyborg commander of the B.A.T.s from the ''G.I. Joe vs. Cobra'' incarnation of the franchise.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Destro, Tomax and Xamot, and an army of B.A.T.s engulfed in flame, by Andrei Bressan & Adrian Lucas.
* '''Cover B:''' Tomax and Xamot reflected in Destro’s face, by [[Riley Rossmo]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Nikola Čižmešija]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Tomax on explosion background, by [[Jeff Spokes]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Destro and his accoutrements, by [[Yasmine Putri]].

<gallery>
File:Destro 2 Cover A.jpg|
File:Destro 2 Cover B.jpg|
File:Destro 2 Cover C.jpg|
File:Destro 2 Cover D.jpg|
File:Destro 2 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 11|#11]], ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' [[Scarlett issue 2|#2]], and ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 11|#11]].
* Codename: [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] continues in ''Scarlett''!
* The [[Cobra]] threat continues in ''Destro''!
* Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'', ''Void Rivals'', ''Transformers'', and ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]''
* ''Impact Winter''
* Skybound Insiders

===Reprints===
* '''''Destro Volume 1: The Enemy''''' ([[December 4]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534357688 / ISBN 978-1534357686 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Destro V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: The Enemy''''' – cover art by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Destro issues]]

Destro issue 3

2024-09-21T09:53:07Z

DemonS: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' #3
|prev=Destro issue 2
|next=Destro issue 4
|image=Destro 3 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[August 21]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=August 2024
|written by=[[Dan Watters]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Adriano Lucas]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Destro finds himself beset by a mysterious new enemy, but his survival may depend on a new pawn.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Destro]] exits his family's mausoleum to find [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] waiting for him with a rifle in her hands. Believing her to work for [[Tomax and Xamot]], he gloats that her efforts are for naught, but she cooly ignores him and fires. Destro tries to fire back with his wrist-mounted rocket launcher, but it shorts out and he is hit. As Chameleon moves to inspect the body, Destro gets up and attacks. He questions how she is disabling his equipment, but she continues to ignore his banter and radios [[Overkill (G.I. Joe)|Overkill]] to activate her [[Buzzard]] drones. Destro retreats to his [[Despoiler]] and tries to escape as the drones bombard him with rockets. Once again his technology fails him as his Despoiler begins to malfunction before being shot down by one of the Buzzards.

Meanwhile, at [[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]], [[Mercer]] and [[Scrap-Iron]] examine the Buzzards that attacked [[Darklonia]]. Scrap-Iron reports that the drones have computing and guidance systems similar to that of their own [[Battle Android Trooper]]s, but points out that Destro only got the B.A.T.s to work thanks to [[Energon]]. He also reports that the dud missile that Destro rescued [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]] from appears to be in perfect working order. Mercer begins to suspect that there’s more to the attack than meets the eye and that the Paolis were not behind it, and goes to find Destro, who’s been dark since he ventured to his homeland.

Destro crawls from the wreckage of his Despoiler and treks his way across the Scottish mountains to a [[United States Air Force]] base, and demands to speak to [[General Flagg]]! Destro regales Flagg with a story about the origins of his mask:

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Laird Destro sold weapons to all sides of the war: the Irish, the Scottish, and to the eventual victor, Oliver Cromwell. But when Cromwell's men discovered Destro’s betrayal, he balked: they would not kill him. Cromwell needed his weapons. Instead, Cromwell's men placed a hot iron mask made from smelted musket balls on the Laird’s face, as a mark of shame for the world to see. However, Clan Destro reclaimed that mark of shame and turned it into a symbol of pride.

Flagg asks Destro what he wants while threatening him with extradition to a black site, but Destro - like his ancestor - knows the value he has and intimates to Flagg that if something were to happen to him, the [[United States of America]] would no longer receive weapons from M.A.R.S., thus making them an open target for hostilities. Begrudgingly, Flagg agrees to listen to Destro’s demands.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[M.A.R.S.]]|c1=
* [[Destro]] (1)
* [[Mercer]] (3)
* [[Scrap-Iron]] (4)

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (2)
* ''Cromwell’s soldier'' (5)
* ''Laird Destro'' (6)
* [[General Flagg]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"They thought to shame a Destro through ''discomfort''. As though discomfort is not a weaponeer's stock in trade. We dance in the grey spaces between international law. We refuse to look away from the devastation of our wares, which turns the stomachs of a world that finds it all so necessary, yet impolite. Our Clan took that melded mask of shame, and it became a symbol of out pride. That we can carry such weight. That we can thrive in it. And God, ''how'' we thrive."
:—'''Destro'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The attack on Darklonia occurred back in [[Destro issue 1|issue #1]].
* Scrap-Iron’s remark about the similarity between the Buzzards and the B.A.T.s further hints towards the involvement of [[Cobra Commander]], as only he has the Energon necessary to power the B.A.T.s.
* Scrap-Iron alludes to weapons "thinking for themselves," likely a dual nod to either the robotic Overkill who has been alluded to previously or the [[Transformer]]s.

