Magnus Robot Fighter: Invasion review

Magnus, Robot Fighter #5-8 from Valiant Comics in 1991 featured the first appearance of Rai, the guardian of Japan, who appeared in flip-books numbered #1-4 on the back side of the issue.  The two storylines start separately, then come together in “Invasion.”

After the events of “Steel Nation,” Magnus temporarily finds himself among the Gophs, who live at the lower-class ground level of North Am in the 41st century.

An ambassador from Japan seeks his help; he is trying to end the Japanese dependence on “Granny,” a sentient computer that controls much of Japan.  Fifty million Japanese live inside Granny’s host body. 

Rai is Grandmother’s defender, and serves as the immune system for the giant robot, chasing away or destroying entities that would harm her.   The role of Rai is passed from father to son, with powers granted by Grandmother.