Rai #1 Trailer Debuts - Release Date Moved Up To Accommodate Free Comic Book Day

Valiant Entertainment have announced that Rai #1, originally set to debut in May, will in fact be released on April 28, so that the issue can be on store shelves for Free Comic Book Day 2014. "Free Comic Book Day has been a major component of Valiant's success since our return, and we always like to make sure that our retail partners are adequately equipped for the single biggest day of foot traffic in stores across the world," said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce. "Moving the release of Rai #1 up to April 30th is the perfect way to ensure that local comic shops shops can get the jump on the launch of the Valiant First initiative, and introduce as many fans as possible to the stunning world of 41st century Japan as realized by two of the most phenomenally talented creators working in comics today." The issue kicks off the Valiant First initiative, which will kick off with a new #1 every month between now and September. To promote the release, the publisher have debuted a new, video trailer spotlighting the art of Clayton Crain. Written by Unity's Matt Kindt, the series spins out of the current events in Greg Pak's Eternal Warrior series. In Rai, the year is 4001 A.D. and 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…

For a sneak peek inside each Valiant First release, look for the Armor Hunters FCBD 2014 Special – featuring previews of Rai #1, Armor Hunters #1 (of 4), X-O Manowar #24 (Prelude to Armor Hunters), and much more – in participating Free Comic Book Day retailers everywhere on May 3rd, 2014.

Written by MATT KINDT Art by CLAYTON CRAIN Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN (MAR141386) Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141387) Cover C by STEPHEN SEGOVIA (MAR141388) Cover D by RAUL ALLEN (MAR141389) Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141392) Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE (MAR141393) Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN (MAR141394) Blank Cover also available (MAR141390) $3.99/T+/32 pgs. ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14) RAI #1 PLUS EDITION* (VALIANT FIRST) Written by MATT KINDT Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN $4.99/T+/48 pgs. ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14) *For Valiant's dedicated pullbox subscription customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring 16 extra pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won't be collected for the trade paperback!