The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Books via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title:The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One
Author: Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko Illustrators: Michelle Wong & Vivian Ng 
Upcoming Release Date: May 21, 2019

Turf Wars, Part One
Turf Wars, Part Two
Turf Wars, Part Three

Synopsis: Korra must decide who to trust as the fate of the Earth Kingdom hangs in the balance!

On the eve of its first elections, the Earth Kingdom finds its future endangered by its past. Even as Kuvira stands trial for her crimes, vestiges of her imperial ambitions threaten to undermine the nation's democratic hopes. But when Korra, Asami, Mako, and Bolin don't all see eye-to-eye as to the solution, drastic measures will be taken to halt a new march to war!

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: The second story arc post-tv series is here in Ruins of the Empire! Team Avatar is at it again. This time, it's democracy time for the Earth Kingdom! But, there are some Earth Empire Holdouts. How better to relate to them, then with Kuvira herself? President Zhu Li is such a wonderful character. I love that that is her role now.

I give this first part of Ruins of the Empire a 5/5. I really enjoy how much modernizing is happening to the world of Avatar/Korra. There are new technologies. There are democratic elections. The story has a modern element to it that i really like.  


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part Two (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part One
Writers: Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Dante DiMartino, & Bryan Konietzko  
Illustrator: Peter Wartman 
Upcoming Release Date: May 14, 2019

Imbalance, Part One

Synopsis: Aang and Team Avatar race to resolve rising tensions between benders and non-benders before a town is torn apart!

There's something fishy going on in Cranefish Town, and it's up to Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph to find out what, before the simmering conflict between benders and non-benders boils over into all-out war. But danger lurks where they least expect it, and uncovering the truth will reveal a threat unlike any they've ever faced--and a fateful choice for Aang he can never unmake!

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This second part in the Imbalance story finds Team Avatar dealing with a conflict in Cranefish Town between the benders and non-benders. Non-bender owned businesses have been attacked and Toph has some ideas about who was involved. 

I love the dynamic of Team Avatar. That classic humor is present. It's also cool to see the designs beginning to grow up, showing the youngsters aging. Suki is back in this volume! And Toph is an awesome badass.

I give this comic volume a 4/5. I always love stories continuing Team Avatar's adventures post-tv series. The animosity in this volume parallels well with modern politics and discussions about privileges. 


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part One (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Books in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part One
Writers: Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Dante DiMartino, & Bryan Konietzko  
Illustrator: Peter Wartman 
Upcoming Release Date: December 18, 2018

Synopsis: When Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph return to Earthen Fire Industries--the factory owned by Toph's father--Team Avatar finds that the once small town is now booming. Expecting a warm welcome, Aang is surprised when their arrival is met with unimpressed, cold-shouldered spectators. As soon as the team is asked for help at a business council meeting, the reason for the slight becomes clear--a massive bender versus non-bender conflict has gripped the town and is threatening to turn violent.

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I love that the world of the Avatar has continued via comic. This is the first part of the newest story of Aang and his friends. The bender vs non-bender conflict appears in this graphic novel. Toph's father's company's city is booming. It's a city full of industry. It has the vibes of Republic City from The Legend of Korra. One of the topics of this story is how progress can leave some individuals behind. 

This is a good start to this arc in Aang's continuing story. I give this volume a 4/5. Definitely a must-read for Avatar friends.


--PAUL

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part Three (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part Three
Author: Michael Dante DiMartino
Illustrator: Irene Koh
Recent Release Date: August 22, 2018

Review of Part One
Review of Part Two

Synopsis: When Asami is kidnapped, Korra sets out to the Spirit Wilds to find her. Now teeming with dark spirits influenced by the half spirit-half human Tokuga, the landscape is more dangerous than ever before. The two women must trust in each other and work together if they are to make it out alive. Their fate is revealed in this stunning, action-packed conclusion to The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars!

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This is the third and final installment in this first continuation of The Legend of Korra story. I enjoyed the focus on Korra and Asami's blossoming relationship. They're official girlfriends! This arc got all the initial reactions from the main and minor cast out of the way so their story can continue to progress. Overall, it was a great coming out arc. 

I like that the series gets to continue in a different form, but I feel that some of the depth and time to build the characters is missing in this format. I did like how much diversity is shown in Republic City, though. The politics of the world are so interesting. There's peaceful protests and a presidential election in this part. 

I give this graphic novel a 4.5/5. I am definitely looking forward to the next story arc. If you are a fan of the tv series and haven't picked up these books yet, I highly recommend that you do. 


--PAUL

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part Two (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part Two(Turf Wars #2)
Author: Michael Dante DiMartino
Illustrator: Irene Koh
Recent Release Date: January 30, 2018

Synopsis: Recovering from the fight and furious for revenge, Triple Threats member Tokuga solidifies his ties with the duplicitous Wonyong. Meanwhile, when Republic City’s housing crisis reaches its peak, Zhu Li sets her sights on the biggest public figure in the city—President Raiko—in a bid for the presidency! With her friend’s success, the future of the spirit portal, and the wellbeing of Republic City’s citizens at stake, can Korra remain neutral and fulfill her duties as the Avatar?

Written by series co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino and drawn by Irene Koh (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Afrina and the Glass Coffin), with consultation by Bryan Konietzko, this is the official continuation of The Legend of Korra! 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review:  This is the second volume in this continuation of The Legend of Korra. My favorite part of this series is getting to see Korra and Asami's relationship continue. There is a complex political atmosphere. The series follows all the main cast, but everyone is doing their own thing. I like when the gang comes back together. The parts of this series each feel like just parts of a larger story instead of complete stories. 

