Snake Eyes is one of the key characters in the G.I. Joe comic book series, and is a fan favorite. He is silent - apparently incapable of speech, but also quiet in his movements - and is a swift and deadly master of martial arts. The character wears black fatigues and a facemask to cover his face, which was disfigured in a combat-related accident.

According to the comic book mythology, Snake Eyes comes from the same ninja clan as his adversary Storm Shadow, who was at one time Snake Eyes' closest friend. The two served together in the Vietnam War, and upon returning home from the war and discovering that his family had been killed in a car accident (ironically also involving G.I. Joe arch-foe Cobra Commander), Snake Eyes went to study the ninja arts with Storm Shadow's family.

Eventually, Snake Eyes rejoined his other Vietnam buddies when he was recruited into G.I. Joe.