Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Scarlett #5While Image and Skybound’s new Energon Universe has been fascinating and engaging, I’m still waiting for Snake-eyes. Bringing the Transformers and GI Joe franchises together alongside new characters and entirely new stories, I loved how often separate traditions and continuities were fused in new and creative ways. That said, I’m perplexed by the absence of Snake Eyes, who is arguably one of the most popular Joes of all time.
Having started with Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici Void Rivals in June 2023, Energon Universe also features Skybound’s Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson and several GI Joe miniseries including Duke, Snake Commander, Destroy, and Scarlett. Additionally, GI Joe #1 will begin in November for Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly. That said, I I don’t understand why there was no mention of Snake Eyes, a character who is as iconic as Duke, Cobra Commander, Optimus Prime, and Megatron.
I keep hoping for snake eyes in the New Energon universe…
The silent ninja warrior is still nowhere to be found
First appearing in 1982 GI Joe: A True American Hero #1 from Marvel Comics, Snake Eyes was created by Larry Hama and instantly became an iconic member of the heroic Joes in their war against Cobra.. One of the team’s original commandos and martial arts experts, much of the ninja warrior’s history and origins were supposed to be highly classified, although it was eventually revealed that Snake Eyes trained in advanced martial arts with the Arashikage Clan. Becoming swordsman brothers to fellow ninja Storm Shadow, the pair eventually became rivals when Storm Shadow was believed to have killed one of their masters.
Snake Eyes would later be recruited by the Joes while Storm Shadow joined Cobra. Known as the “silent warrior”, original Joe Continuities saw Snake Eyes receiving permanent damage to his vocal cords during a mission, while others saw him choosing to take a vow of silence after his master’s death (and was also adapted into live-action GI Joe films). Snake Eyes also received his own solo film in 2021, a testament to the character’s enduring popularity. With that in mind, I can’t understand why the ninja warrior hasn’t yet appeared in the Energon Universe canon nearly a year and a half after its inception.
I really thought Scarlett’s new series would be this
Storm Shadow, Arashikage… but not snake eyes
Amidst my continual expectation, I really thought Snake Eyes would have at least been teased in the recently concluded Scarlett miniseries by Kelly Thompson and Marco Ferrari. After all, the miniseries sees Shana O’Hara, aka Scarlett, infiltrating the Arashikage Clan. In most continuities, Scarlett and Snake Eyes are romantically involved, so an appearance by Snake Eyes with the Arashikage would have made sense. Instead, it is revealed that Scarlett is quite close to Jinx, who has been with the Arashikage for some time, investigating his activities. The series also revealed that the two were partners and roommates before Jinx went undercover.
“There hasn’t even been a tease about when Snake Eyes might debut in the Energon Universe, dashing my hopes as I continue to wait for my favorite Joe…”
Before the Energon Universe, Jinx was one of Snake Eyes’ apprentices, but the silent warrior was nowhere to be found at the end of the new Scarlett series. Even Storm Shadow is heavily involved in the miniseries as the Arashikage works to retrieve the energon-powered “Sword of Life” from before Cobra, signifying the beginning of a new era for the ninja clan. However… there hasn’t even been a tease as to when Snake Eyes might debut in the Energon Universe, dashing my hopes as I continue to wait for my favorite Joe.
My fingers are crossed for GI Joe #1 next month
Maybe a surprise reveal at the end of the first issue?
With any luck, Snake Eyes will finally make his Energon Universe debut once progress GI Joe the series begins in mid-November. While quite ambiguous, it’s worth noting that Energon Universe’s top creatives teased at New York Comic-Con 2024 that they should eventually get to the introduction of Snake Eyes at some point. As such, my fingers are crossed that Snakes Eyes makes his first appearance sooner rather than later.
Scarlett #5 is now on sale at Image Comics and GI Joe #1 is scheduled for release on November 13th.