REVIEW: 'Radiant Black' #6 by Kyle Higgins, Cherish Chen, Darko Lafuente, and Miguel Muerto

 Radiant Black takes this issue off and makes room for Radiant Red's origin story. 

RADIANT BLACK #6

Writer: Kyle Higgins, Cherish Chen

Artist: Darko Lafuente, Miguel Muerto

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: July 21, 2021

Cover Price: $3.99

Who's under the helmet of RADIANT RED? Writer KYLE HIGGINS, guest co-writer CHERISH CHEN, and industry legend DARKO LAFUENTE (Ultimate Spider-Man, Superman) join forces for a story that challenges everything you think you know about the man behind the mask!

Score:

★★★★★ (5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Kyle Higgins has written a spectacular superhero comic for Image Comics despite subverting many expectations. In its first arc, 'Radiant Black' has already (spoiler) killed off the titular hero's alter ego. Who does that? So now Nathan's best friend Marshall has taken the mantle and has to face the mysterious Radiant Red himself. But who is Radiant Red? Higgins with co-writer Cherish Chen uses issue six to tell that origin story and it's arguably better than Radiant Black's.

Satomi Sone is a young bright ambitious woman who's engaged to Owen. Everything seems like a fairy tale but when truths are revealed it jeorpardizes their future immensely. While Nathan was relatable for his writing ambitions and mental roadblocks, Satomi is relatable for doing everything right but an unreliable partner threatens to uravel her dreams. This is her journey to the red power suit. She's a woman of conviction and pride. You feel bad for the position she's been put in and totally understand the lengths she'll go to as Radiant Red to save her dreams and relationship. It's not just about money but it's a character-driven origin story that resonates for it's flawed characters, the imperfect bonds between them, addition, and the burden of love. 

Darko Lafuente and Miguel Muerto do a spectacular job constructing and deconstructing the relationship with a range of emotions and composition. The series always has superior action scenes and Satomi's transformation is a stand-out but the domestic drama that unfolds is executed with precise emotional impact. 

'Radiant Black' #6 may have done this origin issue for Radiant Red too well. We're ready to follow her going forward. It's an affecting and dramatic issue that blurs the line between hero and villain that has rooting for the supposed villain.