WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Scarlett #1Scarlett #1 is the latest G.I. Joe title in the Energon Universe, and the first issue of the new series has already brought back the classic, fan-favorite character, Storm Shadow. The Cobra Ninja makes his EU debut at the end of Scarlett #1, and the he looks to shake up the story in a big way. Now that he’s here, what side will Storm Shadow choose in the coming battle between G.I. Joe and Cobra?

Coming from the creative team of Kelly Thompson, Marco Ferrari, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton, Scarlett #1 sees the titular character recruited by G.I. Joe’s Stalker to infiltrate the Arashikage, a mysterious ninja clan who have come into possession of a dangerous weapon.

Scarlett successfully breaks into the Arashikage fort in Japan, facing down several ninja and defeating them all. Eager to gain their favor, Scarlett pledges herself to the Arashikage cause. Then, in the final scene of the issue, she’s knocked unconscious by none other than Storm Shadow.

Storm Shadow Makes a Dramatic Entrance Into the Energon Universe

Storm Shadow’s appearance is a huge deal for the Energon Universe, as the character has long been a pillar of the G.I. Joe franchise. In traditional continuity, Storm Shadow is actually Thomas Arashikage, the heir to the Arashikage ninja clan. Born in America, Thomas returns to Japan after a stint in the U.S. military, eager to learn the ways of his heritage from his clandestine family. Storm Shadow initially joins Cobra to learn who killed his mentor, the Hard Master. Once he learns it was master-of-disguise Zartan, Storm Shadow defects to G.I. Joe and fights against Cobra thereafter.

How much of this backstory remains in place for the Energon Universe version of Storm Shadow remains to be seen. Stalker claims he trained for a time with the Arashikage clan in Scarlett #1, perhaps as a nod to the original continuity, where he served with both Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes in a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol in Vietnam. Stalker previously displayed some martial arts skills that he claimed to have learned from an “old friend” in the pages of Duke. So, it would appear that Stalker and Storm Shadow are already pretty familiar in the Energon Universe.

Will Storm Shadow Align With G.I. Joe or Cobra?

Although his appearance at the end of Scarlett #1 is little more than a tease, fans can assume that Storm Shadow will be a major player in the Energon Universe moving forward. Given Skybound’s willingness to subvert fan expectations, it’s not a given that Storm Shadow will align himself with Cobra first like in the classic comics. Long-time villain the Baroness has already been recruited into G.I. Joe in the new continuity, so anything is possible. There’s also the possibility of Snake Eyes making an appearance in the G.I. Joe corner of the Energon Universe, but for now, fans can look forward to more Storm Shadow in upcoming issues of Scarlett.