Main figure:
Head: JvC Zartan
Arms: Spy Troops Heavy Duty (right arm modified)
Thighs: 'Fraid I don't remember
Rest of body: One of the JvC Crimson Twins


Iron Grenadier figure:
Head and legs: Battle Corps Destro
Arms: Destro V.1
Torso and crotch: Iron Grenadier Destro

For hundreds of years, the Scottish family of Destro has been the power behind M.A.R.S. (Military Armaments Research System), largest manufacturer of state-of-the-art weaponry. The ancestor who first started the family fortune sold arms to both sides during the English civil war. He was caught in the act though by Cromwell's men, and was made to wear an uncomfortable steel mask for punishment. (But no more than that since they still wanted his weapons.) Since that time, the Lairds of the Destro clan have worn the mask with pride and passed it down to succeeding generations.

The current Destro of today still holds the tradition by heart. His philosophy is that war is man's most natural state: the fittest survives and the greatest technological advances are made. Destro provides high-tech arms to any side able to meet his price and will incite war where it does not exist, while he himself maintains a luxurious lifestyle around the world. Destro has a private army recruited from his personal bodyguards - he uses those Iron Grenadiers to incite unrest in unstable countries, creating new markets for his armaments.

But despite all that, Destro is a man of honor. Although he greatly dislikes the methods Cobra Commander uses in his quest to conquer the world, Destro has sided with him and fulfills the contract to be the major weapons supplier to the Cobra organization to the letter - at least until someone offers him a better price to move against Cobra.
Destro has a high respect for the G.I. Joe team for their combat skills and expertise, but he pities the fact that they waste such skills in order to maintain peace. But they have made their choice, and they will have to be prepared to pay the price for it.


Personal Comments:

One problem that I've had with almost all Destro Figures previously released is that open-shirt mold. That's not a style for a businessman. The uniform of the Crimson Twins speaks regal, yet powerful, and that's what I want my Destro to be. I don't know who first came up with the idea of using Zartan's head for Destro, but big credit to him.

I honestly don't care much for the Iron Grenadier stuff, but I won't deny it in my Joe-verse. So the figure in the third picture is to be considered a "change of wardrobe" whenever he needs to go into battle. I adapted that figure to my liking since I wasn't so fond of that gold mask.