Summary

• Destro #2 elaborates on the training of the Energon Universe Crimson Guard, an even more ruthless, regimented process than in the original G.I. Joe continuity.
• The elite Crimson Guard are trained to be remorseless mercenaries as well ruthless business people, showing that their leaders, the Crimson Twins, value them as more than just cannon fodder.
• Though the Crimson Guard are currently enemies of Destro, soon they will be part of the larger coalition that makes up the armies of Cobra, the perennial enemies of the G.I. Joe organization.

WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Destro #2

While Cobra Commander may have formed the Cobra organization franchise's new continuity.

Destro #2 – written by Dan Watters, with art by Andrei Bressan – continues war set up in the previous issue between the title character and the Crimson Twins, Tomax and Xamot Paoli. Both sides trade blows, and readers learn some background info on the Crimson Twins’ elite personal army along the way.

Destro explains the process each Crimson Guardsman goes through when training, explaining, “They find ruthless businessmen and train them to be ruthless mercenaries. They find ruthless soldiers and train them to be ruthless businessmen.”

G.I. Joe Villains "The Crimson Guard" Get An Updated Origin In The Energon Universe

Destro #2 – Written By Dan Watters; Art By Andrei Bressan, Adriano Lucas & Rus Wooton

Readers first witnessed the Crimson Guards in action in the Energon Universe in Destro #1, as they made their debut by ruthlessly executing wounded soldiers.

The approach to molding each member of the Crimson Guard to be ruthless both on the battlefield and the boardroom is an interesting extension of the traditional training of Cobra troopers. In the original Marvel Comics series, the Crimson Guard went through a grueling training process, in most cases completely changing their identities to infiltrate society at every level. In addition to to their battle prowess, Crimson Guardsmen also worked in politics and the private sector. In many cases, they were set up with their own substitute families, in order to present themselves as the ultimate ideal of normalcy.

The Crimson Guard are often referred to as “siegies,” a play on their “C.G.” initials.

Readers first witnessed the Crimson Guards in action in the Energon Universe in Destro #1, as they made their debut by ruthlessly executing wounded soldiers. The second issue sees the troopers getting more action, as they first face an assault by Destro’s Iron Grenadiers and then walk into an ambush from the newly-improved Battle Android Troopers, super-charged with an infusion of Energon. The Guardsmen’s mettle is pushed to the limit in both encounters, leading Destro to stage a meeting with Tomax & Xamot to discuss of their war to limit the collateral damage being caused.

It remains a major question how G.I. Joe’s enemy faction, Cobra, officially forms in the Energon Universe, and how the Crimson Guard will be utilized in storylines.

The Crimson Guard Are the Elite of the Elite of Cobra Troopers

Of course, whatever happens in Destro and the Crimson Twins’ war, both factions will eventually come together under the banner of Cobra. That means that the Crimson Guard will also find themselves enlisting in Cobra, likely leading to many encounters with the officially forms in the Energon Universe, and how the Crimson Guard will be utilized in storylines.

Destro #2 is available now from Skybound Entertainment.