Scarlett #5 // Review
Inochi No Ken: The Sword of Life. Storm Shadow is told that he has no idea what kind of power he’s holding in his hands. He’s going to inform the individual that they are wrong in the most vivid and aggressive way imaginable in the opening pages of Scarlett #5. Writer Kelly Thompson concludes her deeply enjoyable run with one of the most charming characters I the whole G.I. Joe ensemble. Artist Marco Ferrari and colorist Lee Loughridge render the story for the page with style, poise and quite a bit of momentum as the story draws to a satisfying close.
The Sword of Life is going to attract attention. Cobra is out looking for it and Storm Shadow is going to need to keep it in the shadows if he’s going to be able to make it out of danger with the artifact. Scarlett is going to have to do what she can to survive as well. She’s going to have to sneak into the shadows and become invisible. She’s in Japan. She’s got bright red hair. How difficult could it be? And how is she going to deal with the possibility of losing a good friend in the process?
Thompson’s brilliantly casual wit animates Scarlett’s narration without overpowering the intensity of the story that she’s telling. That’s quite an accomplishment in and of itself. The pacing of the final chapter has a great deal of intensity as well. Scarlett has always been interesting around the edges of the G.I. Joe ensemble. It’s so nice to see her in the center of the page with a writer who is able to find what might make her more than a supporting character...more than one of few token women in the series. It’s sad to see the series end so soon.
Ferrari provides plenty of striking shadows to drape around the edges of the action. The action itself hits the page with a balance that feels more or less perfect. Overall page composition feels well-weighted as the story draws to a close. Through it all, Scarlett manages to remain the central focus of the action even as Stormshadow edges her out of the main focus of the climax of the mini-series. She’s sharp and captivating under the pen of Ferrari. Loughridge’s color maintains a very clever balance throughout the issue as it casts the action in a cool light that makes Scarlett that much more attractive.
Image and Skybound continue to dive into the Energon Universe with the completion of another mini-series featuring another member of the extended cast. What’s frustrating here is the fact that the market may NOT be up to the task of maintaining all of the series that they’ve developed as ongoing titles. It would be really, really cool to see Thompson and Ferrari continue with the adventures of Scarlett. She’s really fun as a covert agent breaking into a secure facility. It would be really interesting to see what else Thompson could do with her.
