Review: ‘Scarlett’ #4 Lands Punches Both Emotional And Kinetic

Heading into the climax of the series, Scarlett #4 is, understandably, more plot-heavy than any previous issue of the series outside of #1. More details about the MacGuffin, and the relationship of the players to it, are revealed. Yet, the creative team still manages to include at least one standout action sequence, as well as feature a long-anticipated reunion, making the issue of a piece with its predecessors. 

After last issue’s all-out action funfest, this one is, understandably, a bit of a quieter issue. Rather than centering the story around various action set-pieces, writer Kelly Thompson centers things around the reunion between Scarlett and Jinx. Though the two characters have appeared on page together before, this marks the first time they can interact with each other without any Arashikage interlopers between them. The result is a delightful outpouring of emotion between the two friends/more-than-friends. Thompson is, perhaps frustratingly, a little too coy as to whether or not the women are romantically involved; it seems clear they are, but thus far, a romantic relationship between the two exists only as subtext. 

Regardless, not only is this sequence impactful for the way Thompson scripts it (their banter about Jinx’ houseplants is fun, illustrative of character, and natural-sounding), but it gains additional impact just for being something different than what the series has been doing. By slowing down to hang out with two people who share a deep connection, the character-focused sequence is elevated. The reunion with Jinx also benefits from being the culmination of Scarlett’s series-long goal. This is what she’s been after (aside from the larger goal of just, you know, keeping Jinx from being killed) since midway through issue #1. It’s entertaining in its own right, but it’s also cathartic simply seeing the title character achieve her goal. 

That said, Thompson and artist Marco Ferrari are sure to include a couple opportunities to let the latter cook, ensuring Scarlett #4 is of a piece, action-wise, with previous issues even if the action is not as much the focus. This comes chiefly in the form of a four-page sequence — in which Storm Shadow drops onto a lower floor and proceeds to fight his way through the assembled thugs — juxtaposed against the reunion between Scarlett and Jinx and depicted via narrative captions overlaying Storm Shadow’s attack. 

It’s really the first time in the series that stalwart G.I. Joe character Storm Shadow is shown flexing his abilities, and Ferrari outdoes himself with the panel-to-panel kineticism of the character’s movements, flipping the perspective of the “camera” from panel to panel, but never losing the visual continuity in the process, ensuring the action remains clear throughout. That this sequence culminates in a hug between Scarlett and Jinx that takes up a third of a page is what makes this series so fun in a nutshell: clear, engaging martial arts action built on a foundation of character.