G.I. Joe is back in a big way thanks to Skybound’s Energon Universe line, but there has been one key element missing from the new titles thus far. Ninja have always been a big part of the franchise, yet characters like Snake Eyes have been missing in the new line. That all changes with the release of Scarlett #3, which promises the debut of Cobra ninja Storm Shadow.

Set to be released on August 7, Scarlett #3 continues the story of the title character infiltrating the Arashikage ninja clan, with a little help from Arashikage student Jinx along the way. The third issue promises an action-packed story, as Scarlett must prove herself to the franchise’s famed ninja clan.

Scarlett #3 (2024)
Release Date:	August 7, 2024
Writer:	Kelly Thompson
Artists:	Marco Ferrari
Colorist	Lee Loughridge
Cover Artist:	Marco Ferrari & Lee Loughridge
Scarlett has fought her way to the Arashikage's final test - a death-defying mission that could change the Clan's fortunes. But where do Jinx's loyalties truly lie?

Longtime fans will know that the Arashikage are the clan of ninja who trained Snake Eyes in the original continuity, with Thomas Arashikage AKA Storm Shadow also being a major member. Intriguingly, the variant cover by Marcio Takara shows Storm Shadow fighting alongside Scarlett, confirming the character’s appearance... but not his loyalties.

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STORM SHADOW Debuts in the Energon Universe

But Whose Side Is G.I. Joe's Deadly Ninja Actually On?

It’s a major character debut, as Storm Shadow has long been one of the key characters in the entire franchise. While initially the Cobra foil for Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow would grow into one of the most complex characters in the entire franchise. While Thomas Arashikage did indeed work for Cobra early on, he only did so to learn who killed his mentor the Hard Master. Upon learning Zartan was the assassin, Storm Shadow left the Cobra organization to fight side-by-side with Snake Eyes on the G.I. Joe team.

How much of the classic continuity will find its way into the Energon Universe remains to be seen. Skybound has shown a fidelity to what has come before in the new Transformers and G.I. Joe titles, but the publisher has also been willing to shake things up in terms of who is working towards what goal. Perhaps the most divergent change is having long-time villain Baroness join up with the G.I. Joe team. With the solicits teasing Jinx’s true allegiance in Scarlett #3, it will be very interesting to see if Storm Shadow will start out his role in the Energon Universe as a hero, as opposed to the classic continuity.

The Ninja Arrive in the Energon Universe with Scarlett #3

G.I. Joe Gets Its Iconic Ninjas Back

Now that fans know Jinx and Storm Shadow will be showing up in the pages of Scarlett, they must be wondering if that other famous G.I. Joe ninja will show up, as well. Snake Eyes is the long-time lover of Scarlett, after all, so it would be criminal if the character wasn’t at least alluded to during Scarlett’s self-titled miniseries. The Energon Universe has so far knocked their G.I. Joe reboot out of the park, so no matter who shows up next, fans can rest assured it'll be part of a white-knuckle adventure.

Scarlett #3 is on sale August 7 from Skybound Entertainment