Graphic Novel Review - 'Scarlett, Vol 1: Special Mission' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Marco Ferrari (Artist), Lee Loughridge (Colourist), Rus Wooton (Letterer)

I know bugger all about 'G.I. Joe', and whatever this 'Energon Universe' is (another multiverse of franchises - we don't have enough of those, right?). All I knew before reading 'Scarlett, Vol 1: Special Mission' was that it has a kickass redheaded female lead on the cover, and it was written by Kelly Thompson, so I was immediately sold.

I'd hoped its modern update on and reimagining of a female character didn't undermine and sexualise her, and that it didn't glorify the military, at any rate.

'Scarlett' reminds me of Marvel's 'Black Widow' comics. It is a straightforward female mercenary/agent, heist/mission, special ops comic, with brief, sparing exposition, dialogue, and narration boxes. It is all about showcasing the action, the characters, and the artwork; all very good stuff.

I needn't have worried about the artwork sexualising the women; it manages not to. The comic sees them as people and respects them. There's no fan service of that kind here.

The ultimate, energon weapon MacGuffin? pffft, nah. I'm here for the redheaded mercenary, spy and assassin lady Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara (who in the comic also looks like she could pass for a middle school teacher, she is so adorable; I can't be the only one who sees it, surely?). She is exceptionally cool, skilled, talented, rebellious, cunning and unstoppable. I'm also here for her mysterious, formerly-missing partner/roomie/"like a sister"/very close platonic (?) best friend Jinx. They even have their own secret language.

Well, that's all I'll reveal about this 'Special Mission'. Confidentiality and spoilers and whatnot. Except that it has added codenames to my dewdrop of knowledge of the 'G.I. Joe' universe. Names such as Storm Shadow, Stalker (seriously?), and, unfortunately, Snow Job.

And with that the age rating of this review has been bumped up to a hard R.

There is another character called Hard Master!

This, topped with the militarism, was a children's cartoon and toy line?

Okay, whatever. Hasbro could always have its cake and eat it too. Now especially, with its EU comic multiverse. How far will it go? Too far, inevitably.

Cobra Commander is briefly in this, too. Again, whatever.

I'll just enjoy the EU's 'Scarlett' comic. It's simple, breezy, cool fun. If hyperviolent and kind of racist towards the Japanese, in its ninja, samurai and yakuza depictions (in that way it also reminds me of 'Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame', with its own white, ninja master female lead).

A (sort-of) self-contained bit of action, with brains and heart.

Final Score: 3.5/5