G.I. Joe Introduces Major New Villain to the Energon Universe

Summary Advanced solicitations for Destro #3 tease the introduction of a mysterious new character, the Chameleon, whose connections to the original A Real American Hero have immediately led fans to speculate about their true identity.

The Chameleon has connections to a character who has already been introduced in the Energon Universe, in an excited and unexpected way – making who is under the new character's mask even more fascinating to consider.

The Energon Universe G.I. Joe continuity continues to surprise and excite fans with fresh interpretations of the franchise's classic characters, a trend Destro appears set to continue.

The G.I. Joe corner of the Energon Universe continues to fill out its ranks, as the solicits for August’s Destro #3 promise an all-new villain for the Real American Heroes to tangle with. As Cobra builds slowly in the new continuity, various mercenaries and assassins are joining the fray, which could spell trouble for heroes and villains alike.

Destro #3 continues the journey of the title character as he seeks to become the top arms manufacturer in the world. While previous solicits teased a confrontation with Tomax and Xamot, Destro sounds like he’ll be taking on an entirely new baddie in August.

Destro #3 Release Date: August 21, 2024 Writer: Dan Watters Artist: Andrea Milana Colorist: Adriana Lucas Cover Artist: Andrei Bressan Stranded in the mountains without any weapons, Destro must survive the Chameleon’s wrath. But who is the Chameleon? And why do they want Laird Destro dead?

Destro will find himself up against the mysterious Chameleon, a masked assassin who wants the head of M.A.R.s Industries dead. While the Chameleon appears to be an all-new character, their name suggests a connection to an obscure figure from the old toyline.

The name "Chameleon" already has a history in the G.I. Joe franchise, which has prompted immediate speculation among fans about the identity of the Energon Universe's latest masked assassin.

The Energon Universe G.I. Joe Continuity Sets Up A Mystery Villain

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After the original A Real American Hero toyline went dormant in the 1990s, Hasbro unknowingly let their trademarks lapse on a number of G.I. Joe characters. When a wave of eighties nostalgia hit in the late nineties and early 2000s, Hasbro found themselves in a tricky legal situation when they began re-releasing many of the classic toys.

The name "Chameleon" already has a history in the G.I. Joe franchise, which has prompted immediate speculation among fans about the identity of the Energon Universe's latest masked assassin. In the 1990s, the popular character Baroness was repackaged as the Chameleon, in response to Hasboro's trademark troubles at the time. This "new" character was explained as the half-sister of Baroness, who was so disgusted at her sibling’s actions that she volunteered to act as a double agent for the Joes, while impersonating her villainous sister for Cobra.

It is unknown whether the Energon Universe version of Chameleon will bear any characteristics of the original, who was ultimately a minor character. It is interesting that this version of Chameleon will appear first in Destro, considering the title character’s long-standing history with the Baroness. While Anastasia Cisarovna is currently a member of the G.I. Joe team, it seems the creative team is playing around with expectations regarding her relationship with Destro in previous continuities. While the truth of Chameleon's identity remains to be determined, it would be very intriguing if there was a connection to the Baroness in the Energon Universe.

Whether or not the Chameleon is an entirely new character, or there is a familiar face under their mask, Destro #3 should prove to be another must-read issue for the Energon Universe era of G.I. Joe.

The Chameleon's Identity Could Already Be Hidden In Plain Sight

Baroness Remains Energon's Most Enigmatic Figure

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With the formation of Cobra still forthcoming, it’s exciting for fans to see this new version of the G.I. Joe franchise being built from the ground up. By creating fresh characters, and putting news spin on older ones, the Energon Universe has played with fans’ expectations ever since the surprise reveal of Jetfire in Void Rivals #1. Whether or not the Chameleon is an entirely new character, or there is a familiar face under their mask, Destro #3 should prove to be another must-read issue for the Energon Universe era of G.I. Joe.