Warning: Major spoilers towards the end!
The ongoing split-universe saga of Radiant Black continues in Radiant Black 27 and Radiant Black 27.5. No more of this as simply an alternate-ending situation. The paths have diverged to a point where the stories are now completely different. There is no doubt Kyle Higgins and company are working overtime to produce one of the most unique twists in superhero storytelling to date. 
Completely split in telling individual stories with Marshall and Nathan as the wielder of the Radiant, each “half” issue now goes more in-depth with how both characters make decisions and ultimately the consequences of those actions. Marshall, showing a mix of methodical, tactical combat with bursts of outrage and frustration while Nathan is showing signs of trying to compensate for what appears to be a lack of confidence. Each one goes through another stage of a trial from the Premier, the being who will lead the inevitable invasion of Earth. As the trial progresses each character takes his own path to a successful outcome.
Marshall had been trying to do better with less collateral damage, but now this goes right out the window. Through Marshall’s arc, Nathan was back at being a writer, trying to find his place in all this, he seemed lost and alienated. As much as Marshall’s arc was about him, to some degree was also about Nathan and where he fits without having the powers of the Radiant. As a result of Marshall’s actions, there is a shocking turn which sends Marshall violently over the edge.
In Nathan’s arc, Marshall is supposed to be the victim of the final phase of this trial, but Nathan manages to ward off his assailants with methodical actions and even debates the need for these trials, causing doubt amongst the invaders. While in both arcs Radiant Red comes to assist, Nathan feels a loss of self-confidence, believing others have a negative self-perception of being able to do this alone. If it wasn’t clear before, it is now. Nathan feels he needs to prove himself all over again to be The Radiant Black.
Here is your final SPOILER ALERT. Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what happens next.
In Marshall’s arc, Nathan dies. For real. Gutted, literally.
The split-stories of what will be and what might have been is mind-bendingly incredible work. To weave character development of both main characters even when not in their respective stories has got to be challenging. From the pencillers, inkers, artists, and colorists, working alongside Kyle Higgins who are all figuratively and literally pulling double duty on what is undoubtedly the most imaginative and innovative form of storytelling in comic books.
It almost makes one wonder, which issue is really about Nathan and which is about Marshall?
