Massive-Verse

Last updated

"Massive-Verse"
MassiveVerse2023Poster.jpeg
Promotional Poster by Eduardo Ferigato and Igor Monti
Publisher Black Market Narrative
(Image Comics)
Publication dateFebruary  2021  – present
Genre
Title(s)
  • C.O.W.L.
  • Radiant Black
  • Rogue Sun
  • The Dead Lucky
  • Inferno Girl Red
  • Radiant Red
  • Radiant Pink
  • No/One
Main character(s)
  • Nathan Burnett / Radiant Black
  • Marshall Ward / Radiant Black
  • Dylan Siegel / Rogue Sun
  • Cassia Costa / Inferno Girl Red
  • Satomi Sone / Radiant Red
  • Eva / Radiant Pink
  • Wendell George / Radiant Yellow
  • Bibiana "Bibi" Lopez-Yang / The Dead Lucky
  • No/One
Creative team
Writer(s)Various
Artist(s)Various
Colorist(s)Various
Editor(s)Michael Busuttil

The Massive-Verse (M-V) is a fictional shared universe, created by Kyle Higgins, which spans a line of comic books ( Radiant Black and its spin-offs) published by Image Comics since February 2021, later retroactively established to have begun with C.O.W.L., first published in May 2014.

Contents

Publication history

In November 2020, it was announced that Higgins was writing another creator-owned book for Image Comics entitled Radiant Black , with art by Marcelo Costa. The series officially began publication in February 2021. [1]

The first crossover started with a one-shot crossover entitled Supermassive, written by Higgins, Ryan Parrott, and Mat Groom with art by Francesco Manna and Simone Ragazzoni and colors by Igor Monti released February 23, 2022. The comic served as a backdoor pilot for spin-off titles entitled Inferno Girl Red and Rogue Sun, with this comic marking the first appearances of the series' protagonists. [2]

The first of these new books to spawn out of this would be the title Rogue Sun written by Parrott and illustrated by Abel, with its first issue releasing on March 2, 2022 and Inferno Girl Red debuting on January 25, 2023, written by Groom and illustrated by Erica D'Urso and colored by Monti. [3] [4] In February 2022, it was announced that another book connected to the Massive-Verse would release in August entitled The Dead Lucky, written by Melissa Flores and illustrated by French Carlomagno. [5] The first direct spin-off of Radiant Black would release on March 9, 2022, entitled Radiant Red, with the miniseries written by Cherish Chen and art by David Lafuente. [6] Another spin-off, Radiant Pink, written by Meghan Camarena and Melissa Flores and illustrated by Emma Kubert, debuted on December 7, 2022. [7] C.O.W.L., was originally released in 2014 but has since been retroactively designated as part of the Massive-Verse. [8] In December 2022, it was announced that a new series, entitled No/One, would launch in March 2023, with Higgins and Brian Buccellato writing and Geraldo Borges illustrating. [9]

A second Supermassive event was released in May 2023 written by Higgins, Parrot, Groom and Flores with artwork by Daniele Di Nicuolo. This one-shot features Radiant Black (Nathan and Marshall), Rogue Sun (Dylan) and The Dead Lucky (Bibiana), along with a new character Thomasin (a previous Inferno Girl Red) as they hunt down the Holy Grail. [10] [11] That issue includes a cameo from Medieval Spawn, possibly hinting at a further crossover down the line.

After the end of an official fan voting, and the "Catalyst War" arc, the next Radiant Black story arc will feature Marshall Ward as the permanent titular hero. [12]

