Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV, usually referred to simply as Destro, is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books, and cartoon series. He is the Scottish leader of the Iron Grenadiers, and founder of weapons manufacturer M.A.R.S. Industries, a supplier for Cobra. Destro is portrayed by Christopher Eccleston in the 2009 live-action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and by an uncredited extra in its 2013 sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
Profile Born in Callander, Scotland, Destro is laird of the Castle Destro in the Scottish Highlands. The Destro clan has designed and sold weapons for centuries. Destro heads their current incarnation—M.A.R.S. (Military Armament Research Syndicate), a weapons manufacturer and one of the largest multinational corporations in the world. Quotes Larry Hama's 1983 prototype file card. As a businessman, Destro is cutthroat and unyielding. He maintains apartments or office buildings in most major cities of the world. His lifestyle outdoes most oil sheiks or shipping magnates. Destro was an early investor in Macau and has other potentially lucrative speculative real estate holdings in developing areas of the world. War is his business and passion; Destro believes in the spoils of war and the vast wealth M.A.R.S. provides. He hires mercenaries to stir up conflict in dangerous regions, then provides high-tech arms to any side able to meet his price. Continuing a tradition started by the first Destro, he will even sell to both sides of the same war.
Destro's key characteristics are his sense of honor, a calm demeanor, and love for Cobra's second-in-command, the Baroness. He wears a mask forged from beryllium steel, a tradition dating back to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, when an ancestor of his was caught by Cromwell's men in the act of selling weapons to both sides. Forced to wear a steel mask for his crimes (neither side wanted to execute the ancestor because they still wanted the weapons he sold), the Destro clan has since turned it into a symbol of pride, passing it down from father to son for over 20 generations. He also wears on a neck chain his family crest bearing an ancient Scottish emblem symbolizing absolute power. Destro will sometimes enter battle himself, either as a member of Cobra Command, or against them if it is better for business. He respects the G.I. Joe Team for their combat skills, but detests them for wasting their skills to maintain peace. Destro and Cobra Commander despise each other, but maintain an alliance of convenience. Although twice the tactician and three times the soldier of Cobra Commander, Destro's sense of honor works to his disadvantage in the face of Cobra Commander's ruthlessness.
Toys
A Real American Hero toy line Destro was first released as an action figure in 1983, as a part of the second series of 3" G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero figures. This initial version featured a silver, vacuum-metalized head. In 1988, a second version was produced, this time with a gold vac-metalized head. This figure was released as part of the Iron Grenadiers faction, and the new mask symbolized his change in allegiance. A third figure of Destro followed in 1992, once again featuring his silver mask, this time painted instead of chromed. In 1993, a Star Brigade version of Destro was included in the Armor-Tech wave (again with a vac-metalized head). The same year, Hasbro revisited the long-dormant 12" G.I. Joe action figure scale, featuring the characters from "A Real American Hero". Destro was included in the 1993 series, packaged with a removable helmet that revealed his face underneath.
Hasbro and Toys "R" Us created a 15th Anniversary line in 1997, where Destro was released as part of the Cobra Command 3-pack. The pack was intended to feature the original 1983 mold of Destro but it had been lost by this time, forcing Hasbro to use the bulkier 1992 figure instead, in a variety of different color combinations. The same figure was repainted once more (in a more traditional color scheme) in 2001, when Hasbro expanded the line to the mass market.
In 2002, Hasbro relaunched the G.I. Joe “A Real American Hero” toyline for its 20th anniversary, and a new Destro figure was included in the initial wave. This Destro has a radically different uniform, and his face is molded with an open mouth and bared teeth.
Spy Troops For 2003's Spy Troops, another new Destro was created, this time featuring him in a casual sweater and trousers, with the chromed steel mask returning. A 12" version of Destro was also released for the Spy Troops sub-line. Another Destro was released in 2004, in the "Valor vs Venom" sub-line, which returned Destro to his classic military look, but with a different color scheme. Repainting of the 1992 Destro has continued in the comic book 3-packs released in 2004–06, with a new head mold based on his comic appearance in Marvel #24.
Sigma 6 Destro is also included in the 8" Sigma 6 toyline. The figure is clad in Cobra blue, with a red collar reminiscent of the 1983 toy, and a vac-metalized head mold. A repainted "Crime Boss" version of this figure was released shortly before the line's demise in 2007.
