The Last Airbender is still one of the most enjoyable comics ever created. It’s still considered one of the greatest television shows of all time. Also, it was built and structured uniquely to the network. Avatar is a timeless classic that anyone can read and is perfect for any media, as the newly released novels have shown.
These graphic novels are a must-read for anybody who wants to see more of the life and adventures of Team Avatar after the end of the 100-year war in a series of overarching graphic novel trilogies. The comics bridge the gap between Avatar, The Last Airbender, and the legend of Korra. I will serve as an introduction and guide for mainly all Avatar comics. You will know what the comics are about and what order to read them. A lot of mysticism here makes the story’s origin compelling.
Avatar The Last Airbender Comic Characters Introduction
Avatar, The Last Airbender, is a popular animated television series that has expanded its universe through various graphic novels and comic series. Some comic series characters are unique to the comics and expand the world of Avatar beyond the original television series. Here are introductions to a few of these characters:
Aang: Aang is the protagonist of the series and the last surviving Airbender. He is the latest incarnation of the Avatar, responsible for maintaining a balance between the four nations. He learns to master all four elements (water, earth, fire, and air) to defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred Year War.
Katara: Katara is a skilled water-bender from the Southern Water Tribe. She joins Aang on his quest to save the world and becomes his water-bending teacher.
Sokka: Sokka is Katara’s brother and a skilled strategist and warrior from the Southern Water Tribe. He joins Aang’s journey as a non-bender but contributes with his intelligence, humor, and resourcefulness.
Zuko: Zuko is the banished prince of the Fire Nation, initially serving as an antagonist. Driven by his desire to regain his honor and his father’s approval, Zuko pursues Aang throughout the series. Eventually, he realizes the error of his ways, joins Aang’s team, and becomes his firebending teacher.
Iroh: Iroh is Zuko’s wise and compassionate uncle, who provides guidance and support throughout Zuko’s journey.
Appa: Appa is Aang’s loyal flying bison and the team’s primary mode of transportation. He is the last of his kind, providing a strong bond with Aang and a valuable asset to the team.
Momo: Momo is a lemur-like creature called a flying lemur who becomes Aang’s pet and a companion to the group. He provides comic relief and occasionally assists the team in various situations.
Toph Beifong: Toph is a blind earthbender prodigy who becomes Aang’s earthbending teacher. Despite her disability, she is a formidable warrior, using her heightened senses and innovative earthbending techniques to assist the team.
Azula: Azula is Zuko’s younger sister and a ruthless firebending prodigy. She is one of the primary antagonists, relentlessly pursuing Team Avatar and attempting to capture Aang.
Suki: Suki is the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, a group of skilled non-bender female fighters. She becomes Sokka’s love interest and an ally to Team Avatar, using her martial arts skills to help the group.
Fire Lord Ozai: Ozai is the series’ primary antagonist, ruling the Fire Nation with an iron fist. His quest for power and world domination drives the Hundred Year War.
Mai: Mai is one of Azula’s childhood friends and a skilled fighter specializing in throwing weapons.
Ty Lee: Ty Lee is another of Azula’s childhood friends and a skilled acrobat and martial artist. She has the unique ability to disable her opponents’ bending abilities temporarily. Like Mai, Ty Lee eventually defects from Azula and aligns herself with the heroes.
Kori Morishita: Kori is a skilled earth bender from the Fire Nation colony of Yu Dao. She comes from a mixed heritage of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom descent.
Toph’s Metalbending Students:
a. Ho Tun: A shy and soft-spoken earth bender boy, Ho Tun is one of Toph’s first metalbending students. He is characterized by his anxiety and extreme sensitivity to vibrations, which makes him a potentially powerful earthbender.
b. Penga: Penga is a confident and sassy earthbender who learns metalbending under Toph’s tutelage. She is popular for her strong personality and sharp wit.
c. The Dark One: Initially going by the name “The Dark One,” this student is an introverted and mysterious earthbender. Later, he reveals his real name as “Mo Ce” and learns to accept his feelings and find inner peace.
Rafa and Misu: Rafa and Misu are siblings who are skilled waterbenders. They play a crucial role in the comic series “The Rift.” The siblings share a deep bond and have a tragic past connected to a dangerous spirit, which they eventually confronted with the help of Team Avatar.
Malina and Maliq: Malina and Maliq are a sister-brother duo from the Northern Water Tribe who appears in the comic series “North and South.” They have ambitious plans for the Southern Water Tribe, which puts them in conflict with Team Avatar and ultimately leads to a change in their perspective.
