Origin
Snake Eyes is the code name of a member of the G.I. Joe Team. He is the team’s original commando, and much of his history and information, including his real name, place of birth and service number, have remained “CLASSIFIED” throughout all depictions of his origin. All that is known for certain is his rank/grade (originally U.S. Army Sergeant/E-5, eventually reaching Sergeant First Class/E-7 before it too was made “CLASSIFIED”), his primary military specialty is infantry, and his secondary military specialty is hand-to-hand combat instructor.
Snake Eyes was trained at the MACV Recondo School (Nha Trang), and served in LRRPs in Southeast Asia with Stalker and Storm Shadow, eventually leaving the service to study martial arts with Storm Shadow’s Arashikage ninja clan. He has undergone drill sergeant training, and is a former U.S. Army Special Forces and Delta Force operator. Very little else about his past has been revealed.
Creation
Snake Eyes, although a fairly popular comic book character, got his start as a plastic toy, debuting in the second generation of G.I. Joe collectible action figurines by Hasbro. Originally conceived in military colors similar to the rest of the 1982 “Straight-Arm” G.I. Joe line, Snake Eyes was instead issued in all-black to save Hasbro on painting costs.
In his comic book introduction, he was written by Larry Hama and drawn by Herb Trimpe. Ever since his introduction, Snake-Eyes has been a very popular character in all forms of G.I. Joe media including toys, comics, cartoons, animated movies and live-action movies.
Character Summary
In keeping with his quiet personality, Snake-Eyes usually wears what could perhaps best be described as a black “military ninja” bodysuit, along with a balaclava and visor to cover his face, which was disfigured in a helicopter explosion. Since then, Snake-Eyes has had extensive plastic surgery to repair the damage to his face; he still has a few scars left, but his vocal cords cannot be repaired.
Major Story Arcs
Marvel
In the Marvel Comics’ continuity, Snake Eyes, Stalker, and Storm Shadow served together during the Vietnam War in a LRRP unit. While Snake Eyes served in combat, he always carried a picture of his twin sister with him in his hat for good luck. On a particular mission, a heavy firefight with the North Vietnamese NVA resulted in the apparent death of his team mates (among them Wade Collins, who actually survived and later joins Cobra, becoming Fred II of the Fred series Crimson Guardsmen).
As a helicopter arrived to pick up the surviving team members, the pursuing NVA opened fire, severely injuring Snake Eyes. Despite a direct order from Stalker to leave him, Storm Shadow went back for Snake Eyes. Running through heavy enemy fire, Storm Shadow was able to get Snake Eyes safely aboard the helicopter. Upon returning home from the war, Snake Eyes met with Colonel Hawk, who informed him that his family had been killed in a car accident.
After some soul-searching, Snake Eyes went to study the ninja arts with Storm Shadow’s family, the Arashikage Clan. Snake Eyes’ ability to quickly learn skills especially impressed Storm Shadow’s uncle, the Hard Master. Over time, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow became sword brothers, and unintentional rivals for the attention and favor of the Hard Master, who liked pitting them against one another to test their considerable skills. Though Snake Eyes often attempted to throw matches in order that his friend should save face in front of his family, the Hard Master was aware of Snake Eyes’ ruse, and knew him to be the true victor.
During one of Snake Eyes’ training sessions, the Hard Master expressed his desire for Snake Eyes to take over leadership of the Arashikage ninja clan instead of his nephew, Storm Shadow. Snake Eyes refused, but Zartan (hired by Cobra Commander) mistakenly killed the Hard Master instead of him. Zartan used an arrow he stole from Storm Shadow, implicating him in the murder of his uncle. Storm Shadow chased Zartan, who was able to escape in a helicopter piloted by Firefly.
