Comics Review: RADIANT BLACK #3

RADIANT BLACK #3
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Marcelo Costa
COLORS: Marcelo Costa
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR/DESIGNER: Michael Busuttil
COVER: Marcelo Costa
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Becca Carey; Goñi Montes
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

“Writing Day”

Radiant Black is a new superhero comic book series from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Marcelo Costa.  The series focuses on a failed writer who discovers a cosmic force that changes his life.  Letterer Becca Carey and designer Michael Busuttil complete the series' creative team.

Radiant Black introduces Nathan Burnett, who just turned thirty-years-old, and things are not going great.  A failed writer (thus far), Nathan leaves Los Angeles and returns home to Lockport, Illinois to live with his parents.  A night on the town with his old pal, Marshall, leads to Nathan unlocking an alien artifact that changes his life.  This new thing seems totally unique, but there is more to it than Nathan can imagine.

As Radiant Black #3 (“Writing Day”) opens, it's time for Nathan to get on that “writing thing.”  It's easier said that done, as Nathan finds himself procrastinating, including paying Marshall a visit at his video store job.  Marshall has been more productive, creating a social media account for “Radiant Black.”  Yes, that's the name he has decided to give Nathan when he wears that alien artifact.

Now, back to writing:  is it too much to ask not to be bothered?  That includes alien voices beaming an unintelligible language into his brain.

THE LOWDOWN:  Radiant Black may the first entry in a new “shared universe” of superhero titles from Image Comics, if what I read on the Internet is true.  That is what initially made me interested in Radiant Black, but after reading issues #2 and #3, I am curious about the title.

Kyle Higgins offers a nice slice-of-life issue in Radiant Black #3, and Marcel Costa's art perfectly conveys all of Nathan's struggles.  Thus far, I think the thing that really sells this title is the focus on who Nathan is and how he struggles with the questions about himself.  Plus, there is a nice moment with some … Radiant Black fans.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for something new with a touch of classic in superhero comic books will want to try Radiant Black.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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