Rai 1 NM Valiant Matt Kindt Clayton Crain (Stephen Segovia Cover) 1st print x

Description

RAI #1 CVR C SEGOVIA (VALIANT)

(W) Matt Kindt
(A) Clayton Crain
(CA) Stephen Segovia

VALIANT FIRST begins in force this May with an all-new vision of the future in RAI #1 – a new monthly series from comics superstars Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain!

The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…

Valiant came out swinging when they revived their line in 2012. The first issues they’ve put out over the last few years have been exceptional. So saying that Rai is among their best, if not the best, is pretty high praise at this point. Nonetheless, it’s entirely warranted. There’s no other way to put it: the first issue of Rai is just plain amazing.

Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain have revived the character in spectacular fashion. The issue opens with the first murder to take place in the Japan of the 41st century in a thousand years. Through narration by a young girl introduced in the beginning and breathtaking visuals by Crain, the book builds a stunning image of the fractured utopia Japan has become. More importantly, it makes clear that there are cracks in the foundation that are about to bring the whole thing down. The exposition is organic and it never feels like Kindt has dumbed down his story for the sake of the reader. This is some intelligent worldbuilding and it feels like it’s going to pay off in spades down the road.

Kindt characterizes Rai quite well in this book. He’s a loyal soldier who is being forced to question everything he stands for. If this narrative plays out as strongly as it does in this issue, the entire series could be something special. And it’s impossible to overstate how great Crain’s work is here. The design of this world is awe-inspiring and his color work is a sight to behold.

Near mint, 1st print. Bagged & Boarded.