Kyle Higgins has become one of the most influential voices in modern comics, building a reputation for bold storytelling, genre innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creator-owned content. Best known as the writer and architect behind Radiant Black and the Massive-Verse at Image Comics, Higgins is reshaping how superhero universes are made—outside the shadow of Marvel and DC.
From Power Rangers to a Universe of His Own
Before launching his own superhero universe, Kyle Higgins made waves writing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for BOOM! Studios. It was there that he developed a strong connection with tokusatsu storytelling, which continues to influence his work today.
“Considering my history with Power Rangers and my growing love of tokusatsu, it felt like the right time to build something personal,” Higgins shared during his interview on Geek Freaks Podcast. “The book’s not about me, but there’s a lot of me in the book.”
That “book” is Radiant Black, the flagship title of the Massive-Verse, a creator-owned, shared superhero universe launched in 2021 with Image Comics. Described by Higgins as “a contemporary superhero series about disillusioned millennials navigating failed dreams and crippling credit card debt,” Radiant Black quickly caught fire among indie comics fans.
What Is the Massive-Verse?
At its core, the Massive-Verse is an interconnected set of comic book series including Radiant Black, Rogue Sun, The Dead Lucky, Inferno Girl Red, and the annual crossover event Supermassive. Each title is creator-owned, allowing writers and artists to tell deeply personal stories while contributing to a shared world.
“You only have to read what you’re interested in,” Higgins explained. “But if you do read across the line, the crossover events give you even more—without making it required homework.”
This modular approach is one reason the Massive-Verse has been so successful. Whether you prefer supernatural noir (Rogue Sun), cyberpunk superheroics (The Dead Lucky), or magical girl adventures (Inferno Girl Red), there’s an entry point for every type of comic fan.
Writing Through the Multiverse
One of the most ambitious storytelling experiments in the Massive-Verse came with Catalyst War, a sprawling Radiant Black event that split the narrative into two diverging timelines—based on a fan vote.
“We published both endings under different variant covers and didn’t tell anyone,” Higgins said. “It became an event told across timelines, and for six releases, we followed both timelines simultaneously.”
Higgins coordinated two scripts, two art teams, and a unified vision. “It was top three hardest stories I’ve ever done,” he admitted. “But everything I’ve done in my career prepared me for it—from Batman Beyond to Shattered Grid.”
The Rebuild Era and Beyond
Now that Radiant Black is back to a monthly release, Higgins and his team are entering what they call the Rebuild Era. With Marshall confirmed as the permanent Radiant Black, the story focuses on rebuilding Chicago and addressing the aftermath of the Catalyst War—something most superhero comics gloss over.
“I don’t see that aftermath explored often,” Higgins said. “We wanted to stay in that space and explore the cost of these battles—not just move on like nothing happened.”
Rogue Sun is also evolving, with a new character taking on the mantle. “If Flash Thompson got superpowers instead of Peter Parker, that’s Rogue Sun,” Higgins explained. “Now we’re introducing Ari, the half-sister, and it’s about family, legacy, and how complicated those relationships can be.”
Audio Drama, Animated Promos, and the Road to Adaptation
Higgins is also innovating in how he promotes his work. From animated first-person promos voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch and Will Friedle to an upcoming Radiant Black audiobook, he’s using his background in film to enhance the reader experience.
“We’re recording it now. Melissa Navia from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is in it, and Lauren Lester from Batman: The Animated Series is playing Nathan’s dad,” Higgins revealed. “We want to build content where people are actually engaging.”
As for a Radiant Black adaptation? Higgins isn’t rushing into anything.
“We’re not going to sell Radiant Black unless we’re the ones doing the adaptation,” he said firmly. “It’s not enough for it to just get made—it has to be really good. Otherwise, there’s no point.”
Live-action or animation, the goal is the same: make something unforgettable.
Creator-Owned First
What separates Kyle Higgins from many of his peers is his passion for ownership and creator-driven storytelling. As he put it, “Because the core creative team owns their books, everyone’s giving their best. There’s no ego. We’re all in this together.”
That collaborative spirit is what makes the Massive-Verse thrive—and why Kyle Higgins is one of the most important voices in comics today.
Want More?
- 🎧 Listen to the full interview with Kyle Higgins on the Geek Freaks Podcast
- 📚 Grab Radiant Black and the rest of the Massive-Verse at your local comic shop or on digital
- 📍 Catch Kyle and the team at comic cons across the country, including their Massive-Verse meetup events
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