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Rai by Matt Kindt #1-3
Rai Deluxe Edition, Book 1
From New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Divinity, The Valiant) and superstar artist Clayton Crain (Carnage), discover the world of 41st century Japan with an all-new vision of the future unlike anything you've seen before now in deluxe, oversized hardcover!
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.
Collecting: Rai 1-12, along with material from Rai 1 Plus Edition and Rai 5 Plus Edition
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.
Collecting: Rai 1-12, along with material from Rai 1 Plus Edition and Rai 5 Plus Edition
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2016
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77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 1, 2022
I know this is going to sound stupid but I always thought this was a fantasy-ish samurai thing. I didn't realize it was sci-fi, and I probably would have picked it up a lot sooner if I weren't so...well, stupid.
Set in a future Valiant universe, Rai is the protector of New Japan, a city that orbits the wasteland of Earth. Father is this intelligent seemingly omnipotent being in control of every part of New Japan, including Rai. Humans have basically become immortal through medical advances. Each gets a synthetic human companion when they turn 16, in order to combat loneliness and the probability that they won't have children. Things should be perfect.
But synthetic humans aren't considered 'real' so there are all kinds of abuses, Father is full of weird propaganda, and there are rebels all over the place.
If you scratch the surface in New Japan, nothing is what it seems.
You see where this is going, right?
There are a lot of likable new (to me) characters in this one, and plenty of great art to eyeball while you unpack the mystery of New Japan.
I want to read the next volume.
Recommended.
Set in a future Valiant universe, Rai is the protector of New Japan, a city that orbits the wasteland of Earth. Father is this intelligent seemingly omnipotent being in control of every part of New Japan, including Rai. Humans have basically become immortal through medical advances. Each gets a synthetic human companion when they turn 16, in order to combat loneliness and the probability that they won't have children. Things should be perfect.
But synthetic humans aren't considered 'real' so there are all kinds of abuses, Father is full of weird propaganda, and there are rebels all over the place.
If you scratch the surface in New Japan, nothing is what it seems.
You see where this is going, right?
There are a lot of likable new (to me) characters in this one, and plenty of great art to eyeball while you unpack the mystery of New Japan.
I want to read the next volume.
Recommended.
June 9, 2019
★★★1/2
Matt Kindt takes readers two thousand years into the future with this epic sci-fi adventure, generations after the island of Japan was taken over by an artificial intelligence named Father and launched into Earth's orbit in order to survive away from a dying planet. New Japan is crowded and sprawling, but relatively peaceful, protected my a mysterious cybernetic protector named Rai. But when Rai is called upon to investigate New Japan's first murder in a millennium, everything changes.
This is Valiant comics' biggest deep dive into heavy science fiction and Kindt doesn't disappoint when it comes to world-building. He quickly orients us with New Japan's geography, it's culture, and it's people and as Rai begins to discover his history, we begin to learn more about New Japan's backstory and it's secrets. The thing that held it back from being great were the weak characterizations. All of the main characters, like Lula Lee, Spylocke, and especially Rai, just fell flat with no real personality and we never really feel their motivations so it's hard to genuinely root for them. I know Rai is supposed to be a robot without a personality but I would've loved to have been able to emotionally track his awakening as the story went on. Actually the best character was Momo, a companion robot who finds independence and a new purpose.
Clayton Crain's art style is very particular and specific and has distracted me from other stories in the past. But has there ever been a more perfect fit for his digital-paint style than this story? It's detailed, futurist lines are memorable and I can't imagine New Japan illustrated any differently. But as usual, he has lots of trouble with action, as the action sequences are too static, uninteresting, and sometimes confusing.
But the book overall is fun and that has much to do with the world-building. And it slowly reveals connections to the rest of the Valiant universe in exciting ways, leading us directly into this series' climax in the crossover event: 4001 A.D.: Deluxe Edition.
This deluxe includes volumes 1-3 of the RAI series:
Matt Kindt takes readers two thousand years into the future with this epic sci-fi adventure, generations after the island of Japan was taken over by an artificial intelligence named Father and launched into Earth's orbit in order to survive away from a dying planet. New Japan is crowded and sprawling, but relatively peaceful, protected my a mysterious cybernetic protector named Rai. But when Rai is called upon to investigate New Japan's first murder in a millennium, everything changes.
This is Valiant comics' biggest deep dive into heavy science fiction and Kindt doesn't disappoint when it comes to world-building. He quickly orients us with New Japan's geography, it's culture, and it's people and as Rai begins to discover his history, we begin to learn more about New Japan's backstory and it's secrets. The thing that held it back from being great were the weak characterizations. All of the main characters, like Lula Lee, Spylocke, and especially Rai, just fell flat with no real personality and we never really feel their motivations so it's hard to genuinely root for them. I know Rai is supposed to be a robot without a personality but I would've loved to have been able to emotionally track his awakening as the story went on. Actually the best character was Momo, a companion robot who finds independence and a new purpose.
