In this review of GIJoe #21, it’s another tribute to the classic “Silent Interlude” as Scarlett, Storm Shadow and Jinx fend off a leveled-up Cobra Commander and his legion of Cobra troopers as they storm the Arashikage compound in search of a powerful weapon (during a snowstorm).
G.I. Joe #21
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Art and Main Cover: Tom Reilly
Variant Covers: Joshua Cassara, Ben Oliver, Jay Anacleto, Tonči Zonjić, Ito
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: April 15, 2026
This review contains spoilers
G.I. Joe #21 begins with a communique from Snow-Job as he and Cover Girl brave the frozen wastes to retrieve Scarlett from the Arashikage Clan. Scarlett contacts her fellow Joes, saying that the energon-powered sword is secure, but a high value target and she can’t break cover despite Hawk’s orders. Scarlett has a side mission too, since she will not leave without her “sister” Jinx.
A tense, snowy standoff between them is interrupted by the arrival of several large Cobra VTOL vehicles filled with dozens on Cobra Troopers who rappel down to the compound. Scarlett and Jinx jump into action as a group of Arashikage ninjas are blasted by Cobra Commander and his troopers’ energon-based weaponry. Scarlett and Jinx join the fray, slicing up Cobra Troopers as Cobra Commander calmly breaches the location where the energon sword is housed.
Storm Shadow (Tommy Arashikage) bursts from the dojo, greeting the Cobra troopers with a well-honed blade as Scarlett and Jinx join him in a bloody melee. Within minutes, the three are surrounded by slain troopers. Storm Shadow gestures to the sword’s location, while inside, Cobra Commander and his remaining troopers have just breached the final defenses.
Storm Shadow, Jinx and Scarlett cut their way through the troopers to stop Cobra Commander (who is only saved by a female Cobra Trooper using the energon sword to fend off Storm Shadow). The masked trooper is skilled with the sword, and to tip the scales even further she remotely launches a rocket into the temple from one of the Cobra ships. An explosion consumes the compound.
G.I. Joe #21 ends in the devastating aftermath as Scarlett is unwillingly rescued by her teammates, the mystery trooper helps Cobra Commander (and gives him the sword) while Storm Shadow cradles an injured Jinx as night falls.
Analysis
G.I. Joe #21 doesn’t have any Transformers this issue, but this is the Energon Universe, so the impact from the Robots in Disguise is still felt through Cobra’s energon based assault on the Arashikage clan. Writer Joshua Williamson pays tribute to the classic “Silent Interlude” with a nearly wordless adventure (there are only communications and sound effects, no dialogue).
Despite there being no Snake-Eyes in G.I. Joe #21 or in the series at all), Scarlett, Storm Shadow and Jinx carry on the tradition in dazzling style and not without precedent (GIJoe A Real American Hero #85 “SFX” featured only Storm Shadow and Jinx).
Williamson leans heavily into motivations from the 2024 Scarlett miniseries which established to close bond she and Jinx had prior to the rise of Cobra. Despite the minimal text, the story, stakes and character motivations are made clear through Tom Reilly’s artwork. G.I. Joe #21 pulls no punches (or slashes, or laser blasts) as the fight scenes are epically brutal.
The multi-panel sequences showcase Reilly’s storytelling, panel composition and fight choreography skills. Reilly also doesn’t shy away from the darkly violent content that might come as a surprise to longtime GIJoe readers. Even during the IDW and Image runs, Larry Hama barely budged from PG style action in favor of creating mutants and android troopers.
The lack of text in G.I. Joe #21 allows Reilly to slow down and extend sequences, (whether action based or emotional), with those additional panels helping the story to breathe and create more impact.
The backgrounds are equally stunning, allowing for the detailed Arashikage compound amid the hush of snowfall and bloody mayhem. The final few pages are exquisite in their raw emotion and body language without the need for any dialogue.
Final Thoughts
G.I. Joe #21 commemorates the classic silent issue with a new, edgier take on the concept, moving the story forward with only a little text and one sound effect. This modern approach on the ninja mythology and the shared Energon technology allows for more tension and higher emotional stakes.