Old Iron: Old Iron is an ancient and powerful spirit who appears in “The Rift.” He harbors a grudge against humans for exploiting his land and resources. He clashes with Team Avatar and the local human population before reaching an understanding.
These are a few unique characters introduced in the Avatar: The Last Airbender comic series, which help further enrich the world and storylines of this beloved franchise.
Storyline
The four nations lived together in harmony long ago: Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, Water Tribes, and the Air Nomads. Then everything changed when the fire nation attacked. The Last Airbender is about Aang and his journey to stop, followed by events with Soka and Katara. The series throws a lot at us while balancing comedy and drama. Its simple grand storytelling starts in black and white but gets more nuanced as the parts go along.
Some magical powers tied to spirituality, a side character that can’t speak and communicates in grunts, a wise mental figure that looks 100 years old, detailed world-building a fantastic school. The list goes on and on. It is still a show about war or the framework that defines every character in the parts. Themes of genocide and prisoners of war are explored in great detail, showing what a destroyed culture does to someone like Aang. It also shows what a destroyed spirit does to a prisoner and says when we see the fire nation’s effects on the rest of the world. It’s a bigger part of lighter seasons.
The first episode establishes relationship dynamics for four of its main characters. It is a beautiful introduction to the idea of water bending and even a slight indictment of toxic masculinity. It is an idea that’s central to the character of Sakia.
The first characters we meet in the comic (Sokka and Katara): Katara is the motherly one having to take care of her brother Socco since the death of their mother. She’s strong-willed and challenging, but she’s soft and nurturing. She can be envious when picking up water and bending easily while she struggles to learn all by herself. Sokka is the comic relief, and his skepticism provides some great laughs and never overshadows the underlying nature of his character to protect himself as the only boy in the southern water tribe.
Katara struggles with moral issues in the comics. In the case of Katara, facing the choice of giving in to vengeance or, in any case, saving the world at his own spiritual expense, killing the fire Lord, and going against everything he believes in. This series has many characters, aspects, morals, and stories.
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Order
Avatar: The Last Airbender is based on the Avatar television show on Nickelodeon cartoon. It’s about a young boy who is supposedly the coming messiah of his time. He is The Last Airbender, the person who is destined to master all the elements and to save good-hearted people from the fire nation.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Comics Reading Order (Serially)
- The Lost Adventures
- The Promise
- The Search
- The Rift
- Smoke and Shadow
- North and South
- Imbalance
By Anthologies:
- Team Avatar Tales
- Katara and the Pirate’s Silver
- Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy
- Suki, Alone
- Avatar: The Last Airbender – Chibi Vol. 1: Aang’s Unfreezing Day (2022)
Checkout my list: Avatar The Last Airbender Books List
1. The Lost Adventures
This collection of short stories happened throughout the series and got put in the TV show. Different artists illustrate each one. They’re fun little stories, like little adventures throughout the series. It’s a big book with over 200 pages of stories. Some interesting stories are set between the show’s seasons and the books.
You will discover how Katara felt about Aang while unconscious between books two and three of the show. It almost tends to be the book that’s like forgetting about a little bit, doesn’t get discussed as much, but it’s worth getting your hands on. You get a lot of different writers and artists for the other stories. So you will get various takes on the Avatar world. Some of the stories are quite interesting.
Book One: Water – Between Season 1 and Season 2
Book Two: Earth – Between Season 2 and Season 3
Book Three: Fire – After Season 3
Author: Aaron Ehasz, Josh Hamilton
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Illustrated edition
2. The Promise
The Promise is the first of the graphic novel trilogies and mainly occurs a year after the show’s end. The fire lord Zuko tries to come to terms with his new role as the fire nation leader while still haunted by his past.
There are younger characters like Alan Zuko who have to adapt to being leaders in the world and some other stuff. You get to see some adorable moments where they hang a Katara; obviously, other stuff also happens. Toph has an exciting plot where she starts up a metal-bending school.
Several factions are dealing with the fact that the fire nation has now been defeated. Some of the colonists want them to move back to the fire nation. But the issue is that some of these people’s lives had been embedded. Some of these fire nation colonies had been embedded into Earthborn culture.
Aang promises Zoko that he’s not sure that he can keep. That’s why it’s called the promise. They’re celebrating that they defeated Vilvoorde, Ozzy, and everything seems like it’s going to be peaceful.
There are three parts: Part 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Omnibus edition
3. The Search
The Search is the second graphic novel trilogy. As the title and covers suggest, it tells the story of Erza, including her origins and life at court as the wife of then-fire Prince Ozai. Zuko sets out on a quest to find his mother with the aid of Team Avatar and his sister Azula. What sounds like an unlikely team-up proves to be an exciting premise for the story and what a story it is.
