WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Scarlett #1Skybound has experienced massive success with its G.I. Joe relaunch thus far, as titles like Duke and Cobra Commander have introduced the Real American Heroes into the Energon Universe. Now, Scarlett #1 continues to build up the Joe corner of Skybound’s shared Hasbro universe, and it looks like the publisher will have another winner on its hands with this latest miniseries filling out the ranks of G.I. Joe.

Coming from the creative team of Kelly Thompson, Marco Ferrari, Lee Loughridge and Rus Wooton, Scarlett #1 opens with Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara infiltrating a high-class gathering in Monaco to gather intel on suspected human trafficking.

Although her mission parameters prevent her from getting directly involved, Scarlett changes those parameters when she recognizes her old friend Jinx saving one of the hostages. Once the mission is over, Scarlett is approached by Stalker of the newly-formed G.I. Joe team. Stalker recruits Scarlett to infiltrate a mysterious ninja clan known as the Arashikage, as they’ve lost contact with their previous asset: Scarlett’s old friend, Jinx.

Scarlett #1 Puts the G.I. Joe Heroine Front and Center

A creative team of this magnitude comes with high expectations, and Scarlett #1 mostly delivers a satisfying reading experience. In addition to racking up Eisner Award nominations, Kelly Thompson has established herself in the comics field as one of the absolute best at portraying characterization. Thompson continues this knack for engaging characters with the depiction of Scarlett in this first issue. Readers learn everything they need to know about Shana O’Hara in the opening action scene: a competent spy who can get in and out of anywhere undetected, yet isn’t willing to sit on the sidelines and watch the action play out all around her.

The scenes of Scarlett being ordered “not to engage” and yet jumping into the fray anyway at the Monaco party are both humorous and exciting, and do a lot to tell us about the character that readers will be following through the rest of this miniseries. The appearance of Stalker is also a welcome surprise, as the character was a highlight of the previous Duke miniseries. Stalker’s appearance here sets up the idea that the as-yet-unnamed G.I. Joe team formed at the end of Duke is already making moves in the Energon Universe by recruiting highly-trained operatives for specialized tasks.

Also intriguing is the mystery set up regarding the Arashikage clan. Longtime G.I. Joe fans will recognize the famed ninja clan as the place where Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow learned their skills. Scarlett infiltrating the group by wanting to join their ranks should be an intriguing story to follow, and she proves her ability by taking out a handful of ninja in the climactic scene. This is where artist Marco Ferrari truly gets to shine, as the speed and fury of each sword-strike is conveyed beautifully in Ferrari’s manga-esque line-work.

Intense Ninja Action Makes Scarlett #1 An Exciting Read

While the issue is a fun read, there are a few weaknesses that keep Scarlett #1 from being a complete home run. The biggest problem with this first issue is the lack of clear stakes. Readers learn from Stalker that Jinx and Scarlett are infiltrating the Arashikage because the clan has come into possession of “a weapon.” Clearly, the creators are setting up a mystery of what this weapon actually is, but without any hint as to what it is or what it can do if it falls into the wrong hands, it’s hard to get invested in whether or not Scarlett succeeds in her goal.

The lack of stakes also extends to the characters. This is most obvious in the relationship between Jinx and Scarlett. The brief flashbacks paint a warm, lived-in relationship between the two, but the issue doesn’t really let readers know why they should care about that relationship in the first place. For instance, what does it mean for Scarlett if Jinx has switched sides? What does Scarlett stand to gain or lose on a personal level by infiltrating the Arashikage for her old friend? Perhaps this will be explored more in-depth in later issues, but the reasons given thus far in this opening chapter are too vague.

The surprise appearance at the end only serves to highlight all of these concerns. The Energon Universe debut of Storm Shadow will be exciting for G.I. Joe fans, but it otherwise doesn’t tell the reader why they should care about this character suddenly appearing, or what it means for Scarlett’s journey going forward. The Arashikage as a whole are ill-defined in Scarlett #1. This does lead to an intriguing air of mystery surrounding the clan, but it’s hard to discern what’s at stake when all the audience has to go on is some vague exposition from Stalker.

The Stakes Aren’t Very Clear In Scarlett #1

In spite of these issues, Scarlett #1 remains yet another exciting installment in the ongoing Energon Universe saga. The art team excels at both quiet character moments and blistering ninja action, and the story is a classic action/thriller set-up starring one of G.I. Joe’s most prominent characters. If subsequent issues can establish a clearer idea of what’s at stake in the Scarlett series, Skybound will easily have another winner on its hands in the G.I. Joe corner of the Energon Universe.