===''G.I. Joe'' references===
* The story Destro tells about the origin of Clan Destro’s mask being based in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_the_Three_Kingdoms Wars of Three Kingdoms] was first referenced on the [https://www.yojoe.com/action/88/destro2.shtml 1988 figure] file card.
* General Lawrence J. Flagg is the original commanding officer of the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe team]] from the ''A Real American Hero'' era, appearing in both the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel comic]] and the Sunbow cartoon series (though in the case of the latter, he was merged with fellow general, “Iron Butt” Austin) and served as namesake for the [[USS Flagg]]. While Flagg has appeared sporadically in subsequent ''Joe'' media, such as ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'', more recent iterations have tended to see his role fulfilled by either [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] or [[Joe Colton]].

===Real-life references===
* As mentioned above, the Clan Destro backstory is tied into the Wars of Three Kingdoms, also known as the British Civil Wars, one of the major turning points in British history that helped lead to the modern day [[United Kingdom]].

===Other notes===
* This issue features a guest artist in [[Andrea Milana]], returning from the previous Cobra-centric Energon Universe miniseries, ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Chameleon attacks Destro, by [[Andrei Bressan]] & Adrian Lucas.
* '''Cover B:''' Destro dual-wielding machine guns, by [[Karl Kerschl]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Nikola Čižmešija]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Xamot on explosion background, by [[Mico Suayan]] & [[Rex Lokus]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Destro and an army of bats are confronted by a group of soldiers led by Hawk, by [[Eric Canete]].

<gallery>
File:Destro 3 Cover A.jpg|
File:Destro 3 Cover B.jpg|
File:Destro 3 Cover C.jpg|
File:Destro 3 Cover D.jpg|
File:Destro 3 Cover E.jpg|
File:Destro 3 Gotham City Limit Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 12|#12]], ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' [[Scarlett issue 4|#4]], and ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|#12]].
* Codename: [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] continues in ''Scarlett''!
* The [[Cobra]] threat continues in ''Destro''!
* Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'', ''Void Rivals'', ''Transformers'', and ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]''
* ''Impact Winter''
* ''Invincible: The Hero-Building Game''
* Skybound Insiders

===Reprints===
* '''''Destro Volume 1: The Enemy''''' ([[December 4]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534357688 / ISBN 978-1534357686 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Destro V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: The Enemy''''' – cover art by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Destro issues]]

Duke issue 5

2024-04-25T14:24:05Z

DemonS: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' #5
|prev=Duke issue 4
|next=Energon Universe Special 2024
|image=Duke 5 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[April 24]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=April 2024
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Tom Reilly]]
|colors by=[[Jordie Bellaire]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Man versus machine! The final battle between Duke and M.A.R.S.!'''

==Synopsis==
In the remains of [[Pit (G.I. Joe)|The Pit]], Colonel [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] interrogates [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] on where [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] took the [[Skystriker (G.I. Joe)|Skystriker]] after their battle with [[Major Bludd]] and his [[Blood Hound]]s. Clutch refuses to talk, but [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] tells Hawk that they were able to find Dr. [[Adele Burkhart]]'s tracker in the wreckage, meaning they can track where Duke was headed.

Meanwhile, Duke is still being strangled by the claw of the [[Battle Android Trooper]]. [[Mercer]] and [[Destro]] watch the fight from the shadows. Deciding to take a different approach, Destro emerges and explains his philosophy to Duke: the only winners in wars are those who control the weapons wars are fought with. He offers Duke a place in [[M.A.R.S.]], which Duke rebuffs with the accusation that "[[Starscream (G1)|his robot]]" killed [[Frosting]]. Destro is fascinated at the idea of a transforming robot, but assures Duke that he didn't build it. He falsely claims that it was built by the U.S. military in order to sway Duke to his side, but Duke sees through the lie. When Destro offers him a hand, Duke takes it and pulls Destro into a headbutt. Destro then leaves Duke to the B.A.T., which easily knocks him to the ground. As Destro leaves, Mercer informs him that Duke's tracker pinged again, meaning he's likely being followed. Deciding to cut his losses, Destro orders [[Scrap-Iron]] to destroy the facility. Duke manages to overpower the B.A.T. eventually and rips its head off, but the android continues operating, forcing Duke to crush its power source with said head. Exhausted, Duke collapses to the ground as the facility explodes around him.

