What do you think?
Rate this book
Radiant Black
Radiant Black, Vol. 4: Dos en Uno
Something alien has landed on Earth - but what is it?
As governments and gangs race to unlock its hidden secrets, Nathan and Marshall will be forced to make a dangerous journey that threatens to change their relationship forever.
Radiant Black is the first series in the Massive-Verse.
Collects RADIANT BLACK #19-24
WHAT IS THE MASSIVE-VERSE?
Kyle Higgins & Marcelo Costa's breakout hit Radiant Black took superhero storytelling to new heights. But Radiant Black isn't the only character inhabiting the MASSIVE-VERSE. There's a whole universe for readers to explore! Characters like Rogue Sun, Inferno Girl Red, The Dead Lucky and more yet to be revealed each of them has a different story to tell, different adversaries to face and they each occupy a very different corner of this shared universe. What are you waiting for? Now's the time to get into the MASSIVE-VERSE!
As governments and gangs race to unlock its hidden secrets, Nathan and Marshall will be forced to make a dangerous journey that threatens to change their relationship forever.
Radiant Black is the first series in the Massive-Verse.
Collects RADIANT BLACK #19-24
WHAT IS THE MASSIVE-VERSE?
Kyle Higgins & Marcelo Costa's breakout hit Radiant Black took superhero storytelling to new heights. But Radiant Black isn't the only character inhabiting the MASSIVE-VERSE. There's a whole universe for readers to explore! Characters like Rogue Sun, Inferno Girl Red, The Dead Lucky and more yet to be revealed each of them has a different story to tell, different adversaries to face and they each occupy a very different corner of this shared universe. What are you waiting for? Now's the time to get into the MASSIVE-VERSE!
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2023
18 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 7, 2023
Still fun though this volume takes its precious time arriving at a pretty obvious destination, i.e. the question of
July 23, 2023
This book is heading in the direction that I figured it would and I’m glad that it is! Things are about to shake up in a big way for this series, much like they have many times before. I especially liked the threat becoming a bit more clear in this volume as well as the personal issues in Nathan’s life becoming a bigger plot point in this story. Looking forward to more!
October 16, 2023
What happens when the aliens come to earth?
Radiant Black continues to be great entertainment but I have to say as we get more sci-fi, and oh boy do we get sci-fi this volume, it gets a bit much for me at those points. Just feels weird for the sake of it.
I think Radiant Black works best when it focuses on the lead characters and their personal missions in life. What they're working towards as a team to survive what's coming but also everyday issues and problems, feels more down to earth, and I love those moments.
Art remains real solid with some great fight scenes to boot.
A 3.5 out of 5.
Radiant Black continues to be great entertainment but I have to say as we get more sci-fi, and oh boy do we get sci-fi this volume, it gets a bit much for me at those points. Just feels weird for the sake of it.
I think Radiant Black works best when it focuses on the lead characters and their personal missions in life. What they're working towards as a team to survive what's coming but also everyday issues and problems, feels more down to earth, and I love those moments.
Art remains real solid with some great fight scenes to boot.
A 3.5 out of 5.
June 24, 2024
Character arc progress. Nathan is actually writing. His ex has a line on a job in LA--though it comes with unappetizing strings attached--and he visits Radiant Red in prison after she turns herself in for the bank robberies.
On the hero side, the US govt finally reaches out, recruiting Radiant Black to recover sold criminal weapons tech. Malevolent giant robots start popping up everywhere. And the Radiant stops working, forcing Marshall and Nathan to return to the Radiant dimension to plead for help. The cliffhanger:
I still find this series to be good but not great. It's a shame that the story is driven by all the alien-dimension-robot-wars stuff because that's where Radiant Black is weakest. The personal side is excellent.
On the hero side, the US govt finally reaches out, recruiting Radiant Black to recover sold criminal weapons tech. Malevolent giant robots start popping up everywhere. And the Radiant stops working, forcing Marshall and Nathan to return to the Radiant dimension to plead for help. The cliffhanger:
I still find this series to be good but not great. It's a shame that the story is driven by all the alien-dimension-robot-wars stuff because that's where Radiant Black is weakest. The personal side is excellent.