Main characters

Titles

Ongoing and limited series

TitleIssuesWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Debut dateFinale date
C.O.W.L.1-11Kyle Higgins
Alec Sigel		Rod Reis
Elsa Charretier 		Rod ReisMay 28, 2014 [13] July 12, 2015 [13]
Radiant Black #1– Kyle Higgins
Megan Camerena
Cherish Chen
Joe Clark
Laurence Holmes
Alec Siegel		Marcelo Costa
Ze Carlos
French Carlomagno
Thobias Daneluz
Eduardo Ferigato
David Lafuente
Stefano Simeone		Marcelo Costa
Raul Angulo
Tríona Farrell
Rod Fernandes
Mattia Iancono
Natália Marques
Igor Monti
Miquel Muerto (#6)
Stefano Simeone		February 10, 2021 [14] Present
Rogue SunRyan Parrott
Nic Cotton		Abel
Ze Carlos
Marco Renna		Chris O'Halloran
Natalia Marques
Raul Angulo		March 2, 2022 [15]
Radiant Red#1–5Cherish Chen David Lafuente Miquel MuertoMarch 9, 2022 [16] July 6, 2022 [17]
The Dead Lucky#1–12Melissa FloresFrench CarlomagnoMattia IaconoAugust 3, 2022 [18] March 27, 2024
Radiant Pink#1–5 Meghan Camarena
Melissa Flores		Emma KubertRebecca NaltyDecember 7, 2022 [19] May 24, 2023
Inferno Girl Red#1–3Mat GroomErica D'UrsoIgor MontiJanuary 25, 2023 [20] March 22, 2023
No/One#1–10Kyle Higgins
Brian Buccellato		Geraldo BorgesMark EnglertMarch 15, 2023 [9] July 24, 2024
C.O.W.L. 1964#1-4Kyle Higgins
Alec Sigel		Rod ReisAugust 7, 2024December 18, 2024

One-shots

TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Debut date
Supermassive (2022)Kyle Higgins
Ryan Parrott
Mat Groom		Francesco Manna
Simone Ragazzoni		Igor MontiFebruary 23, 2022 [21]
Supermassive (2023)Kyle Higgins
Ryan Parrott
Mat Groom
Melissa Flores		Daniele Di NicuoloWalter BaiamonteMay 24, 2023 [10] [11]
Shift (2023)Kyle HigginsDaniele Di Nicuolo
Francesco Manna
Danilo Beyruth
Geraldo Borges
Chris Evanhuis		Walter Baiamonte
Marcelo Costa
Mark Englert
Sjan Weijers		December 20, 2023
Supermassive (2024)Mat Groom

Kyle Higgins
Ryan Parrott
Melissa Flores Joe Clark

Stefano SimeoneJuly 24, 2024

Other

TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Debut dateFinale date
Shift (4 part story in Image!)Kyle HigginsDaniele Di Nicuolo
Francesco Manna
Danilo Beyruth
Geraldo Borges
Chris Evanhuis		Walter Baiamonte
Marcelo Costa
Francesco Segala
Gloria Martinelli
Sjan Weijers		April 13, 2022 [22] July 27, 2022

Other media

Animated short film

In June 2022, to tie in with the release of Radiant Black #15, an animated short produced by Tiger Animation and Black Market Narrative entitled Versus | Radiant Black vs. Blaze was released, with Higgins directing and co-writing with Alec Siegel and Will Friedle providing the voice of Radiant Black. The short can be viewed on the official Black Market Narrative YouTube channel. [23]

Podcast

In December 2022, it was announced that, to tie-in with the release of No/One, an in-universe podcast entitled Who Is No/One? would release with each issue and would feature the voice work of Rachael Leigh Cook as Julia Paige, the host of the podcast, and Patton Oswalt as Teddy Barstow, the Metro Editor for The Pittsburgh Ledger. Loren Lester provides the voice of No/One, while Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt, Cristina Vee, Karl Herlinger, Todd Stashwick, and Walter Jones are also cast. [24] [25] [26] The podcast will also feature original art by Mark Englert and music by Kristopher Carter. [9]

Audiobook

In April 2024, it was announced an audiobook adaptation of Radiant Black would release later that year. Rider Strong is set to play the voice of Nathan with Friedle reprising his role as Marshall from the animated short. Higgins will serve as writer, director, and narrator for the adaptation. [27] Further casting was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, including Kim Rhodes as Mrs. Burnett, Loren Lester as Mr. Burnett, Todd Stashwick as <001>, Melissa Navia as Eva Reyes / Radiant Pink, Anne Yatco as Satomi Sone / Radiant Red, and Troy Baker as Guy / Shift.

