Continuing Valiant’s Rai and 4000AD line (that was criminally underappreciated), legendary writer Dan Abnett takes the future for a spin. He manages to incorporate a huge cast of the big names in Valiant: Rai, Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer, along with Rai’s supporting cast from his previous exploits into a coherent issue that never feels crammed or rushed.

While the world of 4002 AD is for the most part well established by the end of the Rai series, Abnett still manages to make it feel fresh yet familiar without rehashing things. The first issue has some slightly predictable moments such as discovering Father is still alive and the main big bad, but the twists he puts on his “resurrection” are just enough extra ingredients to raise eyebrows and garner interest.

Adam Pollina does an amazing job on the art as well, capturing the uniqueness of this version of Earth along with stellar presentation of our heroes in and out of action. While there’s few reasons if any to doubt the ability of this team, Valiant has typically been a tight-knit creative community and few big names from the “Big 2” have delved into it as two fisted as they have in this first issue. I was cautiously optimistic about the announcement they’d be tackling Rai because of their own reputations, but also worried that a series like Rai that was done so niche yet so amazing in terms of writing and art might be a slippery slope for “outsiders” to take on. Luckily, all fears were swiftly dashed by the issue’s end.

The characterization of everyone who appears is spot on. The interactions between Rai and Gilad are great, the dialogue alone between them makes one informed yet not bored and preps you for the inevitable adrenaline inducing adventure to come. Bloodshot, well if you read any of Bloodshot USA, Reborn or 4001 you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the roller coaster in store for you there. All around Abnett is just all over this book.

Bottom line is Valiant has been killing it on all fronts in 2019 so far and this is just another huge check in the #winning category. If this issue is any indication the only downside here is knowing this series is only 5 issues.