Radiant: Volume 3 manga review

Radiant Graphic Novel Volume 3 cover image

He is an apprentice Wizard, but Seth is also one of the “Infected.”  Seth was infected by evil creatures called “Nemeses.”  Being an “infected one” is what gives Wizards their powers, and having survived the corruption of the Nemeses, Wizards are the only ones who can fight them.  Seth is learning how to use magic (called “fantasia”) to fight the Nemeses, but his ultimate goal is to find and destroy their mythical nest, Radiant.

As Radiant, Vol. 3 (Chapters 13 to 20) opens, the battle for “Rumble Town” continues.  Konrad of Marbourg wages battle against Seth and seems close to defeating our hero.  However, when secrets come out, they can change everything.  Konrad has a troubled past in Rumble Town, and now a Nemeses “tamer” has arrived to seek revenge.  Can Doc, Mélie, and Seth save the day, and will the “mummy wizard,” Grimm help them save the day?

[This volume includes bonus text and illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Radiant manga makes for a nicely offbeat American graphic novel.  It was originally a French manga, and it also attracted the attention of a Japanese publisher.

Radiant Graphic Novel Volume 3, by my reading, is the breakthrough volume.  Vol. 3 reveals more about the series' internal mythology, which the previous volume also did.  What makes this a pivotal volume in the series is that creator Tony Valente reveals more about the Inquisition, throws in a shocker regarding Seth, introduces a new angle to the Nemeses, and delves deeper into the mystery of the wizard calling himself Grimm.

Those are more reasons to at least take a peek at this interesting new magical-fantasy.  Once you take a peek, dear reader, you will be in like manga Flynn.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga about teens with magical powers will want to read Radiant.

A
8 out of 10