Attention: EMOJI keyboard users - - new RAI from 4001 A.D.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re just not technically savvy enough to understand how or even why we would want this feature, but we offer the information as a public service to our readers who can appreciate this more than we. What we do appreciate is the 4001 A.D. storyline now unfolding in some Valiant titles, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good science-fiction story . . . . . . From the official press release . . . . . . . . .

Valiant and Swyft Media Unveil the Official RAI Emoji Keyboard – Available Now for iOS and Android!

As "THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D." rages onward in comics shops everywhere, the hero at the forefront of the 41st century's assault on New Japan – Rai – is leaping out of the pages of the summer's most ambitious comics event and into his first-ever emoji keyboard!

Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce the release of the all-new Rai Emoji Keyboard – created in collaboration with Swyft Media and debuting on the Valiant Heroes Emoji App today! Launching out of Rai's starring role at the forefront of Valiant's acclaimed 4001 A.D. event series, the rise of New Japan's cyber-enhanced spirit guardian continues here with this exclusive, one-of-a-kind digital emoji keyboard as a FREE, limited-time addition to Valiant’s emoji application in the iOS App and Google Play stores.

Now, for the first time ever, fans everywhere can add a fearless new element to their mobile messages and express themselves as Rai joins the ranks of the Valiant Heroes Emoji App alongside Bloodshot, Faith, X-O Manowar, Archer & Armstrong, Livewire, Ninjak, Quantum and Woody, and many more!

As the latest addition to the Valiant Heroes Emoji App – currently available for iOS and Android – the Rai digital emoji keyboard is fully compatible with Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Viber, LINE, Skype, WhatsApp, and more, as well as standard texting and SMS. Standard text and data rates may apply.

One hundred years from today, Father – the benevolent artificial intelligence that governs the island nation of Japan – will gain sentience. To defend its borders, Father will take drastic action by launching Japan into space…where its people will thrive in isolation, away from the overpopulated and resource-deprived planet below. Over the centuries, as New Japan orbits our increasingly unstable world, it will become a model society – one built on peace, prosperity… and Father’s control.

A thousand years from today, Father will create the first Rai, founding a lineage of technologically enhanced heroes engineered to defend New Japan and sworn to protect it from all enemies. For hundreds of years into the future, the Rai will single-handedly enforce New Japan’s justice well…and serve Father without question.

Now, at the dawn of 4001 A.D., the latest Rai is about to inherit the dark truth behind the origin of his kind…and discover the sinister secret at the heart of Father’s existence. For New Japan to live, Earth must die…and as Rai challenges his former master for the first time in more than a millennium, the lone guardian of New Japan will be cast out of his own Father’s kingdom…

Exiled from the only realm he’s ever known, Rai now walks the ravaged world of 4001 A.D. in search of forgotten heroes like himself… on a mission to collect the last surviving legends of a broken planet…and to forge a rebellion with the power to bring the most advanced civilization in history crashing back down to Earth.

In the tradition of BOOK OF DEATH, ARMOR HUNTERS, and HARBINGER WARS, Valiant’s most ambitious crossover event yet starts here! At the dawn of the 41st century, the future of Earth will be decided in the stars. This May…the rebellion begins in 4001 A.D. – on sale now!

Then, “THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D.” explodes out of the pages of 4001 A.D. #1 (of 4) with the return of Rai’s award-winning ongoing series in RAI #13 – the FIRST ISSUE of an ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT revealing the origin of New Japan and its very first guardian! Discover the secrets behind 4001 A.D. here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and acclaimed artist CAFU(UNITY) unearth the answers that have eluded mankind for nearly two millennia. How did New Japan come to orbit Earth? Who created Father? And what happened to the nine previous Rai that once swore allegiance to his empire?

Plus: “THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D.” escalates even further as an all-star cast of superstar talents come aboard to reveal what the 41st century holds for Valiant’s most iconic heroes in a new series of four indispensable one-shots! Featuring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and the debut of an all-new, top-secret character with a crucial tie to the present and future of the Valiant Universe, “THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D.” erupts into full force here with four new chapters from Valiant’s most acclaimed creators:

4001 A.D.: X-O MANOWAR #1
Written by Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH); Art by Clayton Henry (HARBINGER WARS)
On sale now

4001 A.D.: BLOODSHOT #1
Written by Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN); Art by Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS)
On sale now

4001 A.D.: SHADOWMAN #1
Written by Jody Houser (FAITH) & Rafer Roberts (A&A: THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG); Art by Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH)
Coming in July

4001 A.D.: WAR MOTHER #1
Written by Fred Van Lente (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG); Art by Tomas Giorello (Conan)
Coming in August

Encompassing the core 4001 A.D. event, the return of Valiant’s acclaimed RAI ongoing series, and four all-new one-shots revealing the future incarnations of the Valiant Universe’s most iconic heroes, “THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D.” is the biggest and most visionary Valiant event to date – and a perfect introduction to the largest independent superhero universe in comics today.

Make your own epic entrance into the 41st century by downloading the Valiant Heroes Emoji App with the all-new Rai Emoji Keyboard – available for FREE in the iOS App and Google Play stores today!

Also, don’t miss the Archer & Armstrong Emoji Keyboard – available now in the iOS App and Google Play stores! Get smashed or be smashed…with a fearless new element to mobile messages that lets fans express themselves with a whole new range of emotions as only Archer & Armstrong could! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and maybe you’ll even team up with an adventuring immortal to prevent the world’s next great cataclysm…and make it home in time for Happy Hour! The adventure of a lifetime starts now, only on the Valiant Heroes Emoji App with the all-new Archer & Armstrong digital emoji sticker pack!

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About Valiant Entertainment:

Valiant Entertainment is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns the largest independent superhero universe in comics. With more than 81 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. Today, the company’s characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Valiant consistently produces some of the most critically acclaimed comics in the industry and has received numerous industry awards and accolades, including a Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. In 2015, Valiant announced a multi-picture deal to bring Bloodshot and Harbinger to the big screen as feature films. Visit Valiant online at http://www.valiantuniverse.com

About Swyft Media:

Swyft Media helps brands and advertisers become a part of the world’s largest conversation by creating and distributing branded content that consumers want, love and share with friends across a wide variety of mobile apps. To date, Swyft has worked with more than 300 popular global brands such as 1-800Flowers, MillerCoors, Sony, Interscope Records and SEGA to create deep consumer engagement through branded emoji and keyboards. The combination of Swyft’s mobile marketing platform and expertise helps brands and advertisers drive highly engaging, measurable and amplified campaigns, with the ability to reach nearly three billion consumers worldwide. Through its relationships with approximately 60 application partners, Swyft boasts one of the largest opportunities for brands to reach younger consumers in a way that feels natural and unobtrusive. For more information, visit: http://swyftmedia.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Swyft Media Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: TYPE).