G.I. Joe Wiki Guide


First appearance
Cobra, Iron Grenadiers
Full name
James McCullen, Destro XXIV
Birth place Callander, Scotland

Destro, otherwise known as Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV, is an entrepreneur who rallies troops together under the common bond of ammunition. The operator of M.A.R.S. Industries, the primary weapons manufacturer for the Cobra Command, Destro is as crafty and intelligent as he is nefarious. Some would argue that it is he who is G.I. Joe’s biggest threat due to his brains and brawn.

Destro hails from a long family history of weapons manufacturing, and his experience shows in his ability to start wars and allow the two warring factions to pony up the dough and purchase his weaponry. Destro has utter disdain towards Cobra Commander, as the Baroness works as the middle-man to keep the peace between the two of them. Destro has gone against Cobra in the past, but only when it is good for business.

Toy Lines[edit]


Destro stood out on crowded store shelves in the toy aisle when he made his G.I. Joe debut in 1983, largely in part due to his chrome dome. Destro was the first G.I. Joe to feature such a unique characteristic, as his head shined and reflected light.

It wouldn’t be until 1988 that Destro returned to store shelves, arriving this part as an included figure inside of his own line of toys, the Iron Grenadiers. He came packaged with Destro’s Despoiler, a vehicle that Destro used for many years. This version was different, containing a red cloth cape and a gold head instead of the usual silver that made him so popular.


The third iteration of Destro would come with a hard plastic frilled jacket that was a part of the toy’s sculpt. The year would be 1993, and would be the last of the Generation I Destros to be traditional. Gone was the chrome head and in its place was normal gray paint. 1994’s Star Brigade rendition of Destro resembled more of a Transformer than a G.I. Joe.


Destro returned in 1997’s three-pack alongside his on-again, off-again nemesis in Cobra Commander and the love of his life, the Baroness. A 2008 two-pack would contain both himself and Cpl. Breaker. In 2010, Destro would be included in another group package alongside Zartan, Alley-Viper, Cobra Commander, Baroness, Storm Shadow, and Firefly.


G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and beyond brought out several Destro-inspired toys. The movie version featured gray paint along the head and a matching gray pea coat. New toy lines, such as Combat Heroes and Micro Force, would feature the likeness of Destro as well.


Do you have any information on Destro's television appearances that you'd like to add? Feel free to join the fun!


G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra[edit]


In the movie G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra, Destro is portrayed by Christopher Eccleston. In this he is the main antagonist throughout most of the movie. Nearing the film's conclusion, the Doctor--who becomes the Cobra Commander--injects him with nanomites causing his skin turn metallic and him to fall under Cobra Commander's control.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation[edit]

In G.I.Joe: Retalliation, Destro is left imprisoned by Storm Shadow and Cobra Commander in the beginning of the film. His role is minimal.


Marvel Comics[edit]


In the Marvel universe, Destro is seen as a man with dignity who does battle with honor; to do battle otherwise is a disgrace in his eyes, and seen as the same as fighting an unarmed opponent. This may correlate with his profession as an arms dealer. He will make deals with or against both the G.I. Joes and even Cobra Command, going with whichever side benefits him the most in a given situation.

He is romantically linked to the Baroness, which is where his heart lies. This means that more often than not, he will side with Cobra out of affection for his lady love. Destro made his debut in Issue #11 in the Marvel Comics series.

Destro was the man behind the recruitment of Doctor Mindbender, who used his specialties to secure the cadavers of ten of the planet’s greatest warriors to concoct a new ruler for the Cobra throne in Serpentor. He soon retracts that decision and decides to help his old adversary, Cobra Commander, in an attempt to regain control of Cobra Command.

After years of toiling as a free agent, Destro decides to build his own empire in the form of the Iron Grenadiers. His organization hosts old spurned Cobra mercenaries who had ties to Cobra Commander, and some may argue that the group’s existence is to keep the Baroness safe from any ill will that comes Cobra’s way.