For a list of the other versions, see Storm Shadow.
- Storm Shadow is a Cobra character from the G.I. Joe film and sequel.
Storm Shadow is a man who is an expert in martial arts. He shares a rivalry with a man from his past, codenamed Snake Eyes.
Fiction[]
Childhood[]
Storm Shadow was Hard Master's nephew and student who first met Snake-Eyes, who he thought was a thief, and fought with him. Hard Master was impressed by Snake-Eyes' skills and became his favorite student. This caused Storm to be jealous and he escaped from the dojo. Snake-Eyes discovered that Hard Master was murdered, with Storm Shadow being the main suspect but it was revealed that Zartan was the one who killed the Hard Master and frame Storm Shadow.
Rise of Cobra (2009 Movie)[]
- Portrayed by Byung-Hun Lee (adult), and Brandon Soo Hoo (young)
Storm Shadow works secretly for M.A.R.S. Industries founder James McCullen as an operative. He trained the Baroness, a.k.a. Ana Lewis, and harbors a grudge against Snake Eyes, leading back to their childhood. In Paris, he warns the Baroness about her husband, the Baron, touching her, before assisting her in raiding the Pit and stealing the nanomite warheads from the Joes.
In Paris, he kills Baron when the Baroness kisses him, then launches the warhead that partially demolishes the Eiffel Tower. He is then engaged by Duke. Although Duke manages to hit the kill switch, the Eiffel Tower is vaporized by the nanomites to the degree that it collapses. Storm Shadow then captures him for Cobra. The Baroness then explains to Duke that Storm was mistrusted by his clan, the Arashikage after his master's death and blames Snake Eyes.
During the G.I. Joe assault on McCullens' arctic hideout, he engages Snake Eyes in battle. It is a fearsome fight, but in the end, Storm Shadow is believed killed when Snake Eyes stabs him with his arm mounted tonfas. He plunges into the frozen depths.
Operation HISS[]
In Operation Hiss, a comic sequel to the film, it is revealed that Storm Shadow survived his apparent death in the film.
Retaliation (2013 Movie)[]
- Portrayed by Byung Hun Lee and Nathan Takashige (young)
Storm Shadow returns in the sequel for revenge against Snake-Eyes. He posed as Snake-Eyes, wanted for killing the president of Pakistan, and was sent to Germany to help Cobra Commander escape from jail, with assistance from Firefly. Injured in an explosion, Storm Shadow went to a mountain fortress to be treated by an old lady. Snake-Eyes and Jinx kidnapped him and delivered him to the Arashikage Clan. The Blind Master was prepared to kill Storm Shadow, but he revealed that he had been framed for the murder of his uncle, the Hard Master and it was really Zartan that was responsible for the crime. Storm Shadow was bitter that no one in the Clan trusted him, and worked for Cobra in order to prove his innocence to the Arashikage clan. He would help the Joes by betraying Cobra, exposing Cobra Commander's deception to the world's leaders and stabbed Zartan for framing him for Hard Master's death. Once getting his revenge, Storm Shadow left after saying goodbye to Snake Eyes and Jinx.
Snake Eyes (2021 Movie)[]
See here.
Personality and Abilities[]
Storm Shadow faces Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Storm Shadow was an aggressive and ruthless man who was capable of committing murder without a second thought. In his youth, he was jealous of Snake-Eyes, because the other boy was their Clan Master's favorite. Storm Shadow believed that fear was a good way of keeping people in line and held no qualms about killing innocent people. He was indifferent about destroying Paris; in fact he was the one that fired the missile filled with nanomite warheads which would have resulted in Paris' destruction.
Storm Shadow was also very confident in his abilities and believed that he would be capable of killing Snake-Eyes, though the other ninja eventually emerged victorious during their final battle. Interestingly Shadow once referred to Snake-Eyes as "brother" even though they were not related and certainly didn't have a brotherly relationship. This would signify that they view each other as brothers, as they were raised and taught by the same master.
Storm Shadow threatens the Baroness
Despite Storm Shadow's aggressive and ruthless nature, Zartan said that he never killed women. When Zartan killed Cover Girl, Storm Shadow said that he would make an exception this time. He also warns Baroness about her husband touching her before he kills him in front of her.
Storm Shadow is a master of martial arts, ninjutsu and is an absolutely lethal fighter. Out of all the members of GI Joe, only Snake-Eyes has been able to combat him on equal terms. He wields two katana swords which he could clip together to form a single double bladed sword. Storm Shadow was also able to throw objects like shuriken and broken glass with deadly accuracy. He also proved to be skilled at wielding a nunchaku, being able to defeat Snake-Eyes whilst using the weapon in their youth. Like Snake-Eyes he was capable of moving with great stealth, performing impressive acrobatics and moving with incredible agility. His dexterity and speed even allowed him to slice a bullet in half that got shot at him. His fighting style was apparently more aggressive than Snake-Eyes' style, which suited his aggressive personality.
Despite Storm Shadow's cold heart, he has also shown that he is not without a code of honor. This is evidenced when he is willing to join up with the Joes in order to stop Zartan and Cobra Commander from unleashing the Project Zeus superweapon.
Toys[]
| Generation 3 | |
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The Rise of Cobra (2009)
"Ninja Mercenary" Storm Shadow was released in 2009 as part of Series 1 of the Rise of Cobra toys. Appearance: white face mask; knee-length white coat with red Cobra symbol on left breast; white pants; white shoes; fingerless white gloves. Accessories: silver spring-loaded disc launcher; silver and red disc; two white and silver swords; black and silver warhead launcher; black pistol; silver tekagi; green and silver nanomite warhead; black display stand. |
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The Rise of Cobra (2009)
"Paris Pursuit" Storm Shadow was released in 2009 as part of Series 4 of the Rise of Cobra toys. Appearance: unmasked head with black hair; white waistcoat with silver zippers and red Cobra symbol on chest; white fingerless gloves; white pants; white boots. Accessories: white sheath backpack; two white and silver swords; silver spring-loaded missile launcher; green missile; black and silver suction cup; silver pistol; two white and silver sais; black display stand. |
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The Rise of Cobra (2009)
"Arctic Assault" Storm Shadow was released in 2009 as part of Series 5 of the Rise of Cobra toys. Appearance: white face mask; bare torso with wounds; white fingerless gloves; white pants; white shoes. Accessories: white sheath backpack; two black and silver swords; white flight pack with silver wings; silver gauntlets; brown bo staff. YoJoe.com page/Filecard |
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Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021)
"Classified Series" Storm Shadow will be released in 2021 as a one-per-customer exclusive for the Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins film Appearance: white face mask; white fingerless gloves; white pants; white shoes. Accessories: two white and silver swords; sheathes; YoJoe.com page/Filecard |
Trivia[]
- A native of South Korea, actor Byung-Hun Lee had very little knowledge of G.I. Joe prior to his casting, but received the role because of his highly praised performances.
- In a deleted scene from The Rise of Cobra, after being stabbed in their climactic battle, Storm Shadow's last words to Snake-Eyes were "I did not kill our master." Stephen Sommers stated this was a thread that would be picked up in the sequel. Indeed, the truth of the matter was revealed in Retaliation.
- In the A Real American Hero comics continuity, Storm Shadow is not responsible for his uncle's death, and is later revealed to have infiltrated Cobra in order to find the real assassin.
See Also[]
- Appearances of Storm Shadow (Movie)
- Image Gallery: Storm Shadow (Movie)