Clayton Crain's art style is very particular and specific and has distracted me from other stories in the past. But has there ever been a more perfect fit for his digital-paint style than this story? It's detailed, futurist lines are memorable and I can't imagine New Japan illustrated any differently. But as usual, he has lots of trouble with action, as the action sequences are too static, uninteresting, and sometimes confusing.
But the book overall is fun and that has much to do with the world-building. And it slowly reveals connections to the rest of the Valiant universe in exciting ways, leading us directly into this series' climax in the crossover event: 4001 A.D.: Deluxe Edition.
This deluxe includes volumes 1-3 of the RAI series:
June 8, 2016
Welcome to new Japan (1-4). One of the joys of the original VH-1 universe was how large its tapestry was. The stories of the brothers dipped back into history, while Magnus, Rai, and the Future Force imagined a future that extended 2000 years, so it's great to see that concept resurrected for VH-E.
The new Rai comic is a bit of mystery, as we delve into the backstory of Rai and his Japan. Kindt cleverly grounds that by linking it all to a very human girl. He also manages to keep us guessing about everyone's motives. The result is a good read, backed up by entirely beautiful art [7/10].
Battle for New Japan (5-8). This second book of Rai is very much a continuation of the first. However, it feels like there's more of a science-fiction focus this time around, which creates attractive and interesting backstory. There are some nice surprises in this book, and some nice links to VH-E history. I'm not thrilled with the way that the final issue becomes a synopsis, but it's still got a great ending [7/10].
The Orphan (9-12). This third volume takes Rai in an interesting direction, as we suddenly get a Heavy Metal-like journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Meanwhile, we get an increasing number of connections to VH-E history and continued politics aboard New Japan. But it's the ending that really knocks it out of the park. Yowza! Best volume of the series, and clearly what Kindt was building toward [8+/10].
(The bonus stories at the end are entirely inconsequential, other than the one that better explains Lula's maps, which seemed to come out of nowhere in the main narrative.)
The new Rai comic is a bit of mystery, as we delve into the backstory of Rai and his Japan. Kindt cleverly grounds that by linking it all to a very human girl. He also manages to keep us guessing about everyone's motives. The result is a good read, backed up by entirely beautiful art [7/10].
Battle for New Japan (5-8). This second book of Rai is very much a continuation of the first. However, it feels like there's more of a science-fiction focus this time around, which creates attractive and interesting backstory. There are some nice surprises in this book, and some nice links to VH-E history. I'm not thrilled with the way that the final issue becomes a synopsis, but it's still got a great ending [7/10].
The Orphan (9-12). This third volume takes Rai in an interesting direction, as we suddenly get a Heavy Metal-like journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Meanwhile, we get an increasing number of connections to VH-E history and continued politics aboard New Japan. But it's the ending that really knocks it out of the park. Yowza! Best volume of the series, and clearly what Kindt was building toward [8+/10].
(The bonus stories at the end are entirely inconsequential, other than the one that better explains Lula's maps, which seemed to come out of nowhere in the main narrative.)
November 24, 2020
Wow! This is sci fi done right. The Valiant universe continuity at its very best, with nuggets, easter eggs and well placed fan service for long time readers.
Rai is a book full of big ideas, and even if some plot elements are a touch cliche if you've read/watched a great deal of science fiction, it's just endlessly fascinating to imagine the what ifs.
This book is so interesting conceptually and perhaps more so because of its place in this shared universe. The implications of its context and circumstances definitely pay off if you've read more Valiant, but even if you haven't, it will make you want to delve further into this universe.
Set 2000 years in the future, Matt Kindt gives us a look at the new superpower; New Japan, a floating mega-city above a barren wasteland formerly known as Earth. This city is now home to 500 million people and is controlled by an advanced AI system simply known as Father. While Father is a faceless, formless intelligence, our protagonist is his right hand android, Rai. Rai polices and patrols New Japan from the shadows, becoming almost a myth to its citizens. But when the first murder in a thousand years rattles the cages, Rai will have to uncover the many secrets of New Japan and unearth a conspiracy to overthrow Father.
Kindt manages to ground the story with a really strong supporting cast, one young girl in particular, and Clayton Crain offers us some of the best artwork I've ever seen in a comic book. His acrylic painting style really gives texture to the panels and makes Rai breathe a distinctive life of its own.
I can't give any more details away, because you should really just read this for yourself!
