Valiant Entertainment has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at Paolo Rivera's variant cover for "Rai" #2, written by Matt Kindt with art by Clayton Crain. Rivera's image of the future protector of Japan presents him in the shadows, ready to strike at any enemy.

EXCLUSIVE: Kindt Returns "Rai" to the Valiant U

"He's the protector of Japan," Kindt said at the series' announcement. "He's working for this mysterious father figure he calls 'Father,' which may or may not be anything. Especially in the first few issues, you're going to wonder exactly what this Rai is. Is he human? Is he something different? He's got some similarities with Bloodshot -- which memories are real, that kind of thing. There'll be some reveals there, too. It's a part of a story that's slowly going to unfold. He definitely has questions about who he is, where he came from. He starts out as this protector of Japan and as the series goes on, he's going to have doubts about Father and Japan and what he's really doing. He'll be learning along with us."

Check Rivera's variant cover and the full solicitation information below.

RAI #2

Written by MATT KINDT

Art by CLAYTON CRAIN

Covers by RAUL ALLEN and MICO SUAYAN

Variant Cover by PAOLO RIVERA

Discover the astonishing world of the 41st century! This May, Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain's one-of-a-kind adventure proves that there is nothing else in comics like RAI!

In the far future of 4001 A.D., Japan is a single endless city-state, governed by a benevolent artificial intelligence and policed by a one lone enforcer - the mysterious Rai, spirit guardian of the rising sun. But, soon, a single bullet will shatter the peace it has taken 2,000 years to secure...

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE IN JUNE!