The search is very self-explanatory as it properly deals with the question. What happened to Mother? What happened to Earth? Azula comes back into play in this book and starts her trend in the comic book. There’s some important stuff going to happen with the Azula in the comics.
There’s bound to be some major conflict between the siblings who share the spotlight with their mother. For fans of Azula and Zuko, this comic is not one to ignore. This is an incredible journey where the whole team comes together to help Zuko search for his mother. Also, it has a surprising amount of spiritual aspects where the spirits are involved in it. So it’s highly regarded in the fandom covering this topic very well.
There are three individual parts and the hardcover for the search: Part 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Omnibus edition
4. The Rift
The third comic trilogy is called The Rift. This one is more tough-focused, but Aang is in its as much. And the big thing here is that it’s tough dealing with some of the issues with her parents, in this case, primarily her father. Avatar’s specific journey has a more spiritual arc in the book. But it also brings him and Toph into conflict with each other as they deal with this theme of modernization versus tradition.
The Rift focuses on Aang and Toph as both must confront their past, which is heavily affected by the future. For Toph, this means meeting her father again after not seeing each other ever since she ran away. In comparison, Aang tries to revive the old traditions of the air nomads troubled by Avatar’s sudden appearances, Yang Chin, and the ensuing challenges of upholding the ways of the air nomads. Like the promise, the two lead characters, again Toph, find themselves at odds with one another’s clashing personalities. So, their friendship is on the test.
Toph wants the world to advance, and they clash over incidents throughout the book. Many kinds of incredible moments, surprises, and characters happened here.
The Rift has three parts: 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Omnibus edition
5. Smoke and Shadow
The fourth comic is called Smoke and Shadow. It starts a little bit more fire. Nation politics is focused more. It’s dealing with the aftermath of the search, what happened there, and the fire nation. The writer of all five of these comics will discuss some fascinating history of the fire nation and charming spiritual elements. Also, this one covers it in a lot more detail.
Despite the 100-year war, the capital city experienced a new uproar caused by the so-called new Ozai society. Children suddenly get kidnapped by mysterious figures, only putting more pressure on the fire Zuko’s shoulders. The former prince asks the avatar for help to cope with the problem.
There are 3 parts: Part 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Omnibus edition
6. North and South
North and South is the fifth comic trilogy, marking Katara’s return. It has to do with the tensions between the northern water tribe and the southern water tribe. Katara and Salka finally go home to say hi to the dad and see their tribe. It’s changed a little bit because the water tribe is gaining influence. There’s some back and forth between whether or not they want the northern water tribes to influence there. The northern and southern water tribes are so different from each other culturally that they consider each other foreigners. It’s an interesting dynamic.
Katara has a hard time adapting to how different the tribe is. Some northerners are down there occasionally, almost taking control of things. Many sorts of water tribe politics come into play in soccer. Hakata gets a bigger role in this book, and the other characters return. This is the book where Aang isn’t as focused here. Most of this book gives the spotlight on Katara and the water tribes.
This comic has three parts: Part 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Library Edition
7. Imbalance
It is the sixth and most recently completed comic trilogy centered around Pheng and his friends. The story occurs in Krein Fishtown, eventually evolving into Republic City. Years later, Aang and Toph must stifle a conflict between benders and non-benders, though there’s more to the problem than meets the eye. It sounds very reminiscent of the events in the legend of Korra, signaling that the comics are bridging the gap between the two series more and more.
There’s a particular frame where Aang gives you a surprise. You will see how everyone constructs Republic City. Also, a crazy villain character is the weakest part of this comic book. There are also some inconsistencies with Toph.
I recommend this comic book, especially if you’re interested in Republic City and how it got built up. It’s perfect for that. It has some of the best action regarding the fight choreography in the panels.
This novel has three parts: Part 1, 2 & 3.
Author: Faith Erin Hicks, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Peter Wartman (Illustrator)
Average Rating: (4.9/5)
Publisher: Dark Horse Books, Library Edition
The Last Airbender Comic’s Anthologies Review
Anthologies are a great way to tell multiple stories without being restricted to one overarching plot thread. As for the Avatar franchise, there are only two comic anthologies. The Lost Adventures is an anthology of comics collecting previously unpublished comics. The first 26 comics occurred between episodes of the first series, while the last two are noncanonical stories.
Rebound
Many comics don’t sound important at first sight. Some are inbound with the graphic novel trilogies, while others tell independent stories and provide nice character development. Rebound is the first mini-comic published at Free Comic Book Day. It’s a follow-up to the events from the first graphic novel trilogy.
