Radiant Black #38
(W) Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark (A) Marcelo Costa
Chicago needs a hero. There’s gangs on the streets and superpowers in the suburbs and anyone you meet could be a secret double from a parallel world.
Chicago needs a hero — and Jack Marlow is going to give them one.
Radiant Black #37
(W) Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark (A) Marcelo Costa
Series co-creator MARCELO COSTA returns for an explosive new arc of RADIANT BLACK! With his latest foe dealt with, Marshall is ready to take his place as Chicago’s favorite superhero — but tensions are rising in the city, and the Post Office may have other plans.
The Radiant Black co-creators, writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, artists Eduardo Ferigato and Marcelo Costa, and Massive-Verse editor and designer Michael Busuttil, will be kicking off the 2025 “Rebuild” era by conducting a video conversation this Thursday, January 16, at 6pm PST on YouTube Live to spill the secrets on the critically-acclaimed series’ massive February return. It’s a bold new era for The Massive-Verse and the creative team behind Radiant Black will be taking you inside it all with a live discussion, Q&A, and more.
In the meantime, readers can brush up on their knowledge of Radiant Black, including the events of The Catalyst War, with the free “The Story So Far” recap issue, which is available in comic book stores and digitally on the Image Comics site. Perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike, this issue recaps the thrilling journey of Nathan, Marshall, and the Radiants as they battle cosmic threats, face personal struggles, and navigate the power of being a hero. Packed with stunning art and compelling storytelling, it’s the perfect way to catch up before the next chapter unfolds. Fans can also stay up-to-date with Massive-Verse news with the Black Market Narrative Substack newsletter.
In Radiant Black #31, the “Rebuild” era begins; in the wake of the Catalyst War, Marshall Ward is the one-and-only Radiant Black! But not everyone in Chicago is happy with their new hero—and with old foes returning and new threats rising, will Marshall’s time as Radiant Black be abruptly cut short? A new era of Radiant Black begins in this perfect jumping-on point for new readers!
Radiant Black #31 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, February 26 (the Final Order Cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, February 3):
Radiant Black #30 and #30.5, the latest issues in the bestselling Image Comics series by all-star Massive-Verse creators—Eisner Award-nominated writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, and fan-favorite artists Marcelo Costa and Eduardo Ferigato—are being rushed back to print in a special combo issue to showcase the epic ending of the Catalyst War series arc. The second printing combo, featuring a brand new cover, is being fast tracked in order to keep up with escalating demand for the issues.
The Massive-Verse has been a highlight at this week’s New York Comic Con, with two Thursday panels, one about the overall storytelling initiative and one about Kid Cudi’s Moon Man, revealing exciting news about what’s in store for fans this year. On Friday, celebrated composer Bear McCreary will take over the Main Stage at 2:30 p.m. to discuss his Massive-Verse project The Singularity and more, joined by co-collaborators Higgin and renowned writer Mat Groom. Fans can also catch Higgins at booth #G40 throughout the event. Radiant Black Vol. 5, which kicks off the Catalyst War, is also nominated for Book of the Year at this year’s Harvey Awards, taking place on Friday night of the show.
In Radiant Black #30, the Catalyst War continues and pieces fall into place. Endless possibilities collapse. The end of the world is at hand. Then, in Radiant Black #30.5, the final issue of the story arc, the paradigm is forever changed. In the wake of the unmissable conclusion to the Catalyst War, there can only be one Radiant Black.
The Radiant Black #30 and #30.5 combined second printing (Lunar Code 0924IM881) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 13 (with FOC this Monday, October 21) for a special price of $4.99, featuring a brand-new cover by Ferigato.
This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Radiant Black: (Not So) Secret Origin.
