Snake Eyes: How Silence Makes Him the GOAT in a Unique Way

Story By By Destro Designs – Viper Den Studios

One of the reasons Snake Eyes is the GOAT that many don’t realize is the magic behind his silence.

I’ve often said that when naming favorite Marvel and DC comic characters, Snake Eyes should be in that conversation. He transcends the G.I. Joe brand and stands among notable pop culture icons. Hell, my mom knows who Snake Eyes is—and she’s a hairdresser born in the ’60s.

First, Larry Hama should be recognized as the GOAT comic writer for creating a character who has reached this level of notoriety without ever speaking a single word—on screen or on paper.

And I think therein lies his strength.

When a character talks, they tell you how they think and how they feel. That ultimately allows the reader or viewer to form a mental image of who that character is based on what they do and say—but mostly what they say. Words are far more than just a voice. They shape identity. The specific language used helps define how the writer wants the character to be perceived—and when it’s done right, it’s incredible.

But what happens with Snake Eyes is very different…

While his origins in the comic books involve his time with the LRRP, his disfigurement in a helicopter crash, and his training with the Arashikage, the rest of Snake Eyes’ story is left—at least partially—up to the reader or viewer.

Because without words or a voice, we fill in the blanks ourselves.

In a brand known for its fandom’s headcanon, Snake Eyes is the crown jewel of “left up to interpretation.” With no dialogue to define him, he becomes a blank slate.

Hama does a great job portraying him as virtuous, with a strong moral compass—clearly one of the good guys. But he’s also a good guy with a high body count. He’s a killer. An Alpha Commando who can pull the trigger just as easily as he can draw a sword and cut down a platoon.

And the silence leaves space—space for us to imagine his thoughts and emotions that never get screen time because he’s mute and doesn’t express a damn thing.

It’s similar to horror movies. When a film doesn’t show the monster, the audience fills in the blanks with their own fears—and nothing a writer creates will ever be scarier than what your own mind can produce.

Same goes for Snake Eyes.

Without a voice, you can shape him into whatever version you want. Maybe he’s an arrogant killer like Homelander from The Boys, or maybe he’s a reluctant hero like Superman—or somewhere in between.

That’s his power.

Even his figure design reinforces this. The all-black look in V1, V2, and V3 makes him adaptable—he can be on any sub-team, in any environment, on any mission. His personality, like his appearance, is stripped down and open-ended.

A blank slate.

And I think people subconsciously love that. A story told to you is great—but a story you feel like you created yourself hits on a completely different level.

Personally, I see him the way Hama wrote him: a virtuous man capable of legendary feats on the battlefield. A man of discipline and focus. Someone with unmatched skill in combat, willing to do whatever it takes to secure victory and protect the G.I. Joe team.

But despite that, I believe violence is a burden to him. He feels everything—just in silence.

Make no mistake, though—Snake Eyes is a killer. A truly violent, efficient force when necessary.

And I say this because you don’t get that good at something without, on some level, embracing it.

Tragedy or not.

So what do you fill in the blanks with?

How do you see Snake Eyes?