In early 2021, writer Kyle Higgins along with artist Marcelo Costa, started building the Massive-Verse with its flagship title, Radiant Black, published through Image Comics… But no one could’ve known how big the superhero universe would get.
If you enjoy Higgins’s incredible Mighty Morphin Power Rangers run, this might be perfect for you. Although it’s similar in feel, the Massive-Verse has much more to offer in style. Each series has different premises and themes; from military dystopias, to urban fantasies. And even though they intertwine, you can read all titles independently.
Follow our reading order to get the most out of this universe. We organized it chronologically by trade paperbacks to make it easier, so you can hop right in with story arcs, versus individual issues.
C.O.W.L., Vol. 1: Principles of Power
Writer: Alec Siegel and Kyle Higgins
Artist: Rod Reis
A 2014 series retconned into the Massive-Verse, C.O.W.L. is a noir story following a superhero labor union.
C.O.W.L., Vol. 2: The Greater Good
Writer: Alec Siegel and Kyle Higgins
Artist: Rod Reis
C.O.W.L. concludes its first run with issue 11, but there’s more to explore. Radiant Black is full of references to this volume, and Image is currently releasing a sequel series, C.O.W.L. 1964.
Radiant Black Massive Edition Book 1 HC
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Cherish Chen, Joe Clark, Meghan Camarena
Artist: Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato, David Lafuente, French Carlomagno
Jumping to 2021, almost 6 years after C.O.W.L.‘s conclusion, we have Radiant Black. Nathan is failing at everything he does, but he gets a chance to prove himself after finding the Radiant — a seeming black hole that gives him superpowers. Collects issues #1-#12, which are also available in trade paperback as Volumes 1 and 2.
Supermassive (2022)
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Ryan Parrott, Mat Groom
Artist: Francesco Manna, Marcelo Costa, Erica D’Urso, Simone Ragazzoni, Abel, Melania Palladino
The first Massive-Verse crossover event, which became a staple for the franchise. It features Radiant Black, Rogue Sun, and Inferno Girl Red.
(Note that, from now on, some of the events in these books happen simultaneously)
Rogue Sun, Vol. 1: Cataclysm
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Abel
After someone kills his dad, Dylan Siegel inherits the mantle of Rogue Sun, a magical fire-powered hero. It’s a great coming-of-age/whodunnit story.
Radiant Red, Vol. 1: Crime and Punishment
Writer: Cherish Chen
Artist: David Lafuente
Satomi Sone is one the best characters in the franchise, and this mini will make you love her even more – particularly as unlike the heroic Radiant Black, Radiant Red starts her career as a bank robber.
Radiant Black, Vol. 3: Rogues’ Gallery
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, Melissa Flores, Alec Siegel, Laurence Holmes, Riley Trella
Artist: Marcelo Costa
Like every superhero, Marshall has to face new foes who won’t let him be. Fellow hero Radiant Yellow also gets a unique spotlight, further expanding this universe.
The Dead Lucky, Vol. 1: The Good Die Young
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: French Carlomagno
Living in a kind of military dystopian San Francisco, Bibiana Lopez-Yang might be the only one who can save her city. She also can control electricity, and sees literal ghosts.
Rogue Sun, Vol. 2: Hellbent
Writer: Ryan Parrott, Nick Cotton
Artist: Abel, Ze Carlos
Changing its pace, this arc focuses more on developing who Dylan is, both as a hero and a person.
Radiant Black, Vol. 4: Two-In-One
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Andrew Leamon, Daniel Kibblesmith, Salvatore Vivenzio
Artist: Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato, Niccolò Lelapi
Nathan and Marshall are both sharing the mantle of Radiant Black now… It’s a cool dynamic that results in creative fight scenes. Still, there can only be one…
Radiant Pink, Vol. 1: Across the Universe
Writer: Meghan Camarena, Melissa Flores, Kyle Higgins
Artist: Emma Kubert, French Carlomagno
For those who enjoyed her appearance in Radiant Black #12, this miniseries focuses on Eva — sometimes streamer, sometimes hero. Her Radiant power is to teleport, using portals.
Inferno Girl Red, Vol. 1
Writer: Mat Groom
Artist: Erica D’Urso, Lorenzo Tammetta
Cássia Costa is gifted a magical bracelet that turns her into the superpowered Inferno Girl Red after her city is ripped into another universe. It’s a brief series, but it does enough to make you like the characters and eagerly await Book 2. Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the astounding artwork.
No/One
Writer: Brian Buccellato, Kyle Higgins
Artist: Geraldo Borges, Antonio Fuso
There are few things more satisfying than seeing the unraveling of threads in a murder mystery, and this book is perfect for it. Listen to its 10-episode companion podcast for the full story.
Supermassive (2023)
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Ryan Parrott, Mat Groom, Melissa Flores
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
The second big crossover event of the Massive-Verse! This time, we see Rogue Sun, Dead Lucky, and Radiant Black entering a dungeon after the Holy Grail.
Rogue Sun, Vol. 3: Knight Sun
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Abel, Marco Renna
This time, the Rogue Sun mythos gains even more depth, as Dylan explores its legacy. It’s a pleasure to say the third arc is even better than the second one.
Radiant Black, Vol. 5: Crisis
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark
Artist: Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato, Daniele Di Nicuolo
The Catalyst War — the conflict teased pretty much since the beginning of the series — begins, and Higgins has an intriguing initiative for this arc: Readers can follow two timelines; one with Nathan as Radiant Black, and the other with Marshall as Radiant Black.
The Dead Lucky, Vol. 2
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: French Carlomagno
A heartwarming conclusion to the series. But don’t worry, this won’t be the last you’ll see of Bibi, or Melissa Flores.
Shift
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo, Chris Evenhuis, Danilo Beyruth, Francesco Manna, Geraldo Borges
“Who is this guy, and why does he keep appearing everywhere?” is what you might think after reading some Massive-Verse books. So, here is your chance to understand more about Shift and his mythos.
Radiant Black, Vol. 6: The Catalyst War – Infinite Earths
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark
Artist: Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato
The epic Catalyst War continues to throw its trials against Nathan and Marshall. However, only one of them will come out victorious.
Rogue Sun, Vol. 4: Divinity
Writer: Ryan Parrott, Nick Cotton
Artist: Abel, Bruno Frenda, Marco Renna
Rogue Sun keeps upping its game with a fourth arc that promises to be even better than previous stories.
Supermassive (2024)
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, Melissa Flores, Mat Groom, Ryan Parrott
Artist: Michael Busuttil, Stefano Simeone
Set in the middle of the Catalyst War, this crossover issue features Radiant Red, Radiant Pink, Shift, Rogue Sun, Dead Lucky, and Inferno Girl Red.
C.O.W.L. 1964
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel
Artist: Rod Reis
A 4-issue mini serving as C.O.W.L.’s long-awaited conclusion.
Radiant Black #31
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Eduardo Ferigato
Coming out on February 26, 2025, this issue explores the Catalyst War’s aftermath and reveals who will be Radiant Black from now on.
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