Back when they first announced it, Valiant referred to Matt Kindt and Cafu's upcoming Rapture as "Lord of the Rings for the Valiant universe." It's designed as a fantasy epic sprawling across four issues, building on the mythology of the Deadside and exploring a shadowy world of demonic fantasy and a war against Heaven itself. But if we're going to be real here, I think there's a chance that it might actually end up being better than Lord of the Rings.

I mean, Lord of the Rings doesn't have Ninjak jump-kicking skeletons, now does it?

Seriously though, while Valiant has dipped its toes into fantasy before, it's always been tempered with some other aspect of superheroics. X-O Manowar has always been Conan the Barbarian meets sci-fi, and while Shadowman was one of the launch titles, it dealt with a very modern take on those classic fantasy elements. Rapture on the other hand stands poised to dive headfirst into fantasy and bring superheroes along for the ride rather than the other way around, and now that we're getting a look at it, that's really exciting.

 

Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
Rapture #1, Valiant Comics
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RAPTURE #1 (of 4)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CAFU
Cover A by MICO SUAYAN
Cover B by J.G. JONES
Character Design Variant by KANO
Variant Cover by CAFU
B&W Sketch Variant by MICO SUAYAN
Ninjak Vs. The Valiant Universe Variant Also Available
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale MAY 24th (FOC – 5/1/17)

On a scarred landscape, two otherworldly armies prepare to battle one last time, vying for control of a massive tower named from an ancient language no longer permitted to be spoken.

One army is led by a primeval force named Babel, whose goal is singular: to breach “Heaven” no matter the cost. The only thing standing in his way is a gray-haired barbaric warrior, filled with rage and regret – a man who sees this battle as his last chance for redemption. But he knows his depleted forces have little chance of victory unless aid comes soon.

Enter Tama: A 12-year old girl on the crest of a hill overlooking the battle, who has just become humanity’s only hope. The last in an ancient line of mystics who protect the Earth, she has foreseen this battle and knows millions will perish if she’s unable to stop it. Now Tama and her ragtag team of malcontents – Ninjak, Shadowman and Punk Mambo – must somehow defeat an elder god hell bent on piercing the heavens.

On May 24th, Shadowman’s startling return to action begins here as the forces of heaven and hell meet for a spellbinding showdown spanning the Deadside and the many worlds beyond! Matt Kindt and CAFU summon the power behind Valiant’s first fantasy-centric, standalone event with a battle for the ages, only in RAPTURE #1 – featuring covers by Harvey Award-nominated artist Mico Suayan (Bloodshot Reborn) Eisner Award-nominated artist J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), acclaimed artist Kano (Swamp Thing), and rising star CAFU (Action Comics)!

 

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