Later, news reports declare Duke dead, claiming his body was discovered in the Colorado mountains. He has been cleared of the murder of Dr. Burkhart and authorities are currently searching for Major Bludd, who remains at large. Duke wakes up in a hospital, where Colonel Hawk and [[Cover Girl]] greet him. Hawk tells Duke that he was trying to protect him by not telling him the truth, but now thanks to Duke's efforts, they know more about Destro and M.A.R.S. than ever before. Hawk brings Duke to the Pit, reuniting him with Clutch, and tells Duke that he wants him to lead a "[[G.I. Joe (team)|highly trained special mission force]]" to handle the new threats that are emerging. Duke refuses until Hawk reveals that there are more robots like the one that killed Frosting, showing him footage of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|one that can transform into a truck]]. Duke agrees to join this new team, vowing to destroy them all!

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[United States military]]|c1=
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (1)
* [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (2)
* [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (4)
* [[Cover Girl]] (13)
* [[Rock 'n Roll]] (14)

|h2=[[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]]|c2=
* [[Battle Android Trooper]] (5)
* [[Mercer]] (6)
* [[Destro]] (7)
* [[Scrap-Iron]] (9)

|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (8)
* Reporter (10)
* [[Adele Burkhart]] (11)
* [[Major Bludd]] (12)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"You run on batteries. While '''I'm''' good ol' American '''man'''-power!"
:—'''Duke''', ripping off the B.A.T.'s head.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Dr. Burkhart's tracker, given to Duke in [[Duke issue 1|issue #1]] was established as being taken from Duke off-panel [[Duke issue 4|last issue]].
* After being informed of the B.A.T.'s defeat, Destro once again notes that their current power source is insufficient, and they need [[Energon|a better one]] that can last longer. The [[Cobra Commander issue 4|fourth issue]] of ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'', released the week prior to this issue, confirms that M.A.R.S. does eventually get their hands on some energon thanks to the [[Dreadnok]]s.
* The footage Hawk shows Duke of Optimus Prime shows him with Megatron's arm, indicating the footage was captured at least some time after ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|#4]]. Additionally, in keeping with the fact that ''Duke'' takes place six months after Starscream's attack in ''Transformers'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|#2]], the footage is described as being from "a few months ago."

===G.I. Joe references===
* Destro’s maroon suit jacket features a leopard-print lining on the inside, inspired by the (in)famous <s>Pimp Daddy</s> Profit Director Destro figure.
* The jeep that Destro, Mercer, and Scrap-Iron escape in is based on the Cobra Stinger vehicle, with a slightly modified front bumper and redesigned missile launcher on the back.
* Duke having to fake his death ahead of the formation of G.I. Joe mirrors the setup of the [[Hasbro Universe|original IDW continuity]].
* The description of this new team as a "highly trained special mission force" is of course pulled directly from the narration of the original ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' cartoon series theme.

===Errors===
* The back cover remains the same as previous issues: "The contents of this booklet '''is''' confidential. '''This''' unauthorized disclosure of information within is prohibited."

===Other===
* This issue contains a 5 page preview of [[Destro (comic)|Destro]] [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Duke faces danger at the claws of the Battle Android Trooper, by [[Tom Reilly]] and [[Jordie Bellaire]].
* '''Cover B:''' Duke discovers a newly-built B.A.T., by [[Mateus Santolouco]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Tyler Boss]] and [[Jason Wordie]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' B.A.T. on explosion, by [[Brian Level]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Duke facing off against the B.A.T. as Destro looks on, by [[Dustin Nguyen]].

<gallery>
File:Duke 5 Cover A.jpg|
File:Duke 5 Cover B.jpg|
File:Duke 5 Cover C.jpg|
File:Duke 5 Cover D.jpg|
File:Duke 5 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* 4-page preview of ''Destro''
* Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for ''Duke'', ''[[Void Rivals]]'', ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'', and ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''.

===Reprints===
* '''''Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle''''' ([[June 5]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398163 / ISBN 978-1534398160 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Duke V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle''''' – cover art by [[Tom Reilly]]
</gallery>

[[Category:Duke issues]]

Cobra Commander issue 4

2024-04-23T16:32:48Z

DemonS: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' #4
|prev=Cobra Commander issue 3
|next=Cobra Commander issue 5
|image=Cobra Commander 4 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[April 17]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=April 2024
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Annalisa Leoni]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Cobra Commander discovers the secret to controlling energon, but will he live long enough to use it?'''

==Synopsis==
Under duress, [[Ripper (G.I. Joe)|Ripper]] leads [[Cobra Commander]] to a bunker where the [[Dreadnok]]s have been keeping a scientist, forcing him to experiment with [[energon]]. The scientist thanks Cobra Commander, believing he’s come to rescue him, and explains how the Dreadnoks would harvest the raw energon from the swamps, then he would convert it into new forms of energy. The Dreadnoks wanted him to make more energon, but he soon found that it was possible to create new forms of the substance by diluting it with other forms of radiation to create a less pure, but still useful form. He demonstrates this by electrifying a shard of pink energon, converting it into a blue cube form. Cobra Commander places it before his insectoid robots, which quickly devour the cube and are transformed by the energy. Pleased with the results, the Commander tells the scientist that they’ll need to get him a much bigger lab.

