Everyone has that one comic. You know the one: it’s at the top of your pull list, it almost never fails to disappoint, but most importantly, it reminds you of why you fell in love with comics – whether it’s because of the creative team, the genre, or the fact that it offered something you’d been missing or didn’t even you know wanted from comics. For me, that’s been Radiant Black. The way it put a fresh spin on the superhero genre, not to mention how it launched an entire superhero universe and continues to push the boundaries of what to expect from a comic narrative, had me hooked from the first issue. I’m happy to report that Radiant Black #31 only carries that momentum forward.
Taking place in the wake of the Catalyst War, Radiant Black #31 finds Marshall Ward fully embracing his status as Radiant Black. When he’s not helping Chicago’s citizens, Marshall is also doing what most people his age (also, my age) do in their free time: going out on dates and figuring out his life. But the fallout of the Catalyst War is about to catch up with him in more ways than one…including a mysterious new foe who’s out for his head.
What makes Radiant Black #31 such a standout is that despite being the 31st issue of an ongoing series, it looks and reads, in many ways, like the launch of a new series. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark don’t lean too much on previous issues, but they also don’t fail to acknowledge past events; it’s a tricky balance to maintain, but they do it. I also love that Higgins and Clark show that the Catalyst War had an effect on the world. Whether it’s the wreckage of giant robots, the discussion of whether Radiant Black is a hero or menace (to borrow a phrase associated with another superhero), or the plot development that introduces the new mystery foe, the reprecussions from Marshall’s actions look like they’re continue to impact the book.
Image Comics
Radiant Black #31 also has a new art team taking over the book with Eduardo Ferigato and Rod Fernandes. Ferigato illustrated the first issue where Marshall took the Radiant Black powers, so it only feels fitting that he does the same for Marshall’s first full issue as a hero. There’s some funny moments, including a montage where Radiant Black does everything from lifting a ruined robot to getting a cat out of a tree (yes, really) and Marshall’s date taking place in a warmly lit tiki bar. Fernandes blankets whole scenes in a pure white layer of snow, which not only is a reminder of Chicago’s icy winters but also signaling a fresh start of sorts – both for Marshall and the city. It’s also on brand since Higgins has referred to this era of Radiant Black as “Rebuild”.
Rounding out the art team is the ever-dependable Becca Carey on lettering. Carey’s lettering not only puts emphasis on verbal expressions like sighs and grunts, but also takes a interesting turn late in the book. When Marshall gets hit with a bomb from the mystery figure, his words start distorting and stretching out – almost as if he was speaking through a bad radio connection. That Carey can visualize this type of sound is just another way Radiant Black breaks barriers in the storytelling space.
Radiant Black #31 is both the perfect jumping on point for new readers, and a welcome back for old readers. If you know someone who loves superheroes, give them this comic. If you know someone who’s been looking to get into comics, give them this comic. If you want to show somebody why comics are amazing…give them this comic.
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