With Storm Shadow believed responsible for the death of the Hard Master, the Arashikage ninja clan dissolved and Snake Eyes returned to America, where he took up residence in the High Sierra mountains until Stalker comes to recruit him for G.I. Joe. During this time, he and Scarlett begin to take an interest in each other and she comforts him on all the tragedies that he had been through in his life. Their relationship evolves to such an extent that during a mission, when two of the Helicopters were to collide and Scarlett got stuck, he came back for her. The Helicopter crashed on the ground, and Snake Eyes exited with his whole head engulfed in flames, while Scarlett was unconscious. He lost most of his face and the use of his voice during his accident, though he still had the stamina to continue the mission despite this, taking Scarlett’s equipment to finish the job. He later recovers and even though he isn’t at first very accepting of any comfort by other people, he ends up donning a version of the Snake Eyes costume.
IDW
IDW Publishing started a new series, that continues where the Marvel Comics series ended. The new series started with a free comic book day issue #1551/2, and replaces all of the Image and Devil’s Due Publishing continuity that was established. This series is again written by Larry Hama.
Personal/Military Information
- Name: Classified
- Birthplace: Classified
- Ethnic Background: Classified
- Height: Classified
- Weight: Classified
- Eyes: Blue
- Hair: Blond
- Skin: Caucasian
- Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Grade/Rank: Classified; former Master Sergeant (E-8)
- Specialty: Infantry, hand-to-hand combat instructor
- Training: Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu, Tae Kwon Do, among others; Advanced infantry training, MACV Recondo School (Nha Trang)
- Weapon/Vehicle expertise: All NATO and Warsaw Pact Arms
- Known Masters: Soft Master, Hard Master
- Known Apprentices: Ophelia, Kamakura, Tiger Claw, Jinx
Skills and Abilities
Snake Eyes is a Ninja of the Arashikage Clan, and is the most effective warrior they have ever produced aside from possibly Storm Shadow. Snake Eyes is a master martial artist, elite assassin and an expert Commando warrior. He is known for conducting raids all on his own against Cobra, single-handedly taking down their strongholds.
He is capable of flawlessly fighting blind, superb Close Quarters Combat (CQC), Lock Picking, unbelievable athletics, and possesses an uncanny awareness, and remarkable balance. He tirelessly accepts mission after mission, Snake Eyes is a warrior in every sense of the word. Fellow G.I. Joe member Scarlett has referred to Snake Eyes as a 3-Bravo-0: Baddest Butt-Kicker Bar None.
Strength
Snake Eyes has been known to shatter rock with his bare hands, and head-butt a Cobra soldier with enough force to shatter his fully reinforced helmet, and lunging long distances with no artificial aid.
Speed
Snake Eyes consistently speed blitz’s his oppositions (striking just before they can pull the trigger, even with leg injuries sustained), dodge bullet fire (even from aircrafts), and has been seen running faster than a motorcycle to catch the driver. He has disappeared in plain sight.
Qi/Ki Sense
Snake Eyes is capable of sensing any individuals Qi/Ki energy and see if they are hostile.
Blood Control
He can control his own blood flow, and has been known to use this technique to fake his own death.
Psychological Control
Snake Eyes is impervious to mind control. The Arashikage has trained Snake Eyes to control his mind as well as his body. Taught mental combat and the ability to recognize those forces that, for good or ill, must be stopped at all costs.
Precision
Possesses the ability to throw any object with deadly surgical accuracy. He is known to throw knives, swords, and Shuriken, but has been know to improvise, even using his own firearms once they have run out of bullets. His marksmanship is remarkable, as he rarely misses gunfire.
Indomitable Will
Snake Eyes is known for accomplishing tasks regardless of his physical condition. Even finishing a mission with evidence broken bones, contusions, burns, fractures, bullet wounds, blood loss, exhaustion, and being ill all at once. He has resisted torture and has proven to be impervious to mind control. Snake Eyes simply never gives up and never gives in.
