Rai (comics)

Rai
Cover of Rai #1 by Clayton Crain
Publication information
Publisher	Valiant Comics
First appearance	Rai #1 (October 1991)
Created by	Jim Shooter Paul Creddick
In-story information
Species	Human, Cyborg
Abilities	Enhanced speed, strength, agility, reflexes, durability and endurance Healing factor Mastery of martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, swordsmanship, and armed combat Technopathy, Computer Interaction, Weapon Creation, Psychometry, Teleportation Formerly: X-O Mecha Class Armor Missiles Energy Manipulation Constructs Flight Sensory Arrays Anatomical Automatism/Body Part Separation Parasitic Worm Bombs

Rai (霊, rei, "spirit") is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus, Robot Fighter #5 (October 1991), in Rai #1 (October 1991). The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series.

In his original incarnation, Rai is the spirit guardian that protects the nation of Japan in the 41st century. It is a mantle that is usually passed down from father to son through the generations, with some exceptions. As such, the series chronicled a number of protagonists.

A new Rai ongoing series was launched in April 2014, selling out of its initial print run.^[1]