Kindt & Cafu Reveal The Secrets Of 4001 A.D. In 'Rai' #13

Valiant Comics has been on a roll with itsevent comics since returning to publishing several years ago, with hits like Harbinger Wars, Armor Hunters, and Book of Death, which manage to stay controlled and contained while bringing all of your favorite Valiant characters together for the summer. This year, Valiant goes back to the future, all the way to the year 4001 A.D., to see what the future holds for the heroes of the Valiant Universe.

One character with very specific ties to 4001 A.D. is Rai, who serves as the spirit guardian of New Japan, a mechanical metropolis that orbits the Earth. In a brand new story arc beginning in Rai #13, Matt Kindt and Cafu promise to reveal the never-before-told story of how New Japan rose to power, and the creation of the first Rai, and we’ve got preview pages from the issue to show off.

Valiant’s upcoming event, The Summer of 4001 A.D., not only shows us the genesis of the very first Rai, it also shows what becomes of iconic Valiant heroes like Bloodshot, X-O Manowar and Shadowman, who each get special Summer of 4001 A.D. one-shots. In August, a currently classified fourth character is introduced who will have major ties to the past, present and future of the Valiant Universe.

Clayton Henry

Here’s the full solicit for Rai #13:

RAI #13 (4001 A.D.)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CAFU
Cover A by DAVID MACK
Cover B by CAFU
Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Character Design Variant by CAFU
Interlocking Mega-Cover Variant by RYAN LEE
ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! THE BATTLE FOR 4001
A.D. CONTINUES HERE!
As 4001 A.D. teeters on the brink, discover the intertwined origins of New Japan’s very first Rai and his creator, Father – the despotic artificial intelligence that would one day threaten us all. And as the truth behind these long-lost beginnings resurfaces, so too will the questions that have eluded mankind for nearly two millennia. How did New Japan come to orbit Earth? Who created Father? And what happened to the nine previous Rai that once swore allegiance to his empire?
The architect behind the summer’s most anticipated crossover event, Matt Kindt (DIVINITY II), joins forces with all-star artist CAFU (IMPERIUM) to uncover the never-before-told story of New Japan’s rise to power…and reveals just how the Valiant Universe of today became the 4001 A.D. of tomorrow!
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale MAY 18