G.I. Joe Finally Brings Back Storm Shadow (With A Major Twist)

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for G.I. Joe #21

For decades, the legacy of the Arashikage ninja clan has played a central role in the G.I. Joe franchise. Serving as the origin point for major characters like Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, it's been pretty fascinating to see the clan's involvement thus far in the new Energon Universe, the new continuity shared between G.I. Joe, Transformers, Void Rivals, and M.A.S.K.

Case in point, Storm Shadow was just brought back into the main G.I. Joe series, having originally debuted in the previous Scarlett miniseries released back in 2024.

While Scarlett featured a clash between the Arashikage and Cobra during its early days, Cobra Commander is now striking back in the all-new G.I. Joe #19 by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly, resulting in some pretty unexpected consequences (and perhaps some potential opportunities for the Arashikage Clan's future).

Storm Shadow's Return Comes With A Devastating Battle With Cobra

Storm Shadow’s return builds directly on the foundation laid in Scarlett, where Shana O'Hara aka Scarlett successfully infiltrated the Arashikage Clan. While Cobra had attempted to steal an energon-powered katana protected by the Arashikage, they were repelled by Storm Shadow, Scarlett, Jinx, and the rest of the ninja clan.

However, Cobra has grown into a much bigger organization since that first encounter. As seen in the brand-new silent issue, Cobra unleashes a full-scale assault on the Arashikage led by Cobra Commander himself in G.I. Joe #21.

Although Storm Shadow, Jinx, and Scarlett put up a good fight alongside the Arashikage's Hard Master, they were ultimately overwhelmed. Despite an impressive duel between Storm Shadow and Cobra Commander, the sinister leader of Cobra successfully leaves with the powerful blade in hand. Likewise, only Storm Shadow, Jinx, and Hard Master are left standing by the issue's end, with Scarlett having been forcibly extracted on the orders of G.I. Joe's Col Hawk (who's secretly Zartan in disguise).

Did G.I. Joe's Newest Series Just Open The Door For Snake Eyes?

With the Arashikage Clan nearly destroyed in G.I. Joe #21, the future of the ninja group has suddenly become a big question mark in the Energon Universe. As such, it potentially creates the perfect opportunity for one of the franchise’s biggest and most popular characters to finally debut: Snake Eyes.

Since this new continuity started back in 2023, Snake Eyes has yet to appear in Skybound’s Energon Universe, making his absence increasingly noticeable with every new issue of G.I. Joe that's released. Now, perhaps the time has come for Snake Eyes to be introduced, especially if the remnants of the Arashikage presumably start looking to train new members.

In past continuities, Hard Master played a key role in training both Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. Seeing as how the iconic master is still alive, perhaps training Snake Eyes is the next logical step. Additionally, the Energon Universe has been more loose with traditional loyalties (Baroness is a Joel and Storm Shadow is a rival to Cobra). Perhaps Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow wouldn't even need to be enemies in the new continuity. I can already see the possible Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow spin-off series now.

Regardless of how it all plays out, Snake Eyes is one of the last major G.I. Joe characters yet to debut in this new shared universe. That needs to change, as I'm getting really tired of not seeing Snake Eyes joining forces with Optimus Prime. At any rate, it's going to be fascinating to see what the nearly decimated Arashikage Clan does next in the Enegon Universe's future.

G.I. Joe #21 is now on sale from Image Comics and Skybound.