The lure of Rai #8

Shakespeare · Post by **Shakespeare** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:07 pm

This has always been an interesting issue...it feels like a pre-Unity issue, it gets CGC graded more than almost any post Unity comic, and doesn't even feature the title character in the story, since Rai died in the previous issue.

I think it's just a good story and feels like such an integral part of Unity. Plus it was the last issue before the hiatus that spawned Future Force. Frankly, stuff happened and it didn't even need Rai to work.

Anyone else have a thought?

greg · Post by **greg** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:14 pm

I agree... Rai 8 feels "pre-Unity"...
But I think the real factor is, Rai 8 is "pre Rai 0".
That is... Rai 0 is such an important book that any Rai prior to Rai 0
is an "early Rai" (1 to 8) ... and Rai after Rai 0 are... "something else" (9 to 33).

We like to use the term "pre-Unity" around here a lot...
but I consider Rai 0 as a serious turning point as well.

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:08 pm

From my point of view, I simply HAD to have the issue just because I couldn't imagine what could possibly happen in the issue after the title character had died. I'm willing to bet it's a comic book first, though I wouldn't even know how to label that "first" concisely.

You know, what typically defines post-Unity issues are large print runs and rampant advertising. Rai #8 had neither. No one ran out to buy this issue. I don't even think most people knew what to make of it. That's what gives it a pre-Unity feeling for me. It lacked a clear, heavily marketed direction.

mrwoogieman · Post by **mrwoogieman** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:49 pm

For me, issue 7 always catches my eye because of that see-through logo background on the cover. Very cool!

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:07 am

Well, you had the issues where Superman "dies", but I don't know if that was before or after Rai 8.

Chris

greg · Post by **greg** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:30 am

cjv wrote:Well, you had the issues where Superman "dies", but I don't know if that was before or after Rai 8.

Superman "died" the same day Bloodshot #1 hit the stands.
Rai 8 is pre-Bloodshot, pre-Rai0, but post-Unity.
Another "post-Unity, pre-Rai0" book that I really like is Solar #14.

DawgPhan · Post by **DawgPhan** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:49 am

greg wrote:
cjv wrote:Well, you had the issues where Superman "dies", but I don't know if that was before or after Rai 8.
Superman "died" the same day Bloodshot #1 hit the stands.
Rai 8 is pre-Bloodshot, pre-Rai0, but post-Unity.
Another "post-Unity, pre-Rai0" book that I really like is Solar #14.

Oddly enough that is also the first day that I started collecting comics...it is kinda sad...on our way to a junior high dance and a buddy talks me into stopping by a comic book store ot buy some cards. Well really he talked me into it then I talked my mom into it...I really liked the cards that he got..I think that they were a marvel universe 4 maybe...not real sure...anyway..I bought some packs and a comic...Bloodshot 1..I spent all the money that I had planned on spending on going to the dance...it was the first major nerdy decision I made in my life...oh well...

justin · Post by **justin** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:50 am

I am sorry, I reread Rai #8 last night and didn't have the same feeling as everyone else I suppose, its not as strong of a book in my opinion.

-A

Rai-fan · Post by **Rai-fan** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:30 pm

I like Rai 8 primarily because it (& 0) finished off a great series.

Rai 9 is my least favorite Valiant book--the series didn't need to become a third-rate team book. I even liked Secret Weapons better than Rai 9-20.

That said, 21-on (particularly, 24-on) were better.

But Rai 0-8 works as a solid unit, much like A&A 0-8 do.

justin · Post by **justin** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:33 pm

Rai-fan wrote:But Rai 0-8 works as a solid unit, much like A&A 0-8 do.

I can agree based on the whole, but not 8 as an individual issue.

-A

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:45 pm

Rai-fan wrote:I like Rai 8 primarily because it (& 0) finished off a great series.

Rai 9 is my least favorite Valiant book--the series didn't need to become a third-rate team book. I even liked Secret Weapons better than Rai 9-20.

That said, 21-on (particularly, 24-on) were better.

I spent many years hating #9 until I really gave the series a chance. The advertising was overdone and undeserved, and attempting to make it into a team title was a mistake (the team constantly changed, loosely jumped between that title and Magnus, and was very badly named), but the stories themselves were quite good up until the Christmas issue. Though the original Rai was a personal favorite of mine, I have no problem with what the series became, but I probably would have called the title 4002 AD, or Malev Wars, or something. It really wasn't a Rai title anymore, and no one should EVER be allowed to call a self-respecting team "The Future Force".

dave · Post by **dave** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 6:06 pm

yeah, they were totally trying to take advantage of the whole "mr T and the T-force" tidal wave that was sweeping the nation...what a blatant attempt to ride mr t's coat tails...i really pity da fools

screamingdc · Post by **screamingdc** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:24 pm

i agree with most everyone. Rai 8 was a good issue. it certainly had the pre-Unity feel and #9 just brought a close to everything good about Rai. issue 9 seemed campy and just plain stupid overall, right down to the new Rai's victory speech at the end. For me, Rai 1-8 is like Harbinger 1-25... they were the real storylines of the books and everything after was crap.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:01 am

greg wrote: Superman "died" the same day Bloodshot #1 hit the stands.