March 17, 2025
The team takes on a threatening advance alien robot in the thrilling first story and get done much needed aid from an unlikely source as Wendell informs Nathan and Marshall of more impending robot threats and unspools more answers to the overall mystery of the Radiant.
Nathan heads back to LA to look into both JJ’s relationship and his possible writing career luck and in a trippy finale to the trade our lead characters head to Existence to get answers to a few major questions and though they get some cleared they are posed a major one to close out the story.
Nathan heads back to LA to look into both JJ’s relationship and his possible writing career luck and in a trippy finale to the trade our lead characters head to Existence to get answers to a few major questions and though they get some cleared they are posed a major one to close out the story.
September 1, 2023
3.5
The graphics continue to be great. Story-wise... this was kind of boring for the majority of the time. It didn't pick up until the very end and of course ended with a major cliffhanger.
The graphics continue to be great. Story-wise... this was kind of boring for the majority of the time. It didn't pick up until the very end and of course ended with a major cliffhanger.
August 8, 2023
3.5/5 ⭐️
Still really enjoying the artwork, but the story felt a little slower in this volume.
Still really enjoying the artwork, but the story felt a little slower in this volume.
May 6, 2023
This was a good volume again and I am loving where the story is going!
So this picks up with both Marshall and Nathan sharing powers of RB and well the switching on and off can be jarring and they have to fight space robots, like coming of the "Radiant", the guy behind it all and this is just his robots and they realized they need to prevent the invasion or rather "the catalyst war" and its gonna take everything to stop it and I love the increasing tension!
If that wasn't enough then team ups with RP and RY was fun and I also love how this book doesn't forget the dynamic between Nathan and marshall and showing their increasing friendship but also personal problems like Nathan dealing with his scripts and friends betraying him when he goes to LA again, selling scripts is never easy and it takes a toll and I love how the writer in a way is using his own experiences here and making it so personal and I love that!
Then there is the coming of SHIFT again whose becoming a cool recurring villain and I like N&M vs this guy, sure shows the deficiencies but also a good power up!
And when they return to "Existence" again it leads to another change in status quo but an interesting one as it again upends the status quo and sets the ground for the next story arc aka "The Catalyst war"!
Its one of those books thats getting better with every volume and you will love it! Like Invincible the scope is increasing and its just getting epic, but without compromising what makes it that!
So this picks up with both Marshall and Nathan sharing powers of RB and well the switching on and off can be jarring and they have to fight space robots, like coming of the "Radiant", the guy behind it all and this is just his robots and they realized they need to prevent the invasion or rather "the catalyst war" and its gonna take everything to stop it and I love the increasing tension!
If that wasn't enough then team ups with RP and RY was fun and I also love how this book doesn't forget the dynamic between Nathan and marshall and showing their increasing friendship but also personal problems like Nathan dealing with his scripts and friends betraying him when he goes to LA again, selling scripts is never easy and it takes a toll and I love how the writer in a way is using his own experiences here and making it so personal and I love that!
Then there is the coming of SHIFT again whose becoming a cool recurring villain and I like N&M vs this guy, sure shows the deficiencies but also a good power up!
And when they return to "Existence" again it leads to another change in status quo but an interesting one as it again upends the status quo and sets the ground for the next story arc aka "The Catalyst war"!
Its one of those books thats getting better with every volume and you will love it! Like Invincible the scope is increasing and its just getting epic, but without compromising what makes it that!
October 27, 2023
Blurgh, man, this series. Just as soon as I think I'm getting it, I read a volume like Two-in-One that makes me feel like I missed several other volumes. Certainly I haven't read anything else in the Massive-verse, but it seems like I should be able to follow the plot train within a given series, y'know?
Anyway, here we find Marshall and Nathan working in tandem as Radiant Black(s) to defeat giant robots and another Radiant who is selling future weapons to criminals. It's all supposed to be seeding a giant interstellar robot war... but instead we get another "journey into the mind!" where Marshall and Nathan must wander through complex, brightly colored mazes and identify which of the two is TRULY the Radiant Black.
Oh, also, Marshall wanders off to LA for an entire issue, where he meets up with old friends and frenemies and tries to sell a screenplay. It's good backstory, I guess, but completely derails the ongoing plot.
