Comics Review: RADIANT BLACK #4

RADIANT BLACK #4
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Marcelo Costa
COLORS: Marcelo Costa with Rod Fernandes
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR/DESIGNER: Michael Busuttil
COVER: Eduardo Ferigato and Marcelo Costa
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Justin Mason with Dee Cunniffe; Doaly
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (May 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

“Everything Changes”

Radiant Black is a 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, “Radiant Black,” that changes his life.  This new thing seems totally unique, but there is more to it than Nathan can imagine, so very much more.

As Radiant Black #4 (“Everything Changes”) opens, Nathan continues to have visions of the giant black robot, but he is starting to understand … a little.  These latest visions force Nathan to join Marshall for some practice and experimentation.  What else can Nathan do?

However, this is also the day that Radiant Red decides that he wants that inevitable knock-down, drag-out fight across the city of Lockport against Radiant Black.  The result is that nothing will ever by the same for Radiant Black.

THE LOWDOWN:  I was initially interested in Radiant Black because I read (on the Internet) that it might be the first entry in a new “shared universe” of superhero titles from Image Comics.  Since reading Radiant Black #1 and the subsequent issues I have come to enjoy reading it for its own sake.  Also, an unusually large number of visitors to this blog want to read reviews of each issue.

I can say the same thing about Radiant Black #4 that I have said about the previous issues.  Marcelo Costa's art and colors look radiant, and the graphical storytelling gives a strong focus on character development and relationships and drama.  And the fight scenes also look good.  Kyle Higgins unveils this narrative at an easy pace, and he makes Radiant Black is charming and sweet with tasty secrets.

However, the real treat this time is the truth that Radiant Black #4 has a shocking ending.  Yeah, everything changes.  Some of you have already read this issue and perhaps, also the recently released fifth issue, so you know that Radiant Black is the real deal in delivering change.  So, for the rest of you, dear readers, you may want to feel the radiance.

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

A

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


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