It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another new edition of Kickin’ It Old School, our weekly column in which we look to the past and review books from the original Valiant universe! This week, I’ll be discussing Rai #4.
Rai #4
Published in June 1992
Written by David Michelinie
Penciled by Joe St. Pierre
Inked by Kathryn Bolinger
Colored by Dave Chlystek and Know Row
Synopsis
The fight between the Restoration Underground and the Humanist Government comes to a head as the Healers finish their weapon that will bring Grandmother back to rule Japan. The Humanists break the Underground’s code and figure out where they are just as the Underground is preparing to launch the rocket. Meanwhile, Rai’s father, the former Rai, is distracting him because it is a Rai’s duty to defend Grandmother.
Rai realizes what’s going on and departs to help in the Government’s fight against the Underground, just in time to save Kazuyo from Makiko, who has a battle suit built to be able to counter Kazuyo’s armor. Rai saves Kazuyo, but does so by launching Makiko into the rocket, causing it to tear a hole in the side of Japan, causing thousands of deaths. The citizenry blames Rai for the disaster. President Tanaka vows to stand with Rai, but Rai realizes that the government can’t lead the people if he is around, so he exiles himself from Japan.
Review
I was a little disappointed with the lack of action from Makiko’s battle suit, but this was once again a solid entry from Rai. This issue sees the fruition of the Restoration Underground’s plans to reinstate Grandmother as leader of Japan go horribly awry. With the people fully turning against Rai, he finally has to step back from everything. Hopefully this means he can find himself and get some kind of direction to his life. The brooding gets a little old. You can’t accomplish anything by not choosing sides. Now Rai can remove himself from the situation and figure out where he wants to fit in.
Originally from ValiantCentral.com
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