Best. Freakin. Destro. Ever.Spy Troops Wave 2 (Wave 7) - Destro
When I first saw the prototype of this figure, I instantly fell in love...well, as much as someone can fall in love with a 4" plastic man...:/
All right, scratch that last comment...I thought the figure looked great! A lot of people shot it down...said it looked too casual. Not enough like Destro...even went as far as to call it "Pajama Destro". In spite of this, I held very high hopes for the figure...something about it really appealed to me. When I heard a couple of months ago that the head would be chrome, well that only increased my desire to see this figure in production. In fact, I reworked a lot of the final part of my new Dio-story to feature this figure (yeah, that's part of the reason why Retaliation is running so late...). So, when I finally found it hanging in a local Wal-Mart, I immediately scooped it up...so now that I own it, what do I think?
Best. Freakin. Destro. Ever.
I LOVE this figure. This is the epitomy of what Hasbro can do when everything comes together, and I hope that this is the direction they're leaning in when they mention the "standard buck" in mind for the big relaunch next year.
I know what you're thinking...Come on, man! Better than the 1984 Destro?? Get outta town! Well...yes and no. Personally, I've always loved the '88 Destro far more than the '84 version. The original, while obviously a classic, is somewhat dated and lacks in the detail that the more recent figures in the RAH line showed. The '88 version was the premier Destro in my Joeverse...until now.
I will always love the gold-headed IG version of Destro. As a battle-suited Iron Grenadier leader, he is perfect. But in this new generation, he doesn't always mesh with some of the new characters. I was trying to picture how the Wave 8 COBRA Commander would look next to the '88 Destro, and I wasn't sure it would work. Next to this Destro, it WILL work. I LOVE Real American Hero...the most incredible toyline to ever come out and a source of joy and amazement for 20+ years of my life. But as GvC growns and matures and the sculpts improve, a new force of COBRA hierarchy is necessary and this Destro fits the bill perfectly.
With large, rounded musculature, yet still retaining near-perfet proprotions, this Destro figure shows just what Hasbro is capable of. The mold is sleek and simple, yet filled with intricate detailing from the wavey wrinkle of the pants to the stretched fabric and folded turtleneck of his shirt. Each muscle is well defined (and in the right place). His chain medallin and metal cobra plates on the back of his gloves just make this already fantastic figure darn-near perfect.
Destro's color scheme as always been based in black and red...and that color moves on to this new figure as well, although a much different shade of red is prevelant. This darker maroon is a very appealing shade and is dark enough to look effective without being out of place. The right t ouches of silver in the mask and medallian, and even the cool gray shade of the gloves each add great touches to bring out the further details of the figure.
The holster is the perfect compliment to Destro as well. It's size and material fits the figure to a "T", but is fleixble enough to not be in the way of joint movement. The design of the belt is fantastic, and the rubbery material of the holsters hold the twin pistols in just as they were meant to. Pure perfection in concept and execution. If desired the holster can be removed as well and I'm sure will be the source of much customizing joy throughout the Joe internet community.
And what about his weapons? Wow...the two revolvers that originally came with Mindbender and looked somewhat out of place, now fit in here beautifully. Then we have the one new-sculpt gun in the entirety of Wave 7...and what a new gun it is! We finally get a "Spaz-style" SWAT shotgun to scale with Joe and in great detail. While not a weapon I necessarily see Destro using, it is an awesome weapon and compliments him well.
So, basically, from the terrific studded-chrome detail on his helmet down to the oversized thick-tread boots, this figure is sheer GvC perfection. Definitely the best figure of Wave 7 I've seen so far, and potentially the best figure that's been released to date, I couldn't think of a better character to get such great treatment. Do not hesitate...if you see this figure buy it! Even if you're not a new sculpt fan, I truly think this figure could easily fit into your RAH collection and shine.
