Destro
Destro is a male character who features in G.I. Joe.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
James McCullen Destro XXIV was one of the higher-echelon members of the terrorist organization known as Cobra. Destro, like Cobra Commander, wears a mask to conceal his features, this one being a simple bald-headed facemask. He is of Scottish descent, distantly related to Lady Jaye. His family has worn masks for centuries in honor of an ancestor who was tried for witchcraft. He was found guilty and sentenced to wear a mask for the rest of his life- his family has worn masks since, and will continue to wear them until law itself is overthrown. He originally wore a silver mask and a black suit with red trimmings, but he later changed to a golden mask with a black, caped suit. Destro was often disgusted with Cobra Commander's incompetence, but eventually assisted him in regaining leadership of Cobra from Serpentor. He occasionally pursued a relationship with fellow Cobra headperson, the Baroness.
G.I. Joe (1983, 1989)
Scarlett's defiant action in the escape shuttle nearly had them both killed. Upon his return, he learns from the Baroness the Commander's ill-conceived action in annihilating New York City. The build up of previous frustrations and his near-death experience finally unhinged Destro to take matters in his own hands, going so far as making himself appear to be the new leader of Cobra. When the Joes countered his move to destroy New York City with their own MASS Device, Destro proceeds to eliminating the hostages one by one until his demands are met. Only the Joes timely arrival put an end to his mad plans. To keep the Joes busy, he aims the MASS towards the Earth's core and makes his escapes, swearing his revenge the next time
G.I. Joe (Marvel)
He came to be one of Cobra Commander's hired 'specialist' who was sent to stop the G.I. Joe team from ruining their operation on the Alaskan Pipeline. Although Destro managed 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. Later on, he established his true intentions as he planned to remove the Commander from the equation, and lead Cobra himself, with the Baroness at his side. The Commander came to suspect this betrayal, and recruited Major Bludd to kill Destro.
Action Force
The Destro family line had been based at Castle Destro in the Balkans since the time of the Crusades, ruling from there and selling arms throughout the centuries while regularly shifting alliances.
When Destro was young, he served as his father's apprentice. Amongst his tasks was running guns for Arabs, during which he first met Farouk. The two would remain in contact and serve as business partners but not meet again for many years. Destro was subsequently confronted by his father, who knew about his business schemes and disapproved on what it would do to the family name. Destro responded that his father was holding the family back. This angered his father who declared "I wear the Silver Mask", but Destro pulled a gun and shot his father dead. He then took the mask for himself.
Destro maintained close relations with Cobra, but always regarded himself as a businessman who would deal with Action Force if they weren't idealists and unwilling to meet his prices. He arranged to sell a consignment of weapons to Cobra, swapping the hardware and money as a boat party in London's Docklands. However, an Action Force team led by Flint sabotaged the operation and destroyed the weapons. Destro escaped. He subsequently airlifted an escaping Eel out of London, not realizing that Snake Eyes was hiding on board. At Castle Destro, Cobra Commander informed Destro and the Baroness of his plans for world domination. Destro privately told the Baroness he was critical as he believed Cobra Commander's vision was destructive and there must always be a choice, whilst power is "no more than a position, a situation of control", not the mystical force Cobra Commander seemed to think it is. Destro explained further that he hoped to hone Cobra Commander into an effective weapon and if not he must be disposed of.
Destro undertook a plot, whereby Farouk leaked information to Action Force about a Cobra plan to taken over and destroy the Argent Corporation oil rig in the North Sea. An Action Force team led by Flint attacked, only to discover that the rigged belonged to Destro who had them all held prisoner on site. The team were freed by Quick Kick, but politician Elwyn Jones successfully used the incident to have the team temporarily impounded. Destro took advantage of the lull to visit Morocco and meet Farouk again for the first time in years. Destro revealed to Farouk that Cobra Commander had no interest in the details of operations and so "I run Cobra my way". Whilst Action Force was impounded and limited to training operations, Destro arranged a Cobra attack on Salisbury Plain, allowing him to observe a new, laser-guided anti-helicopter round in action which he intended to have M.A.R.S. scientists copy and sell. Soon afterwards, a Cobra Trooper by the name of Tony Lander went rogue and threatened to release a canister of lethal nerve gas into the atmosphere. An Action Force team sought to stop him but Destro flew in by F.A.N.G. and shot Lander dead, claiming to be doing Action Force a favour. Destro also attempted to make plans to infiltrate the Action Force base to destroy the team, but several simulations on his battle computer showed that he couldn't succeeded without also destroying himself.
G.I. Joe (Devil's Due)
The McCullens were a Scottish clan who were famous for being weapons manufacturers, with their business going as far back as the 13th century. The English king, Henry Plantagenet, broke the truce between England and Scotland. He implemented new tax laws that the McCullens refused to pay. In retribution, he had members of the McCullen clan killed save for their patriarch, John McCullen, who was taken prisoner. The king could never justify keeping prisoner a nobleman like John McCullen and had him forced to wear a steel mask to conceal his identity. Centuries and generations later, the current descendant, James McCullen, continue to be a prominent member of British society while secretly engaging in subversive activities under the alias of Destro. This similar background and the resources he could provide were the reasons that Cobra Commander approached him for an alliance with Cobra. While initially dismissive of Cobra Commander, Destro became intrigued by his plans for a revolution and the willingness to carry out his plans. To this end, he agreed to provide Cobra the necessary arms and resources to carry out their plans. (G.I. Joe: Cobra Reborn v1 #1)
It was at this point that his illegitimate son, Alexander, surfaced. Vulnerable in his weakened state, James took Alexander in and gave him full run of the operation. Wanting to make his father proud, he usurped the Destro identity and recruited Lilian Osbourne to lead his armies, as he had nowhere near the tactical genius of his father. When James begins to recovered from the illness, Destro injected him with an experimental nanite technology, which kept him incapacitated. Destro then arranged for the Cobra Commander to learn of the nanites' existence. Thinking he's stealing them from a U.S. government, the Commander devised an elaborate scheme to take control of the country. With new-found momentum, Cobra Commander began contacting all his old allies, and returned to the U.S.
Overview
Personality and attributes
The most notable feature was him wearing 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. He also wears on a neck chain his family crest bearing an ancient Scottish emblem symbolizing absolute power.
Key characteristics of Destro were his sense of honor, a calm demeanor, and love for Cobra's second-in-command, the Baroness.
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. (G.I. Joe Order Of Battle)
As a businessman, Destro is cutthroat and unyielding and is able to maintain apartments or office buildings in most major cities of the world. His luxurious 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. provided.
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. (G.I. Joe Order Of Battle)
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.
Powers and abilities
Notes
- Destro was created by Hasbro where he featured in the setting of the G.I. Joe universe.
In other media
Television
- In G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Destro appeared in the 1985 animated television series where he was voiced by actor Arthur Burghardt.
- In G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Destro appeared in the 1989 animated television series where he was voiced by actor Maurice Lamarche.
- In G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, Destro appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Marc Thompson.
- In G.I. Joe: Resolute, Destro appeared in the animated mini-series where he was voiced by actor Eric Bauza.
- In G.I. Joe: Renegades, Destro appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Clancy Brown.
Films
- In G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, James McCullen Destro XXIV appeared in the setting of the live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Christopher Eccleston.
- In G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Destro made a brief appearance in the live-action film sequel.
Video games
Appearances
- G.I. Joe:
Links
Internal Links
External Links
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