Radiant Black is an American comic book series published by Image Comics and written by Kyle Higgins and drawn by Marcelo Costa. The series began publication around February 2021 and is currently ongoing. It is also a part of Image's Massive-Verse.[1]

Radiant Black
Cover of Radiant Black #1
Publication information
PublisherImage Comics
Publication dateFebruary 2021–present
No. of issues30
Main character(s)
  • Nathan Burnett
  • Marshall Ward
Creative team
Written by
Artist(s)
  • Marcelo Costa
  • French Carlomagno (#12)
  • Eduardo Ferigato (#5, #9, #14-15, #25-30.5)
  • David Lafuente (#6)
  • Stefano Simeone (#18)
Inker(s)
  • Jonas Trindade (#14)
  • Paul Daniel Santos (#25)
Letterer(s)
  • Becca Carey
  • Diego Sanches (#16)
Colorist(s)
  • Marcelo Costa
  • Raul Angulo (#13, #21-23, #25-30.5)
  • Tríona Tree Farrell (#16-17)
  • Rod Fernandes (#4, #20, #25-30.5)
  • Mattia Iancono (#11-12)
  • Natália Marques (#5, #7-8)
  • Igor Monti (#10, #14-15, #24)
  • Miquel Muerto (#6)
  • Stefano Simeone (#18)
Editor(s)Michael Busuttil

Synopsis

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The series follows Nathan Burnett, who discovers and unlocks the ethereal, cosmic Radiant, and Nathan's best friend Marshall, who takes over for Nathan as Radiant Black following an incident that leaves Nathan hospitalized.[2]

Characters

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Nathan Burnett

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Nathan is a struggling writer who is imbued with the power to become the first Radiant Black.

Marshall Ward

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Nathan's longtime best friend and employee at The Reel World who becomes the second Radiant Black after an incident puts Nathan out of commission.

Eva Reyes

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An internet gaming streamer who becomes Radiant Pink, a radiant who can teleport. She later headlines her own five-issue miniseries.

Satomi Sone

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An Asian-American middle school teacher who becomes the Radiant Red, a radiant who can absorb material and bulk up in size. She later headlines her own five-issue miniseries.

Wendall George

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An elderly man who becomes Radiant Yellow and has the ability to perceive time, including possibilities of potential futures

Guy/Shift

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A recurring foe and leader of his own syndicate who has the ability to "shift" between places

Prints

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Issues

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# Publication date Comic Book Roundup rating Estimated sales (first month)
1 February 10, 2021[3] 8 by 23 professional critics.[4]
2 March 17, 2021[5] 8.2 by 13 professional critics.[6]
3 April 21, 2021[7] 8 by 9 professional critics.[8]
4 May 19, 2021[9] 9 by 9 professional critics.[10]
5 June 16, 2021[11] 9 by 9 professional critics.[12] 22,358, ranked 132nd in North America[13]
6 July 21, 2021[14] 9.1 by 7 professional critics.[15] 23,040, ranked 131st in North America[16]
7 August 18, 2021[17] 9.2 by 9 professional critics.[18] 20,223, ranked 129th in North America[19]
8 September 22, 2021[20] 8.6 by 6 professional critics.[21] 20,058, ranked 145th in North America[22]
9 November 3, 2021[23] 9.1 by 5 professional critics.[24]
10 November 24, 2021[25] 8.8 by 4 professional critics.[26]
11 December 22, 2021[27] 8.8 by 3 professional critics.[28]
12 February 9, 2022[29] 8.4 by 5 professional critics.[30]
13 March 30, 2022[31] 8.5 by 3 professional critics.[32]
14 May 4, 2022[33] 8 by 5 professional critics.[34]
15 June 15, 2022[35] 8.3 by 3 professional critics.[36]
16 July 27, 2022[37] 8.6 by 4 professional critics.[38]
17 August 24, 2022[39] 7.9 by 3 professional critics[40]
18 September 21, 2022[41] 8.8 by 4 professional critics[42]
19 November 9, 2022[43] 8.1 by 3 professional critics[44]
20 December 14, 2022[45] 8.4 by 3 professional critics
21 January 25, 2023[46] 7.5 by 2 professional critics
22 March 1, 2023 9.0 by 1 professional critic
23 April 12, 2023
24 May 3, 2023
25 July 19, 2023
26 August 23, 2023
27 December 13, 2023
27.5 December 13, 2023
28 January 31, 2024
28.5 January 31, 2024
29 June 12, 2024
29.5 June 12, 2024
30 July 17, 2024
30.5 July 17, 2024 [47]