Feature length film

In July 2024, during San Diego Comic-Con it was announced that a film based on the comic series No/One was officially in development, under the title I Am No/One. According to TheWrap, the film is set to consist of "sit down interviews, phone and drone footage, news coverage, and first-person GoPro and helmet videography from the “NO/ONE” operation itself". Higgins is set to direct the film, along with co-writing the screenplay with No/One co-writer and co-creator Brain Buccellato. The film is set to be both a recap of the comic series and its companion podcast, Who is No/One?, while also serving as the final chapter in this multi-narrative experience. [28]

Collected editions

TitleCollected materialPublication dateISBN
Radiant Black
Radiant Black Vol. 1: (Not So) Secret OriginRadiant Black #1–6August 18, 2021 [29] 978-1534319165
Radiant Black Vol. 2: Team-UpRadiant Black #7–12March 16, 2022 [30] 978-1534321090
Radiant Black Vol. 3: Rogues' GalleryRadiant Black #13–18October 19, 2022 [31] 978-1534323285
Radiant Black Vol. 4: Two-In-OneRadiant Black #19–24July 12, 2023 [32] 978-1534324770
Radiant Black Vol. 5: CrisisRadiant Black #25 A & B, #26, #26.5, #27, and #27.5February 28, 2024 [33] 978-1534397255
Radiant Black Vol. 6: Infinite EarthsRadiant Black #28, #28.5, #29, #29.5, #30, and #30.5January 14, 2025 [34] 978-1534397248
Radiant Red
Radiant Red Vol. 1: Crime and PunishmentRadiant Black #6, Radiant Red #1–5December 7, 2022 [35] 978-1534323209
Radiant Pink
Radiant Pink Vol. 1: Across the UniverseRadiant Black #12, Radiant Pink #1-5July 25, 2023 978-1534324862
Rogue Sun
Rogue Sun Vol. 1: CataclysmRogue Sun #1–6August 24, 2022 [36] 978-1534322370
 Rogue Sun Vol. 2: HellbentRogue Sun #7-12May 17, 2023 [37] 978-1534324701
 Rogue Sun Vol. 3: Knight Sun Rogue Sun #13-18March 26, 2024 [38] 978-1534397231
Rogue Sun Vol. 4: DivinityRogue Sun #19-24March 4, 2025 978-1534327535
The Dead Lucky
The Dead Lucky Vol. 1: The Good Die YoungThe Dead Lucky #1–6March 22, 2023 [39] 978-1534324664
The Dead Lucky Vol. 2: We Didn't Start the FireThe Dead Lucky #7-12June 4, 2024 [40] 978-1534397224
Inferno Girl Red
Inferno Girl Red Book OneInferno Girl Red #1–3June 13, 2023 [20] 978-1534324817
No/One
No/One Vol. 1No/One #1-10December 10, 2024 978-1534397217

