Rai #7 is this week’s release from Valiant Entertainment of Dan Abnett’s epic shared with artist Juan Jose Ryp, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer Dave Sharpe.
Recap
Rai follows the titular cyborg ronin and his brother Raijin journeying across the land to prevent the rise of their creator. Along the way, Rai sees how his past actions shape the world around them.
Rai #7 Story
Rai #7 details the importance of reaching out to others despite the risks to oneself. Abnett could not have released this issue at a more crucial time after the Covid-19 isolation periods. On one front Rai and Raijin encounter one of Father’s former slaves who, despite her mixed feelings about Rai, help the brothers out. It’s not even to get a hand in surviving; Alice Klane just did what she thought was right. Not unlike Rai’s ward Lula (Spylocke), who, despite the risks, reaches out to Bloodshot. Despite the threat of Father controlling Bloodshot, Spylocke approaches anyway. As of Rai #7, no one can tell if these encounters are good or bad. But they are essential in going forward.
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Art
Ryp’s artwork continues to show the visceral nature of Rai #7. Details go into how serious things, even the datastream of Spylocke’s section gives this feeling. The binary code looks like walls obstructing communication between Spylocke and Bloodshot despite being in the background. That’s not even including how pixelated objects look like hazards. From debris that, when viewed from a certain angle, looks like the head of a shark to human bones. Since Spylocke talks about how dangerous they are, it’s like crossing into a predator’s territory. All the more worse when such an important plot point between Spylocke and Bloodshot takes place here.
This actually works well when it comes to Andrew Dalhouse’s coloring. The dull pixelated detail makes Spylocke’s colorful appearance stand out even more. This brings a sense of isolation to a very intense situation. Even in the real world, a looming threat’s effect by shifting the colors of its victims into a pinkish paste creates a sense of foreboding.
Dave Sharpe’s more efficient use of lettering in Rai #7 sees a great use of it in Bloodshot’s contact with Spylocke. The word balloons look like static glitches that display Bloodshot’s state, weakening, limited communication, and desperate. This ends up enhancing the previous artwork near the end when Spylocke and the audience actually see him.
Get Ready in Rai #7
Rai #7 is a display of doing good despite an ever-looming threat. Helping others during bad times might not be too beneficial, but it does pay in the long run, especially when the next issue is about to go into threats on two fronts. One that’s important to Rai’s quest, and the other being Spylocke and Bloodshot doing their part.