Weapons & Equipment
1911 Colt 45 Caliber Pistol
A no nonsense handgun for any combat zone. Range: 55 yards, Ammo: .45, Mag: 7 rounds, Muzzle Velocity: 825 ft per sec. A magazine fed, semi automatic pistol with a Mag of seven rounds and one in the chamber for a maximum of eight rounds at the ready. Manufactured extremely well and endures most harsh conditions. This firearm is usually carried on Snake Eyes thigh in a holster.
M67 Hand Grenades
The M67 weighs fourteen ounces in total and has a safety clip to prevent the pin on the grenade from being pulled accidentally. The pin prevents the lever, or “spoon” on the grenade from flipping off and arming the fuse on the grenade. It has a three second fuse that ignites explosives packed inside a round body.
Steel fragments (not to be confused with shrapnel) are provided by the grenade body and produce an injury radius of 15 meters (45 ft), with a fatality radius of 5 meter (15 ft), though some fragments can disperse as far out as 250 meter (820 ft.) Snake Eyes usually carries three of these grenades on a harness strap over his chest.
CUMA Tak-RI Knife
Combined Universal Martial Applications (CUMA) is a Black Traction coated, thirteen and a half length Tactical / Combat knife with a Micarta handle, its blade made out of 1095 Carbon Steel and designed by Kung Fu Master, Waysun Johnny Tsai. Snake Eyes carries this lethal blade in a Ballistic Nylon sheath located on the back of his chest/back harness to allow quick access with his left hand as the right pulls the sword.
Shuriken
The Shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing. They are sharpened hand-held blades. Shuriken is the name given to any small-bladed object, while shaken is traditionally used to indicate the well-known “Throwing star” or “Ninja Star.” Snake Eyes carries several of these weapons at any given time, concealed in his cargo pockets.
Kunai
A kunai is a Japanese tool. Two variations are the short kunai and the big kunai. it is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, it could be used as a multi-functional weapon. It is commonly associated with the Ninja, who used it to gouge holes in walls. Snake Eyes holds these tools in his varies cargo pockets.
Multi-Purpose Pouches / Cargo Pockets
Snake Eyes usual uniform, is strapped with multi-use pouches to carry any number of portable devices and/or tools. Located on his left thigh, he carries several magazines for his firearm.
Uzi Submachine Gun
The Uzi is a family of the Israeli open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine gun. It was one of the first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design which allows the magazines to be housed in the pistol grip for a shorter weapon. Range: 280 yards, Ammo: 9mm, Mag: 50 rounds, Muzzle Velocity: 1312 ft per sec, Rate of Fire: 600 rounds a minute.
While Snake Eyes has been known to carry this firearm with a sling, he generally carries this weapon tightly on the back of his belt with two snap straps. After deployed and used, Snake Eyes can clip this weapon to his Chest harness with the Chalker Sling and re-stow it later on his belt later.
Mikimoto Sword
A legendary Arashikage blade, forged of Onihashi laminated steel are considered for all intents and purposes, unbreakable. Snake Eyes usually carries one sword in a scabbard on his back. At times however, he is known to carry two.
1932 Wehrmacht Compass
A German crafted navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the Earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – North, South, East, and West.
However, its most important contents to Snake Eyes, is a note given to him by friend, confidant, and maybe more, fellow G.I. Joe, Scarlett that read – “S- I want you to know that I am by you at every step. It’s good to know that you have someone who cares. Strength and Love- Red”
Lock Pick Set
Lock Picking is the art of unlocking a lock by analyzing and manipulating the components of the lock device without the original key. In addition, ideal lock picking should not damage the lock itself, allowing it to be rekeyed for later use. Snake Eyes carries a Lock Pick Set beneath a fake skin that can be located anywhere on his body.
Additional Gear
Aside from his standard gear, Snake Eyes employs various other tools military or otherwise for any given mission, such as but not limited to:
Firearms
While Snake Eyes has a general set of firearms, he is well versed in all guns and is not opposed to using them. Weapons he has used, are but not limited to: M16, Mark 18 rifle, 50 Caliber Machine guns, Bazooka’s, RPG’s, Tanks, etc.
