Destro
The chief weapons supplier of Cobra.
Wiki
Short Description
He is shown to have a strange but contemptuous relationship with Cobra Commander, as he's open to expressing his disdain towards the Commander's failures. However, the Commander tolerates this as Destro is the only member who can make doomsday devices for COBRA's ambitions. He even conspired with Dr. Mindbender and Tomax & Xamot to create Serpentor as COBRA's new leader, serving as his loyal right-hand man. He also grew a relationship with the Baroness, often engaging in romance.
Information
Real name: James McCullen Destro XXIV Birthplace: Callander, Scotland Alias: The Specialist Specialty: Weapons Manufacturer, Terrorist Faction(s): CobraIron GrenadiersIron Grenadier, (Destro's trooper), M.A.R.S.
Personality
Destro fancies himself an honorable man, answering to a moral code he alone seems to understand. He has stood with Cobra Commander as often as he has opposed him, and will join forces with the G.I. Joe team if it's good for business. With such wavering loyalties, he has come to respect and befriend many who earned it. Although loyal to Cobra for business reasons, he's not a fan of Cobra Commander.
Love
He and another Cobra member known as the Baroness have a romantically involved relationship.
Mask
The silver mask Destro wears is his most distinctive feature. It is forged from Beryllium steel. For centuries, the Destro clan designed and sold weapons. In an incident dating back to the English Civil War, an ancestor of his was caught selling weapons to both sides. He was forced to wear a steel mask for his crimes (neither side was willing to execute him because they still wanted his weapons). Rather than taking it as a sign of shame, the Destro clan turned it into a symbol of pride. The patriarchs passed it down as tradition from father to son for over 20 generations.
Family history
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 with the necessary arms and resources to carry out their plans.
Business
M.A.R.S. Industries (also known as Military Armaments Research Syndicate) is a corporation owned by Destro, who is in league with Cobra Commander of Cobra It was originally founded in 1752 by James McCullen I to sell weapons to warring countries for profit. When McCullen was found out, he received a mask as punishment by the French, but he convinced his family to carry on the family business. For the next 300 years, 20 generations of the McCullen clan family continued selling weapons for profit, even when James McCullen XXIV (later known as Destro became the new CEO of the corporation. Serving as an early investor in Macau with lucrative real holdings, Destro used M.A.R.S.' wealth to hire mercenaries and stir up conflicts by selling weapons to any side of a war who will meet his prices. Because of this, this stirred Cobra Commander to bring in Destro to his inner circle in COBRA, effectively fusing M.A.R.S. to provide weapons to COBRA as a result.