Talking ‘Rai: Book Of Darque’ With Dan Abnett And Emilio Utrera

As if trying to track down the Bloodfather’s offspring wasn’t challenging enough, Rai and Raijin have a new threat to face, or rather one that was introduced at the end of the last arc. Who, or what, is the Darque? Writer DanAbnett and artist Emilio Utrera aren’t ready to spill that secret yet but they did answer some questions about their two issue series, Rai: Book of Darque, which starts later this month:

Rachel Bellwoar: With AI being pushed even more now than it was four years ago, what has it been like writing and drawing a series that calls out the dangers of AI?

Dan Abnett: Interesting. AI’s been a hot topic for a few years now, which is why I have a real interest in it, and why it’s featured as a theme in some of my stories – Rai, and other works – but attitudes and interests have really taken off in the last year. It’s made it feel very pertinent indeed!

Emilio Utrera: AI is supposed to optimize our lives, maximize the relationship between man and work in the capitalist equation. If we relate it to this story, we would have to ask ourselves how much we have assimilated this interaction in our lives and if it is possible to become aware.

Bellwoar: Like many comic publishers, Valiant’s release schedule took a hit when the pandemic started. What changes, if any, has Rai‘s delayed return had on this arc?

Abnett:  Really, just the delay and then the slight change in format. I’m delighted that Valiant’s commitment has allowed me to tell the rest of the story.

Bellwoar: Was it difficult being limited to two issues in which to tell this story and was the decision to tamper with the characters’ memories always a part of the plan or something you added to help bring new readers up to speed?

Abnett: Well, they’re oversize issues, so there’s a lot of real estate to play with. Tampered memories were always going to be an aspect of the story, but they’ve been really useful in catching readers up. I’m glad I didn’t have to add it – it was already going to be there.

Bellwoar: In the past, Rai’s focus has been on stopping the Bloodfather by locating the rest of his offspring. While that’s still the ultimate mission, what made you decide to switch gears slightly and focus on the Howling War this time?

Abnett: Since the Rai series, I’ve wanted to develop and portray the aspects of “primordial magic” in the Valiant universe as a contrast to high tech and science. I really like the idea that it’s not just “good guys versus bad guys”, but there are several, powerful, competing adversaries, each with their own agenda, making solutions much harder to find. Bloodfather’s high tech and AI may be bad, but is the alternative any better?

Bellwoar: What’s been the most exciting part of taking over for Juan José Ryp as artist and was there a character you were especially excited to put your own twist on?

Utrera: Juan José Ryp is a great artist, established, on a professional level. He is above average in the comics industry. I don’t think I can honor his great interpretation of the characters and environments, I’m ashamed to say that I looked at his work a lot before starting to draw these issues.

Bellwoar: How did you approach working out what suburbia would look like in the Valiant universe, and is there a key to suggesting that an environment is sinister, when it technically shouldn’t be?

Utrera: I think Dan Abnett’s instructions were precise and clear. This should be dark and confusing, like a malleable reality that transforms with every step. It is recreated before the characters as their senses perceive it. A living scenery, nature speaks. Similar to experiences with mushrooms or sage.

Bellwoar: While the Darque was a voice at the end of the second arc, this is the first time we get to see a physical manifestation of the Darque. Did you have any goals with that character design?

Utrera: Darque’s design is confusing and multiplies and expands as we discover it, like a journey to the bottom of the virtual network, with all our senses turned on. Dark and terrifying, but at every step it’s revealed as information, somehow it cannot adhere to the soul, in the case of cybernetic humans, it cannot take over their consciousness completely, demonstrating that an invisible entity also binds them to the ether, to the primal universal river. It is the connection with the human. Matter that underlies every atom of creation. By default AIs are also part of this and we are connected at higher levels. There is no concept of “unplugging the machine.”

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview,  Dan and Emilio!

With colors by Exequiel Fernandez Roel and Mariano Morales, and letters by Ezequiel Inverni, Rai: Book of Darque #1 (of 2) goes on sale May 29th from Valiant Comics and Alien Books.