RAI, VOLUME 1: Welcome To New Japan by Matt Kindt, writer and Clayton Crain, artist. (Valiant Entertainment, October 2014). Trade paperback, 112 pages. ISBN # 19393464 / 9781939346414 Collects RAI #1 - 4.
Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .
The year is 4001 A.D. - led by the artificial intelligence called "Father," the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below.
With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father's empire - the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit...the ghost of Japan.
But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father's benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed...and his own long-lost humanity...
My Four-Star review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
Writer Matt Kindt has done an amazing job building on the foundation of Rai and New Japan in the year 4001, adding complexity and depth to the original stories. Clayton Crain’s art is perfectly suited to enhance the storytelling with its sometimes fluid, sometimes erratic art and futuristic images.
New Japan is divided into different creative sectors, usually with names derived from history and separated by economic status and social class.
Sophisticated humanoid robots (Positronic Minds, or PTs) cater to the needs of the wealthy while middle and lower income residents live in discontent. Evidence at the scene of the first murder on New Japan in current history leads to an anti-technology sect called the Raddies.
Father’s artificial humanoid construct and “spirit guardian” is called on to investigate. During his investigation Rai meets rebel agents and forms alliances with several of them, as he begins to experience love for the first time and begins to question authority, developing a moral sense for what is unjust and what should be correct.
Rai’s new conscience is discovered by Father, who takes steps to dispose of and replace him with a new Rai XI. Meanwhile Rai learns that he was not the first Rai, and not merely a construct built by Father, but born to a human mother. It’s this realization of his true origins and his changing beliefs that Rai makes the decision to band together with his newfound allies to kill Father and free New Japan as the first story arc ends.
There is a lot to like here: an interesting cast of characters, conflicts, mystery and incredible futuristic world-building. Bring on more, please.
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