I’m not the biggest fan of the Power Rangers, but I’ve always thought about picking up a trade or two to check out the comic series, but I never quite think of doing that when I’m actively looking for something new to read at the shop. A week or two ago, when I was reorganizing the backstock trades in the basement, my eye was caught by the cover of Radiant Black: (Not So) Secret Origin, and I quickly spun the book to check out the blurb, and the price. As it turned out, the book is one of those that Image publishes and prices low to encourage a person to check out the book (I mean at $10, you can’t really argue the value of getting six comics for the price of three or so). Now, I’m not going to regurgitate the blurb on the back of the trade, or write a summary in slightly different words, but I will just copy it directly from the publisher’s website because who doesn’t love to be efficient?
Visionary writer KYLE HIGGINS (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Ultraman) and artist MARCELO COSTA reinvent super heroes for a new generation! Nathan Burnett has just turned 30, and things aren’t great—he’s working (and failing) at two jobs, his credit card debt is piling up, and his only move…is moving back home with his parents.
But when Nathan discovers the ethereal, cosmic RADIANT, he’s given the power to radically change his fortunes…unless the Cosmic Beings who created them succeed in taking them back by any means necessary. Oh, and did we mention there’s a RED RADIANT who wants Nathan dead? The next must-read comic book series STARTS HERE.
Cloaked, on the surface, reminded me of the heroes that inspired Batman; the Shadow, the Spider and the Black Bat. Men who were mostly powerless and used handguns to dish out justice to criminals to varying degrees of lethality. This story takes the form of a man trying to discover the legacy of the city’s masked hero by hiring an ex-cop private eye to find out why the hero disappeared. It’s through this lens that we get glimpses of the hero’s activities during the years he was active, told through the people who knew him the most (which, given that he kept his identity very close, isn’t many).
The book is very much what it says it is; something that fans of Invincible and the Power Rangers will find enjoyable (or at least, those were the vibes I got most from the pages of the trade, but since I’ve not really read much of either of the names inspirations, I can’t really confirm or deny the statement). The only downside to the book is that it doesn’t really end… the final chapter is very much an origin story for one of the characters and not a final chapter which feels a little less than satisfying. If nothing else it encourages you to pick up the next book, and ultimately that’s what we’re looking for in a book; do I want to read the next book? And the answer is “oh yes.”
Join us next week where there will doubtless be another movie, series, comic or comic related thing discussed that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.
As the Catalyst war rages on across two timelines, Marshall and Nathan make their choices as the respective Radiant Black in their timelines to decide who will solely hold onto the mantle. Yet, as the tide drastically turns against Earth, all hope seems lost. With the eventual convergence of the timeline on the horizon, could the potential salvation of the planet be discovered by one of the duo’s desperate actions to save it? Radiant Black #29/29.5 by Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, and Marcelo Costa forces Marshall and Nathan to reckon with a doomed timeline to attempt to change the future.
Following the dual timeline split in issue 25, all of the build-up across the past issues has led to this issue as the explosive consequences of Marshall’s and Nathan’s decisions come to fruition, specifically with Marshall’s role as Radiant Black, which has led to the worst timeline outcome for him. Over the past couple of issues, we have seen what led Marshall down this path by making a selfish decision in a tough choice. It all feels aligned with his characterization and previous actions, as Higgins and Clark do not paint him as a villain but as someone wholly human and vulnerable who ended up picking the wrong thing.
I also appreciate how different the timelines are from each other, where releasing two issues does not feel like a cheap gimmick but is an essential part of telling this trial between Marshall and Nathan. Instead of simply copying and pasting events, they are two unique narratives where Nathan and Marshall impact them in distinct ways. And I appreciate how Radiant Black #29/29.5 shifts the story arc from being about them choosing who will be Radiant Black to how they both use the identity to save Earth with Marshall’s present timeline occurring ahead of Nathan’s. As a result, it justifies Marshall’s timeline with existing because it impacts how Nathan, Marshall, and the other Radiants can approach the Catalyst war in his present.
Considering how Costa drew two issues for the July release, I am amazed at how he handled a large monthly comic book workload. His art demonstrates how much of his incredible visuals are a strong selling point for the title as he can switch from the sci-fi action to the more grounded aspects and finally with the weirder cosmic elements. He is impressive, especially in delivering two stories instead of just one issue per month. With colorist Rod Fernandes and letterer Becca Carey, the art team is working as a well-oiled machine to meet the schedules and continue his high artistic standards.
