When Brian Michael Bendis jumped shipped from Marvel to DC, he wanted to return to Jinxworld, the creator-owned world his original comics have inhabited since he began writing. The first title announced was a revival of Scarlet. The title started at a Marvel imprint back in 2010 and 10 issues were published sporadically until 2016. 

The basis of the story is a new American revolution. The earlier series saw the beginnings of that, but you don’t need to have read it to dive into the new series. There’s a quick explanation on page one to let you know where you are – Portland, after a citizens’ revolt has created factions with their own agendas and Scarlet is the hero of the “common man”. It’s not much of a stretch from where some of the violence we see in cities today could actually lead.

Scarlet is a recognizable character type for anyone who has watched action movies or even ones set in apocalyptic worlds. She has taken on a lot, never really wanted to be in the position she finds herself in, but she knows the people need someone to lead and she’s doing what she can. And she does believe in the cause, but knows not everyone is on the same page.

One aspect that makes the storytelling here different is breaking the fourth wall. Sure, we’ve seen that before, but it’s typically in superhero comics (or antihero, depending what you consider Deadpool). And it’s a good way to get in the head of Scarlet as she’s keeping up a façade of confidence and determination to the people looking up to her.