Tri-Blade Windmill Shuriken
A much larger style of Shuriken. These Shuriken are meant to return to the sender, unless of course they impale their target. Some versions of Windmill Shuriken are made to fold into a singular blade, this Tri-Blade version does not. Snake Eyes has concealed this weapon in a much larger cargo pocket located on the back of his snow gear.
Nunchaku
Nunchucks, a killer combination of wood and chain. Nunchucks in combat were primarily used as a defensive farmers weapon. Numerous attacks across the head, body, and above the chin are capable of knocking any conventional individual. The weapon is easily concealed, flexible, can be used for disarmament, crush skulls, break arms, or break legs. The idea behind the Nunchaku is to be mesmerized by the movement of the weapon before it strikes, mimicking a Python. Snake Eyes has used this weapon for non-lethal conditions.
Pen-sized Laser
A searing laser to cut through glass.
Suction Cups
Used to scale clean surfaces such as building walls or plates of glass.
Various Grenades
Aside from high explosive grenades such as the M67, Snake Eyes has used the following – Smoke & Signaling grenades, Flash Bangs, Incendiary Grenades, Canister Grenades, etc.
Bolt Cutters
A tool used for cutting chains, padlocks, bolts, and wire mesh.
Snow & Climbing Gear
When in the mountains and the snow, Snake Eyes has used such gear as a tactical armless snow vest, Crampons, Ropes, Carabiners, and Spring loaded cams, however he reframes from using Alpine Axes, preferring to his hands to alone even in the snow. He sometimes keeps a sleeping bag with him if the mission calls for it.
Bungee Cord
Snake Eyes has used Bungee Cords to make emergency exits.
Tablet Computer
Snake Eyes owns a tablet computer he uses to keep in contact with Scarlett and the Joes and to obtain new missions. However at times he has also used a Cell phone or other portable communications devices.
Companion
Timber
Snake-Eyes’ pet wolf. Timber is a wolf whom he’s freed from entrapment and has been known to accompany him on certain missions. At one point, Timber passed away.
Other Versions
Danger Girl/G.I. Joe
After the acquisition of the Danger Girl characters by IDW, it was decided to first launch the characters under the IDW banner with a crossover with one of the major properties at IDW, G.I. Joe, The series starts off with a dog chase involving Scarlett and Flint and they are soon shot down. It is revealed that they were providing escort for a shipment of rediscovered missiles with great destructive power. They are soon shot down though and the missiles are taken by Cobra, who also take the two prisoners.
Once in Cobra custody they come across Abbey Chase who is acting undercover, though the two members of G.I. Joe do not know this. Elsewhere the American president arrives to the USS Flagg and informs the Joe team to stand down and to not seek to free their teammates. General Flag orders them to stand down. The remaining female members (Cover Girl, Lady Jaye, and Jinx) come up with a plan where they will contact the Danger Girl team (Cover Girl had previously met Johnny Barracuda). The team shows up and exposes the U.S. president as Zarana in disguise.
Soon enough it is revealed that the Danger Girl team already has an operative in place and she informs them of the plan. Firefly is to head to Moscow and detonate one of the missiles while Major Bludd is to go to Beijing to detonate another. Three teams head out, one to each of the two cities and the third to the Cobra base. By now Abbey is under suspicion of Baroness, Destro and Cobra Commander and is captured by Zartan when she attempts to free Scarlett and Flint.
While they are trying to escape a team of Low Light, Snake Eyes and Stalker arrive to free them. Meanwhile in Beijing a team of Jinx, Johnny Barracuda and Sonya Savage stop Major Bludd while a team of Sydney Savage, Cover Girl and Roadblock stop Firefly. It is soon revealed that there is another missile which is headed for the homing beacon which Zarana has placed on the USS Flagg.
