Radiant Black is setting the stage for something big, and the opening pages of issue #23 feel like the last moments of peace our heroes will get for a while. While starting with some merch-based conversations, issue #23 quickly ramps up the action in an exciting issue setting up the upcoming Catalyst War.
War is looming over our Radiants’ heads, and they’ve been trying to find ways to avoid it. It seems like they have, allowing Marshall and Nathan to meet up with the Circle News Guys to discuss taking the Radiant brand to bigger places. Nathan even mentions looking towards the future, which is never good to say before a war. Unsurprisingly, things rapidly spiral out of control as more robots appear in Lockport.
The last few issues have felt like they were tying up loose ends, including tracking down Shift and exploring Nathan’s history with Hollywood. Issue #23 feels like the start of something. It feels like the opening scene of a big crossover blockbuster. We briefly see where our characters are, and then all hell breaks loose. Pacing wise, things go from slow to “what is happening?!” very rapidly.
The pacing means there isn’t much time to sit with Nathan, Marshall, and Wendell as we rapidly get into the action. However, what we do get illuminates a bit more about what is happening. Wendell gets some answers from the robot they took down in issue #20. Answers that leave him scared as they come under attack.
Most of the issue is exceptionally well-choreographed action, as Marshall levels up again into the all-black cape-clad Radiant Black to lay waste to the invading robots. The action isn’t just a spectacle, but instead helps set the stakes. We’ve seen how hard it is to take down one of those robots, so multiple of them creates a scary scenario for our heroes. It also highlights just how much-untapped power Nathan and Marshall are wielding.
Across the board, the creative team is firing on all cylinders, as always. While there isn’t much story to get through in issue #23, writer Kyle Higgins is setting the stage for what comes next. Action is the issue’s star, and artist Eduardo Ferigato and colourists Raúl Angulo and Marcelo Costa create some breathtaking sequences. The choreography and colors work in tandem to create engaging cinematic moments.
Radiant Black #23 is another strong issue in a strong series. Wonderfully drawn and coloured action sequences create a fantastic battle in the heart of Lockport. With a fun surprise appearance in the final pages, issue #23 is a great issue setting up an exciting upcoming event.
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