Rai Vol 3 13

Born of lightning... Raijin. You must do the one thing I cannot. The one duty I have failed. Inspire New Japan.

-- Father

Solicitation[]

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!

4001 A.D., Part One[]

Appearances[]

Featured Characters:

Rai I / Raijin / Osamu (First appearance) (Dies)
Rai II (First appearance)

Supporting Characters:

Father

Villains:

Raddies

Other Characters:

Citizens of New Japan
Orphans
Positronic Minds

Locations:

3001 A.D. (1000 years after leaving Earth.)
- Earth
- New Japan
  - Sector 2007
    - Manhattan 21st Century Recreation Sector
      - Chrysler Building
      - Empire State Building
  - Sector 2500
    - Positronic Birthing Center
  - Sector 2555
    - Blackwater
      - Sushi Bar

Items:

Ersatz-Rice
Laser swords
Pseudo-Bread
Welding equipment

Vehicles:

Credits[]

Writers: Matt Kindt
Pencilers: Cafu
Inkers: Cafu
Colorists: Andrew Dalhouse (not Dave Lanphear)
Letterers: Dave Lanphear (not Dave Sharpe)
Cover Artists: David Mack, Andres Guinaldo & Andrew Dalhouse, Clayton Henry & Allen Passalaqua, Cafu, Ryan Lee & Allen Passalaqua
Editors: Kyle Andrukiewicz
Editor-in-Chief: Warren Simons

Synopsis[]

New Japan, 3001 A.D.[]

In a malcontent New Japan, Osamu hears a voice, calling for help. Osamu runs from the orphanage towards the voice, picking up a cat companion along the way. Osamu follows the voice to the woods, where he finds a puddle of liquid, which happens to be Father. Osamu falls into the water, creating Raijin, the first Rai.

Raijin begins to build New Japan, creating sectors such as 2007, A replica of 21st century Manhattan, and sector 2500, the Positronic Birthing Center. Positrons were also created in order to fill humanity's weaknesses.

In Blackwater, Sector 2555, the Raddies, meet for the first time. They subsequently had their first rebellion, attacking the Positronic Birthing Center.

Raijin enters the Birthing Center, attempting to peacefully calm down the rebellion. Raijin runs jumps down to help a voice in the sewers. As he makes his way to the voice, the Raddies catch him in a trap. Raijin is beaten by the Raddies once they mistake his water hose for a weapon. As they destroy Rai, they flush him out of the space station. This causes Father to build a new Rai.

Notes[]

Two credits are wrong:
- Dave Lanphear is credited as "colorist" instead of Andrew Dalhouse.
- Dave Sharpe is credited as "letterer" instead of Dave Lanphear.