Rai #1 Review

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.

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