A review by squidbag
Rai, Volume 1: Welcome to New Japan by Dave Lanphear, Clayton Crain, Matt Kindt

4.0

Crain's artwork is phenomenal to look at, somehow more real than real (and sometimes more real-looking than Alex Ross, which is a challenge) and totally sells the idea of a human/A.I. samurai/ninja enforcer who lives 2000 years from now and can travel across spaceborne New Japan in an eyeblink. Kindt's writing is excellent as always, managing to introduce a complex universe with elements of everything from Blade Runner to Demolition Man incorporated without making it ponderous and expository. Really, the only arguable shortcoming here is that it's a jumping-off point for the rest of the story, so it leaves you wanting more.