Media release — Valiant is pleased to present your first look inside RAI #14 – the next planet-shaking installment of “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” from new York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (4001 A.D.) and Valiant-exclusive superstar CAFU (UNITY)! On June 22nd, the mantle of Rai passes on to new Japan’s most current champion! but in the formative years of Father’s dark utopia, will new Japan’s newly inaugurated guardian clash against her Father’s despotic doctrine…or endure the sacrifice required to forge a better future?
For the first time ever, experience the violent foundation of Father’s space-born utopia of new Japan…and, with it, the shocking genesis of the line of guardians that bear the name Rai! born and bred by daddy to enforce peace at any cost, follow the next Rai and their successors across two millennia as they chronicle the history of 4001 A.D. – from the launch of new Japan into orbit to the current Rai’s crusade to bring it crashing back down to Earth!

On June 22nd, new Japan pertains to life with blood and sacrifice as the origin of new Japan reaches a sinister new chapter that will reshape everything you thought you knew about the 41st century! Be here as Matt Kindt and CAFU reveal the forgotten history behind “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” with a sensational new entry point into 2016’s acclaimed crossover event, only in RAI #14 —featuring covers by David Mack (Fight Club 2), Andres Guinaldo (Nightwing), and Ryan Lee (Inhuman)!

Encompassing the core 4001 A.D. event series, the return of Valiant’s acclaimed RAI ongoing series, and four all-new one-shots revealing the future incarnations of the Valiant Universe’s a lot of famous heroes, “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” is the greatest and a lot of visionary Valiant event to date – and a best introduction to the largest independent superhero universe in comics today.

It all starts here on may 4th in 4001 A.D. #1 (of 4) – the first issue of the all-new, standalone event series following Rai and the 41st century’s a lot of formidable heroes into the fight against new Japan from new York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (DIVINITY II) and superstar artists Clayton Crain (Carnage) and David Mack (Daredevil)!

Then, “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” explodes with the return of Rai’s award-winning ongoing series in RAI #13 – the first issue of an all-new JUMPING-ON point revealing the origin of new Japan and its very first guardian! discover the vital history behind the dawn of 4001 A.D. here as new York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (NINJAK) and acclaimed artist CAFU (UNITY) unearth the answers behind Father’s tyrannical rise to power. how did new Japan come to orbit Earth? who created Father? and just what is Rai’s true nature…and what happened to his nine earlier predecessors that once patrolled new Japan in his stead? discover the shocking answers as RAI #13 returns to set the events of 4001 A.D. in motion – and reveals the epic arc of the Valiant Universe’s future history!

Plus: “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” escalates even additionally as a staggering cast of superstar talents come aboard to reveal what the 41st century holds for Valiant’s a lot of famous heroes in a new series of four vital one-shots! featuring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and the debut of an all-new, top-secret character with a important tie to the present and future of the Valiant Universe, “THE summer OF 4001 A.D.” erupts into full force here with four new chapters from Valiant’s a lot of acclaimed creators, ripped directly from the pages of 4001 A.D.:

4001 A.D.: X-O MANOWAR #1
Written by Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH); Art by Clayton Henry (HARBINGER WARS)
Coming in May

4001 A.D.: BLOODSHOT #1
Written by Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN); Art by Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Coming in June

4001 A.D.: SHADOWMAN #1
Written by Jody Houser (FAITH) & Rafer Roberts (A&A: THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG); Art by Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH)
Coming in July

4001 A.D.: [CLASSIFIED] #1
Written by [CLASSIFIED]; Art by [CLASSIFIED]
Coming in August

Each chapter of “THE summer OF THE 4001 A.D.” is created for maximum accessibility and can be read in concert with the core 4001 A.D. series or stand on its own for a centuries-spanning vision of the future.

One hundred years from today, daddy – the benevolent man-made intelligence that governs the island nation of Japan – will get sentience. To defend its borders, daddy will take drastic action by launching Japan into space…where its people can prosper in isolation, away from the overpopulated and resource-deprived planet below. Over the centuries, as new Japan orbits our increasingly unsteady world, it will become a model society – one built on peace, prosperity…and Father’s control.

A thousand years from today, daddy will create the first Rai, founding a lineage of technologically enhanced heroes engineered to defend new Japan and sworn to secure it from all enemiesnull