God, what a feeding frenzy THAT day was. November 20, 1992. Yeesh. By day's end, both books were 'selling' for $10.

I often wonder how the DOS would have been different with eBay/internet.

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:31 pm

Shakespeare wrote:This has always been an interesting issue...it feels like a pre-Unity issue, it gets CGC graded more than almost any post Unity comic, and doesn't even feature the title character in the story, since Rai died in the previous issue.

I think it's just a good story and feels like such an integral part of Unity. Plus it was the last issue before the hiatus that spawned Future Force. Frankly, stuff happened and it didn't even need Rai to work.

Anyone else have a thought?

It was a fantastic issue because it was the conclusion of all the storylines we had been waiting for since issue #1. Bitter enemies became friends. Lives were saved. Justice was met out. And in the wake of tragedy...life moved on. A very satisifying ending to the "original" Rai's saga and to the era of Valiant that produced it.

Though as a side note, I must say that I did enjoy Orstrander's Rai too, though for different reasons. Yes, most of the characters personalities did get sadly "dumbed down" but it had great art, and a solid blend of action and humor. In the context of what the series was trying to be it was pretty good. I found it even more interesting aftering seeing Lord of the Rings since I realized that Orstranders Rai was basicly a futuristic Tolken saga (Rai=Frodo, Malev Emporer's tower=Mount Doom, Malevs=Saron's armies, etc)

Shakespeare · Post by **Shakespeare** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:15 am

Another "post-Unity, pre-Rai0" book that I really like is Solar #14.

#14 Greg? What a buttnutter issue! Solar has just come back from Unity, an event that threatened to destroy everything, including Solar, an event that started when he showed Erica the "back door" to the Universe...and suddenly, one issue later, he opens up that "door" again to Bender? C'mon, that ain't gonna happen.

S

ckb · Post by **ckb** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 12:40 pm

I agree with Greg.

I see what you are saying, Shakes. I like to think Solar's actions go to how deeply flawed his character is. Gives some creedence to his enemies views that he should be destroyed, since having him around is too dangerous...

If everyone always did what you expect, the stories would be boring, no?

I also really like the cover. I think these post-unity covers show a near-perfection of the coloring process. Many of the covers from X-O 9-30ish, Shadowman 6-20ish, Solar 14-30ish are absolutlely stunning. Compare them to Spidey or even Image covers form 1993-5, and you can't help but see the difference.

I think this partially fueled (not that it wouldn't have happened anyway) the speculation that drove the print runs to the moon. Wouldn't it be nice if X-O 10 or Shadowman 14 were important books? They look like important books!

All IMO, just my thoughts!

Shakespeare · Post by **Shakespeare** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 12:48 pm

But one issue? I think that's just bad writing. It's as if Valiant wanted to get Solar an arch enemy as soon as possible...one that was essentially the Joker. Post Unity, I say that Solar had the steepest fall from grace.

Gives some creedence to his enemies views that he should be destroyed, since having him around is too dangerous...

I like this thought. Perhaps the whole run of Solar would have been interesting if he would have been less obviously a hero and more obviously a disturbed individual. Look at The Tick...the series was much more honest than the cartoon.

greg · Post by **greg** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 1:07 pm

Shakespeare wrote:
Another "post-Unity, pre-Rai0" book that I really like is Solar #14.
#14 Greg? What a buttnutter issue! Solar has just come back from Unity, an event that threatened to destroy everything, including Solar, an event that started when he showed Erica the "back door" to the Universe...and suddenly, one issue later, he opens up that "door" again to Bender? C'mon, that ain't gonna happen.

You're right, but there aren't many "post-Unity, pre-Rai0" books
to choose from... and it's got such a pretty cover!

Shakespeare · Post by **Shakespeare** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 2:18 pm

I remember when that book hit around $30, because it was the first Bender. I traded it for the X-O Quesada card from first Valiant cover card set. Now who's laughing...ha ha ha ha!...

Oh, wait...they're both worthless...

I've made myself sad...

S

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:17 pm

Eh. Quesada's cover to #15 is better.

And god, I remember all the 'big' post-unity books...Harbinger #10...Solar #14-15....Bloodshot #6-7....Shadowman #8...Shadowman #16!!!!

Wow.

Yeah, I have 50 copies of Shadowman #8.

Duh.

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The lure of Rai #8

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