25th Anniversary Hasbro created two boxed sets of figures, featuring modern sculpting and increased articulation (including the replacement of G.I. Joe's trademark O-Ring construction). Destro was included in the inaugural Cobra set, along with Cobra Commander, Baroness, Storm Shadow, and a Cobra Trooper. This figure was later re-released individually. For the 2007 San Diego Comic Con, Hasbro repainted Destro in the color scheme of the ultra-rare 1997 "Pimp Daddy" Destro figure. Two versions of this figure were made: one had the traditional silver mask head while the other had the Iron Grenadier-themed gold mask. As part of the Comic Pack line, the figure was released again, this time with a blueish silver/dark blue color scheme that resembles Destro's first appearance in the Marvel series, as well as a vac-metal head. He came packaged with the G.I. Joe soldier Breaker and a copy of G.I. Joe #14.
In 2008, a new version of the Iron Grenadier Destro was released. Using a new mold, it was released as a single-card figure. A blueish-tinted variant, representing the coloration of the original Marvel comic version, was released in a comic-book set with an Iron Grenadier figure and an original comic book. There was also a variant with this figure, which was a black head for Destro.
G.I. Joe Classified Series 2020 saw the release of the G.I. Joe Classified Series, a new line of highly articulated 6-inch scale action figures that includes prominent characters like Destro. This line features premium deco, detailing, articulation, and classic design updated to bring the classic characters into the modern era, plus accessories inspired by each character's rich history.
Comic series
Marvel Comics (1982–1994) In the comic book continuity, Destro fancies himself an honorable man, answering to a moral code he alone seems to understand. He has stood with the Commander as often as he has opposed him but will join forces with the G.I. Joe team if it is good for business. With such wavering loyalties, he has come to respect and befriend many characters, from Joe members Flint and Lady Jaye, to the Baroness, and even the Commander's estranged son Billy. However, Destro's strongest connection is to the Baroness. It is revealed that they have had a romantic relationship since before the comic begins.
Destro first appears in the Marvel Comics series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #11, although his face is not seen. He is Cobra Commander's hired "specialist", sent to stop the G.I. Joe team from ruining their operation on the Alaskan Pipeline. Although Destro manages to stay two steps ahead of the Joes, his confrontation with Doc results in the Joes getting the antidote for a plague with which they had been infected, and turning the tables on Cobra.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #11 (May 1983), Marvel Comics. His first full appearance reveals his name and establishes his true intentions: he plans to remove the Commander and lead Cobra himself, with the Baroness at his side.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #14 (August 1983), Marvel Comics. However, Cobra Commander suspects this betrayal and recruits Major Bludd to kill Destro.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #15 (September 1983), Marvel Comics. A night operation in Washington, DC, gives Bludd his chance, but when the Baroness (who is driving Bludd's HISS tank) realizes what he is planning, she swerves sharply, overturning the tank and setting it on fire. The tank explodes, seemingly killing her, and this leaves Destro utterly distraught.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #16 (October 1983), Marvel Comics. Cobra Commander uses this circumstance to direct Destro's rage toward Bludd,G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #17 (November 1983), Marvel Comics. and operates for a period without concern about Destro's treachery. However, when Cobra Commander is captured by G.I. Joe,G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #23 (May 1984), Marvel Comics. Destro swiftly assumes control. At this point the Baroness returns and reveals the Commander's part in her fiery crash.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #24 (June 1984), Marvel Comics.
After a battle in the Everglades, Destro, Wild Weasel, and Firefly are stranded, with only their wiles to evade the G.I. Joe team and return to Cobra's hometown, Springfield. Destro has repeated conflicts with the Joes, including a fist fight with Cutter.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #25–29 (July–November 1984), Marvel Comics. When they finally arrive in Springfield, however, Baroness reveals that she and Bludd have recruited a young boy to assassinate the Commander during a Cobra rally. During the ceremony, Destro spots the trained killer and realizes it is Cobra Commander's son, Billy. Saving the man he swore to kill, Destro reveals a new side of himself: that of an honorable man who cannot condone patricide, even against a hated foe.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #33 (March 1985), Marvel Comics.
Destro heads the tribunal that questions Billy and later tries to stop Storm Shadow from helping the boy escape.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #38 (August 1985), Marvel Comics. After the creation of Cobra Island, Destro and the Baroness meet with the curious Doctor Mindbender, as he demonstrates a bio-weapon to them (quick-growing vines that spew knock out gas). Although the vines are defeated by Lady Jaye and a team of G.I. Joe trainees,G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #44 (February 1986), Marvel Comics. they bring Doctor Mindbender to Cobra, where his true plans are put into effect. With the Commander's consent and Destro's help, Doctor Mindbender collects the bodies of history's ten greatest warriors, which are used to create a new villain, Serpentor.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #49 (July 1986), Marvel Comics. Serpentor is quickly recruited to fight a holding action against G.I. Joe, while Destro coordinates a complete evacuation of Springfield. Once the citizens of the small town are safe, Destro again shows his honorable side, rescuing Serpentor and the defenders.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #50 (August 1986), Marvel Comics.