Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise (graphic novel) - 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.*

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Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise
Authors: Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, & Bryan Konietzko
Illustrator: Gurihiru


Synopsis: The Avatar's adventures continue right where the TV series left off, in this beautiful, oversized hardcover of The Promise, from Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko! Aang and friends must join together once again as the four nations' tenuous peace is threatened in an impasse between Fire Lord Zuko and Earth King Kuei! As the world heads toward another devastating war, Aang's friendship with Zuko throws him into the middle of the conflict! Featuring annotations by Eisner Award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) and artist Gurihiru (Thor and the Warriors Four), and a brand-new sketchbook, this is a story that Avatar fans need in an edition they will love!

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Review: Like many others, I recently rewatched the original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series when it arrived on Netflix. This graphic novel picks up right after the show ends. I've read some of the continuing comics, but I hadn't read this one before. 

The book starts with the classic intro, but with a different ending to reflect the outcomes of the tv series. This book is about moral complexity. There are still Fire Nation colonies within the Earth Kingdom. The Harmony Restoration Movement is established to try and bring peace back, but the world isn't that simple. I really enjoyed the pathway this story went, showing friends disagreeing and finding a way to move forward. The complexities of acknowledging your own culture's past. 

Katara and Aang are in a romantic relationship. I liked seeing them trying to navigate the dating landscape. There are also other combinations of characters. I liked seeing the Kyoshi Warriors protecting Zuko. Toph and Sokka. Zuko and his father. 

Everyone should be prepared to change their mind when they learn new things. 

I'm excited to continue these post-tv show comic books. I give this book a 5/5. Great moral conflicts. The storytelling utilizes the graphic novel medium.

--PAUL