RADIANT BLACK #2
IMAGE COMICS
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Marcelo Costa
COLORS: Marcelo Costa
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR/DESIGNER: Michael Busuttil
COVER: Marcelo Costa
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Diego Greco; Rod Reis
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (March 2021)
Rated “T+/Teen Plus”
“Better Off Red”
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.
Radiant Black #2 (“Better Off Red”) opens the morning after Nathan found the alien artifact that has likely turned him into a superhero. Today, however, Nathan's dad says he has to get a job, so Nathan returns to driving for the ride-share company, Drivr. Nathan uses this as a chance to work in Chicago where someone who is wearing a suit just like Nathan's, except it is red, uses his alien powers to rob banks. And Nathan needs to talk to him...
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 now, I want to read it because it is a damn good read.
Marcelo Costa's art and colors in the first issue looked radiant, but in this second issue Costa's graphical storytelling focuses on character development and relationships and drama. Yes, the inevitable fight scenes look great, but Radiant Black can get all dramatic and stuff.
I am still not sure what pace writer Kyle Higgins will use in revealing Radiant Black's secrets, but right now, Radiant Black is charming and sweet. Radiant Black is just an excellent comic book to simply read.
I liked Radiant Black #1, but I did not give it a grade, although it seemed like something I should call “a perfect first issue.” Radiant Black #2 is demanding a grade, and it is also the kind of comic book that makes you pine for the next issue.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for something new with a touch of classic in superhero comic books will want to try Radiant Black.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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