Rai is a book full of big ideas, and even if some plot elements are a touch cliche if you've read/watched a great deal of science fiction, it's just endlessly fascinating to imagine the what ifs.
This book is so interesting conceptually and perhaps more so because of its place in this shared universe. The implications of its context and circumstances definitely pay off if you've read more Valiant, but even if you haven't, it will make you want to delve further into this universe.
Set 2000 years in the future, Matt Kindt gives us a look at the new superpower; New Japan, a floating mega-city above a barren wasteland formerly known as Earth. This city is now home to 500 million people and is controlled by an advanced AI system simply known as Father. While Father is a faceless, formless intelligence, our protagonist is his right hand android, Rai. Rai polices and patrols New Japan from the shadows, becoming almost a myth to its citizens. But when the first murder in a thousand years rattles the cages, Rai will have to uncover the many secrets of New Japan and unearth a conspiracy to overthrow Father.
Kindt manages to ground the story with a really strong supporting cast, one young girl in particular, and Clayton Crain offers us some of the best artwork I've ever seen in a comic book. His acrylic painting style really gives texture to the panels and makes Rai breathe a distinctive life of its own.
I can't give any more details away, because you should really just read this for yourself!
December 21, 2022
Ok, this was pretty cool.
Set in a future Valiant world there is a place called New Japan, separated from the rest of the world. It's essentially this dystopia, where there are hundreds of sectors all controlled by this being named the Father. The people of New Japan are told that Earth is a terrible place where life is hard, and that it is better in New Japan. Here's a concept of New Japan, Matt Kindt drew in the early stages of making this comic:
Note: This isn't the final design. I just think it gives a good idea of how this world works.
Obviously there are a group of people who are not happy with the way Father is running things due to all of this weird propaganda. And when Rai (who was created by Father to be the protector of Japan) gets involved things get a bit out of hand.
I assume you might have a rough guess of what happens from here, so I won't say much else about the plot. What really impressed me about this book is the amount of world building that went into it. Personally, I would've loved to see spin-off comics expanding the world even more. But as there's only one more volume, I doubt that will ever happen.
Recommended
Set in a future Valiant world there is a place called New Japan, separated from the rest of the world. It's essentially this dystopia, where there are hundreds of sectors all controlled by this being named the Father. The people of New Japan are told that Earth is a terrible place where life is hard, and that it is better in New Japan. Here's a concept of New Japan, Matt Kindt drew in the early stages of making this comic:
Note: This isn't the final design. I just think it gives a good idea of how this world works.
Obviously there are a group of people who are not happy with the way Father is running things due to all of this weird propaganda. And when Rai (who was created by Father to be the protector of Japan) gets involved things get a bit out of hand.
I assume you might have a rough guess of what happens from here, so I won't say much else about the plot. What really impressed me about this book is the amount of world building that went into it. Personally, I would've loved to see spin-off comics expanding the world even more. But as there's only one more volume, I doubt that will ever happen.
Recommended
July 5, 2017
200 years from now, Rai is the positron(robot) protector of New Japan, a high-tech colony in Earth's orbit. New Japan thrives under the leadership of the mysterious "Leader," who gives all the orders and may or may not exist.
Broken into three arcs, this book follows Rai and a few companions he picks up along the way.
"Welcome To New Japan" introduces us to the rich world of the comic, and starts the story of what happens when Rai finds out he might be more than just a robot.
"The Fall of New Japan" is much like it sounds. Multiple factions within New Japan come together to end Father's reign.
In "The Orphan," Rai is stranded on Earth, the planet he's been taughth is a horrible wasteland.
Matt Kindt's writing is superb, as always. With Clayton Crain on art, the two create a science fiction world that's begging to be explored further.
Crain's art took me some getting used to. His digital paintings felt almost too slick to me at first. But their inorganic feel works for a comic about robots and technology.
An epic science fiction adventure about the meaning of both freedom and humanity.
February 26, 2023
Wish this didn't end on a cliffhanger, but for the most part this was a pretty fun read and it had some nice art to go along with it. Also, the best way to read most of Valiant is usually in the Deluxe Editions so if you read digitally and have Comixology Unlimited (for however long it is still around) that is the easiest way to get them.
3.5 rounded up to 4
3.5 rounded up to 4
August 14, 2025
Some of the best digital artwork I've ever seen. Story wise, it is above average superhero science fiction.
Recommended for the art and being a lesser investigated company universe that occasionally gets great writers like Kindt and Lemire.
Recommended for the art and being a lesser investigated company universe that occasionally gets great writers like Kindt and Lemire.
January 21, 2020
Phenomenal artwork and an engaging story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews