Characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender were featured on the cover of the 2011 issue of Free Comic Book Day.
Avatar: The Last Airbender comics are visual publications that depict events and situations unseen during the series' run. Most of the first comics released occur during and between episodes as a means of supplementing the series, while comics released following the conclusion of the show's official run pertain to events after the end of the Hundred Year War. They are official comics released by various sources, including Nickelodeon Magazine and Nickelodeon Comics Club; the official Avatar: The Last Airbender DVD volumes; and numerous publications by Dark Horse Comics, including minicomics released as part of Free Comic Book Day.[1] The comics were archived at a sub-site of Nickelodeon, but taken down and rendered inaccessible upon the cancellation of Nickelodeon Magazine in early 2010.
The first twenty-eight comics were published by Nickelodeon Magazine and its offshoots from 2005 through 2009 and later compiled in The Lost Adventures, which was released on June 14, 2011.[2] The twenty-ninth comic, "Rebound", was published as a special tie-in to the series on May 4, 2013. Dark Horse Comics has also collaborated with Nickelodeon since 2011 to produce and publish trilogies of graphic novel pertaining to the series, including The Promise, The Search, The Rift, Smoke and Shadow, and North and South. Each edition of Free Comic Book Day from 2011 through 2015 has also included minicomics relating to the series, including "Shells", "Sisters", and "Friends for Life".
The comics reveal certain key information pertaining to the narrative, including Joo Dee's immediate appointment as the Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se following the Coup of Ba Sing Se and the exact method of how Team Avatar commandeered a Fire Nation cruiser. Several other comics also release new information on characters from the series and introduce new characters absent from the series. The graphic novels released by Dark Horse Comics following the end of series' run also serve to bridge the seventy-year time gap between Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.
The Lost Adventures
- Main article: The Lost Adventures
- Publisher: Mike Richardson
- Collection editor: Samantha Robertson and Daniel Chabon
- Series editor: Andrew Brisman, Chris Duffy, and Dave Roman
- Collection designer: Stephen Reichert
- Digital production: Ryan Hill and Susan Tardiff
- Cover illustration: Bryan Konietzko
The Lost Adventures is an anthology of comics collecting previously unpublished comics, minicomics included as part of the Book Two: Earth and Book Three: Fire DVD volumes, the Avatar comic from Free Comic Book Day 2011, and the numerous works released by Nickelodeon Magazine and Nickelodeon Comics Club from 2005 through 2009. The first twenty-six comics included occur in between episodes of the first series, while the last two are non-canonical stories.
Graphic novel trilogies
The Promise
The hardcover of The Promise trilogy features Aang and Zuko, with Roku and Ozai in the background.
- Main article: The Promise
- Story: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
- Art and color: Gurihiru
- Lettering: Michael Heisler and Comicraft
The Promise details the events that occur immediately and one year after the end of the television series, detailing the difficulties that come with a war-torn world that, with rebel groups and dissatisfied citizens at every turn, takes a unified effort to return to peace.
The Promise Part One
- Main article: The Promise Part One
One year after the Hundred Year War, Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko are working together with the reinstated Earth King Kuei to remove the Fire Nation colonies from Earth Kingdom territory, but one of the colonies, Yu Dao, complicates matters by taking a stance against the Harmony Restoration Movement and declaring that it will stay no matter what. Aang must take into consideration a promise he made to Zuko just after the end of the War: do whatever it takes to keep the new Fire Lord from becoming like his father, whether that means locking Zuko up or killing him.
The Promise Part Two
- Main article: The Promise Part Two
Ever since Zuko began to visit his father for advice about handling the Yu Dao crisis, Team Avatar has had to find different ways to resolve the conflict of the colonies and make peace between the nations. However, the situation becomes dire when Kuei and Zuko revert into the atmosphere of war.
The Promise Part Three
- Main article: The Promise Part Three
Zuko and Kuei have sent their armies on a collision course in order to secure the city of Yu Dao, bringing the world to the edge of war once again. Aang is stuck in the middle of this conflict, having promised Zuko a year previously that he would do whatever it took to keep the peace of the world, even if it meant killing the Fire Lord himself. As his continued attempts to mediate the conflict are repeatedly seen as inadequate and futile, his options become fewer and fewer until he may just have to fulfill his promise.
The Search
The hardcover of the The Search trilogy features Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Azula.
- Main article: The Search
- Story: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
- Art and color: Gurihiru
- Lettering: Michael Heisler and Comicraft
The Search is about Zuko's quest to find his mother Ursa with the help of his sister and a few old friends.
The Search Part One
- Main article: The Search Part One
Zuko makes a deal with Azula, releasing her from the mental institution in exchange for her help in his quest to find his mother. The two of them set out on a journey to Hira'a with Aang, Sokka, and Katara, but tensions between the group and dangers on the journey there could end their search before they discover the truth.
The Search Part Two
- Main article: The Search Part Two
In search of their long-lost mother, Fire Lord Zuko and his sister Azula have brought Avatar Aang and his friends into Forgetful Valley, but what they discover within may be more than they bargained for.
The Search Part Three
- Main article: The Search Part Three
When Azula goes off alone to find Ursa after learning some startling information, Zuko and Sokka pursue her and try to arrive at the location first. Meanwhile, Aang and Katara remain with Rafa and Misu, contending with the Mother of Faces and her army of spirit animals, and the flashbacks into Ursa's past continue, revealing how her children's search and her new life may come to coincide.
The Rift
The hardcover of The Rift trilogy features Aang and Toph, with General Old Iron in the background.
- Main article: The Rift
- Story: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
- Art and color: Gurihiru
- Lettering: Michael Heisler and Comicraft
The Rift trilogy surrounds Aang, most of his friends, and the inaugural members of the Air Acolytes on a journey which capitulates in a conflict between the spirit and physical worlds.
The Rift Part One
- Main article: The Rift Part One
Aang asks his friends to help him celebrate Yangchen's Festival, one of the highest Air Nomad holidays, which has not been held in over a hundred years. However, visits from the spirit of Avatar Yangchen herself lead Aang to discover a jointly owned Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom refinery which is operating on land sacred to his people.
The Rift Part Two
- Main article: The Rift Part Two
The members of Team Avatar find themselves in trouble as mysterious forces threaten to destroy land sacred to the airbenders. While Aang journeys to the Spirit World for answers, Toph confronts her own past.
The Rift Part Three
- Main article: The Rift Part Three
The members of Team Avatar are in peril as a dangerously powerful ancient spirit awakens with vengeance and destruction on its mind. Bonds are tested and new truths revealed as Aang must decide whether humans and spirits can co-exist.
Smoke and Shadow
The hardcover of the Smoke and Shadow trilogy features Aang, Zuko, and Mai.
- Main article: Smoke and Shadow
- Story: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
- Art and color: Gurihiru
Smoke and Shadow follows Aang and Zuko as they attempt to resolve conflicts both physical and spiritual. While struggling to deal with the rising insurrection of the New Ozai Society, Zuko asks Aang to assist him when an ancient and mysterious enemy appears.
Smoke and Shadow Part One
- Main article: Smoke and Shadow Part One
The Fire Nation is threatened when the Kemurikage, mysterious figures thought only to exist in legend, tell of a prophecy that Zuko must be removed from the throne or the country will perish. Aang and his friends escort the Fire Lord and his family back to the Fire Nation Capital, but unbeknownst to them, unrest brews as the New Ozai Society prepares to make their move against the throne and children go missing from their homes under mysterious circumstances.
Smoke and Shadow Part Two
- Main article: Smoke and Shadow Part Two
With the disappearances of children in the Fire Nation Capital, Aang and his friends try everything they can to figure out what is going on. He and Zuko must work together to keep the peace, but the New Ozai Society and the appearance of the Kemurikage may prove too much for even the Avatar when the true culprit of the kidnappings is revealed.
Smoke and Shadow Part Three
- Main article: Smoke and Shadow Part Three
When children are disappearing in the Fire Nation Capital, Avatar Aang and his friends do everything in their power to save them. When Azula reappears after having vanished in the Forgetful Valley, Fire Lord Zuko locks down the capital in order to apprehend her. However, this action gives rise to fear and riots in the streets, leaving Zuko to decide to which lengths he is willing to go in order to save those he holds dear.
North and South
The hardcover of North and South trilogy features Team Avatar in the tundra.
- Main article: North and South
- Story: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
- Art and color: Gurihiru
North and South focuses on Katara and Sokka, who return to the Southern Water Tribe to discover that their village has become a bustling city with Hakoda in charge. The changes seem to have largely been due to the efforts of Malina, a member of the Northern Water Tribe who is seemingly striving for greater unification of the Water Tribes but has unknown intentions.
North and South Part One
- Main article: North and South Part One
When Aang leaves to aid Zuko with the Kemurikage, Katara and Sokka return to the Southern Water Tribe by themselves. Katara is shocked to find that her beloved village has become a bustling city, with none other than their father, Hakoda, in charge! A Northerner named Malina seems to be behind this change, pushing the North and South to be more unified ... but what are her true goals?
