It’s an exciting year for fans of the acclaimed animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender”—we can finally move on from the mess that was M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 film adaptation and look forward to “The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra,” the sequel due to air on Nickelodeon later this year. And while we wait, we can read the new series of comics from Dark Horse, which continues where the first series left off and is expected to reveal links to “Korra.”
“The Promise Part 1,” the first volume in the series, sees young Fire Lord Zuko face the dilemma of removing Fire Nation colonies from the Earth Kindgom as part of Earth King Kuei’s Harmony Restoration Movement, a project designed to establish peace among the four nations (Fire, Air, Earth, Water) following the Hundred Year War ended by Avatar Aang.
“What’s that?” you ask, “A discussion of colonialism in a comic meant for readers aged 10 and up?” Yes, and an impressively nuanced one at that. Zuko’s intentions are perceived—understandably so—by the Fire Nation colonies’ longtime residents as a betrayal of his own people, a “precious” political move that will destroy thousands of homes and families. To add to his troubles, Zuko worries that he may turn into his trouble-making father Ozai, the now-imprisoned predecessor to the Fire Nation’s throne, and convinces a reluctant Aang to act as the world’s “safety net” that will “end” him if this should happen.
It might sound somewhat heavy, but rest assured that “The Promise Part 1” genuinely isn’t. The story, scripted by the capable Gene Luen Yang, who both wrote and illustrated the hit graphic novel “American Born Chinese,” moves admirably between serious and delightfully light moments. In one such scene, Aang and friends witness the fireworks display celebrating the Harmony Restoration Movement while taking a joyride on Appa, the flying bison. At once, Zuko’s request of Aang is rendered all the more poignant.
The artwork, by Japan-based duo Gurihiru, is also quite loyal to the animated series. I am usually not a huge fan of anime-style illustration with its somewhat gawky, hyper-animated rendering of facial features, but in “The Promise Part 1” it is lovingly and cheerfully done. It is the action sequences, though, that are particularly noteworthy for their masterful subtlety, depicted in wide panels with almost no dialogue.
Would I reread this comic? Absolutely, because I am also re-watching all the episodes (available on Netflix instant streaming) in preparation for “Korra.” Would I buy a copy to add to my collection? I might, but I’m not sure I would urge you to, unless you’re also a big fan of the series. However, if you’re looking for a gift, or simply want to introduce a cool kid in your life to comics, I would highly recommend “The Promise Part 1” (and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” itself, actually), for it is wonderfully age-appropriate and progressive and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It explores friendship and responsibility without shying away from depicting difficult decisions and relationships. It features strong yet flawed female characters: blind Earthbender Toph has moments of frustration given her limitations, but finds an outlet for her other talents. Waterbender Katara, one of my favorites, is gently and maturely supportive in pushing boyfriend Aang to accede to Zuko’s request but is also unabashedly unapologetic and a typical teenager, when it comes to expressing her feelings; she and Aang will damn well make out if they want to, and her grossed-out elder brother Sokka will just have to deal with his “oogies.”
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