Kids Again

A slow news day ends with a bit of 80's nostalgia.

Ain't It Cool News has the first official photo of Snake-Eyes, the ninjato wielding Sergeant First Class E-7 from the upcoming G.I. Joe movie. Stephen Sommers of Mummy fame directs.

Maybe this kind of story belongs on the back page. But given the week's heavy handed coverage of Iraq, gun control and Brett Favre, some of us could probably use a little childish nuance.

The origin of Snake-Eyes plays like Greek tragedy. At least according to Wikipedia:

Stalker, Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes served together in the Vietnam War in a LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) unit. While Snake-Eyes served in combat, he always carried a picture of his twin sister with him in his hat, for good luck. On their last sortie they came under heavy fire and Snake-Eyes became separated from the group and wounded. Storm Shadow doubled back and saved Snake-Eyes' life. Upon returning home from the war, Snake-Eyes met with General Hawk (then just a Colonel), who informed him that his family had been killed in a car accident (which coincidentally involved the brother of the man who would eventually become G.I. Joe's arch-foe, Cobra Commander). After some soul-searching, Snake-Eyes went to study the ninja arts with Storm Shadow's family.

Snake-Eyes’s ability to quickly learn skills especially impressed Storm Shadow’s uncle, the Hard Master. Over time, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow became sword brothers, and unintentional rivals for the attention and favor of the Hard Master, who liked pitting them against one another to test their considerable skills. Though Snake-Eyes often attempted to throw matches in order that his friend should save face in front of his family, the Hard Master was aware of Snake-Eyes' ruse, and knew him to be the true victor.