Rai Vol #1: Welcome to New Japan
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Clayton Crain
Valiant Entertainment
Rai Vol #1: Welcome to New Japan brings a character from the Valiant line into the current realm of books. He first appeared in 1992, and after a hiatus is now back.
In his original incarnation, Rai is the spirit guardian that protects the nation of Japan in the 41st century.
I have to admit I wasn’t on-board for the series back in 1992, but was drawn to read the new story in its first collected volume.
Certainly there was interest in the re-launch given a first issue sell-out of the first printing of issue #1 I understand.
The art is the first thing you notice with any comic, and the work by Clayton Crain on Rai is quite excellent. He captures the atmosphere of a far future world with a mix of detail, and shadow.
The story is what I suppose is best termed cyberpunk, although admittedly my experience in the genre is pretty limited. I have role played some in the Shadowrun realm, and read a few books in the same setting, but that about covers my cyberpunk interest.
Still the idea of a world so electronically connected a hero might simply ride the pathways.
In this telling Rai is a new generation of the protector. Previous Rai’s have gone crazy learning a truth about themselves, that they have a human parent.
Rai’s leader has failed to mention that tidbit.
But in following up on the first murder in a thousand years, he learns the secret.
But can he handle it? And if he can what will he do with the knowledge?
Read the book to find out, and yes I do recommend the title. It’s not top-10 stuff, but if you lean toward rifts in utopian society, or like cyberpunk in general, it’s a solid enough read.
Will Eisner’s The Spirit #2
Written by Matt Wagner
Art by Dan Schkade
Dynamite Entertainment
Writer Matt Wagner stays on pace with the storyline which has The Spirit being MIA for months.
That has had ramifications with The Spirit’s support crew, the police, his girlfriend, all of whom deal with the loss in different ways.
It is a bit unusual to be two issues in the new series and the main character is still but a memory, but Wagner does use the issue well as he lays out the foundation of The Spirit’s world, and at least some of its denizens.
Dan Schkade’s art continues to support the flavour of the classic character with a clean style that works well.
If you have gotten to this issue you are likely becoming a fan, and the ride ahead in what is to be an initial 12-issue story arc to launch the new ongoing series, and that’s a good thing. I’m expecting a few twists, and more old-fashioned action to be just around the corner.
