Radiant Black #30 and #30.5 is written by Kyle Higgins & Joe Clark and published by Image Comics. Artwork is by Marcelo Costa & Eduardo Ferigato, colours by Raúl Angulo & Rod Fernandes, and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Marcelo Costa.
Radiant Black #30 and #30.5 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon ComiXology UK right here.
Synopsis
THE CATALYST WAR CONTINUES. Pieces fall into place. Endless possibilities collapse. The end of the world is at hand.
Review
We’ve reached the long-awaited climax of ‘The Catalyst War’ storyline. An arc that has suffered many delays and been with us since July 2023. It all comes to an end here. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark showcase that even with delays, their writing is at a certain level that is able to retain their readers, ensuring that it doesn’t feel like there’s a huge gap and keeping its engagement.
With each Radiant Black issue throughout the Catlayst War, we’ve been witnessing two sides. Side A, where Marshall is Radiant Black and Side B, where Nathan is Radiant Black. With the last two issues, we saw it all come together where Nathan and Marshall from Side B were made to witness the destruction that was caused in Side A. A possibility of how their world might end up.
Their world is on the brink of destruction, and for the first time as a reader, Higgins and Clark provide a sense of hopelessness for our heroes. From this first part alone, it’s hard to see a positive way out of this situation. It’s hands-on deck in this issue, with every possible character trying to figure out a way to get through this situation while Nathan himself fights with his own colossal in an attempt to free himself.
The second part of this finale is exactly the grand epic scale that was needed for the conclusion to ‘The Catalyst War.’ It spiritually felt like we had received a second Supermassive for the year, and that was more than enough to satisfy me with the finale. Plans from the first part are finally put into place, and they’re plans that, as a reader, you’re made to believe it’s one that will fail due to how drastic its effects could be on this universe.
It’s a finale that has everything you want from a Radiant Black story. It has giant robot battles, emotional tension, and stakes. Marcelo Costa and Eduardo Ferigato do a great job at capturing the level of destruction that these battles bring about while also creatively showing the scale of power these catalysts hold.
Verdict
Radiant Black #30 and #30.5 bring forth a satisfying conclusion to ‘The Catalyst War’, ending it all off with a grand-scale battle that’s brought to life by visionary artists Marcelo Costa and Eduardo Ferigati and a decision that will change the future of Radiant Black.
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