Duke issue 5

« Duke #5 »
Publisher	Image Comics Skybound Entertainment
First published	April 24, 2024
Cover date	April 2024
Written by	Joshua Williamson
Art by	Tom Reilly
Colors by	Jordie Bellaire
Letters by	Rus Wooton
Editors	Sean Mackiewicz
Continuity	Energon Universe

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

Synopsis

In the remains of The Pit, Colonel Hawk interrogates Clutch on where Duke took the Skystriker after their battle with Major Bludd and his Blood Hounds. Clutch refuses to talk, but 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 "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 "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 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.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

United States military	M.A.R.S. Industries	Others
Stalker (1) Hawk (2) Duke (4) Cover Girl (12) Rock 'n Roll (13)	Battle Android Trooper (5) Mercer (6) Destro (7) Scrap-Iron (8)	Clutch (3) Reporter (9) Adele Burkhart (10) Major Bludd (11) Optimus Prime (14)

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 issue #1 was established as being taken from Duke off-panel last issue.
• 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 #4.

G.I. Joe references

• Destro’s maroon suit jacket features a leopard-print lining on the inside, inspired by the (in)famous Pimp Daddy 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 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 #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.

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• 4-page preview of Destro
• Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for Duke, Void Rivals, Transformers, and 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.

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  Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle – cover art by Tom Reilly