Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part Three

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part Three
Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru, 2012

Premise: Sequel to Part One, Part Two. The Harmony Restoration movement is in crisis. No one is willing to back down from the disputed city of Yu Dao, and it looks like the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation are headed straight for another war. The gang does what they can to try and convince the sides to talk, but ultimately Aang is going to have to decide what to do. How can he balance what he thinks is right with his loyalty to his friends and his terrible promise?

Yeeeesssss. YES. Oh, this wraps up this plotline in a lovely way, and gives us the hook for the next miniseries. BRING IT ON.

Everyone is just wonderful, although it hurts my heart in the best way to see them at odds. Katara starting to deal with the reality of not just being involved with Aang, but being with the Avatar, and how that’s different. Sokka, Suki and Toph are doing what they can from the sidelines, but it all comes down to Aang and Zuko, of course.

Zuko is struggling with his past, his future, and just trying to figure out whether he can even trust his own judgement. Aang is starting to compare the past he knew to the possible futures he guesses at and doesn’t know what the right thing is either. Meanwhile, the people of Yu Dao aren’t about to give up their way of life peacefully.

Since it’s based on a cartoon, there’s been a bit of dancing around the word “kill” in this whole story, but you know what they mean and the scenes are still incredibly powerful.

Plus the hook. EEEE! I want the next story NOW! I’m not going to tell you, you’ll have to trust me what I say it’s awesome.

All three parts together make this by far my favorite comic-book thing I read in 2012.

5 Stars - An Awesome Book