Everything is still well written and looks good, but I simply can't grasp the "why" of this series. The end game should be far better designed at this point. And the Radiant stuff should have been better explained long ago (or at least in this main series and not in some spin-off).
Anyway, here we find Marshall and Nathan working in tandem as Radiant Black(s) to defeat giant robots and another Radiant who is selling future weapons to criminals. It's all supposed to be seeding a giant interstellar robot war... but instead we get another "journey into the mind!" where Marshall and Nathan must wander through complex, brightly colored mazes and identify which of the two is TRULY the Radiant Black.
Oh, also, Marshall wanders off to LA for an entire issue, where he meets up with old friends and frenemies and tries to sell a screenplay. It's good backstory, I guess, but completely derails the ongoing plot.
Everything is still well written and looks good, but I simply can't grasp the "why" of this series. The end game should be far better designed at this point. And the Radiant stuff should have been better explained long ago (or at least in this main series and not in some spin-off).
June 28, 2024
Radiant Black Volume 4!! It keeps going, and I’m so glad!! This volume was fantastic!!
More and more, the event that all the volumes have been leading towards approaches, and it’s so exciting. The writing continues to impress me with its current meta jokes, and the deepness of our characters. My favorite moments in this volume in fact were stripped of flashy action and instead focus on the emotion and development of the characters. Of course I love the action too, there’s no denying it. The cliffhanger is one of the most revolting yet, cus I just wanna keep reading so bad, and how they tackle this challenge will be an interesting one to see.
The art in these books is consistently impressive, and Volume 4 is no exception. Sequences in Existence are just the best!!
I simply cannot wait for what’s next. I’m continuously glad I hopped on the massive verse train, with the consistent high quality comics it has provided. Onwards!
(PS: an animated adaption for the massive-verse needs to happen! Id love to work on it as an animator🤗)
More and more, the event that all the volumes have been leading towards approaches, and it’s so exciting. The writing continues to impress me with its current meta jokes, and the deepness of our characters. My favorite moments in this volume in fact were stripped of flashy action and instead focus on the emotion and development of the characters. Of course I love the action too, there’s no denying it. The cliffhanger is one of the most revolting yet, cus I just wanna keep reading so bad, and how they tackle this challenge will be an interesting one to see.
The art in these books is consistently impressive, and Volume 4 is no exception. Sequences in Existence are just the best!!
I simply cannot wait for what’s next. I’m continuously glad I hopped on the massive verse train, with the consistent high quality comics it has provided. Onwards!
(PS: an animated adaption for the massive-verse needs to happen! Id love to work on it as an animator🤗)
July 21, 2023
Two Radiant Blacks for the price of one! Radiants Black? I dunno man, English is hard.
With both Marshall and Nathan using the power of the Radiant at once, things get...complicated. The differences between the two characters and their approaches to heroism shine through, as do the fact that they're moving in very different directions at this point in the story. And all the while, a bigger problem is on the horizon, as revelations about Existence, the giant robots, and the origin of the Radiants come to light, and the Catalyst War looms large.
I still find it odd that we get guest artists on these Massive-Verse books, since they're creator-owned, but I suppose if they're aiming to be like the Big Two, it makes sense. Series artist Marcelo Costa does pencil most issues, with appearances by Ze Carlos and Eduardo Ferigato as well.
Even 24 issues in, Radiant Black is still compelling, and is set to only get better as bigger things approach at a rapid pace.
With both Marshall and Nathan using the power of the Radiant at once, things get...complicated. The differences between the two characters and their approaches to heroism shine through, as do the fact that they're moving in very different directions at this point in the story. And all the while, a bigger problem is on the horizon, as revelations about Existence, the giant robots, and the origin of the Radiants come to light, and the Catalyst War looms large.
I still find it odd that we get guest artists on these Massive-Verse books, since they're creator-owned, but I suppose if they're aiming to be like the Big Two, it makes sense. Series artist Marcelo Costa does pencil most issues, with appearances by Ze Carlos and Eduardo Ferigato as well.
Even 24 issues in, Radiant Black is still compelling, and is set to only get better as bigger things approach at a rapid pace.
