Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book blog to the ODPH Podcast. For this entry, we’re returning to one of the hottest comic universes on all fandoms: The Massive-Verse! RADIANT BLACK #19 by Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, Carlos Eduardo & Becca Carey for Image Comics via Black Market Narrative kicks off a huge month for the line and picks up after an incredible separate tale with the origin of Radiant Yellow last issue. Let’s not wait any longer and dive right into the latest chapter of one of comics’ best series, shall we?

RADIANT BLACK #19 - On Sale November 9th Creative: Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, Igor Monti & Becca Carey Credit: Image Comics/Black Market Narrative — RADIANT BLACK #19 - On Sale November 9th
Creative: Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, Carlos Eduardo & Becca Carey
Credit: Image Comics/Black Market Narrative

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

This issue starts off with an alien-esque object floating over Sao Paulo Brazil. Meanwhile, back in Illinois, two car jackets pull a robbery at a gas station. Thinking this is an easy crime, the criminals get a ride awakening of justice as their car is flipped over as they speed away. This is all due to the one and only Radiant Black, but is he “one and only” anymore?

At first, it was Nathan Burnett who discovered the power Radiant. After being injured and in a coma, Nathan's powers shifted to his best friend Marshall. This lasted until Marshall was overwhelmed by a group of rogues when Nathan regained the power Radiant. Post battle, the pair have decided to split the role of Radiant Black. Now in action, there seems to be a bit of “hero rust” from Nathan but nothing that won’t be worked out in time. Obviosuly with what he’s endured, this is to be expected. Post action, Nathan takes a moment to check out the latest events surrounding someone Radiant Black knows well: Satomi Sone aka Radiant Red. Satomi has decided to turn herself in for her past crimes. Readers bear witness to an interesting back and forth with Marshall and Nathan about how they know Satomi, which plays into their new stat quo.

From here, both Nathan and Marshall’s stories split into different paths. Something catches Nathan’s attention to where he catches up on the latest actions of Radiant Red, promoting a visit behind bars. As for Marshall, the object flying in Brazil might be something that he knows will bring nothing good. Luckily, Marshall gets an assist to investigate but what do they find when they get there? How does Nathan’s talk go when he starts asking questions? Readers are in for an exciting issue as the final page moments will have those answers and ”confirm” what’s happening is going to be nothing short of sensational moving forward.

RADIANT BLACK #19 - On Sale November 9th
Creative: Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, Carlos Eduardo & Becca Carey
Credit: Image Comics/Black Market Narrative

Great kickoff to the new story. Coming off the break for the Radiant Yellow story (which issue #18 is a must read), Higgins jumps back into the dynamic between Nathan and Marshall with focusing on how this pair will co-exist as Radiant Black. The moments when Nathan is catching up about how Radiant Black “knows” Radiant Red is a great benchmark for how this will be set up for readers. Pacing was great for balancing out the two lead characters. Nathan’s story here stands out just a bit more as his conversation into Radiant Red’s current situation made for a highlight. Seeing how that talk goes makes for quite the dialogue. “remeeting” for the first time has a different feel to it, but the writing let the readers feel the awkwardness. Higgins crafts it with much uncertainty about what's to come. Marshall’s tale is just getting started but as he finds out what’s in Brazil, readers know that it will be a game changer. It can be forgotten in the tale that Marshall is still growing in his role as a hero. Seeing his reaction to what is coming made for an excellent close to his portion of the book.

Costa and the art team present some fun action sequences for readers in the opening sequence. Seeing how Nathan and Marshall both use their powers to shift into Radiant Black and stop the robbers was solid. The story of Nathan’s reaction to Radiant Red is very noteworthy. Nathan's reactions to talking with Satomi connects strong with the readers. Costa captures Nathan's unsureness of what he feels is coming to add the right amount of gravity to the moment.

Final Point: The tales of two heroes starts this next chapter with an exceptional issue. Higgins, Costa and the team present a character driven issue with splashes of super heroics to make for a can't miss read this week. Make sure not to miss this one at the Local Comic Shops this week!

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Thanks for reading!

RADIANT BLACK #19 (IMAGE COMICS)

Ken M