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Having steered away from the dense world of superheroes for the most part in recent years, Image Comics is returning to the popular genre with the launch of Radiant Black #1. Coming off his lauded multi-year run on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (2016), writer Kyle Higgins attempts to bring that same excitement to an original series with collaborator, and first-time Image artist, Marcelo Costa. The other key members working on the book include letterer Becca Carey and Michael Busittil, designer and editor.
The basis of Radiant Black treads the very familiar ground of a superhero origin; however, the creative team manages to deliver a stellar debut issue with a story grounded in humanity and a rousing climax that promises plenty more super-powered thrills to come.
A Superhero Universe Is Born
Though it is billed as an action-packed superhero story, Radiant Black #1 doesn’t use fancy flashbacks or bits of epic comic book battles to pull the reader in. Rather, it jumps right into what I think is the book’s greatest strength: its fundamental humanity.
The reader is introduced to Nathan. He is not a 16-year-old kid with “great potential” or a twenty-something, athletic specimen with a tragic past. No, Nathan is 30. His checking account is forty-seven dollars, and his credit card debt is a whopping thirty-eight grand. More still, the bank won’t even consider giving him a loan to start the trudge out of financial hell. The sad cherry on top of Nathan’s depression ice cream sundae is that he must move back from the big city to his parents’ house in small-town Illinois. Talk about a gut-punch.
Before Nathan’s bags are out of the car, Marshall, a childhood friend, strolls up to greet him. Though Nathan is less than enthusiastic, he agrees to hit the town with Marshall. That night, after a few too many alcoholic beverages, the two old friends are walking home when they stumble across what they think looks like a miniature black hole, about the size of a softball. Without thinking, Nathan reaches out and grabs it. Suddenly, he is engulfed in lightning-like energy as a suit of black, white, and blue appears over his entire body.
In a genuinely human moment, Nathan freaks out instead of celebrating this new feeling. His initial reaction, understandably, is to vomit, to which Marshal quips, “Oh, you should not do that in a helmet.” (( Higgins, Kyle. “Radiant Black #1” Radiant Black. Image Comics. 10 Feb. 2021. )) During a brief encounter with two police officers, Nathan discovers that his fancy new suit comes with some fancy new powers. But, as the issue’s ending reveals, he isn’t the only one on earth with these abilities. After all, what’s a hero without a villain?
The Ole Origin Story: Familiar But Necessary
Nathan’s origin story is nothing new. A person happens to stumble upon a peculiar object or thing that imbues them with superhuman powers. They can neither understand nor control these powers at first. But soon, they start to feel as if they were given their new powers for a reason: to make a difference. It’s a familiar tale, yet Higgins and Costa give it their own unique spin. They know that they are dancing with clichés, so they keep the pace quick and put the focus early in the story on intimate character interactions.
The friendship between Marshall and Nathan is developed quickly, but it feels natural. At first, annoyed by the sudden appearance of his childhood friend, Nathan is smirking at Marshall’s friendly verbal jabs by the issue’s end. More than that, Marshall is hinted at having his own problems.
Marshall is immediately antagonistic, almost sinister when addressing the police. This seems to disturb Nathan more than the fact that he just gained gravity-manipulation powers that allowed him to throw a train off the tracks. Still, it sets up a very interesting dynamic for Nathan and Marshall’s relationship moving forward. All in all, the story does tread in recognizable territory but still provides a unique perspective and a setup for a compelling adventure.
Radiant Design Brings A World To Life
Marcelo Costa’s art is a major part of why Radiant Black works. His heavy line work combined with a high-contrast coloring style make every panel jump off the page. Early on in the comic, the world is colored in shades of orange and black, setting up the book’s turn where Costa’s art truly shines: the superhero transformation.
Swirls of blue lightning and glowing white energy surround Nathan on a beautiful splash page revealing his sleek new superpowered look. Having given the reader a tamer coloration at first, the black, blue, and white costume now stand out magnificently. Costa does a fine job of creating a recognizable theme to contrast the colors of Radiant Black’s world. The electrifying blues and whites of Nathan’s heroic persona are easy to identify, which can be a useful visual storytelling device as the series goes on. The reveal on the last page shows that there seems to be a villain that has a suit just like Nathan’s. But with a red color scheme. Prepare for inevitable eye-popping fight scenes!
Flashy Art And An Empathetic Hero Spark An Engaging Debut
While Radiant Black might seem like a typical origin story, it has a depth to its characters that many similar stories lack. Kyle Higgins spins an appealing tale, giving it a quick pace peppered with intimate character moments.
Furthermore, Marcelo Costa’s art provides the ideal style to pair with a fun and lively superhero comic. His pencils and coloring make a dynamic impact in this new world of superpowers. Image Comics’ Radiant Black #1 is an excellent debut issue that promises a dramatic story and an action-packed future. Available at your local comic book shop on February 10, 2021.
