Radiant Black is back! After a five month hiatus, the Massiveverse’s flagship series returns with Radiant Black #29 and #29.5, the penultimate installments of the Catalyst War. Things are not looking good for Nathan and Marshall in either timeline; in Marshall’s, his actions have led to Chicago being turned into a smoking crater, while Nathan lost his father. Both of them are approached by the Premier with a final test…and the fate of the Earth depends on their answers.
What makes Radiant Black one of my favorite comics is that it’s always been an emotional journey, first and foremost. Both Nathan and Marshall have struggled with their own self worth, and that struggle manifests itself in different ways; Nathan tries to handle things on his own while Marshal commits some self destructive acts. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark continue with this thread, showcasing how both of them will react to the Premier’s final test. It leads to a volley of shocking twists, including one I couldn’t have anticipated – and one that makes sense, given how Higgins is approaching this storyline.
The art also does a great job of selling the sheer scope of this story, both in emotional and physical terms. In #29, the scene opens with Marshall kneeling, forlorn, in the ruins of Chicago while the Premier looks on. Eduardo Ferigato has painted a image that not only sears itself into the reader’s mind, but also serves as a warning that things are going to get much worse before they get better. Marcelo Costa holds his own over in #29.5, delivering some really trippy imagery including Radiant Pink hopping through a multitude of portals and a scene where Marshall and Nathan get pulled through a kaleidoscope of color that brings the final scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey to mind.
Raul Angulo and Rod Fernandes shift colors between both books, setting the tone for both stories. In #29, the skies are painted a foreboding red, which grows more and more prominent depending on Marshall’s actions. #29.5, on the other hand, has a variety of colors; bright pink for Radiant Pink’s portals, the glowing red energy of the Catalyst fleet, and Radiant Black’s trademark blue glow. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention how Becca Carey makes the Premier utterly chilling via her lettering, as every word out of his mouth isn’t human.
Radiant Black #29 and #29.5 prove that good comics are worth the wait, as the Catalyst War races to its end. Next month brings an end to this storyline, and will finally reveal whether Nathan or Marshall fully becomes Radiant Black. I cannot wait to see where the series goes after this storyline, even if I have to wait a few more months.
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