By all accounts, the Energon Universe is fully realized at Skybound now that new series like Scarlett are hitting the stands. Out this week, the new G.I. Joe/Transformers has seen Duke and Cobra Commander get their own series, and now it’s up to a super spy to get her day in the sun. This first issue, led by Kelly Thompson and Marco Ferrari, leans into the uniqueness of Scarlett, who isn’t just any super spy.
Scarlett #1 opens with Scarlett infiltrating a compound via the water. After getting up close, she slips out of a scuba suit, revealing a perfect dress with wedges and a purse. Oh, and a gun. As far as spy activities go, she looks the part. Soon, she’s inside and realizes there are hostages and plenty of armed guards. Things go from bad to worse; a familiar figure pops up, and Scarlett disobeys orders to save the hostages. In one fell swoop, the creative team establishes she’s quite good at kicking butt and doing the right thing.
The meaty part of this first issue is establishing Scarlett’s relationship with Jinx. Thompson cleverly connects these two characters in a unique way while also maintaining a level of mystery. Is Jinx a bad guy or working from the inside? It’s a major mystery set up well in this first issue.
Credit: Skybound
Fans of G.I. Joe will not be surprised to discover this series is a path to ninjas, a major element. There are plenty of them in this issue, and most of them get their butts beat by Scarlett. Ferrari does a great job with these fight scenes, with fast movement and good use of close-ups to show how skilled Scarlett needs to be to take out one, or in one case, many of the ninjas. Some of these fight scenes are reminiscent of Chris Bachalo’s work, with a little less detail but sharp edges to convey the kinetic energy.
Flashbacks are designed to convey information between actions, and they’re visually obvious. However, they are used more to set up the current mission, which leaves a lot to be desired about learning about Scarlett. As someone who isn’t a G.I. Joe expert, it would have been nice to be given a bit more about who she was and how she’s so skilled. Instead, they’re used to set up the current situation.
This issue opens up the ninja side of G.I. Joe and introduces a few familiar characters first introduced in the Energon universe. Fans of the property will get a kick out of the cliffhanger, and connections to past stories open up the worldbuilding.
Scarlett offers a good first issue that establishes the main character well while opening on the Energon universe to even more familiar G.I. Joe elements. Fans of G.I. Joe ninja action can’t miss this series!
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