Collected editions

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Title Collected material Publication date ISBN Estimated sales (first month)
Radiant Black Vol. 1: (Not So) Secret Origin Radiant Black #1–6 August 18, 2021[48] 978-1534319165 4,184, ranked 14th in North America[49]
Radiant Black Vol. 2: Team Up Radiant Black #7–12 March 16, 2022[50] 978-1534321090
Radiant Black Vol. 3: Rogues Gallery Radiant Black #13–18 October 19, 2022[51] 978-1534323285
Radiant Black Vol. 4: Two-In-One Radiant Black #19–24 July 18, 2023[52] 978-1534324770
Radiant Black Vol. 5: The Catalyst War Part 1 Radiant Black #25–27.5 February 28, 2024[53] 978-1534397255
Radiant Black Vol. 6: The Catalyst War Part 2 Radiant Black #28–30.5 January 1, 2025[54] 978-1534397248

In other media

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A one minute long animated trailer for the comic series featuring the original song "RADIANT" by Crisis Couture was released on January 8, 2021.[55] A animated short film called "VERSUS" about a fight between the characters Radiant Black and Blaze of C.O.W.L. was released on YouTube on June 22, 2022[56] and a QR code to the video was hidden as an easter egg in Radiant Black #15. The film was written by Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel, animated by Tiger Animation and featured the voices of Will Friedel as Radiant Black,[57] Reginald James, Rick Cramer and David Sobolov.[56]

Reception

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Daniel Gehen from Comics Bulletin wrote "Radiant Black #1 lays the foundation for what may be the best new superhero since Robert Kirkman's Invincible".[58] Matthew Aguilar of ComicBook.com liked the main character.[59]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Result Ref.
2022 Eisner Award Best New Series Nominated [60]

References

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  1. ^ Babu, Ritesh (January 25, 2022). "The Radiant Black universe is taking shape, and now's the time to get in". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Radiant Black #1". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  3. ^ "Radiant Black #1". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Radiant Black #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Radiant Black #2". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Radiant Black #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "Radiant Black #3". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Radiant Black #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "Radiant Black #4". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "Radiant Black #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Radiant Black #5". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "Radiant Black #5 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  13. ^ "Comichron: June 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". www.comichron.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "Radiant Black #6". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "Radiant Black #6 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  16. ^ "Comichron: July 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". www.comichron.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "Radiant Black #7". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "Radiant Black #7 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  19. ^ "Comichron: August 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". www.comichron.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  20. ^ "Radiant Black #8". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  21. ^ "Radiant Black #8 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  22. ^ "Comichron: September 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". www.comichron.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "Radiant Black #9". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  24. ^ "Radiant Black #9 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  25. ^ "Radiant Black #10". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  26. ^ "Radiant Black #10 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  27. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #11". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  28. ^ "Radiant Black #11 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  29. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #12". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  30. ^ "Radiant Black #12 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  31. ^ "Radiant Black #13". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  32. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #13". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  33. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #14". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  34. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #14". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  35. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #15". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  36. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #15". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  37. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #16". Image Comics. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  38. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #16". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  39. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #17". Image Comics. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  40. ^ "Radiant Black #17 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  41. ^ "RADIANT BLACK #18". Image Comics. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  42. ^ "Radiant Black #18 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  43. ^ "Radiant Black #19 Preview". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  44. ^ "Radiant Black #19 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  45. ^ "Radiant Black #20 Preview". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  46. ^ "Radiant Black #21 Preview". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  47. ^ "Radiant Black #30.5". Image Comics. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  48. ^ "Radiant Black, Vol. 1 TP". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  49. ^ "Comichron: August 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". www.comichron.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  50. ^ "RADIANT BLACK, VOL. 2: TEAM-UP TP". Image Comics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  51. ^ "Radiant Black Vol. 3". Image Comics. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  52. ^ "Radiant Black, Vol. 4 (TPB)". Image Comics. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  53. ^ "RADIANT BLACK TP VOL 05". Image Comics. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  54. ^ "Radiant Black TP, Vol. 06". Image Comics. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  55. ^ January 8, 2021: "RADIANT BLACK by Kyle Higgins & Marcelo Costa video trailer | Image Comics" on Image Comics' official YouTube channel.
  56. ^ a b June 22, 2022: "VERSUS | Radiant Black vs. Blaze" on Black Market Narrative YouTube channel.
  57. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (June 21, 2022). "Radiant Black: Will Friedle Voices Image Comics Superhero In Animated Short 'Versus'". IGN. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  58. ^ Daniel Gehen (February 12, 2021). "Review: RADIANT BLACK #1 Shines Brightly". Comics Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  59. ^ "Radiant Black #1 Review: The Man Behind the Powers Steals the Show". comicbook.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  60. ^ ""Eisner Awards Nominees 2022"". www.comic-con.org. Comic Con International San Diego. December 17, 2014. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
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