If you’ve been reading Radiant Black from the beginning, I don’t have to tell you that this is a superhero comic you should be reading. The story follows Nathan Burnett, a failed writer who’s forced to move back home with his folks after his finances take a turn for the worse. One night while out with his high school buddy Marshall, Nathan discovers a black orb known as Radiant that endows him with incredible abilities. Radiant Black #4 is a shocking issue that lives up to its title “ Everything Changes” in a bigger way than comic fans will ever imagine. Writer Kyle Higgins and artist Marcelo Costa continue to take us on an incredible journey about starting over, embracing failure, and the strength it takes to be a hero.
Radiant Black #4 gives us our first full appearance of the mysterious robot that Nathan has been seeing in his mind, and Marshall convinces Nathan to go out and test the limits of what he can do with his newfound powers. During their encounter, Marshall brings up a simple question to Nathan: should you be doing more? This not only sets the tone for the rest of the book but completely throws readers off guard to the shocking way that Higgins and Costa choose to close this issue. Guaranteed to leave you wanting more for sure.
Part of what makes Radiant Black so darn good isn’t just the cool suit and awesome superpowers. It’s more about how Higgins highlights Nathan’s life. He’s broke. He has to move back in with his parents. He’s failing at writing, the one thing he thought he was good at. Above all else, it proves that he’s human. The fulfillment as a reader is watching how this flawed individual overcomes adversity.
The illustrations in Radiant Black #4, whether intentional or not, pay homage to a lot of great pop culture influences like Tron and Tron Legacy. Each page is engaging, exciting, and feels like you never know what to expect. The transitions are done so seamlessly that little to no captions are required. The pulse of this art beats loudly throughout the panels and the action sequences are a spectacle.
Radiant Black #4 is a magnificent sci-fi adventure with a few tricks up its sleeve. Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, and everyone involved in bringing this delightful book to life deserves a high five. If you’re looking for a comic with heart, action, humor, and awesome characters, look no further. Radiant Black is a must-read.
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