Advance Review: Scarlett #1
Scarlett #1, the latest G.I. Joe miniseries set within the shared Energon Universe, hits shelves this Wednesday! Writer Kelly Thompson brings her expertise in crafting badass female leads to the table (look no further than her current Birds of Prey and recent run on Captain Marvel), introducing Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara as a formidable protagonist with a compelling emotional hook.
The issue's plot and pacing are well-balanced, with a classic spy-style intro that would make James Bond swoon, intense action sequences, and important exposition that showcase Scarlett's relationships with several key players. The dialogue is engaging, although some of the back-and-forth argument between Scarlett & mission control during the opening scene felt redundant, but didn’t takeaway from the reading experience. Flashbacks highlighting her relationship with a character from her past are expertly written to provide character depth that pays off in the issue’s final few pages and sets up an interesting dynamic for what appears to be the miniseries' core plot.
Where the issue slightly underwhelmed, for me, was in the art. Marco Ferrari's linework is clean, but action sequences lacked the fluidity necessary to fully bring them to life. Both the Duke and Cobra Commander series had dynamic panels that made it feel like you were watching a movie. It wasn't until a double-page spread near the end of this issue that I felt like I was watching Scarlett in motion, rather than looking at nice snapshots of her mission. Outside of these scenes, Ferrari, colorist Lee Loughridge, & letterer Rus Wooton create a visual delight with great character designs & detailed scenery. Props to Loughridge's use of Scarlett's hair color as the main source of color during a scene in the white, snowy mountains.
While Scarlett #1 may not have been my favorite debut in the Energon Universe, it still offers plenty to get excited about and get me interested in what Scarlett has planned next. The Energon Universe has been very male-heavy so far, so it’s great to finally see some more gender diversity. With Thompson's expert writing and the art team's potential, I'm excited to see where this thriller takes us!
Rating: 8.5/10