While Marshall and Nathan’s future may not look bright, they do find a possibility to change it in Radiant Black #29/29.5. As one of the hottest titles currently at Image Comics, Higgins, Clark, and Costa showcase two explosive issues that further the deadly Catalyst war. They are truly two interconnecting stories that you do not want to miss.
Story: Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark Art: Marcelo Costa
Color: Rod Fernandes Letterer: Becca Carey
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Read
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase Radiant Black #29: TFAW – Kindle
Purchase Radiant Black #29.5: TFAW – Kindle
Radiant Black is going from page to audio and will be the first Image Comics title to be adapted for an audiobook. Radiant Black: The Audiobook, Volume One will feature a full voice cast headlined by Rider Strong and Will Friedle playing leads Nathan Burnett and Marshall Ward, respectively. The audiobook is written, directed, and narrated by Radiant Black co-creator and Massive-Verse architect, Kyle Higgins.
Radiant Black: The Audiobook, Volume One will be the first in a planned series of audiobook adaptations from Black Market Narrative and Image Comics, adding another level of immersion to the critically and commercially acclaimed Massive-Verse. It is the first ever audiobook adaptation of an Image Comics title and is slated to release later this year.
On Saturday, during c2e2 in Chicago, the Massive-verse team took to the stage during their Massive-verse panel to announce the upcoming venture to a packed audience.
This video teaser comes to fans in the midst of a huge multi-timeline publishing event called “The Catalyst War,” which has left the fate of the Radiant Black mantle up to readers to decide—thanks to a shocking surprise vote at the end of last year’s issue #24.
Radiant Black: The Audiobook, Volume One will adapt the first volume of the Eisner award-nominated series created by Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa, with subsequent audio volumes planned and more star-studded voice casting yet to be revealed in the coming months.
Dive into the Massive-Verse with the Radiant Black & the Massiveverse Comic Bundle, the interconnected comic universe that bridges genres, artistic styles, and even mediums to offer some of the boldest superhero stories out there! This bundle, packed with 15 volumes, will get you up to speed on these essential stories. Start at the beginning with Radiant Black, which follows a down-on-his-luck 30 year old who discovers immense cosmic power… and its attendant perils. You’ll also get Inferno Radiant Red, Radiant Pink, Inferno Girl, and a ton more series collections and one-shots, serving as the perfect vehicle for immersion into this hot new universe. Pay what you want for this killer bundle and help support the Book Industry Charitable Foundation!
A $189 value, you can get 15 items for just $18!
Dive into the Massive-Verse with the Radiant Black & the Massiveverse Comic Bundle, the interconnected comic universe that bridges genres, artistic styles, and even mediums to offer some of the boldest superhero stories out there! This bundle, packed with 15 volumes, will get you up to speed on these essential stories. Start at the beginning with Radiant Black, which follows a down-on-his-luck 30 year old who discovers immense cosmic power… and its attendant perils. You’ll also get Inferno Radiant Red, Radiant Pink, Inferno Girl, and a ton more series collections and one-shots, serving as the perfect vehicle for immersion into this hot new universe. Pay what you want for this killer bundle and help support the Book Industry Charitable Foundation!
A $189 value, you can get 15 items for just $18!
Dive into the Massive-Verse with the Radiant Black & the Massiveverse Comic Bundle, the interconnected comic universe that bridges genres, artistic styles, and even mediums to offer some of the boldest superhero stories out there! This bundle, packed with 15 volumes, will get you up to speed on these essential stories. Start at the beginning with Radiant Black, which follows a down-on-his-luck 30 year old who discovers immense cosmic power… and its attendant perils. You’ll also get Inferno Radiant Red, Radiant Pink, Inferno Girl, and a ton more series collections and one-shots, serving as the perfect vehicle for immersion into this hot new universe. Pay what you want for this killer bundle and help support the Book Industry Charitable Foundation!
A $189 value, you can get 15 items for just $18!
