Geek Culture Reviews

Scarlett finally meets Jinx, but what is the weapon that lies on floor 48? Scarlett #4 picks up with Scarlett reuniting with Storm Shadow and Jinx after completing her suicide mission. The Arashikage are still searching for a mystery weapon that’s of great importance to the ninja clan, and we’re now at the cusp of finding out what this weapon is. Elsewhere this issue finally reunites Scarlett and Jinx with the former attempting to convince Jinx that those rescue missions haven’t been all for nought. Naturally, things aren’t all as they seem as writer Kelly Thompson throws another curve ball in this already action-packed series.  With the bulk of this issue dealing with Scarlett finally linking up with Jinx there’s plenty of exposition from both sides. Thompson handles this perfectly with a touching scene as the two friends trade information with Scarlett willing Jinx to take the easy way out. Of course, Jinx isn’t willing to give up on her mission which then sees the duo take mat...

Scarlett finds herself performing a suicide mission as the Arashikage make their move… Scarlett #3 feels very much like a glorified action sequence within a big budget Hollywood movie. It’s one continuous scene that sees Scarlett tackle her seemingly impossible mission within the heavily guarded Sato II tower. Picking off where the last issue concluded, Scarlett finds herself within very deep water as she navigates a building spanning aquarium in order to reach her destination within the towers basement levels. With plenty of armed guards - and quite a large shark - sitting between her and the objective, the Arashikage were right in not expecting Scarlett to survive.  But this is Shana O’Hara we’re talking about, and she isn’t going to go down without leaving a trail of bodies behind her.   Meanwhile, Jinx and Storm Shadow start their own assault on the Mugenoami over in the Sato III tower. With Scarlett’s mission needing to be a success if the duo stand any chance to retriev...

Scarlett finds herself at the mercy of the Arashikage Clan as writer Kelly Thompson ups the superspy ante…  Scarlett #2 picks off straight where the previous issue left off. Taking place within the vast base of the Arashikage Clan, Scarlett finds herself held captive and stripped of her equipment. Kelly Thompson wastes no time in “fleshing” out the character as we see the lengths Scarlett is willing to go to make her mission a success. This bloody opening then segues into quite an action-packed issue as the spy battles her way through the clan’s warriors in her quest to find her friend Jinx.  Keeping things from getting out of control, Thompson lets the action simmer with flashback scenes that further explore the relationship between Scarlett and Jinx. This is juxtaposed with the present as Storm Shadow questions why Scarlett is at Arashikage. As a test to prove her worthiness Storm Shadow and the clan Hard Master send Scarlett on a mission - and it’s one they don’t intend f...

The Energon Universe expands with a bang as Scarlett O’Hara enters the fray…  Skybound has had quite a lot of success with its relaunch of G.I. Joe . Introducing the Joe universe into their wider Hasbro led “ Energon Universe ” has been both refreshing and extremely interesting. With Duke and Cobra Commando already establishing their own corners of their shared universe, Skybound now turns their attention to fellow G.I. Joe alumni, Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara.  Taking on the task of introducing Scarlett to this shared world is writer Kelly Thompson and artist Marco Ferrari , who waste no time in establishing the character’s unique personality as a super spy. Opening up to the spy infiltrating an arms deal within the backdrop of Monaco, Thompson soon throws Scarlett into very deep water. As her mission gets underway there’s the added complexity of a hostage situation which forces Scarlett to get directly involved. There’s yet another twist in the tale as for added complexity a gh...

Skybound & Image enter new territory with Duke #1… It’s been quite a few years since I dropped into the world of G.I. Joe. Aside from a hand down of the 80’s action figures, and a very old annual, my main understanding has come from the very cheesy films from the early 2000’s.  So why jump in now?  Well in truth it’s all due to Skybound’s new ‘Energon Universe’, a shared universe that connects G.I Joe to Transformers, and Void Runners. While it’s already been teased within the latest Transformers film, Skybound have beaten Hollywood to it and Duke #1 kicks off this new shared reality. And boy, it’s an opening that doesn’t pull its punches.  Written by Joshua Williamson, Duke #1 follows a disheveled Conrad Hauser as he becomes disillusioned with his role in the American war machine. He’s seen things that he cannot explain, and his quest for answers has seen his superiors close ranks. When his friend - and comrade - is murdered by an aircraft that seemingly “transforms”...

Skybound launches the penultimate part to  Summoners War: Awakening #5 in August, and you can check out the preview below… The limited series based on the hit RPG mobile game will return for its penultimate issue by the all-star team of writer Justin Jordan and artist Luca Claretti, and will feature colors by Igor Monti (Radiant Black)   “   Trapped between Stiodani airships and the deadly bounty hunter, Malakhan, Rai’s summoning skills will be put to the ultimate test to save her friends.” Summoners War: Awakening #5 heads to comic book retailers on 23rd August, 2023  

As part of the Energon Universe panel at SDCC this weekend, Skybound, in collaboration with Hasbro, revealed all-new cover art for its upcoming Energon Universe tentpole titles reintroducing G.I. Joe to comics, Duke and Cobra Commander .     The all-new shared Energon Universe kicked off last month with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire in Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s Void Rivals #1 . The launch introduced the historic new partnership Hasbro and Skybound, with Transformers and G.I. Joe comics finding a new home with the publisher.  Duke #1 , a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride ), Tom Reilly ( The Thing ) and Jordie Bellaire ( W0rldtr33 ), tells the story you’ve never read before – the origins of G.I. Joe and Cobra in a world grappling with the arrival of the Autobots and Decepticons. When Conrad S. Hauser (codename DUKE) investigates the mysteries behind The Transformers, the answers will lead to...