Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated video games of 2020 for numerous reasons. From the presence of Keanu Reeves to the game's cornucopia of customization options, the previews for the oft-delayed title exude an unquestionable aura of cool. Another part of the game's x-factor stems from its basic premise, with Cyberpunk bringing said genre of science fiction to life better than possibly any video game before it.
The game is still a little bit away, however, leaving gamers and cyberpunk enthusiasts alike itching for something similar. That can be found in the various Rai comic books from Valiant Entertainment, which were rebooted back in 2014. The title hero is the eponymous Rai, the cyborg defender of a futuristic Japan that hosts technology far beyond that of the present day. With androids, cyborgs, and all manner of awesome swordplay, Rai is the perfect segue into CD Projekt's upcoming game.
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Rai: Then and Now
Rai was created by Valiant founder and one time Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and artist Paul Creddick, debuting in the first issue of his eponymous comic book in 1991. In this original continuity, he was the guardian of a futuristic Japan in the year 4001 A.D. By this point, the entire country had been enveloped by an entity known as The Host, and Rai, a legacy of warriors, were tasks with protecting the entity. Rai was created by someone known as Grandmother from the "Blood of Heroes," which is in fact the nanite fueled blood of Valiant antihero Bloodshot.
The reboot of Rai kept this same basic premise, though with some key differences. Rai is no longer derived from Bloodshot's blood, making his unexplained physical similarity to him rather coincidental. Instead of The Host or Grandmother, Rai is the defender of Father, who rules over all aspects of life in Japan in 4001 A.D.'s future. Eventually, the truth of Father's control becomes apparent to Rai, as does the growing tension between normal humans and androids known as Positronic Minds.
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4001 AD
These events would culminate into the 4001 A.D. crossover event of 2016, which united Rai with the futuristic versions of other Valiant heroes, including Bloodshot. Tying into the ongoing Rai series, it showcases not only the "present-day" of the future timeline in which Rai wages war against Father, but also the birth of the Rai legacy all the way back in 3001 A.D. and the events that led to the new crossover's story.
With its own cyberpunk setting and aesthetic, Rai - and by extension, 4001 A.D. - would easily pique the interest of those looking into Cyberpunk 2077. Like that game, it displays a future in which humanity is in many ways more reliant on technology and robotics than ever before. Positronic Minds abound in Rai's future, and serve in every aspect of life, just as machines do in Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077 also takes place in a futuristic yet dystopian version of California, much as Rai protects the dark future of Japan. The initial reboot of Rai from Matt Kindt was likewise drawn by the incredible talent CAFU. This stunning, futuristic art looked unlike anything else being published by Valiant, much as Cyberpunk's bright lights and shimmering metal is equally visually impressive.
Just as there are lawless wasteland areas in Cyberpunk that are full of all manner of turmoil, the same can be said for the current relaunch of Rai. Written by Dan Abnett and drawn initially by Juan Jose Ryp, this relaunch takes place after Valiant's Fallen World, with an outcast Rai scouring Earth's wastelands to track down and destroy all of Father's creations. While it may not be a video game, players who just can't wait for the long-desired title to hit their console or PC would be wise to check out Valiant's Rai and get a mind-bending glimpse of the future.
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