Firestarter - Jimmy Eat World

Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Promise, Part 1

Author: Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: Gurihiru
Pages: 76
ARC Acquired from: Dark Horse Books via NetGalley

For those who don't know, there's going to be another Avatar television, featuring Aang's granddaughter, the new avatar. This is the first in a series of graphic novels that will connect (in some fashion...I'm not sure whether the whole span of time will be covered or not) the old show with the new one.

This volume focuses on Zuko in his new role as leader of the fire kingdom. He fears that one day he will become like his father, a terrifying despot bent on world domination, so he forces Aang to promise to kill him, should that be the case. Will this be necessary? Will Aang have the stones to follow through if it is?

The first 15 pages of the story summarize the plot of the show (3 seasons in 15 pages...right), mostly by using the intro of the show. Much is made of Aang and Katara as a couple, but I still don't buy it. Like Sokka, the whole thing gives me the oogies. Zukatara all the way!

The rest of the tale talks about the first issue to come up in world politics after the change in power: the Fire Kingdom colonies in the Earth Kingdom. The people of the Earth Kingdom want them gone, but some of them do not want to go, because they have lived there for over a century. Can this be sorted out without war?

So far, I'm definitely digging getting more Avatar. However, I have to say that I think the fact that the volume consists of only 80 pages is seriously lame. More next time, guys!

"I'm a twisted firestarter"