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Rai 霊 / Rai And The Future Force (1992) Valiant

Rai (霊 rei?, "spirit") is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter issues #5–8. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series. Valiant Entertainment is the current owner of Rai and the rest of the original Valiant Comics characters. In his original incarnation, Rai is the spirit guardian that protects the nation of Japan in the 41st century. It is a mantle passed down from father to son through the generations. As such, the series chronicled a number of protagonists. Rai ran nine issues, concluding in November 1992 with Rai #0. It was relaunched six months later as Rai and the Future Force, a new series which continued the numbering from Rai. The initial creative team on Rai and the Future Force was Bob Layton (writer), Sean Chen (penciller), and Kathryn Bolinger (inker). In 4001 A.D., a massive machine known as the Host covers the entire island of Japan. Fifty billion Japanese dwell inside this mighty construct, which is, in fact, a single, enormous robot. Rai is the hereditary defender of the Host – its living immune system. Rai draws weapons from his own body to protect the people of Japan and his creator Grandmother, the sentient artificial intelligence that controls Japan. The line of Rai were created by Grandmother in the image of the 20th century hero Bloodshot. She hoped to inspire her people by invoking his heroism. Japan is torn by two warring ideologies: the traditionalists, who believe Grandmother should continue controlling every aspect of life; and the extremist Anti-Grannies, who want to destroy Grandmother and believe that Japan should begin caring for itself. Early in the 31st century, the entire land mass of the island nation of Japan was blanketed by hundreds of levels of high-tech urban sprawl. In order to support such a spectacular megalopolis and its population, a tremendously powerful central computer was designed to control every aspect of the island's function. In 3050, that computer went "freewill", meaning that it and its motivation became independent. The populace dubbed it "Grandmother" because of its clearly benevolent desire to care for and protect the people of Japan. To insure her own safety, Grandmother created a security force of one, her Spirit Guardian. It is called Rai, the kanji word for "spirit", though it is spelled "Rei" in English. Characters assuming the mantle of Rai Shiro Yagami, the first Rai Shiro Yagami, a man of noble birth, was infused with some unknown form of energy which gave him great strength, and the ability to form energy weapons. He was also able to travel through the nerveweb of Japan, the computer network which gave Grandmother control of the city, thus allowing him to move anywhere inside Japan at virtually the speed of thought. More skilled as a politician than as a warrior, Shiro met his death in 3216 at the hands of the Anti-Grannies. Sho Sugino, the second Rai In the year 3216, seeking to thwart Grandmother's champion, the Anti-Grannies had somehow managed to obtain the Blood of Heroes – the very plasma that coursed through Bloodshot's veins over twelve hundred years before. Once a suitable host could be found, the blood's power could be used to give them control over any electronic intelligence – including Grandmother's. Sho Sugino, the second Rai, was raised up from life as a vagrant to defend Japan, protect Grandmother, and defeat the terrorists. He succeeded but after handing over the blood of heroes he was abandoned in the Lost Land by Grandmother. Feeling Sugino's personality unsuited for the task, she chose a member of the high-born Nakadai family to be the next Rai, declaring henceforth that the line of Rai would be passed from father to son through the generations. Rentaro Nakadai, the 41st Rai Rentaro served as Rai well into his old age, mainly because his son, Tohru, refused to assume the mantle. Tohru finally relented in 4001, and Rentaro was able to retire. Tohru Nakadai, the 42nd Rai In 4001 A.D., however, the Earth was invaded by vicious Spider Aliens, and Grandmother was forced to launch Japan into space in order to defeat them. With the combined might of Earth's forces, the armada was repelled, but Grandmother was so badly damaged that she finally left Japan to govern itself. The Rai of that time, Tohru Nakadai, remained behind to champion his nation, until his death at the hands of Mothergod during the Unity conflict. Mothergod proved disastrous to Japan. As a result of her machinations, the orbiting island fell from space shortly before Tohru's death, killing billions of its inhabitants. But in its darkest hour, Takao Konishi, a Harbinger with the potential to receive the Blood of Heroes, was chosen to inherit the mantle and continue the lineage of Rai (Rai #0). Takao Konishi, the 43rd Rai,

There are 4 Pieces of Art In This Gallery.    

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Rai # 27 1994 Raising Son pg 15 by Kevin Kobasic & Rodney Ramos

Art Details

Artist:	Kevin Kobasic (Penciller) Rodney Ramos (Inker) Anthony Bedard (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views	676
Comments:	0
Added to Site:	4/15/2014

About the Owner

Michael Molinario
Member Since:	November 2011

Rai # 27 1994 Raising Son pg 15 by Kevin Kobasic & Rodney Ramos
Artist: Kevin Kobasic (Penciller)
Rodney Ramos (Inker)
Anthony Bedard (Writer)
676 Views

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Rai # 28 1994 Brotherly Hate, Baptism of Fire pg 7 by Kevin Kobasic & Rodney Ramos

Art Details

Artist:	Kevin Kobasic (Penciller) Rodney Ramos (Inker) Anthony Bedard (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views	312
Comments:	1
Added to Site:	4/10/2024

About the Owner

Michael Molinario
Member Since:	November 2011

Rai # 28 1994 Brotherly Hate, Baptism of Fire pg 7 by Kevin Kobasic & Rodney Ramos
Artist: Kevin Kobasic (Penciller)
Rodney Ramos (Inker)
Anthony Bedard (Writer)
312 Views, 1 Comment

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Rai and the Future Force # 17 1994 Trust pg 19 by Jim Calafiore & Kathryn Bolinger

Art Details

Artist:	Jim Calafiore (Penciller) Kathryn Bolinger (Inker) John Ostrander (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views	633
Comments:	0
Added to Site:	2/2/2012

About the Owner

Michael Molinario
Member Since:	November 2011

Rai and the Future Force # 17 1994 Trust pg 19 by Jim Calafiore & Kathryn Bolinger
Artist: Jim Calafiore (Penciller)
Kathryn Bolinger (Inker)
John Ostrander (Writer)
633 Views

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Rai And The Future Force # 21 1994 Crucible pg 16 by Dave Ross & Rodney Ramos

Art Details

Artist:	Dave Ross (Penciller) Rodney Ramos (Inker) Anthony Bedard (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views	526
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	8/4/2014

About the Owner

Michael Molinario
Member Since:	November 2011

Rai And The Future Force # 21 1994 Crucible pg 16 by Dave Ross & Rodney Ramos
Artist: Dave Ross (Penciller)
Rodney Ramos (Inker)
Anthony Bedard (Writer)
526 Views, 2 Comments

There are 4 Pieces of Art In This Gallery.    

About the Owner Michael Molinario ( 2 ) Joined: November 2011 Last Login: September 2025 Country: UNITED STATES On CAF: Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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