Talking Skybound’s ‘Scarlett’ With Kelly Thompson And Marco Ferrari

Whether you grew up with GI Joe or just love a female action star, Skybound’s new miniseries, Scarlett, is the comics’ version of a summer blockbuster (and some would argue it’s even better than those). Written by Kelly Thompson, with art by Marco Ferrari, find out how both creators came to fall in love with Scarlett in the following interview:

Rachel Bellwoar: For the uninitiated, what is the Energon Universe and how does Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara fit into that world?

Kelly Thompson: So, I’m sure there’s a better and more official version of this out there somewhere but I’ll try my best! The Energon Universe is essentially the world of G.I. Joe and Transformers, combined. So Skybound/Hasbro are building that whole universe – with both Transformers and G.I. Joe – merging together into one cohesive universe.

Bellwoar: In the press release for this series, Kelly, you named Scarlett as “…one of [your] first geek loves…” Were you a fan of Scarlett and GI Joe growing up as well, Marco, and what was it about Scarlett that resonated with you both?

Thompson: That wasn’t hyperbole, Scarlett really is my first geek love. G.I. Joe was the first show that I super connected with that was more “boy coded” and “action focused.” When you’re still so young trying things on to see what you like – I quickly discovered I was more interested in “boy things” than other girls I knew (though I was also interested in a lot of “girl things”). But for a long time, you were lucky to get one token girl in a cast of all boys on a more boy coded show. You never expect the token girl to be as cool and fun as Scarlett. She was just as good as all her colleagues and she had the best hair, the most badass weapon, and the coolest boyfriend. It was easy to fall for her!

Marco Ferrari: I guess I am too young to have known G.I. Joe as a child. The first encounter with the series was with the 2009 movie! I must say, when an action show features a strong, well-characterized heroine she becomes for me the most interesting character in the entire cast. Maybe it’s because I saw a lot of Kim Possible as a child. Then again, she’s a redhead and tough too.

Bellwoar: As someone who went into this series pretty blind, I never felt like I was missing out or at a disadvantage, but is there any context that might be good to have to better appreciate the direction this arc is going?

Thompson: Honestly? If you came in pretty blind and were never missing out or at a disadvantage then it sounds like we absolutely nailed it at doing our jobs. That’s how it’s supposed to go! I have nothing to add! [Laughs]

Ferrari: The first one who was blind on the lore was me! What’s more, with just a few lines Kelly plunged me into Shana’s universe with such ease that it’s as if I’ve known about it all along. No FOMO!

Bellwoar: Scarlett definitely knows how to makes an entrance. Did you always want her first appearance to play out in silence?

Thompson: I really did. I think it’s a great way to say – without saying anything – that she’s a woman of action. That while she’s plenty clever and witty, she’s not someone that’s going to be cracking jokes on a mission. She’s 100% focused. Scarlett is intent on being the best and doing the best in every scenario and I wanted us to feel that right from the jump.

Bellwoar: Scarlett might not always listen to her superiors, but she does follow her own, strict personal code. What was it like getting to play with that dynamic of Scarlett’s words not always matching her actions?

Thompson: Yeah, we definitely wanted to set up a Scarlett that’s exceptionally gifted and somewhat frustrated by those around her, who are… maybe not as competent as she is? And maybe not in it for the right reasons the way she is. So she’s someone who’s brushing up against authority pretty hard at this moment – as we see both in that opening scene and also in her superior’s office back stateside. Showing Scarlett being magnificently capable was one part, the other part was showing that she’s out of sync with those around her. She is looking for something else, even if she doesn’t quite realize it yet.

Bellwoar: Much like Alias’ Sydney Bristow (a show I was reminded of while reading this first issue), there doesn’t seem to be anything Scarlett can’t do. Is that true, and what’s been your favorite skill to have Scarlett show off so far?

Thompson: Given where this story goes – aka a truly impossible suicide mission – we knew she was going to be up against huge odds – and so right from the jump we wanted to throw her in the deep end. There’s no rest for Shana in this book. We will certainly find things she can’t do, or is not as good at as others, but she’s a truly gifted woman and we’re not trying to hide that. The crossbow is obviously a personal favorite.

Ferrari: I think Scarlett will suffer from cuts, slashes, and bullets more than you suspect! Haha. She’s gonna feel every blow but will get up to give her enemies twice as much. Also, did you know she can kickflip hardwood chairs and throw them with a kick?

Bellwoar: While Scarlett has an official mission, her main priority seems to be finding her former partner, Jinx. At one point Scarlett throws out there that she and Jinx left coded messages for each other throughout their house. Is that a hint to readers that they should be looking for hidden symbols throughout the art in this book?

Thompson: Mmmm. Yes and no. If you see the house again, you should definitely look. But we didn’t load the house initially up with symbols – we were more focused on all the plants struggling under Scarlett’s care and Jinx’s absence. The important thing is just knowing that it’s a system they use to communicate.

Bellwoar: You can learn a lot about a person from what’s on their keyring. Where did the idea to include a close-up panel of Scarlett’s keys come from?

Thompson: You’ll have to ask Marco on that one, it was all him!

Ferrari: The “HUG ME” cactus is a subtle reference to the complicated relationship between Scarlett and Jinx: Scarlett’s internal conflict between wanting to reunite with her former partner and risking her cover if she follows her feelings. Maybe that’s the only plant that will survive Scarlett’s care.

Thompson: Marco! I love that, it makes so much sense. I wish I’d thought of it! <3

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Kelly and Marco!

With colors by Lee Loughridge and letters by Russ Wooton, Scarlett #1 goes on sale June 5th from Skybound.