Exploring the possible connection between G.I. Joe’s Snake Eyes and Dale Comics’ Wolfman
Snake Eyes, the mysterious ninja from the GI Joe series, has become one of the most iconic characters in pop culture, known for his all-black attire and unwavering loyalty. But could the design be inspired by a lesser-known Dell comic book hero? Immerse yourself in this fascinating comic book legend that seeks to uncover the origins of comic design.
One of the most resonant names in the comic industry, Rob Liefeld has never hidden that characters like Spider-Man and Boba Fett influenced the creation of Deadpool. Interestingly, he mentions snake eyes as one of these influences, which leads us to a wonderful creative inspiration. This legendary commando not only confronts other musicians, but also the rumors of his own genesis.
Werewolf from Dell Comics, the real inspiration?
Dell Comics, known for its collaboration with Western Publishing, tried to create heroic characters based on classic monsters in the 60s, not only in Disney comics. Among them, the Wolfman in black, together with his faithful wolf Thor, protected the world from the threat of darkness. This character shares more than one aesthetic resemblance with Snake Eyes, which makes us wonder about the relationship between these two masked warriors.
Although famed Snake Eyes creator Larry Hama doesn’t credit Werewolf as an influence, it’s important to consider that the character’s original design was by Hasbro designer Ron Rudat. The first version of this command was not completely black; This change was made later, as an economic solution to reduce production costs, choosing a colorless design.
The verdict on the legend
Analyzing the original designs and the decisions behind them, Rudat found it unlikely that the characters for the toy and comic book versions took direct inspiration from the hero in Dale’s Curiosity character. Instead, switching to the classic black outfit was a practical decision, not an aesthetic one.
This debate highlights how myths and legends are woven around our favorite heroes, often creating a fabric that is more interesting than reality. Although the story of this amazing character did not directly influence the creation of Ninja, both characters show how action figures and comics continue to inspire each other in an ongoing creative cycle.
As each character is added to the wider comic book universe, such legends enrich our understanding and appreciation of them. Although this connection between Snake Eyes and the classic Dell character may be more myth than fact, it’s still a fascinating study of how stories and characters can influence and change over time.
The origin of American heroes
Originally conceived as action figures by Hasbro in 1964, GI Joes have evolved significantly since their inception. First, these figures represent soldiers from various branches of the US military, an invention that marks the origin of the “action figure” concept, as opposed to the more common “dolls” for girls. The name of this group of heroes comes from the military nickname “Government Affairs Joe”, which was used to refer to ordinary soldiers in the United States.
Over time, the brand expanded to include not only figures, but also television series, comics, and movies. This multimedia backdrop not only expands the reach and popularity of these characters, but also enriches the narrative, introducing complex plots and memorable characters that resonate with multiple generations of fans.