What is Rai? Think of Westworld on a global scale. Cyber samurais travel across the land on an epic quest. A robotic Roman Legion originally designed for games, are now fighting for survival. Throw in an animal-human hybrid warrior tribe with anger management issues, along with an overconfident hacker, and a nanite-infested supervillain called Father. Sounds simple enough doesn’t it. Simple… no. Cool? Absolutely.
Of course, part of the problem is that these factions seem not to get along. But what they do know is the Cyber Samurais are lead by the man known as Rai. The good news is that during his travels, he comes to aid of the different factions from time to time. The bad news he is on his own mission so he soon leaves. Much to the chagrin of those he helps. And now it’s the Roman Legions turn.
Artwork
This is where Rai #6 takes off. If you haven’t been following this series then the first thing you will notice is the art. As drawn by Juan Jose Rayo and Colors by Andrew Dalhouse, it is…let me consider the proper word. Cool. Yep, that’s it. Quite stylized, streamlined, and elegant. If you have ever played Altered Beast, it has a resemblance to that style of character design. Especially amongst the animal-human hybrid clan. Did I mention cool? Look no further than the variant covers shown above.🖖🏻
Storyline
As for story line, the mission remains. Rai is looking to deal with the Father, the artificial intelligence that started the mayhem. Rai had thought he had defeated him. But he was wrong. Father was prepared. He created “Offspring.” Backup copies if you will. Only by tracking down the offspring can Father be stopped, once and for all. That is the hope. Only after defeating him can there be peace. Once that is accomplished, he and Raijin, his young (although actually older) traveling companion would be free. And perhaps their existence would not be necessary. This is another part of that journey.
Writer Dan Abnett has created another compelling look into the possibilities that come with artificial intelligence, as well as the inherent dangers. There ALWAYS seems to be dangers when dealing with AI. Rai is no different but it explores it in a unique setting. Put it together with the art and you have a book that is hard to put down. Having not read the previous books, I now will need to. That is always the earmark of success for a series when entered in the middle.
Valiant’s Rai #6 is available on this Wednesday August 19th where all great books are sold. If you have been reading this series, let us know what you think of #6? If you haven’t, check it out and then share your thoughts, here at Geek Vibes Nation.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
