Preview: RAI # 1

All-New Preview: RAI #1 – Inside the Visionary World of 41st Century Japan!

Valiant is proud to present an all-new look inside RAI #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of the hotly anticipated ongoing series from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Unity, Mind MGMT) with fully painted interiors by superstar artist Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage) arriving in stores on April 30th!

The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…
 

The first series of the VALIANT FIRST publishing initiative, RAI #1 is an experience unlike anything else in comics today – and a perfect introduction to Valiant's award-winning line of titles! Hitting stores one week early on April 30th – just before Free Comic Book Day 2014 - start reading here to explore a daring new vision of the year 4001…then discover one of the most acclaimed publishers in comics today with one new major VALIANT FIRST #1 issue each month from May onward! Packed with all-new entry points from some of the most talented creators in comics, these are the titles that will have you reading Valiant FIRST when you head home from the comic shop:
 

• MAY: RAI #1 by Matt Kindt & Clayton Crain
• JUNE: ARMOR HUNTERS #1 by Robert Venditti & Doug Braithwaite
• JULY: ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1 by Joe Harris & Trevor Hairsine
• JULY: ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER #1 by Joshua Dysart & Robert Gill
• AUGUST: THE DELINQUENTS #1 by Fred Van Lente, James Asmus & Kano
• SEPTEMBER: THE DEATH–DEFYING DR. MIRAGE #1 by Jen Van Meter & Roberto de la Torre

 

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit FreeComicBookDay.com.

RAI #1 (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN (MAR141386)
Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141387)
Cover C by STEPHEN SEGOVIA (MAR141388)
Cover D by RAUL ALLEN (MAR141389)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141392)
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE (MAR141393)
Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN (MAR141394)
Blank Cover also available (MAR141390)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

RAI #1 PLUS EDITION* (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

*For Valiant’s dedicated pullbox subscription customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring 16 extra pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won’t be collected for the trade paperback!

Comics News: Rai # 1 Release Date Moves Up to April 30th, 2014

RAI #1 Release Date Moves Up to April 30th, 2014 – Just in Time for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!


 

Valiant is proud to announce that RAI #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of an all-new ongoing series from superstar creators Matt Kindt (Unity, Justice League of America) and Clayton Crain (X-Force,Carnage), and the launch title of the VALIANT FIRST publishing initiative – will be hitting stores one week early on April 30th, just in time for Free Comic Book Day 2014!

"Free Comic Book Day has been a major component of Valiant's success since our return, and we always like to make sure that our retail partners are adequately equipped for the single biggest day of foot traffic in stores across the world," said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce. "Moving the release of Rai #1 up to April 30th is the perfect way to ensure that local comic shops shops can get the jump on the launch of the Valiant First initiative, and introduce as many fans as possible to the stunning world of 41st century Japan as realized by two of the most phenomenally talented creators working in comics today."

This summer, Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain’s one-of-a-kind adventure proves that there is nothing else in comics like RAI! The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…

What do you read first? Throughout 2014, VALIANT FIRST will be rocketing to the top of your read pile with a major #1 issue debut monthly by some of the most talented creators in comics. Each month, Valiant is committed to delivering compelling and accessible new entry points to its award-winning publishing line – all while releasing no more than nine core titles per month by the end of the year. A combination of new ongoing titles, unprecedented crossover collisions, and high-profile mini-series, these are the titles that will have you reading Valiant FIRST when you head home from the comic shop –and it all begins on April 30th with RAI #1 by superstar creators Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain! Contact your local retailer to pre-order your copy today!

Also hitting on Free Comic Book Day, get a sneak inside the far-flung world of 4001 A.D. in the pages of Valiant's ARMOR HUNTERS FCBD 2014 SPECIAL – also featuring an advance look inside the launch of VALIANT FIRST's colossal summer crossover event ARMOR HUNTERS!
 

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit FreeComicBookDay.com.

RAI #1 (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN (MAR141386)
Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141387)
Cover C by STEPHEN SEGOVIA (MAR141388)
Cover D by RAUL ALLEN (MAR141389)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141392)
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE (MAR141393)
Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN (MAR141394)
Blank Cover also available (MAR141390)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

RAI #1 PLUS EDITION* (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

*For Valiant’s dedicated pullbox subscription customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring 16 extra pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won’t be collected for the trade paperback!

Riff Table Arcade (Episode 11) - The East & West Should Work Together!

In this episode, RRPG and 16bitjeff team up with EZ Rider from Reviewtopia to talk about Gaijin Goombah’s response video about Keiji Inafune’s recent response on Japan not understanding what Western gamers want. We all discuss this topic in very thorough detail and explain why this is true and some of the things that both the East and West should be careful with. It’s a blast, and enjoy watching gameplay of Okami while we deliver our thoughts!

