Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Marco Ferrari
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Logo & Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Jillian Crab
Cover Artists: Marco Ferrari & Lee Loughridge; Siya Oum; Gleb Melnikov; Vasco Georgiev; Taurin Clarke
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 9, 2024
Scarlett helped Jinx find the Soul Of The Arashnikage. But capturing the weapon proved difficult, so Jinx requested Storm Shadow’s help. Storm Shadow arrived, but not before Cobra aided the Mugenonami. Who will claim the ancient weapon? And which American soldiers will return to the United States? Let’s grab our crossbows, leap into Scarlett #5, and find out!
Story
Scarlett may have found the weapon, but Storm Shadow claims it. Storm Shadow names it the Sword Of Life. He believes it is his destiny to wield it. Like Brock Pike in the A-Team movie, a Cobra soldier puts a new face on the situation. Storm Shadow doesn’t flinch as Scarlett and Jinx flee. When the smoke clears, Storm Shadow protects her from Cobra troops and leads her to Jinx. Then Cobra Commander arrives. He leads the attack on the Arashnikage survivors. The best means of escape is leaping off the building. But the mission team only brought two parachutes in Scarlett #5. And Storm Shadow claims one of them.
In Kelly Thompson’s story, Scarlett must answer The Clash’s immortal question. Snowjob is waiting nearby. She can return with him to the United States and hand Striker the burn bag. Even if he wants the weapon, Striker will welcome Jinx’s intel. But returning home means leaving Jinx behind. And what does Scarlett have to return to? Her commander fired Scarlett for disobeying orders. Perhaps Striker would hire her for other missions. Still, she would always return to an empty house. And if Scarlett leaves, the Arashnikage will never welcome her back, leaving Jinx friendless among the ninja clan.
Scarlett #5 raises some intriguing possibilities. In the Arashnikage compound, Storm Shadow claimed she wouldn’t fit in. Yet when Jinx feigned disbelief in Scarlett’s abilities, Storm Shadow took offense. After the rocket blast separates them, Storm Shadow covers Scarlett's mouth. Then he clasps Scarlett's hand and leads her to Jinx. So perhaps Scarlett has more than one friend in the ninja clan. And while the United States disdains her abilities, the Arashnikage needs her assistance. Cobra Commander has them in his sites. And he won’t rest until he captures the Soul Of The Arashnikage.
Art
Clad in a white ninja uniform, Storm Shadow clasps the white blade. Panels hint at Storm Shadow’s swiftness. After Storm Shadow attacks, his opponent and sword fall apart. A slashed pillar frames Storm Shadow with his glowing sword. Lines beside a profile shot suggest Scarlett is appalled by the violent encounter. As they regard each other, a starburst divides Jinx and Scarlett into separate panels. After a page showing the hurtling rocket, inset panels of Scarlett and Jinx evoke glass shards amid another explosive page.
Lee Loughridge lavishes a changing color palette on Marco Ferrari’s scenes in Scarlett #5. While pink welcomes Storm Shadow's date with destiny, orange and yellow accompany the rocket explosion. As Storm Shadow finds Scarlett and leads her toward Jinx, blue, white, and gray evoke the remote Arashnikage compound. Yellow and pink circles brighten the night and tinge Tokyo streets green, while orange and tan dominate a reunion between redheads.
Rus Wooton fills white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes with uppercase black letters. The font shrinks for lowered voices, grows bold for intonation, and swells for raised voices. Colorful dialogue threatens to burst dialogue balloons, while sound effects relate clashing swords, gunfire, exploding rockets, a desperate escape, and soldiers declaring their dominance. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Scarlett #5 ponders why people sometimes embrace causes they disagree with. Affiliations change amid a new world order as powerful forces vie to control an otherworldly energy source.
Rating 9.2/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
To preview interior art see the First Look at Skybound.com.
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