Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Andrei Bressan & Adriano Lucas; Siya Oum; Nikola Čižešija; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; Homare; Tyler Kirkham
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Logo & Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Jillian Crab
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Tomax and Xamot argue that an explosion claimed Destro's life amid a snowstorm in the Scottish Highlands. Destro's cousin Artyom Darklon has his hands full running Darklonia. A merger between MARS and Extensive Enterprises, facilitated by a check with many zeros, makes sense. Will Artyom accept the twins' generous offer? And why do Tomax and Xamot want MARS? Let’s strap on our metal masks, leap into Destro #4, and see!
Story
After his battle with Chameleon, Destro fled through a blizzard to a US Air Force base in Scotland. If Tomax and Xamot sent an assassin to Scotland, they got his secret location from someone at MARS. Like Cobra Commander, General Flagg disliked Destro's decision to invade Darklonia and install his cousin Artyom Darklon on the throne. However, the US government needs companies like MARS to supply their military. The situation has grown desperate after Soundwave and the Decepticons destroyed a US Navy aircraft carrier. So, General Flagg flew him back to the US and granted him access to secret documents to help James McCullen Destro reclaim his company.
But Destro doesn’t attack Tomax and Xamot in Destro #4. Instead, he seeks out friends. First, he calls on Mercer and Scrap-Iron, hoping they didn't tell Tomax and Xamot where to send Chameleon. Then, Destro visits Astoria Carlton Ritz. The new CEO of Hybrid Technologies encourages her board members to party. But when Destro meets her on the dance floor, she excuses herself to powder her nose. Destro has drawn certain conclusions about wily old Desmond's daughter. Astoria may seem like she wants to use her daddy's money to party, but there's more to her than meets the eye.
Dan Watters' story hints at a potential weapons source for the Arashnikage ninja clan that Scarlett wants to join. It also reveals the truth behind the attack on the weapons fair in Darklonia. Ultimately, it addresses how defensive systems can kill as readily as offensive armaments. Astoria’s father wanted peace in our time. Instead, he created a weapon that could unleash armageddon.
Art
With his good looks and long hair, Artyom Darklon better resembles a rock star than the ruler of a sovereign nation. Yet he sits behind a sleek modern desk uncluttered by paperwork in body armor. After Tomax and Xamot hand Artyom a check, the trio watches a BAT demonstration from the balcony of his fortified palace. Destro wears more battle armor than his cousin as he sits on a carved, upholstered wooden chair and reads. A stack of papers nestles beside tall, lit candles atop antique furniture. As Private Ferrez reports that they have lost track of Destro, General Flagg regards a flower arrangement on his serviceable desk stacked with files. Unlike the check Xamot hands Artyom Darklon and the secret documents that delight Destro, General Flagg doesn't smile as he reads the letter that came with the flower arrangement.
Adriano Lucas lavishes a loaded palette on Andrei Bressan’s art in Destro #4. Unlike their Crimson Guard, Tomax and Xamot wear blue in Artyom Darklon’s red, orange, yellow, and gold palace. A BAT demonstration also fills the air with red, orange, and yellow, while the red of their Crimson Guard fills the air behind the twins. Blue, purple, and red dominate the two-story ballroom as people gaze down from upper floor landings to observe those on the dancefloor. Astoria's jaw drops when Destro enters clad in slacks, a long-sleeve shirt, leather gloves, and a brown jacket hanging from his shoulders. Despite the similarity between her gold earrings and the red-and-gold pendant he wears on a gold chain around his neck, Astoria rushes into an alley filled with orange light and green darkness to confront a red missile blazing an orange and blue trail.
Rus Wooton propels readers through Destro #4 with large uppercase black lettering in white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Portions of Destro’s letter to General Flagg appear on scraps of beige parchment. Words embolden for emphasis and never shrink. Yellow sound effects enhance the BAT demonstration in Darklonia, while white sounds welcome Astoria’s meeting with Destro’s accomplice in a dark alley. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Tomax and Xamot argue that Destro is dead. Artyom Darklon assumes that his cousin is dead. Astoria Carlton Ritz of Hybrid Technologies believes her business rival is dead. But like Snake Plissken, rumors of his death are greatly exaggerated. James McCullen Destro is forging partnerships with major players in the arms industry to reclaim MARS and ensure he doesn't lose access to Cobra Commander's otherworld energy source in Destro #4.
Rating 9.6/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
Preview interior art at Skybound.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment