Radiant Black issues #30 and #30.5 answer the looming question of who will be Radiant Black, first posed to readers as an online poll in 2023, in an exciting conclusion to the Catalyst War arc. The 11-part story, which began in issue #25 (released in July of 2023) explores the diverting choices of Marshall and Nathan in separate timelines (and separately numbered issues) as they face their greatest challenge with the mysterious Primer and their forces converging on Earth to test the heroes’ worthiness.
Like the titular hero, Radiant Black manages to overcome some incredible odds to stick the landing of an exciting and unconventional story arc in a bombastic and heartfelt finale, sure to leave readers ready for the hero’s next chapter.
Image Comics
While the plot of the Catalyst War might’ve been about an invasion, the story’s core centred on choices and change. The separate timelines explored what kind of heroes Marshall and Nathan are when they’re ‘alone.’ The finale deftly weaves action and character together and proves both protagonists are more when they work together.
Maybe that seems like a counterproductive final statement to an arc built around one of the two claiming the mantle of Radiant Black for good, but issues #30 and #30.5 work together to create a compelling endgame that decidedly puts one man under the mask while still acknowledging that their power ultimately comes from those around them.
It’s a touching and clever finale that never lost sight of the emotional core of our heroes’ journeys while still delivering on the over-the-top action the series has come to be known for. All this is backed up by the narrative releasing two issues at a time, allowing readers to experience the dichotomy and chaotic nature of the diverting timelines more fully.
Image Comics
At times, there were certainly drawbacks to this release approach. The amount of information, exposition and action happening in each issue combined with the sometimes long gaps between releases meant there was a lot to remember and digest. I found myself rereading the past two issues to ensure I remembered what was happening.
But, on an individual issue level #30 and #30.5 are, like the rest of the series, well-crafted and well-executed from top to bottom. The strength of Radiant Black continues to be the creative team’s ability to take these massive narrative swings without losing sight of the characters at the centre.
Writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, pencillers Marcelo Costa and Eduardo Ferigato, colorists Raúl Angulo and Rod Fernandes, letterer Becca Carey and editor Michael Busuttil undertook a massive challenge, and risk, in the way they presented and released the Catalyst War. But the team rose to the challenge and put together an all-star arc I can’t wait to revisit in one sitting.
Image
Issues #30 and #30.5 bring the biggest Radiant Black arc to a close and prove good things come to those who wait. The series and its creative team continue to push the envelope on how readers interact with their story and its world without ever forgetting that the best stories, superhero or not, are about people and the choices they make.
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