Scarlett Issue #1: The Indie Comics Dispatch

4.05/5.0 StarsRating if the Book Were a Movie: PG-13

Creative Team:

Writer: Kelly ThompsonArtist: Marco FerrariColors: Lee LoughridgeLetters: Rus WootonCover: Marco Ferrari and Lee LoughridgeEditor: Ben AbernathyPublisher: Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics

Ratings:

Story: 4.2 StarsArtwork: 4.0 StarsCover Artwork: 4.0 StarsDialogue: 4.1 StarsMechanics: 3.9 StarsEditing: 4.1 Stars

About the Book:

Scarlett goes undercover in Monaco to gather intelligence on a human trafficking ring. During her mission Scarlett observes an individual with a unique tattoo and reports it. The tattoo is a symbol of the Arashikage Clan. There are few in the world that have this tattoo. Scarlett knows that she has found Jinx, a military asset that went missing in action years ago. Does this change the rules of engagement for Scarlett’s mission?

Reader’s Notes:

Growing up Scarlett was an enigma to me. In the comics she seemed to spend as much free time as possible with Snake Eyes. In the cartoon series her attention was focused on Duke. I did not understand that the rules of canon did not apply to the G.I. Joe franchise.

I always thought she was keeping them both waiting in the wings while she decided what she truly wanted. I found myself simultaneously impressed and revolted by this. I believed if she could keep two highly decorated special operations soldiers from knowing about one another she was the best in the business when it came to covert operations. I also felt she was not being fair to anyone in the situation. Whomever she did not choose would have wasted years trying to woo her.

Having aged and gained the ability to understand how the comics and cartoon series were completely separate entities with their own character relationships I have backed down on part of my view of Scarlett. I have since come to realize she’s still an amazing covert operative. She’s highly skilled and fiercely loyal to her friends.

We see this loyalty in Monaco and beyond. Having finally located one of her closest friends, Scarlett is not about to allow rules of engagement to stop her from bringing Jinx home. She will be fighting an uphill battle the entire way. I have no doubt she’s up to the task…. As long as Jinx actually wants to come home.

I’m fond of how Ferrari and Loughridge depicted Scarlett on this cover. She looks fearless and determined. She is a force to be reckoned with. I love how the Arashikage symbol gives us a hint of what to expect on the pages within.

The artwork in the interior pages is solid. We get great line work that develops our perspective on characters we’ve known for years. I enjoyed seeing Snow Job flying the helicopter.

“Scarlett” does not read like your traditional G.I. Joe book. It has more of an edge to it which makes it feel more like a spy thriller. I’m okay with that. This book gives us plenty of action and a compelling story. All the while this book expands our knowledge on characters that we have loved for decades.