Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast!
For this entry, we are at the pen-ultimate issue of a featured character from comic’s most exciting line of books: The Massive-Verse from Image Comics (via Black Market Narrative). RADIANT PINK #4 by MEGHAN CAMARENA, MELISSA FLORES, EMMA KUBERT, REBECCA NALTY, & BECCA CAREY showcases the pair of worlds travelers striving to find a way home with more odds stacked against them. Let’s take a closer look and see what is unfolding now, Shall we?
RADIANT PINK #4
Creative: MEGHAN CAMARENA, MELISSA FLORES, EMMA KUBERT, REBECCA NALTY, & BECCA CAREY
Credit: Image Comics via Black Market Narrative
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Eva aka the streamer known as “Evaplayss” aka the teleporting Radiant Pink has been going overtime in her heroic duties to the point of scary burnout. During a charity appearance at a hospital, an explosion occurs drawing Eva into action. When trying to save an EMT named Kelly, her powers go haywire. This miscue lands the pair into a distant world and very far from home!
As the pair attempts to get back home, they wind up entering different worlds full of mystery. All the while, it appears as a budding romance is forming between Eva and Kelly. The pair land in another world and find a cat spaceship which its’ lone gigantic cat protector names Kitty Kitty injures Eva. On top of all this, Eva discovers Kelly is wearing a special vest draining her powers!
The pair call a temporary truce for their issues after an argument and form a conversation with Kitty. Its’ explained that Kitty is trying to get back to Katneep IV. With creatures destroying the ship, the trio make an escape through a pod but appear to be in even more danger with a giant hand reaching for the ship!
This issue opens up with a return to Whiting, Indiana where Eva resides. Her best friend Maddie and Eva’s grandmother are trying to be calm during Eva’s disappearance but the fear is growing. However, Maddie comes across a call meant for Eva that might hold some promise of finding Eva.
Off world, Eva and Kelly appear very relaxed and recap the previous issue’s cliffhanger ending. The pair along with Kitty Kitty make the dramatic escape and land on Katneep IV. Eva and Kelly get the impression that their guests of honor but not everything is what it seems.
How does the pair adjust to life on Katneep IV? What of their blossoming romance? Who was on the phone that Maddie heard? There are many questions swirling around this issue that readers get some clarity on before heading to a mind-bending final act. Get ready for an exciting finish to this chapter but there is definitely more story to be told before this saga is said and done.
BREAKDOWN: Camarena & Flores delve into the growing romance portion of the story while maintain the fun energy that has been this series’ calling card from issue one. Excellent cameo from a certain Massive-verse character to tie things back to the present world The world of Katneep IV is an entertaining break from the overall picture. It sets up two key areas of the story: Defining their feelings and a final act that readers will not be expecting. Eva has been an evolving character within this run and looks to expand on that growth with how the final pages play out.
Kubert’s art is as stellar as always. The Katneep IV moments are an enjoyable break but this issue’s key panels break down the heavy emotions of the characters. Maddie and Eva’s grandmother’s pain about not knowing where Eva will hit readers with the seriousness of her situation. The growing relationship goes thru a wide range of feeling, right into the final act. Kubert seizes the reader’s attention with how Eva reacts to those closing moments. This plays right into a noteworthy final panel that leaves the door open for where this story goes into its’ conclusion.
FINAL POINT: The latest adventure of the youngest radiant continues to shine with a final sequence of events that will definitely have readers talking. Camarena, Flores, Kubert & the team keep the winning formula intact for this issue with solid writing and energetic art. The series has been an enjoyable trip this far with sadly one stop left. Don’t miss out on this issue and series on New Comic Book Day!
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know what you thought of Radiant Pink #4. Thanks for reading.