SCARLETT #4, by Image Comics & Skybound on 9/4/24, Scarlett fights her way through ninjas and has a long talk with Jinx before finally laying eyes on the special weapon. It’s not what you think.
Credits:
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artist: Marco Ferrari
- Colorist: Lee Loughridge
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Marco Ferrari, Lee Loughridge (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: September 4, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of SCARLETT #4:
First Impressions:
Well, this is going to be a short review because this comic has about as much meat on the bone as a dried-out skeleton in the desert. The entire crux of this miniseries centers on Scarlett a) retrieving a rare and dangerous but undefined weapon and b) saving Jinx from deep cover. By the end of this issue, you have a better idea about both objectives and the realization that Scarlett probably won’t achieve either.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left G.I. Joe’s greatest spy in Scarlett #3, Scarlett accepted a deadly mission from the Hard Master to prove her loyalty to the Arishikage clan – sneak into a rival clan’s high-security building and steal a rare object. Despite a few bizarre improvisations and injuries, Scarlett succeeded, along with Jinx and Storm Shadow.
In Scarlett #4, Scarlett finally makes contact with Jinx (using secret hand signals) at the tail end of their mission to steal a secret weapon from the Mugenomi clan. They tell each other to be cool until they have a chance to talk privately. Scarlett then enters the room with the weapon, but Storm Shadow informs her that the failsafe defenses were triggered, which automatically sends the weapon to a different floor.
The pacing of the opening scene feels a little odd as it seems like Storm Shadow and the team secured the weapon at the end of the last issue. Apparently, we were wrong.
Storm Shadow heads to the 44th floor via the opening in the floor while Jinx and Scarlett take the scenic route to cut off any escaping enemies. What follows is a surprisingly lengthy conversation where Jinx and Scarlett hug, catch up on the health of Jinx’s plants, discuss their options for walking away from the Arishikage, and concoct a weird bit of justification for why the weapon can’t be on the 44th floor because 44 isn’t as lucky as 48. Their talk is co-mingled with action scenes showing Storm Shadow taking out all assassins on the 44th floor.
If it sounds off to have two characters talking about everything from the critical to the mundane, you might also be surprised to know that the conversation stretches over eight pages. The only reason those pages are somewhat engaging is through the action of Storm Shadow silently dispatching the assassins in the background.
Of course, Scarlett is right about the weapon’s location. Jinx and Scarlett leap into action, but they call for Storm Shadow’s reinforcements when Cobra’s soldiers arrive. The issue concludes with a look at the weapon – a glowing sword.
Overall, Scarlett #4 continues the trend of being the most disappointing series from Skybound as part of the Energon Universe. Building intrigue about a weapon that isn’t surprising, lengthy conversations packed with useless fluff, action by everyone except the titular character, and a flat cliffhanger add up to a miss for Skybound for one of the most popular G.I. Joe characters.
Artwork and Presentation:
Conversely, Marco Ferrari’s art looks to have taken a step up in quality in this issue. The figure work, especially during the more fluid action scenes, looks solid and less cartoonish. The wide shots still lack too much detail, but on the whole, this issue has better art than the previous issues.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
To this point, the Scarlett miniseries hasn’t tipped off readers as to how it connects to the Energon Universe. In Scarlett #4, we get two hints.
First, Scarlett hears the name Cobra for the first time, which forms a loose connection to the other G.I. Joe titles in that these stories take place roughly when Cobra first forms.
Second, the sword uncovered at the end of the issue could be glowing due to some type of Energon infusion, but that’s strictly a guess.
Final Thoughts:
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SCARLETT #4 is an oddly paced and ultimately disappointing issue. Kelly Thompson’s big reveal about the secret weapon lands with a thud, and the penultimate issue appears to be setting the plot up such that Scarlett won’t accomplish any of her objectives. This miniseries is turning out to be the first big miss for the Energon Universe.
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