I look forward to continuing this series. I give this second volume a 4.5/5. 


--PAUL

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part One (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part One (Turf Wars #1)
Author: Michael Dante DiMartino
Illustrator: Irene Koh
Recent Release Date: July 26, 2017

Synopsis: Relishing their newfound feelings for each other, Korra and Asami leave the Spirit World . . . but find nothing in Republic City but political hijinks and human vs. spirit conflict! 

A pompous developer plans to turn the new spirit portal into an amusement park, potentially severing an already tumultuous connection with the spirits. What's more, the triads have realigned and are in a brutal all-out brawl at the city's borders - where hundreds of evacuees have relocated!

In order to get through it all, Korra and Asami vow to look out for each other - but first, they've got to get better at being a team and a couple!

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: It is so wonderful to see Korra and Asami living as a couple! Those last few moments of the Korra Finale meant so much to me and watching their journey continue is excellent. This is only the first part in the Turf Wars series so it very much feels like a new beginning. We catch up with all the main characters after the Finale. The new conflict is established and the adventure is only beginning. 

The biggest part of this book is Korra and Asami's informal coming-out tour to their families and friends. It is all written wonderfully and makes me wish we could have seen it happen on Nickelodeon. 

I give this book a 5/5, I did want more to happen, but it was a good start for this series. I am looking forward to the second part.  


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rift, Part 1 - Paul's Review

***I was provided an ecopy of this comic via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads


Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rift, Part 1
Author: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
Illustrator: Gurihiru
Year Published: 2014


Synopsis: Avatar Aang asks his friends to help him honor Yangchen's Festival--one of the highest Air Nomad holidays, which hasn't been celebrated in over one hundred years. But cryptic visits from the spirit of Avatar Yangchen herself lead Aang to discover a jointly owned Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom refinery--operating on land sacred to the Airbenders! Is this simply a case of corporate greed or is something more mysterious happening?

Review: I absolutely love the Avatar: The Last Airbender and the subsequent Legend of Korra. These graphic novels take place after the first series and before the following, but much closer to the original series. Team Avatar continues their quest of making the world a better place and the world around them is beginning to change into the world we see in Korra. The characters are slightly older and the world around them is appearing larger and larger.

I liked seeing Aang and Katara's relationship progress and Aang's new followers continuing the ancient Air Nomads' traditions. The idea of holidays and rituals is at the heart of this story. Tradition versus progression and where the balance should be found is a big question that is presented with Aang on one side and Toph on the other. 

This first part of The Rift story felt like an episode of the original series to me and it makes me want to read more! I give this graphic novel a 4/5.

-PAUL

The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated - Series Book 1: Air - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Comics on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series - Book 1: Air
Authors: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Dave Marshall
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Go behind the scenes of the animated series The Legend of Korra - created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko - the smash-hit sequel to their blockbuster show Avatar: The Last Airbender! 

This handsome hardcover contains hundreds of pieces of never-before-seen artwork created during the development of Season 1 of the show. With captions from Michael and Bryan throughout, this is an intimate look inside the creative process that brought the mystical world of bending and a new generation of heroes to life!


Review: I absolutely loved Avatar: The Last Airbender. It was such a unique show. We won't mention the movie. The Legend of Korra has continued that uniqueness. It takes place in the same world, but so much has changed. I love seeing actual progression in a fantasy world. Usually a fantasy world is stable for decades or even sometimes centuries. Progress has come to the world of the Avatar. Mechanical contraptions begin to appear for a not quite steampunk kind of feel.

This book shows the art progression for the whole first season or Book One of Legend of Korra. So if you haven't finished the first season, be warned that this book contains spoilers.

This book has everything when it comes to artwork. There are small sketches of the initial ideas for characters. There are full spreads of a beautiful landscape or action scene. There are even sone diagrams of the technology. All of the artwork is beautiful. It's all so detailed.

In addition to the art, there is a foreword and comments throughout the book from the creators. There are nice little tidbits describing a characters evolution or inspiration.

This book would be a perfect gift for a fan of the television series. I could just flip through these pages and admire the artwork for hours. I give this book a 5/5.


-PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search, Part One - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search Part 1
Authors:  Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko
Illustrator: Gurihiru
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: For years, fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have burned with one question - what happened to Fire Lord Zuko's mother? Finding a clue at last, Zuko enlists the aid of Team Avatar - and the most unlikely ally of all - to help uncover the biggest secret of his life. Written and drawn by the creative team behind the bestselling Avatar: The Promise, Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru, in collaboration with Avatar and Korra creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

Review: So I didn't watch Avatar: The Last Airbender when it was first on tv. I think I was just a few years too old, thinking I was too cool for cartoons. Thankfully, in college I found the series on a popular streaming website and watched the whole series over a semester. I absolutely loved it. When The Legend of Korra came out, I DVRed every episode. 

This was the first Avatar: The Last Airbender comic I have read, but it will definitely not be my last. It felt just like a continuation of the show. Many comic adaptations of shows mimic the show they are based on with already done plots or more detailed back stories. This moves forward. It picks up where the show left off and continues Team Avatar's journey. 

I recommend this to all fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, whether you are 14, 24, or 54. I look forward to picking up the rest of the parts in this story and checking out some of the other graphic novels already out there. I give this graphic novel a 4/5.

-PAUL