Radiant Black Volume One: (Not So) Secret Origin
Published by: Image Comics
Written by: Kyle Higgins
Illustrated by: Marcelo Costa
ISBN: 9781534319165
Ages: 18+ (30+ will especially relate to the characters)
Are you tired of your job? In debt up to your eyeballs? Significant other doesn’t understand you? Wish you had mysterious superpowers to solve all your problems? Then, Radiant Black Volume One: (Not So) Secret Origin is the graphic novel for you!
Join Nathan, a 30-something wannabe author who has set his passion aside to work side hustles to scrape by and chip away at his substantial debts. When he moves back in with his parents, he reunites with a naughty, movie-loving friend, Marshall. Together, they encounter an alien entity, which bonds to Nathan, giving him access to some excellent space technology – superhero suit included – and telepathic abilities. The first thing Nathan does is save his buddy from being crushed by a train. The trouble does not stop there for the duo.
Inspired by the turn of events in his life, Nathan attempts to write a novel. Too bad he is not the only person who has fused with an entity. Some people use their powers to help others, while some use their abilities to help themselves. Also, the end of the world could be a few volumes away.
Radiant Black Volume One: (Not So) Secret Origin is a classic, unknown-to-hero or unknown-to-villain story. Volume One collects issues #1-6. No teenagers are to be seen on these pages. All characters are adults clumsily adulting with the added stress of superpowers. Pop culture and meme Easter eggs are sprinkled throughout the story to catch the reader’s eye.
If your patrons equate graphic novels with superheroes, Radiant Black Volume One: (Not So) Secret Origin is a worthy addition to collections. Consider purchasing the first few volumes, as Volume One ends abruptly.
The writer, Kyle Higgins, has been involved in superhero storytelling throughout his career, working on projects such as the revamped Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers and DC’s Nightwing. The artwork demonstrates apparent familiarity with the genre. While the text can be a bit visually dense at times, the action scenes are drawn well with enticing angles. Bonus content includes alternative covers and an alien language cipher.
Radiant Black Volume One: (Not So) Secret Origin is recommended for fans of any animated Spider-Man series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Michael Turner’s Fathom, and The Umbrella Academy.
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