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References

  1. ↑ Grunenwald, Joe (November 20, 2020). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  2. ↑ "IMAGE SUPERHERO UNIVERSE EXPANDS IN FEBRUARY 2022 WITH SUPERMASSIVE ONE-SHOT CROSSOVER EVENT & ROGUE SUN SERIES LAUNCH". Image Comics. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  3. ↑ "IMAGE SUPERHERO UNIVERSE EXPANDS IN FEBRUARY 2022 WITH SUPERMASSIVE ONE-SHOT CROSSOVER EVENT & ROGUE SUN SERIES LAUNCH". Image Comics. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  4. ↑ Grunenwald, Joe (August 6, 2022). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  5. ↑ "THE DEAD LUCKY SERIES LAUNCH WILL ELECTRIFY THE MASSIVE-VERSE THIS AUGUST FOR RADIANT BLACK FANS & NEW READERS ALIKE". Image Comics. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  6. ↑ "CHERISH CHEN, DAVID LAFUENTE & MIQUEL MUERTO REUNITE FOR FORTHCOMING RADIANT RED SPINOFF MINISERIES THIS MARCH". Image Comics. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  7. ↑ "RADIANT BLACK'S MASSIVE-VERSE OF SUPERHEROES TO EXPAND WITH RADIANT PINK LAUNCH IN DECEMBER". Image Comics. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Massive-Verse Reading List".
  9. 1 2 3 "Patton Oswalt, Rachael Leigh Cook Explore Superhero Noir in NO/ONE". Gizmodo . December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Radiant Black's Superhero World is Gearing Up for Another Crossover". Gizmodo . August 28, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "MASSIVE-VERSE PLANS AN EXPLOSIVE CROSSOVER EVENT IN THE FORTHCOMING SUPERMASSIVE 2023". Image Comics. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ Whitbrook, James (May 4, 2023). "The Future of Radiant Black Is in Its Readers' Hands". Gizmodo. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  13. 1 2 "C.O.W.L." Image Comics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. ↑ Radiant Black #1
  15. ↑ Rogue Sun #1
  16. ↑ Radiant Red #1
  17. ↑ Radiant Red #5
  18. ↑ The Dead Lucky #1
  19. ↑ McMillan, Graeme (September 8, 2022). "Image Comics' Massive-Verse expands as Radiant Pink breaks into her own book". The Pop Verse. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Grunenwald, Joe (June 8, 2022). "C2E2 '22: INFERNO GIRL RED coming to Image Comics in 2023". The Beat. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  21. ↑ Supermassive #1
  22. ↑ Blum, Jeremy (March 14, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: Image Comics' New Anniversary Series Expands Radiant Black's Massive-Verse". CBR. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  23. ↑ "RADIANT BLACK FANS TREATED TO ORIGINAL ANIMATION FEATURING VOICE OF WILL FRIEDLE". Image Comics. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  24. ↑ Lowenthal, Yuri [@YuriLowenthal] (February 14, 2023). "Not saying @taraplatt & I are involved in this, but … OKAY WE TOTALLY ARE. It's not just a comic but a full immersive narrative experience w podcast, video drops, & so much more. 1st issue & podcast drop March 15. Pre-order @ your local comic shop & queue up the podcast! https://t.co/RCSj7lS2Ku" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023– via Twitter.
  25. ↑ Higgins, Kyle [@KyleDHiggins] (February 17, 2023). "Been working with @AlecFSiegel all week on Ep 1 of WHO IS NO/ONE and God damn, I'm excited. @RachaelLCook @pattonoswalt @YuriLowenthal @DavidBlue @CristinaVee @karlherlinger just kill it. We're trying something super ambitious here— hope you'll join us! https://t.co/sHKyleVFGY https://t.co/gggrObyyNj" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ @BlackMarketNAR (March 14, 2023). "We hit 100! As promised, here's the grand reveal of the voice of NO/ONE-- The voice of NO/ONE is none other than the voice of Robin and Nightwing in Batman: The Animated Series: Loren Lester! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast here: http://blackmarket.la/no-one/" (Tweet). Retrieved July 26, 2024– via Twitter.
  27. ↑ "Will Friedle and Rider Strong Recruited For Upcoming Radiant Black: The Audiobook, Volume One From Image Comics". Comics. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  28. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (July 26, 2024). "Image Comic 'NO/ONE' and Companion Audio Drama Podcast to Be Adapted Into Feature Film | Exclusive". TheWrap. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  29. ↑ Radiant Black, Vol. 1 TP
  30. ↑ Radiant Black, Vol. 2 TP
  31. ↑ Radiant Black, Vol. 3 TP
  32. ↑ "RADIANT BLACK TP VOL 04 A MASSIVE-VERSE BOOK MV (MAR229492)". previewsworld.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "RADIANT BLACK TP VOL 05 (DEC230437)". www.previewsworld.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  34. ↑ Higgins, Kyle (May 28, 2024). Radiant Black Volume 6: The Catalyst War. Marcelo Costa. Image Comics. ISBN   978-1-5343-9724-8.
  35. ↑ "Radiant Red Vol. 1: Crime and Punishment TP Preview". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  36. ↑ Rogue Sun Vol. 1
  37. ↑ "ROGUE SUN TP VOL 02 A MASSIVE-VERSE BOOK MV (FEB230142)". previewsworld.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  38. ↑ Parrott, Ryan (March 26, 2024). Rogue Sun, Volume 3. Abel, Marco Renna. Image Comics. ISBN   978-1-5343-9723-1.
  39. ↑ "The Dead Lucky Vol. 1 TP Preview". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  40. ↑ Flores, Melissa (April 16, 2024). The Dead Lucky, Volume 2. French Carlomagno. Image Comics. ISBN   978-1-5343-9722-4.
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