S.N.A.K.E.

Contrary to their name, they look absolutely NOTHING like a snake.

S.N.A.K.E. suits are large human-piloted mechs created by Cobra using Cybertronian technology. While the suits lack the ability to transform, they are powerful enough to hold their own against a Transformer if the pilot is skilled enough.

Fiction

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Cobra constructed an unknown number of S.N.A.K.E.s on Cobra Island, intending to use the reprogrammed Decepticon Soundwave to remote-control the mechs. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3 The process was never finished, as Soundwave and the other reprogrammed Transformers broke out of Cobra's control, and several Cobra members armed themselves with S.N.A.K.E. suits to stand a better chance against the very angry robots. Storm Shadow used his personal S.N.A.K.E. (with an Arashikage insignia instead of an ID number) to save Cobra Commander from the Autobots Brawn and Gears, while the Baroness helped Destro by stomping on Rumble with hers. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4

The S.N.A.K.E. squad was later located by a group of four Autobots, who were surprised that a few "humans in suits" thought they could defeat them. The Autobots proceeded to take out most of the S.N.A.K.E.s with their bare hands, but Storm Shadow was too fast for them and decapitated Trailbreaker with his suit's arm cannon. The remaining three heavily damaged the ninja's S.N.A.K.E. and ripped most of its armor off, but he still escaped. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5 Storm Shadow still piloted the battered mech when he attacked some other Autobots and G.I. Joes later on, but it was quickly taken out of commission by Bumblebee. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6

A large number of S.N.A.K.E.s participated in a Cobra attack on Area 52 some two years later. These mechs appeared to be piloted by Battle Android Troopers and could combine with the many smaller troopers to form the massive Cobratron. The Art of War #1

While Cobra were eventually defeated, S.N.A.K.E.s remained in production thanks to arms dealer Destro, who tried to sell 400 of them to the Cuban government. He was stopped by a team of Autobots who were working to prevent humans from misusing Cybertronian technology, and his initial shipment of eight S.N.A.K.E.s was destroyed by Eject. Black Horizon, Part 1

Notes

• What S.N.A.K.E. stands for is never mentioned in Transformers-related fiction, but if you absolutely must know, it's "System: Neutralizer - Armed Kloaking Equipment".
• A sleek Storm Shadow S.N.A.K.E. armed with two katanas was designed by E. J. Su for G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II. It was ultimately not used in the story itself, but appeared in preview sketches, some promotional art, and on the cover of the first issue.

External links

• S.N.A.K.E. at Yojoe.com