- Title: G.I. JOE: Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #13
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Chuck Dixon
- Artist: Robert Atkins
With the JOE’s believing he died in Nanzhao, Snake Eyes returns to Japan with Storm Shadow to begin their campaign to take down Cobra and the new Cobra Commander. Their first target – Zartan.
Snake Eyes plays a dangerous game while working with Arashikage to take down Cobra targets, but working behind the scenes to try and take down the clan from within. Zartan escapes Snake Eyes’ attempt to bring him in, but the JOE does manage to slay quite a few of his own ninja teammates who were assigned to him on the mission.
The comic also introduces the character of Rika, an Arashikage ninja who has been chosen to serve Snake Eyes, and is not completely trusting of the former JOE as she “sees what others do not.” It will be interesting to see what role, or possible spoiler, she may play in Snake Eyes’ plans.
We are also given several flashbacks to Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes early days in training with the clan and see their strengths and weaknesses from the eyes of their master as well as learn early on why Snake Eyes, though deadly, wasn’t a good fit for the honorless ninja.
The issue gives us a good beginning to the unlikely pairing of the old rivals with a pair of great covers, one showcasing each character. With Snake Eyes cut-off from the rest of the world we’ll see how long he can keep his dangerous game going, or if he eventually falls into the trap of rejoining the clan for real. Worth a look.
[IDW, $3.99]