Creators: Dan Watters (Writer), Andrei Bressan (Artist), Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Rus Wooton (Letterer)
Story: Both Destro and Tomax with Xamot go over the events at the end of the last issue (separately) to their respective troops, each blaming the other and planning on how to take the other out. We get a quick background on Tomax and Xamot as we see their troops training and then get attacked by some Iron Grenadiers. Some Siegies then attack a M.A.R.S. facility but are repelled by some Battle Android Troopers (as it is a storage facility for Energon as well). The Iron Grenadiers attack another Extensive Enterprises facility but face backlash from some Assault System Pods. Both sides then meet up at a neutral island but still blame each other for the attack in Darklonia. While threats are made, both decide it would be best to duel to the death and the winners absorbing the others company. Destro heads to his hidden sanctuary in Scotland, confident, no one knows where it is but he is followed by a female sniper named Chameleon reporting to Overkill.
Writing: I enjoyed the side-by-side nature of this issue, seeing what each side is thinking on each page. It helped provide that both sides are being played by a third party. At the same time, we get some decent action in the middle half as both sides try to wipe out each other. And both Destro and the Twins ooze arrogance throughout the issue, which is nice. I liked the ending as well, tossing in another classic character with the name drop of Overkill.
Art: The art seems to have taken a bit of a nose dive in this issue. Destro's face, mainly, feels off in a lot of panels. The colors don't seem to pop as much, especially Destro's contrasting red and black. However, it was cool to see some of Destro's Despoilers flying around and the ASPS being pulled by VAMP/Stinger-style Jeeps (and the ASPS even get a cool call-out to their features!).
Overall: Strong writing on this issue helps make up for a decline in the art. They've been able to keep the story fast paced and leaving you wanting more. I liked the little bit of extra background we got on the Twins and Extensive Enterprises too.