Article: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-02-25-why-arent-more-japanese-developers-crowdfunding

Gaijin Goombah’s Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG5gkSl_IjA

RRPG YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/RRPGReviews/

http://www.youtube.com/channel/RRPGGameRiffersSolo/

16bitJeff YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/16bitJeff

FighterXaos YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/bradburnsrival

EZ Rider YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/EZRiderTokuTime

Reviewtopia: http://www.reviewtopia.net/content/ez

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theezrider

Anime News: Gundam Build Fighters to stream in North America

Source is Anime News Network

If you're a Gundam fan and you've wanted something to new to watch, well, it's your lucky... season. Gundam Build Fighters will start streaming this Monday, Ocotber 7th over on gundam.info in the United States and Canada as it airs in Japan.

If you don't know what it's about, it's set in a world where Gunpla Battles, competitions that pit Gunpla model kits against each other are popular. A boy named Sei Iori who is a good Gunpla model kit builder teams with a boy named Reiji who is an experienced Gunpla Battler and the duo look to become the world champions.

Chapter 1 Episode 2: Mystical Ninja Starring GOEMON

Episode 2 goes to JAPAN!



Want to help support the show? Buy my shirts!
http://www.metee.com/browse/?q=twk&submit=

Zyoden Sentai Kyoryuger Ep. 6 Review.

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon Mini-Review

Now it's time to take a quick look at an N64 cult classic.

Morphin Bracers Episode 26

The red and blue Bracers Seraph and xaos are joined by Darryl YTC Carter to discuss the latest news in toku. They also discuss whether it was right for Zordon to make Tommy the new leader of the Power Rangers when he became the White Ranger.

You want to be in the radio dramas we make for the show? We're looking mainly for female voices for specific roles. Details are here http://thebrokeninfinite.blogspot.com/2012/12/watch-this-video-or-read-on-myself-and.html

Darryl has his own comic book, The Magnificent Black Mage and you can read it for free here
http://magnificentblackmage.blogspot.com/

xaos has created an anime pin up calendar, if you want a print or a download that you can print go here for details http://thebrokeninfinite.blogspot.com/2012/12/2013-calendar-by-xaos.html

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Premiere: Sailor Moon Musical: Mugen Gakuen

Hello out there. Many of you are Sailor Moon fans. But what many didn't know is that she had a series of musicals that lasted for nearly 15 years. There are so many musics. This one is based on Sailor Moon S and is fairly true to it with some changes and some all new, original characters. Welcome to Broken Infinite's presentation of Sera Myu: Mugen Gakuen 2002.

Broken Infinite TV: Toku Tuesday (#11) EZ Rider Edition

  EZ Rider just recently celebrated a birthday. In honor of that, this edition has a little more to it than normal. HOPR is not here this week and Mystic Knights will not be back for the foreseeable future. Instead, we got a great slew of things that EZ enjoys ... kick ass Toku and hot chicks. Our regulars Kamen Rider Dragon Knight, Captain Power, Kamen Rider Faiz, Boukenger, Ultraman Max & Armor Hero are still here but we got a bit more for you this week.

 Watch as hot chicks wear tight clothing and men are men and all are kicking some ass. Again ... even though this is a few days later, Happy Birthday again to EZ Rider.  And now ... TOKU TUESDAY

Comic/Manga News: Shonen Jump Alpha Goes Day To Date Digital

   While comics and graphic novels are finding new ways to sell digitally ( Thrillbent.com being one of the most successful examples), Manga has been on the decline. A serious decline. Manga was down another 35% in sales for the first half of the year and this is after manga had an overall decrease of 13% in 2011. Shonen Jump ended their print version of their American counterpart earlier this year. So, what is Shonen Jump going to do? Why, they are gonna jump to day to date digital ... for both Japan & North America.

   Yes. You read that correctly. Shonen Jump Alpha began this year, giving digital versions of their manga titles such as Bleach, Naruto and more with only been two weeks behind Japan's stories. Yet, with the serious decline in Manga sales, Shonen Jump  Alpha had decided it was time to make a change. Thus, Shonen Jump Alpha, alongside various Japanese companies and with help from Square Enix, will now start distributing same day chapters of manga in both Japan & North America digitally.

   That is right. The same chapter that gets released in Japan will now also be available in English. Viz Executive Vice President of Publishing has stated that to CBR:

   "This is just the beginning of what I call 'real-time manga publishing,' where the English language versions are moving in sync with the Japanese original product," Lu said. "Toward that end, I would ask everyone to pay attention to 'Shonen Jump Alpha.' We will be moving to a simultaneous-with-Japan model very soon."