September 9, 2024
Radiant Black's got a pair of gems in its dual protagonists: Nathan and Marshall. And its taken a while to do so, but this arc finally has both of them equally sharing the screen time, the story focus, and even the radiant. I think this volume also benefitted from the pop-ins from the other Radiant's. They've all got such different flavors, its nice to see scenes stretch in different ways to accomodate the variety of tones. It is a bit weird for characters to be worried about personal things like making money when there is a robot alien invasion on the way. I get that its the Spiderman approach, but its just a bit odd here. In fact, issues focusing on the characters personal dilemmas are often standout issues, and thats the case in this volume too. The final issues cliffhanger is a good one. Invested in where things go next, both for this world and for them. And my caring about both is Radiant Black's biggest success.
May 15, 2024
Maybe my favorite so far?
I might be starting to like it more.
I still don't love it but I like the impending doom of the Space War that might happen sometime soon.
I also enjoy the conflict setup between Nathan and Matthew. I don't fully buy Nathan's reasoning for saying Matthew is Likely to harm people.
Matthew seems like he's doing fine as Radiant Black, no worse than Nathan. He is honestly way better as Radiant Black.
But I like that they have some sort of conflict.
I'm hoping it doesn't get resolved immediately and super neatly to reset things to the status quo like so many other comics.
One gripe I have is that I don't like the "Marketing Radiant Black" storyline one bit.
It's boring, It doesn't seem to progress the plot in any way.
I get the idea. Hate the execution.
I will definitely read the next volume. Maybe more when it comes out. It's reliable fun.
I might be starting to like it more.
I still don't love it but I like the impending doom of the Space War that might happen sometime soon.
I also enjoy the conflict setup between Nathan and Matthew. I don't fully buy Nathan's reasoning for saying Matthew is Likely to harm people.
Matthew seems like he's doing fine as Radiant Black, no worse than Nathan. He is honestly way better as Radiant Black.
But I like that they have some sort of conflict.
I'm hoping it doesn't get resolved immediately and super neatly to reset things to the status quo like so many other comics.
One gripe I have is that I don't like the "Marketing Radiant Black" storyline one bit.
It's boring, It doesn't seem to progress the plot in any way.
I get the idea. Hate the execution.
I will definitely read the next volume. Maybe more when it comes out. It's reliable fun.
December 2, 2024
Thoroughly loving everything Radiant Black! This volume felt even larger in scope than the previous issues, finally focusing on the oncoming invasion the characters will need to fight against. Watching the relationship between Marshal and Nathan evolve as the two share the radiant, is fantastic story telling. Every bit of this volume was fun, action-packed, and what modern comics should strive to encompass. The action and drama go hand in hand, rather than fully focusing on just the drama as modern releases tend to do. The characters are able to grow and develop while also having fun. Definitely recommend the whole run! Grade: A
July 30, 2023
Higgins does a great job of continuing to expand this story, without it becoming repetitious. On Earth, in the Government, and among the stars, our story is continuing to grow, while he still keeps it very personal and character related.
I've been reading these from the library, but they've definitely gone on my to-buy list. Could we have some massive-verse omnibuses, please?
I've been reading these from the library, but they've definitely gone on my to-buy list. Could we have some massive-verse omnibuses, please?
March 8, 2024
This comic book keeps getting better as you read it. After the third volume I felt the series was starting to lose it’s focus but this volume brings some fantastic, creative action with a deep emotional undertone. This was so, so good. The tension built up between Nathan and Marshall really paid off in this volume. This volume really restored my faith in this series.
March 10, 2024
Another fantastic entry.
Really interested to see how this all turns out, although AGAIN the lack of editors notes telling you where to read more adventures is really telling here, unless Radiant Red just randomly turned herself in off panel LOL.
Regardless the artwork was still strong and the plot really seems to be ramping up in exciting directions.
Really interested to see how this all turns out, although AGAIN the lack of editors notes telling you where to read more adventures is really telling here, unless Radiant Red just randomly turned herself in off panel LOL.
Regardless the artwork was still strong and the plot really seems to be ramping up in exciting directions.
