Just like I covered in my article about the ridiculous number of Snake Eyes figures I would buy, I would buy a similarly ridiculous number of 6-inch Storm Shadow figures. I’m not alone in loving these two characters and in loving ninjas and in loving G.I. Joe. Being popular meant constant character refreshes in the toy aisle, which meant loads of costumes. Here are some Storm Shadow figures I’d buy without question:
Original Storm Shadow
Man, it just does not get any more evocative than that card art. I remember the first time the 1984 wave showed up in stores, and I looked at the back to see who I’d want first. BAM. Ninja. Suddenly the G.I. Joe line was perfect. There was a full-fledged ninja figure. I had to have him. While I did not get him that day, I did eventually get him. And it was glorious.
Sunbow/Comic Storm Shadow
While the Marvel Comics Storm Shadow was light years better than the cartoon Storm Shadow, both of them opted for slightly shorter sleeves on their ninja wear. While I love the original card art/toy look, I would love to get what would amount to an extremely small cosmetic change, but it is enough to be a different version.
Version 2 Storm Shadow
This was a figure that eluded me in the ’80s. I was apparently a little too late to grab him. Storm Shadow was experiencing a change of heart in the comic, and was on the road to becoming a good guy. This would be the costume he wore when his allegiances bent more towards G.I. Joe and his friendship with Snake Eyes. I love the addition of the hood, and his quirky urban camouflage looked great.
Soldier Storm Shadow/Tommy Arashikage
I’d kill for a Vietnam-era Tommy figure to go with my non-existent Snake Eyes soldier figure. Again, I’d say just give us a box set of Snakes, Stormy, and Stalker for maximum badass.
Ninja-Training Storm Shadow (no sigil)
This one serves a dual purpose. First, it’s Storm Shadow before he rented his soul to Cobra, but second, what we would have is a blank ninja body, with which to make a ninja party.
Black speckle Storm Shadow
The fourth Storm Shadow figure, this represented Tommy when he was a full-fledged member of G.I. Joe and also the leader of Ninja Force. Because it was all about the sublines in those days. This was the costume Storm Shadow also wore in his handful of DIC cartoon appearances. Not much of a selling point depending on your thoughts on the DIC era, but this is a snazzy outfit with a distinctive design.
Ninja Ku Storm Shadow
It’s Storm Shadow, but in black. While supposedly a new character, it’s really just regular old Storm Shadow in black. I really can’t argue with that. It’s the easiest thing ever, which is just a repaint of the original white figure. You can thank Argentina for this. As with all things black, this would kick mucho ass.
Satan.
It’s Storm Shadow, but in red. Argentina again wows the world with yet another recoloring of the basic first Storm Shadow figure. If I could have 6-inch white, red, and black Storm Shadow figures standing together on my shelf, I’d have to high-five the world.