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image comics reviews 4-15-26 - gi joe 21
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Image Comics reviews 4/15/26 – GI Joe 21, Redcoat 17

Jeffrey Lyles , , , , , , , , , , , ,
GI Joe 21

gi joe 21

The timing of Scarlett and Storm Shadow’s debut in GI Joe 21 is not a coincidence. Writer Joshua Williamson has repeatedly expressed his love for Larry Hama’s GI Joe Real American Hero run. One of the series’ most iconic issues was GI Joe 21 featuring the first Silent Interlude with the debut of Storm Shadow, who kidnaps Scarlett prompting his first confrontation with his sword brother Snake Eyes.

GI Joe series have constantly tried to recapture the magic of GI Joe 21 to varying degrees of success. The current license holder, Skybound, is doing an entire Silent Interludes homage event featuring Cobra. Never let it be said that Williamson was afraid of a challenge as he makes this version of GI Joe 21 one that honors the past while setting up some very exciting future developments.

In lieu of dialogue, GI Joe 21 only has status reports from Snow Job, who’s with Cover Girl and debuting Frostbite aboard the Snow CAT to get Scarlett out of her undercover mission infiltrating the Arashikage Clan. The clan, and its leader, Storm Shadow, are on Cobra Commander’s radar since Storm Shadow prevented him from claiming a sword that seems to have a blade made of Energon.

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Scarlett isn’t against leaving, but she won’t leave her best friend, Jinx, behind. Jinx is also undercover with the clan and is reluctant to leave. Cobra forces their hand as Scarlett, Jinx and Storm Shadow have to stop Cobra Commander and his Valkyrie from claiming the sword.

As GI Joe 21 kicks off, the Joes are racing to get to Scarlett just as Cobra Commander and his forces invade the clan’s mountaintop headquarters. Regular artist Tom Reilly returns for this issue, which is somewhat ironic as the initial GI Joe 21 was done in a rush, so Hama had to draw the issue in place of the regular artist. Reilly has been absent from the book since the already infamous Dreadnok War arc so it’s nice to see him return for such a pivotal issue in this run.

Reilly’s sequential style of storytelling is a perfect fit for a silent issue. He’s able to convey all of the essential emotions even with characters in masks and face-covering helmets beautifully. Colorist Lee Loughridge uses a beautiful blend of colors to balance the tone and mood of the story.

This iteration of GI Joe has been stellar, and this was a superb way to bring Scarlett aboard the main team with so many storyline directions for Williamson to take the series now.

Rating: 10 out of 10

After reading GI Joe 21, check out the debut of Scarlett in the Energon Universe with Scarlett Vol. 1 in paperback at Amazon.

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