North and South Part Two
- Main article: North and South Part Two
After attempting to kidnap Katara and Sokka, Southerner Gilak leaves a haunting note for Hakoda: "Soon you will see the truth, chieftain". The vow leaves everyone on edge–including Katara, who remains wary of the two tribes' integration. As Northerner Malina announces a partnership with the company owned by Toph Beifong's father, her own brother comes forward to defame her. Have Katara's worst fears been confirmed?
North and South Part Three
- Main article: North and South Part Three
Fire Lord Zuko and Earth King Kuei arrive in the Southern Water Tribe amid protests of Gilak's imprisonment. While the leaders hold council to solidify Malina and Hakoda's unification plans, Gilak breaks free and leads a powerful rebellion! In the face of these two opposing tribes, Katara will have to make peace with her nostalgia and distrust to save the home she loves from being permanently torn apart.
Free Comic Book Day minicomics
The cover for the 2013 Free Comic Book Day Avatar issue, "Rebound", features Mai.
Rebound
- Main article: Rebound
- Story: Gene Luen Yang
- Art: Ryan Hill
- Lettering: Michael Heisler
Mai finds herself in a state of turmoil after her breakup with Fire Lord Zuko, but a handsome young man who visits her at her new workplace may change her luck, for better or for worse.
Shells
- Main article: Shells
- Story: Gene Luen Yang
- Art: Faith Erin Hicks
- Lettering: Michael Heisler
Sokka follows Suki as she gives a lesson in manners and encourages a young girl's strength.
Sisters
- Main article: Sisters
- Story: Gene Luen Yang
- Art: Carla Speed McNeil
- Lettering: Michael Heisler
Though she thinks the Kyoshi Warriors are amazing, Ty Lee feels down. Toph sees this and takes the chi blocker to her old circus, where she reunites with her six sisters.
Non-canon comics
New Recruits
- Main article: New Recruits
- Story: Dave Roman
- Art: Justin Ridge
- Color: Hye-Jung Kim and Sno Cone Studios
- Lettering: Comicraft
The gang goes to a local Earth Kingdom tavern in search of some new recruits and allies to join them in their fight against the Fire Nation. While there, their elderly contact, Yahshi, introduces the gang to four unique benders.
Gym Time
The characters involved in this comic are illustrated chibi-style.
- Main article: Gym Time
- Story: Alison Wilgus
- Art: Ethan Spaulding
- Color: Wes Dzioba
- Lettering: Comicraft
Avatar Kyoshi arrives at class to instruct Team Avatar, along with Zuko, Mai, and Azula, on their game for the day: dodgeball.
The Last Airbender Prequel: Zuko's Story
- Main article: The Last Airbender Prequel: Zuko's Story
- Story: Dave Roman, Alison Wilgus
- Art: Nina Matsumoto
An hour after the Agni Kai with Ozai, Prince Zuko wakes up in an infirmary. The comic starts with him running to his room, chased by Iroh. He dreams about the Agni Kai, crying violently, when he hears a knock on the door, who he thinks is Ozai, but it is actually his eleven-year-old sister, Azula, who has come to taunt him about his banishment. Through later events, she gets Zuko a ship, a crew, and Iroh to come along. He scours the Western Air Temple and visits Fire Sage Shyu, looking for information on the Avatar.
Trivia
- One apparently scrapped comic, tentatively titled "Baby Badgermole", involved Aang, Katara, and Sokka discovering a baby badgermole in an environment uncharacteristic to the species, the woods. Unable to defend themselves against the animal's powerful earthbending, craziness ensues until Toph arrives.[3]
- The cover for The Lost Adventures was taken from the first edition of Avatar's own magazine, Nick Mag Presents: Avatar: the Last Airbender,[3] which ran during the show's original airing.
- Combined, Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Art of the Animated Series, The Lost Adventures, The Promise, and The Search have sold over a hundred thousand copies.[4]
References
- ↑ The Lost Adventures, page 5.
- ↑ Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures release date. Dark Horse Books. Retrieved on October 6, 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 nickmag comics (2006-09-10). for those of you who enjoy behind the scenes stuff.... Nickelodeon. Retrieved on December 20, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2006.
- ↑ Avatar: The Last Airbender Digital Comics Now Available Through All Dark Horse Platforms!. Dark Horse Comics (5 July 2013). Retrieved on November 30, 2013.