April 3, 2024
There's a whole issue that has no fighting, no powers, just drama. Not even related to being a hero. Just to being a guy. I think sometimes hero stories forget about the alter ego, forget about the man behind the super. Really great continuation of the story. Fantastic dive into this relationship and God I love the look of EXISTENCE. Radiant Black continues to just be amazing.
February 18, 2024
What started as a solid series has become a must-read with the introduction of the partnership dynamic, and this volume is all about that, with two men sharing a superhero identity and all the complexity of that relationship. Looking forward to the next!
March 1, 2024
Ugh, I love it so much but it's not what I want - I want Nathan to stay and for him and Marshall to share Radiant Black forever! Can't we just let them do that?? Don't we have enough conflict with all the giant space robots. *cries*
March 18, 2024
This was another great addition to this graphic novel series. The suspense was non-stop, and the cliffhanger ending was fabulous. I can't wait to read the next volume! I highly recommend this title and this graphic novel series.
June 11, 2024
Continues to be interesting. This series has more ambition with lore and backstory being unfolded as you go, which is great, but also... I just want to see super heroes punch stuff! I'll be continuing the series for sure though, just not right away.
January 14, 2025
I don’t think the writing of this series matches up to the world and art style. The art and world are both incredible, but the story is pretty cliche for a superhero comic. Certainly not bad, but I don’t think this is the fantastic new comic people hold it up as.
January 1, 2024
More good stuff from Higgins, looking forward to see what Radiant Black gets into in 2024
March 5, 2024
higgins is truly massive(verse)
June 10, 2025
I like to imagine those "VS" guys are like Corridor Crew on youtube
December 12, 2025
4.5 stars overall
The first scout, an advanced unit of the alien attack force has arrived, in Brazil.
In continuity, Radiant Red is officially revealed to the world, and Nathan goes to visit her in prison.
Radiant Pink and Marshall think they've defeated the scout, dumping it in the middle of one of the Great Lakes... which it proceeds to emerge from in Wisconsin... Nathan (as Radiant Black) asks Red to defeat the giant robot and between Black, Pink and Red, with the power forcing between Nathan and Marshall they manage to defeat it.
Radiant Yellow is still trying to figure a way through all the touch points, endeavouring to steer events away from losing the upcoming war... even going so far as to 'let' contact with the FBI happen, requiring contact and a takedown of Shift (the alien tech arms dealer).
Chapter 22 - a short diversion to LA.
Chapter 23 - Wendell, Radiant Yellow, manages to communicate with the disabled alien giant robot, with the worst news for Nathan and Marshall, as a whole host of robots, the first wave arrive on Earth. Wheel has to take them to The Ship that <001> arrived on, but is now injured/damaged and in order to fix the Radiant Black glitch they must rather re-enter Existence.
Chapter 24 - Nathan and Marshall fight their way through Existence, until they are given the choice: there can be only one who can wield the Radiant Black...to be continued...
Almost too much happens in this volume; things are definitely moving apace.
The first scout, an advanced unit of the alien attack force has arrived, in Brazil.
In continuity, Radiant Red is officially revealed to the world, and Nathan goes to visit her in prison.
Radiant Pink and Marshall think they've defeated the scout, dumping it in the middle of one of the Great Lakes... which it proceeds to emerge from in Wisconsin... Nathan (as Radiant Black) asks Red to defeat the giant robot and between Black, Pink and Red, with the power forcing between Nathan and Marshall they manage to defeat it.
Radiant Yellow is still trying to figure a way through all the touch points, endeavouring to steer events away from losing the upcoming war... even going so far as to 'let' contact with the FBI happen, requiring contact and a takedown of Shift (the alien tech arms dealer).
Chapter 22 - a short diversion to LA.
Chapter 23 - Wendell, Radiant Yellow, manages to communicate with the disabled alien giant robot, with the worst news for Nathan and Marshall, as a whole host of robots, the first wave arrive on Earth. Wheel has to take them to The Ship that <001> arrived on, but is now injured/damaged and in order to fix the Radiant Black glitch they must rather re-enter Existence.
Chapter 24 - Nathan and Marshall fight their way through Existence, until they are given the choice: there can be only one who can wield the Radiant Black...to be continued...
Almost too much happens in this volume; things are definitely moving apace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
B+/85 (Good/Respectable) 3.5 Stars rounded up
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews