With Rai #1, Kindt and Crain offer more than a promising start"they offer, each in their own way, a profoundly philosophical wrestling with the issues of our day, our lived-in battle between leisured hedonism and workaday toil, between popculture and "high" art, between print and digital. But the flawless beauty of Rai is that you simply don't need to approach the book only for its philosophical depth. If you're looking for nothing more than a beautifully visualized, engaging artifact of future noir, something the equal of Ridley Scott's gorgeous ziggurats in Blade Runner, then look no further. And for that mastery of both popculture and "high" art concerns, Rai #1 comes with the highest praise. Read Full Review

For me this was a perfect #1 issue. Everything I needed to enjoy the issue is IN the issue and it left me craving issue #2. If you want to try something new give Rai #1 a shot. If every issue is as good as this one, Rai is going to be a permanent resident at the top of my "to read" pile every time a new issue hits the stands. Read Full Review

For my money's worth, Rai #1 is an excellent comic and you should definitely be getting it. Read Full Review

In the press blurb for Rai we were told that the editorial staff and creators wanted to make some of the most compelling single issues of the year, I can honestly say that Kindt and Crain have certainly done just that. Now though the bar has been set and we will have to wait and see if they can keep this level up. Read Full Review

Valiant has a hit on their hands and Kindt and Crain make a perfect team to tell Rai's story. It's exceeds all expectations and will have you glued to the pages as you read. If this is the beginning of the "Valiant First" initiate then it's off to a great start. Rai is possibly the best new indie title to come along this year. Read Full Review

This is an enjoyable read. This first issue treats the protagonist as if he were a myth, a legend and a rarity. But the events happening in Japan and the conclusion of this issue suggest that the people of Japan will be seeing a lot more of Fathers helper. Read Full Review

Rai #1 is an excellent book for anyone to pick up and enjoy. Exploring a man who's both a hero and a legend to all. Not only this but questioning his purpose as one. This is a series I want to love and hopefully I do with each passing issue because Rai is not a perfect character and you want to see how that plays into him handling this situation. If you don't pick this up because you aren't familiar with Rai, surely do so for the fact that Matt Kindt is a very capable writer. Read Full Review

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. Read Full Review

Kindt could have given Rai more personality in this issueand “Grandmother” being turned into “Father” is an unnecessary change. All that being said, this is way better than your average comic, and much more ambitious too. There's a lot to take in here, and it requires a lot from the reader but I respect that. It's almost too early to judge how effective this first issue isbecause there is such anexpansive world that needs to be unraveled. As it stands, though, this is a stellarfirst issue. Read Full Review

I have reservations, but Rai #1 is maybe the best looking comic Valiant has produced yet, and a book that has nearly unlimited potential in building its stunning world. Read Full Review

Rai does the first issue thing very well, but looking back on it it's hard not to ask for more. Kindt's story has some great ideas and moments, but it makes very little impact. Of course, this may change as the series progresses. The art more than makes up for any shortcomings, which feel like shortcomings simply because one gets the sense that there's more thought here than the series is letting on at this point, in the writing. Rai is simply yet another good book from Valiant, and those are always welcome. Read Full Review

Rai (or perhaps this version of him) looks to be an interesting character; hes already conflicted and recognises the tricky challenges ahead. Even for someone this powerful, you get the feeling the situation is dangerously running away from him. Peace time is over and itll be a compelling ride to watch Rai try and drag it back. Read Full Review

This issue also serves as an introduction to another character the publisher appears high on promoting the subversive superspy Spylocke, who is something of a folk hero among the residents of Japan. Read Full Review

RAI is off to a killer start. It's wildly different than expected, in the best way possible. RAI reads more as a science fiction mystery than anything else, and while it's a giant leap away from the rest of Valiant's books, it still feels like it fits in the Valiant universe, but far, far in the future. Matt Kindt is crafting a very cool book, and while, at times, all these new concepts can get a bit confusing, since not all of them are explained enough to the reader, the overall book has this fantastic, cinematic feel. The highlight of the issue truly is Clayton Crain's artwork and colors. This is a book you really need to check out. Never read a Valiant book before? Don't worry, any new reader can jump on and feel right at home. Overall, I highly recommend this issue. Read Full Review

Everything about "Rai" #1 Plus Edition demands more time and attention than one simple read-through can process. Kindt has clearly poured a great deal of energy into this experience, much to the benefit of the reader. Valiant has given readers another world-building adventure, this time with a masterful warrior who brings stunning action and choreography to a story filled with battle, swordplay and explosions. While the Rai-Lula relationship seems like a Wolverine-Jubilee analog in the making, Kindt has made a smart choice in pairing the two up and giving the reader a portal to New Japan through this unlikely duo. I'm thrilled to find yet another Valiant book worth reading and cannot wait to see how this world continues to expand beyond "Rai" #1. Read Full Review

Rai #1 is missing the elements that have made every other Valiant title successful thus far. X-O, Harbinger, and the rest of the line have focused on the dynamic characters in the Valiant Universe and the explosive personalities they possess. Rai, however, is a lifeless look at a dark future that leans too heavily on a worn out class struggle and characters that, as of yet, have no depth at all. The spark that has been in each Valiant #1 is missing here, and I hope for the sake of the title, and character, that it is found soon. Read Full Review

Rai #1 is a book with the best of intentions, trying to help introduce us to all of the concepts, ideas, and characters right away in its big sci-fi world. It, however, sadly tries to do way too much all at once and can be overwhelming a lot of the time. There is definitely potential here and the artwork is more than able to help it along, but this was a less than stellar debut in general. Maybe wait until the next issue hits before you decide if you want to try this out. Read Full Review

Rai #1 was a little complicated, but if you take your time with it, it turns out to be a pretty enjoyable read. The pencils and colors are worth the cover price and Matt Kindt seems to be putting together a story that is refreshing and new. This book has the ability to take the Valiant universe by storm with its unique style. Lets hope Kindt and Crain can keep up the good work and keep delivering an interesting story. Read Full Review

I love the 41st century already, very imaginative. Lush digital interiors from Clayton Crain fit well and the story direction is interesting thus far. Check this one out.

Interesting start. Great Art.

Want something different from the superhero crowd? This may be the book for you. The closest comparison after reading issue #1 would be Blade Runner.

The story is alright but there are a lot of blanks that still need to be filled in. I'm curious to see where this goes. The artwork though is FRICK'N BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm not exaggerating here. The artwork is a joy just to look at. Not just detailed, clean, and well colored, this is artwork that anybody can appreciate, comics fan or no. Definitely check this one out guys!

The art is beautiful and presents an interesting future society that isn't quite what it seems. Nothing earth shattering but a very good combination of art and writing. With the quality of the team that's on this book right now, it's worth checking out at least once and seeing where this goes.