 Some of the titles that readers will see weekly include Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration & the newly popular Fairy Tail. See Shonen Jump move to same day to digital release of Japanese titles come 2013.

Devil May Cry Anthology Chapter 1

With Ninja Theory’s reboot of the Capcom series due out in half a year, let’s take a look back at just how Devil May Cry and its sword-swinging, gun-toting, demon hunting Devil Hunter got started. Devil May Cry was born from the Resident Evil series. After the completion of Resident Evil 2, preliminary work began in 1998 on a title for the Playstation 2. Hideki Kamiya headed the project under the name “Team Little Devil” after series creator Shinji Mikami handed it over. The intention was for Kamiya to begin work on Resident Evil 4 but during the development stage Mikami noticed that the game was moving out of the Resident Evil mold. Rather than scrap the project, he decided to develop a new series and asked Kamiya to redesign the game from scratch and change it to a new franchise. Hideki Kamiya didn’t bite at first, but after some coaxing from Mikami he relented and agreed. And one of the most popular franchises in gaming came into the light.

The character Dante was modeled after the main protagonist in the Japanese manga “Space Adventure Cobra” who was known for always being cool under pressure not matter how dangerous the situation was. Given the direction Devil May Cry was going, this seemed to be the perfect fit for Dante. One has to have a ‘no fear’ attitude when hunting demons. When we think of Devil May Cry and Dante, automatically you think red trench coat, which has become his prominent feature more so than his white hair or the massive sword on his back. But early on in his design, Dante was outfitted with a tight-fitting vest. His signature coat was not added until the very end of the development process. If you take at Dante while playing, you can see that the back of his coat is a couple shades darker than the sleeves.

Though it became a stand-alone series, Devil May Cry did not stray too far from its Resident Evil roots. It retained the puzzle solving and exploration of its survival horror origins; however, these are downplayed with the emphasis placed on action. Hideki Kamiya removed the puzzles that can interfere with the action and instead uses them to aid progression through the game. One example of this was when Dante collected the Trident after defeating Phantom and used it to active a mechanism that allowed him to travel outside the castle. Another item found later would allow him back inside. While on the subject, remember the Coliseum and how you had to search for a set of items to gain access inside. This was a pure example of how puzzle solving was set aside from the action. Yes, there were enemies to fight; however, finding the items did not cross with fighting the devils. You took out the devils and you continued on to get your items.

Another aspect that set Devil May Cry apart from Resident Evil, mainly for me, was the elimination of the need to reload your gun or keep bullets in reserve. This took away from the action in RE. You had to pause the game and manually reload your gun. If you allow the character to auto-reload, they were vulnerable to attack which was sometimes costly. Playing RE, this can be a nuisance. Devil May Cry took care of that, giving players access to endless gunfire and the added bonus of maneuverability while firing your weapons. Here’s something that couldn’t be done with Leon or Jill—shooting while jumping. Taking a page from Tomb Raider, Dante was given the ability to fire his handguns and shotgun while airborne. Devil May Cry’s other innovation was a Style Meter and ranking system that encouraged players to attack more often. However, the best feature in the game is definitely the Devil Trigger. Once activated, Dante gained more power and speed, and he recovered vitality, thus eliminating the need to, once again, pause the game and use healing herbs (hoping you have them, otherwise, you were screwed) to treat your injuries. Now Dante does has the Vitality Star to heal, but if you use Devil Trigger with the added fact that enemies oftentimes drop Green Orbs upon defeat then there really would not be a need to access your inventory except maybe during a boss battle.

The battles in Devil May Cry were intense and frenzied at times. The Marionette demons overwhelmed Dante with sheer numbers while other devils, such as Shadow or Frost, use their speed and maneuverability. Squaring off against the King of the Underworld’s demon generals was something I never experienced before in a game. Looking back at the first time I battled Phantom in the Cathedral, I remembered how difficult it was because it’s not an open area. There are the structures of this place that, at times, obscured your view of your target and you had to maneuver around to get a clear shot him. The battles with Nightmare gave you the sense claustrophobia because of the tight confines you face it in. And the battles with Griffin and Nelo Angelo were just intense.

Well I hope you all enjoyed this little trip down memory lane, experienced players. For you new gamers, consider this a look in the past at one of many games that have revolutionized the action genre of gaming. However, player, this is not the end. In the meantime, share your DMC experiences or experiences with another title. Who knows? I just might have something to say about it. Until then… See you on the next level!