Silicon Valerie, Duke and Lady Jaye quickly deal with it. Meanwhile at the Cobra base Storm Shadow has arrived to stop the Joes and he engages Snake-Eyes in combat. Eventually this group is also able to escape, while blowing up the base and they are all reunited on the USS Flagg.
Other Media
Television
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
A Sunbow/Marvel co-production, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is an animated TV series which was based on the toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics. Initial episodes were written by developer/creator Ron Friedman, and numerous characters from both G.I. Joe and Cobra make appearances. Snake-Eyes makes several appearances, but doesn’t play a major role.
G.I. Joe: Resolute
G.I. Joe: Resolute was written by comic book creator Warren Ellis. The show originally debuted on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, as an 11-part series, before being released on DVD in it’s entirety. Ellis was hired to write the series, even though he had no knowledge of the characters beforehand.
G.I. Joe: Renegades
On November 26, 2010, G.I Joe: Renegades debuted on the television channel The Hub. After a mission gone bad involved with Cobra industries, the G.I. Joes are labeled renegades, and must flee the forces of Cobra and the authorities.
Snake-Eyes is a mysterious ninja who helps Scarlett and the other Renegades. He never speaks or shows his face, but he does reveal himself to be an extremely powerful ninja. He was trained by the Arashikage ninja clan, the same clan that trained his sworn enemy Storm Shadow, the Cobra ninja mercenary.
Film
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
In the 2009 film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Snake-Eyes is an established member of the G. I. Joe team. It is revealed that when he was a young boy, Snake-Eyes was a street urchin who one day decided to steal some food. This led to a fight with a then young too Storm Shadow, but are interrupted from their fight by their master.
The two then trained together, however Storm Shadow’s anger showed in the training and as such the master never complimented him on his various wins over Snake Eyes however he complimented the latter on his first win over Storm Shadow. Eventually one day the master is found dead and Snake Eyes sees Storm Shadow running away.
It is unknown if, like the comics, this is a pure coincidence, as there is nothing to suggest that this is true. Snake-Eyes then takes a vow of silence as he sees his master dying. The two rivals then clash a variety of times, however neither gets the upper hand on the other. In their last battle the two fight in Destro’s underwater base in the Artic cap. Snake-Eyes ends up stabbing Storm Shadow, who falls into the icy water.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Snake-Eyes returns in the 2013 sequel of G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra.
In the beginning, Snake-Eyes is away from the main squadron of the Joes on a separate mission. The Joes do become decommissioned, courtesy of a plot by Zartan disguised as the president. It is revealed that Storm Shadow is alive from their previous fight and during a rescue mission of Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow is injured by an explosion, which Snake-Eyes notices and monitors from the shadows. With this new knowledge, Snake-Eyes heads to a remote location where he trains with the Blind Master and Storm Shadow’s cousin, Jinx.
He and Jinx are sent to a temple somewhere in the Himalayas to capture Storm Shadow and bring him back to the Blind Master and rest of the Arashikage clan alive. Snake-Eyes and his new partner successfully defeat and capture the fully recovered Storm Shadow and return him to the clan where Storm Shadow faces a trial.
During the trial, with a declaration of innocence from Storm Shadow and a brief clash of swords with Snake-Eyes, it was revealed that the Hard Master was murdered and Storm Shadow was framed by Zartan. Snake-Eyes, Jinx, and Storm Shadow, regroup with the only remaining G.I. Joes of Roadblock, Lady Jaye, and Flint. They team together with General Joseph Colton to get supplies, weapons, and put a stop to Cobra Commander. The Joes successfully battle and halt Cobra Commander’s plot, even though the commander manages to escape. After the fighting, Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes stare down one final team before Storm Shadow heads off on his own and Snake-Eyes regroups with his team. With the president rescued and the world saved for now, the Joes each receive a medal of honor, along with the G.I. Joe forces being recommissioned.