Rapture #1 (Comics) Preview

Things are about to get weird in Valiant Comics’ newest book, Rapture. Actually, things are about to get very weird. And how does Ninjak fit into all this?

Of demons and the Deadside

On a scarred landscape, two otherworldly armies prepare to battle one last time, vying for control of a massive tower named from an ancient language no longer permitted to be spoken.

One army is led by a primeval force named Babel, whose goal is singular: to breach “heaven” no matter the cost. The only thing standing in his way is a gray-haired barbaric warrior, filled with rage and regret – a man who sees this battle as his last chance for redemption. But he knows his depleted forces have little chance of victory unless aid comes soon.

Enter Tama: A 12-year old girl on the crest of a hill overlooking the battle, who has just become humanity’s only hope. The last in an ancient line of mystics who protect the Earth, she has foreseen this battle and knows millions will perish if she’s unable to stop it. Now Tama and her ragtag team of malcontents – Ninjak, Shadowman and Punk Mambo – must somehow defeat an elder god hell bent on piercing the heavens.

In the game-changing footsteps of THE VALIANT and BLOODSHOT U.S.A., Valiant’s next shocking standalone event is here! On May 24th, Shadowman’s long-awaited return to the forefront of the Valiant Universe begins with a terrifying breach between two worlds, only in RAPTURE #1 (of 4) – featuring covers by Mico Suayan (Bloodshot Reborn), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Kano (Swamp Thing), and CAFU (Action Comics)!

Also in stores on May 24th: Don’t miss the next armor-plated issue of the landmark comics debut that Paste Magazine calls “a wartime epic for the ages” in X-O MANOWAR (2017) #3 – part three of “SOLDIER” from visionary writer Matt Kindt (Ninjak) and Valiant exclusive superstar Tomas Giorello(Bloodshot Reborn)!

The long awaited return of Shadowman

For starters, that sounds pretty great. Secondly though, Shadowman is back – finally. That’s a great thing all by itself as the character is one of the most interesting in the Valiant U, which is really saying something. He’s been out of action for a long time too, even skipping out on events starring his number one foe – Master Darque.

And I’m not the only one who missed Shadow either, as writer Matt Kindt has also weighed in on the missing hero:

“The essential Shadowman lore is that he’s a guy plagued by this loa, a dark demon that possesses him for better or worse, and it’s plagued his family for generations. He wants to be rid of this thing, and eventually, he gets captured by MI-6 and used as a sort of reluctant agent for good… [RAPTURE] is really showcasing Shadowman, who has been gone a long time – too long,” writer Matt Kindt told ComicBook.com. “The plan is to really re-introduce Shadowman and set him up in a way that will make him a more permanent fixture in the Valiant Universe and on comic shelves.”

I feel pretty comfortable saying this this is gonna be a good one. Catch the first issue of Rapture when it arrives this coming May the 24th, and check out the full preview in the gallery below.