You’ve seen the mask. You know the black bodysuit. But if you think you know the gi joe snake eyes comic just because you watched a couple of 1980s cartoons or that Henry Golding movie, you’re missing the actual soul of the character.
Honestly, the "real" Snake Eyes doesn't live on a screen. He lives in the newsprint of Marvel’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, specifically the issues written by Larry Hama. Hama wasn't just some guy writing a toy tie-in. He was a Vietnam veteran who infused a plastic ninja with enough trauma, grit, and complex history to make him the most compelling character in comic book history.
The Origin Nobody Tells You About
Most fans assume Snake Eyes was always a ninja. Wrong.
In the original Marvel run, he was just a soldier. A guy in a LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) unit in Vietnam alongside Stalker and Storm Shadow. The "ninja" stuff came much later, after he’d already seen the worst of humanity in the jungle.
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When he returned home, things got darker. His family? Wiped out in a car accident involving a drunk driver who—get this—was the brother of the man who would become Cobra Commander. That’s the kind of interconnected tragedy Hama thrived on. It wasn't about "good vs. evil" in a vacuum; it was about broken men finding different ways to cope with loss.
The Mystery of the Mask
Why doesn't he talk? Why the visor?
Most people think it’s just a "cool ninja mystery." It’s actually a horror story. During an early Joe mission, a helicopter window blew out, and Snake Eyes saved Scarlett while taking a face full of burning jet fuel. His vocal cords were shredded. His face was a map of scars.
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The mask isn't a fashion choice. It’s a necessity.
Why GI Joe Issue 21 Changed Everything
If you want to understand the gi joe snake eyes comic legacy, you have to read "Silent Interlude."
Released in 1984, Issue #21 has zero dialogue. Not a single word bubble. Larry Hama had to prove that you could tell a high-stakes, emotional story using only visual pacing. Snake Eyes infiltrates a Cobra castle to rescue Scarlett, and it’s basically a masterclass in sequential art.
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It also dropped the bombshell that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow have the same Arashikage tattoo. They weren't just rivals; they were "sword brothers." This one issue shifted the entire G.I. Joe mythos from a military procedural into a generational ninja soap opera.
The Larry Hama Effect
Hama’s writing is why the comic outlasted the cartoon’s popularity. While the show was busy making sure nobody actually died, the comic was brutal.
- Nuance: Storm Shadow wasn't a villain. He was a man framed for murder, working for Cobra only to find the real killer (Zartan).
- Romance: The relationship between Snake Eyes and Scarlett is one of the most enduring, non-traditional romances in comics. No words, just a deep, unspoken bond.
- Longevity: Hama has written nearly 300 issues of the Real American Hero continuity, moving from Marvel to IDW and eventually Skybound.
What You Should Read Next
Don't just jump in anywhere. If you're looking for the definitive experience, start here:
- Marvel’s G.I. Joe #21 (Silent Interlude): The absolute gold standard.
- Marvel’s G.I. Joe #26-27: This is where the full origin story—the Vietnam connection, the Arashikage training, and the accident—is finally laid bare.
- Snake Eyes: Declassified: A more modern look (from the early 2000s) that fills in the gaps of his training years.
- The Current Skybound Run: Joshua Williamson and Larry Hama are currently keeping the flame alive for a new generation.
The gi joe snake eyes comic isn't just a relic of the Reagan era. It’s a sprawling epic about identity, silence, and the cost of war.
If you're looking to start a collection, track down the original Marvel "Essential" or "Classic" trade paperbacks. They’re easier on the wallet than hunting for individual vintage issues. Start with Volume 1 and pay close attention to how the art shifts from standard military fare to the shadow-heavy, ninja-influenced style that eventually defined the character. You'll see the evolution of a legend in real-time.