Rai #13: 4001 AD Discussion

[jmatt]

Some nice backstory for New Japan with good imagery. Father as some kind of Great Worm living in a forest pool? Cool!

We see the first Rai as an innocent, child like creation -- and the skeletons of the failed attempts at the bottom of the lake was pretty cool too.

We also see the first PTs and the rise of the Raddies. This harkens back to the Anti-Grannies in the original Rai, of course.

It read a little quick but overall I'm pleased to see the history of New Japan and the origins of many of the book elements.

[Elveen]

Father tried to make a Rai out of some sort of horned creature??? (The bottom of the sea panel)

[Sven the Returned]

Father tried to make a Rai out of some sort of horned creature??? (The bottom of the sea panel)

It was in his hispter phase.

[greg]

LOVED this book.

[grendeljd]

If anyone would like to hear our OTV:VCR podcast discussing/reviewing this issue (& XO Manowar Annual 2016, & Wrath of Eternal Warrior #7), please follow the link;

http://onlythevaliant.com/episodes/vcr65/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to any who listen in

[Elveen]

LOVED this book.

Me too. It was sad in a non-sad way.

It's the kind of writing I would love to discuss in a classroom type of setting.

[grendeljd]

LOVED this book.

Me too. It was sad in a non-sad way.

It's the kind of writing I would love to discuss in a classroom type of setting.

I could see that being a good discussion idea - there's some heavy commentary about human nature layered into this book. Loved the exploration of that idea that no matter how 'perfect' you try to make society for all humankind, there will always be some who don't want it.

Reminded me of how that same idea played out in The Matrix movies - even though humanity is oblivious to the fact they are all enslaved, the Matrix program itself failed when it was written as a perfect utopian society - people just rejected the idea out of hand.

I absolutely loved the gorgeous artwork this issue - CAFU is amazing as always, and the colours were beautifully rendered. Loved the snowy tech-forest scenes. Very inspiring to me!

[grendeljd]

Also, I can't help but wonder if the white-haired dude in purple was part of the Ninjak/Spylocke cult...

[Elveen]

LOVED this book.

Me too. It was sad in a non-sad way.

It's the kind of writing I would love to discuss in a classroom type of setting.

I could see that being a good discussion idea - there's some heavy commentary about human nature layered into this book. Loved the exploration of that idea that no matter how 'perfect' you try to make society for all humankind, there will always be some who don't want it.

Reminded me of how that same idea played out in The Matrix movies - even though humanity is oblivious to the fact they are all enslaved, the Matrix program itself failed when it was written as a perfect utopian society - people just rejected the idea out of hand.

I absolutely loved the gorgeous artwork this issue - CAFU is amazing as always, and the colours were beautifully rendered. Loved the snowy tech-forest scenes. Very inspiring to me!

There is also something to be discussed with the fact that the people were so willing to do the "right" thing (getting back control) that they were willing to do the "wrong" thing (killing the Rai kid) but they realized they had to wait until he had his weapon to kill him, so it would not be the "wrong" thing. But when the time came the bloodlust took over. Then they had to hide their mistake.

There was a reason Father took over, right? There is evidence on the page.

Interesting

[String]

LOVED this book.

Me too. It was sad in a non-sad way.

It's the kind of writing I would love to discuss in a classroom type of setting.

I could see that being a good discussion idea - there's some heavy commentary about human nature layered into this book. Loved the exploration of that idea that no matter how 'perfect' you try to make society for all humankind, there will always be some who don't want it.

Reminded me of how that same idea played out in The Matrix movies - even though humanity is oblivious to the fact they are all enslaved, the Matrix program itself failed when it was written as a perfect utopian society - people just rejected the idea out of hand.

I absolutely loved the gorgeous artwork this issue - CAFU is amazing as always, and the colours were beautifully rendered. Loved the snowy tech-forest scenes. Very inspiring to me!

There is also something to be discussed with the fact that the people were so willing to do the "right" thing (getting back control) that they were willing to do the "wrong" thing (killing the Rai kid) but they realized they had to wait until he had his weapon to kill him, so it would not be the "wrong" thing. But when the time came the bloodlust took over. Then they had to hide their mistake.

There was a reason Father took over, right? There is evidence on the page.

Interesting

Agreed. I like the discussion here, Father trying to create a 'perfect' society, creating Rai as a symbol for that society to rally around. Yet human nature being what it is, there's always going to be dissenters and their folly in killing Rai is what drives Father more extreme. (I love the caption where Father says 'This moment forever defined me')

CAFU's art is incredible. The full page shot of the newly born Rai in the snow by the lake should be released as a poster!

[hawkeyeps]

I thought the parallels between Father and Harada were striking- "Take care of the people at any cost and if I don't exist who will take care of the people? I must continue to exist to save the people even if I have to kill the people to do it." That's what led me to the evolved med-bot theory.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Really enjoyed this book and love the whole 4001ad event that this plays a part in. Interesting how the first Rai came about and to learn of his sad fate.

Special mention of Cafu's art, I think I prefer it to Crane's just because every panel is clear and you don't have to spend minutes looking to figure out what's happening. I do like Crane's art but there is sometime a lack of clarity.

Looking forward to the next issue 4.25/5

[grendeljd]

I thought the parallels between Father and Harada were striking- "Take care of the people at any cost and if I don't exist who will take care of the people? I must continue to exist to save the people even if I have to kill the people to do it." That's what led me to the evolved med-bot theory.

A sharp observation, gunslinger

[agent_graves]

LOVED this book.

Me too. It was sad in a non-sad way.

Me 3... Yea, it kind of was.. Poor little Rai..

CAFU's art is incredible.

+1

[QUARTZ]

Awesome art, poor baby Rai...reminded me a little of that AI movie. I dug it. Really made me pumped for issue 2....Father's revenge...

[krylox]

loved it. heartbreaking. so much better than descender, right? definitely in my top10-since-the-relaunch. here's my video-review, if you're interested.

[Tony_H]

Did anybody else think that Raijin looked like Bloodsquirt?

Friggin' depressing ending. The tone of the story reminded me of the first Rai arc from V1. I can't put a finger on why it did, though.

[jmatt]

Did anybody else think that Raijin looked like Bloodsquirt?

I did. I thought he was gonna call somebody "Bloody buddy."