Rai #2 (Comics) Preview

The second issue of Valiant’s Rai reboot sets the guardian spirit of 41st century Japan against the country’s first violent act in 2000 years… and gives you a super-cool mask to play with!

Valiant is proud to present an advance look inside RAI #2 – the second issue of RAI’s staggering first story arc by superstar creators Matt Kindt (Unity, Mind MGMT) and Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage)! This summer, discover the astonishing world of the 41st century as the VALIANT FIRST initiative launches in force!

In the far future of 4001 A.D., Japan is a single endless city-state, governed by a benevolent artificial intelligence and policed by one lone enforcer – the mysterious Rai, spirit guardian of the rising sun. But, soon, a single bullet will shatter the peace it has taken 2,000 years to secure…

On April 30th, start at the beginning to step into a daring new vision of what comics can be in RAI #1 – the must-read FIRST ISSUE of Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain’s breakneck new series. Then, the radical journey into a future transformed continues on June 4th in RAI #2 – featuring fully painted interiors by Clayton Crain! Contact your local retailer to pre-order your copies today!

What do you read first? Throughout 2014, VALIANT FIRST will be rocketing to the top of your read pile with a major #1 issue debut monthly by some of the most talented creators in comics. Each month, Valiant is committed to delivering compelling and accessible new entry points to its award-winning publishing line – all while releasing no more than nine core titles per month by the end of the year. A combination of new ongoing titles, unprecedented crossover collisions, and high-profile mini-series, these are the books that will have you reading Valiant FIRST when you head home from the comic shop – and it all begins on April 30th in RAI #1!

I have to admit, I don’t remember much about Rai the first time around in the Valiant U from the ’90s, but this new version of the character is looking like a book that’s not to be missed. Where the story is headed is still something of a mystery, but Crain’s interiors – wow. The fully painted look is one that’s rarely seen in the comics world, but it’s absolutely stunning when it is and Crain’s work here in Rai is flat-out amazing. With a high level of detail and a cool, futuristic-but-still-gritty vibe, Rai is looking like a special book indeed.

And although we don’t know a ton about the continuing narrative, we do know that it’s being written by Matt Kindt. If you know Kindt from his other works at Valiant (or Mind MGMT at Dark Horse) then you already know that it’s going to be a compelling read. Valiant’s future time of the 41st century did figure quite heavily into their universe in the publisher’s original run too, so it should be interesting to see how they manage to meld present and future here in the revamped Valiant U.

Cool stuff on the way, and that mask that you punch out of the issue’s variant cover ain’t hurting any. You know, we already have a Shadowman mask from the halloween issue last year, and now we have Rai- maybe more to come? I wouldn’t mind that one bit; especially if they produced an X-O mask. Just saying.

Rai #2 continues the saga on April 30th.