Scarlett, whose real name is Shana M. O'Hara, debuted as an action figure in Hasbro's 1982 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, becoming the first female character introduced in the series. She made her initial comic book appearance in Marvel's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero issue #1 (June 1982). Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Scarlett grew up in a family of martial arts instructors, commencing her training at age nine and achieving a black belt by fifteen. She is characteristically depicted with long red hair in a ponytail, a tan bodysuit with yellow accents and gloves, and proficiency with a specialized crossbow, reflecting her role as a counter-intelligence specialist within the G.I. Joe team.

Scarlett is distinguished by her exceptional intelligence, martial arts prowess, and tactical acumen, serving frequently in leadership capacities or as a key operative in covert missions against Cobra. Her personality combines resilience, determination, and emotional depth, particularly through her longstanding romantic relationship with the ninja commando Snake Eyes, which adds layers of personal vulnerability amid high-stakes operations. In the Marvel comics, she trains new recruits, engages in hand-to-hand combat, and demonstrates unwavering loyalty, often placing team objectives above personal safety.

Across various media, Scarlett has evolved while retaining her core strengths, appearing prominently in the Sunbow animated series (1985–1986) with contributions to strategic victories, and in later continuities such as the DiC series and IDW Publishing comics, where her backstory and skills receive further elaboration. In live-action adaptations, she was portrayed by Rachel Nichols in the 2009 film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and by Samara Weaving in the 2021 film Snake Eyes, emphasizing her adaptability and combat expertise. These portrayals have cemented her status as one of the most enduring and capable female operatives in the G.I. Joe franchise.