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 | |
| Publisher | Image Comics |
| Publication date | February 2021–present |
| No. of issues | 27 |
| Main character(s) |
|
| Creative team | |
| Written by |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Inker(s) | Jonas Trindade (#14) |
| Letterer(s) |
|
| Colorist(s) |
|
| Editor(s) | Michael Busuttil |
Synopsis
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
Nathan Burnett
Nathan is a struggling writer who is imbued with the power to become the first Radiant Black.
Marshall Ward
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
An internet gaming streamer who becomes Radiant Pink, a radiant who can teleport. She later headlines her own five-issue miniseries.
Satomi Sone
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
An elderly man who becomes Radiant Yellow and has the ability to perceive time, including possibilities of potential futures
Guy/Shift
A recurring foe and leader of his own syndicate who has the ability to "shift" between places
Prints
Issues
| # | 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
| 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 | October 8, 2024[54] | 978-1534397248 |
In other media
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
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
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Eisner Award | Best New Series | Nominated | [60] |