Meanwhile, [[Nemesis Enforcer]] has killed most of the Dreadnoks, leaving just [[Zarana]], [[Zandar]], [[Torch (G.I. Joe)|Torch]], and [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] alive to face the behemoth. Knowing they can’t take him on in a fight, Zandar concocts a plan to distract Nemesis by blowing up a bottle of their unrefined energon. The plan works, allowing the surviving Dreadnoks to escape on an airboat. Nemesis decides to let them go and meets up the Commander at the bunker, who tells him of their good fortune: with the scientist’s work and the Dreadnok’s list of buyers, they can bring the greatest army the world has ever seen to [[Cobra-La]]!

However, Nemesis then turns his claws on Cobra Commander! In the commotion, Ripper escapes and flees into swamps. The Commander pleads for his life, proclaiming his loyalty to Cobra-La, but Nemesis balks at this and reveals that [[Golobulus]] never trusted the Commander, and he is no longer needed now that they have the scientist. The two trade jabs, both verbal and physical, before Cobra Commander reveals his secret weapon. His insectoid robots form a mechanical glove around his hand and, charged with the dirty energon of the scientist, fires a beam of energy directly through Nemesis’ torso.

Cobra Commander then finds Ripper, limping away, and forces him to tell him who the Dreadnoks were planning on selling the energon to. Ripper tells him it was a “bloke” with the “biggest company in the world”... [[Destro]] of [[M.A.R.S. Industries]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h2=[[Cobra]]/[[Cobra-La]]|c2=
* [[Cobra Commander]] (1)
* [[Nemesis Enforcer]] (8)

|h3=[[Dreadnok]]s|c3=
* [[Ripper (G.I. Joe)|Ripper]] (2)
* [[Torch (G.I. Joe)|Torch]] (4)
* [[Zarana]] (5)
* [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] (6)
* [[Zandar]] (7)

|h4=Others|c4=
* Doctor (3)
* [[Destro]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* On the first page, Cobra Commander is seen wiping away the bloody smile that was painted onto his mask in [[Cobra Commander issue 3|the previous issue]].
* Cobra Commander's little insect-bots were first seen in [[Cobra Commander issue 1|issue 1]], where they were used to kill Golobulus's [[Royal Guard]]s.
* This issue finally begins to intersect with the Destro and M.A.R.S. plotline first featured in ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' and will soon be followed up on in the upcoming ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' series.

===G.I. Joe references===
* The scientist in this issue goes conspicuously unnamed, but he is [[Doctor Mindbender|a balding scientist with facial hair and piece of eyewear with a pronouncement on the right eye]]. Just sayin'.

===Transformers references===
* While energon has traditionally been depicted as pink in Generation 1-inspired media, energon has also been depicted as blue in prior media. This issue uses both as different forms of energon.

===Errors===
* As with previous issues, the back cover incorrectly reads "The contents of this booklet is confidential. This unauthorized disclosure of information within is prohibited."

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Cobra Commander hides from Nemesis Enforcer, by Andrea Milana and Annalisa Leoni.
* '''Cover B:''' Nemesis Enforcer descends on an energon-grabbing Cobra Commander, by [[Andrei Bressan]] & [[Adriano Lucas]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Chris Burnham]] & [[Brian Reber]]
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Nemesis Enforcer on explosion background, by [[Taurin Clarke]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Cobra Commander stands ready to face Nemesis Enforcer, by [[Ben Oliver]].

<gallery>
File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover A.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover B.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover C.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover D.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Skybound Insiders
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 5|#5]], [[Void Rivals]] [[Void Rivals issue 8|#8]], Energon Universe FCBD special, and ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|#8]].
* [[Renegade Game Studios]]' ''G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game'', ''G.I. Joe Roleplaying Game'', and ''G.I. Joe: Mission Critical'' co-operative board game
* ''Universal Monster: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!''

===Reprints===
* '''''Cobra Commander Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World''''' ([[June 12]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398155 / ISBN 978-1534398153 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Cobra Commander V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World''''' – cover art by [[Andrea Milana]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Cobra Commander issues]]

File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover A.jpg

2024-04-23T16:31:52Z

DemonS: DemonS uploaded a new version of "File:Cobra Commander 4 Cover A.jpg"

{{SkyboundEU
|description=
{{art|line-art=[[Andrea Milana]]|colors=[[Annalisa Leoni]]}}
|series=cobracommander
|cover=Cover A
|excerpt=
|issueno=4
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|year=24}}

[[Category:Images by Andrea Milana]]
[[Category:Images by Annalisa Leoni]]