Team Avatar Tales
Team Avatar Tales is the second anthology of comics, including the previously published Free Comic Book Day issues and brand-new mini-comics. During and after the series runs, a new addition to Avatar comics.
Katara and the Pirate’s Silver
This comic is set in book two, Earth of Avatar, The Last Airbender, between the episodes and bitter work in the library. It follows Katara as she gets separated from Team Avatar after an ambush by the fire nation. She has to side with a group of pirates to return to her friends. Team Avatar Tales and many other news stories we’ve never seen before.
There are some beautiful moments in how Katara teaches Aang more quickly. You will meet some new characters in this. There is a little plotline with Aang and a five-nation soldier. Aang is trying to convince the soldier that Airbender doesn’t suck. So, they weren’t trying to take over the world before the genocide.
Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy
The next graphic novel occurs between the Rift Part Three and North and South Part One, where Toph and her metal-bending students appear again. Sakia and Sukey visit Toph and meets familiar faces from team Avatar’s journey during the war who help her regain inspiration.
This novel talks about Toph and the Metal Bending Academy, a trilogy for girl power. The biggest element was the idea of Toph returning to her roots. There is a theme about Toph being part of the establishment associated with the Avatar. She’s associated with all the reformation that’s going on with the Earth King.
So she’s dealing with the idea of being part of the establishment. There are many things in this where we see new elements being put into practice and new development.
Suki, Alone
Suki is one of the greatest characters in Avatar. The specific plotline puts her in a situation where she has to fend for herself. It’s very different than the other two comics, filled with emotion and heartbreak. If the book isn’t like a flashback focus, it will be about Suki organizing people. Suki ultimately puts the boiling rock prison towards the end of book two. When she gets captured by Azula, it’s in the middle of Opa Lost Days, a flashback.
There’s a long period, and you’ve got more than a season’s worth of like in-between content appearances of Suki. It’ll be fascinating to see how they ride around the whole continuity stuff. It also continues the Avatar-type tradition of doing character-alone episodes, proving this can be incredible.
In what order should you read? (Guidelines to read Avatar)
The graphic novel trilogies are an excellent place to start. If you want to do it right, start with Avatar’s The Last Airbender trilogies and read them in the following order. After catching up on the Avatar, The Last Airbender trilogies, you can either start reading the standalone graphic novels, which take place in different places.
If you want some different adventures on the side, you can also read The Lost Adventures, which entails stories during the hundred-year War. You can switch things up by first reading The Lost Adventures, then co-star in The Pirates Silver, as that story takes place during the show. Then get into the comic trilogies.
After you finish the Avatar, The Last Airbender trilogies, you can continue with the Legend of Korra comic trilogies. Now things get a little bit trickier, but no need to panic. This is where the short comics come into play as they take place. The rebound was the first to be published between various graphic novel trilogies. You can read it after you’ve finished with The Promise Part Two.
Follow this sequence:
- Book One: Water (20 episodes).
- Book Two: Earth (20 episodes).
- Book Three: Fire (21 episodes).
After watching the animated series, you can dive into the graphic novel series that expands the story of the Avatar universe. The graphic novels should be read in the following order:
- The Promise (3 parts).
- The Search (3 parts).
- The Rift (3 parts).
- Smoke and Shadow (3 parts).
- North and South (3 parts).
- Imbalance (3 parts).
- Katara and the Pirate’s Silver (standalone).
- Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy (standalone).
Another series set in the same universe is “The Legend of Korra,” a sequel to “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” It consists of four seasons, also known as “books,” and can be watched in the following order:
- Book One: Air (12 episodes).
- Book Two: Spirits (14 episodes).
- Book Three: Change (13 episodes).
- Book Four: Balance (13 episodes).
There are also graphic novels that continue the story of “The Legend of Korra.” If you want to read them in order, here’s the sequence:
- Turf Wars (3 parts).
- Ruins of the Empire (3 parts).
Reading the Avatar universe content in the order provided in the previous response is generally recommended. Following the proper order will help you understand the storyline, character development, and relationships better, as the creators intended.
Some popular questions about Avatar comics:
- What happened with the gang after the war?
- Was Aang The Last Airbender?
- Where does Republic City come from?
- Did Toph ever reunite with her parents?
- Why is everything so technologically advanced in Kora’s time?
- How did Avatar Kyoshi become 230 years old?
- What happened with Azula?
- What’s the deal with the Southern and Northern Water Tribes?
- What about the lives of the avatars before Ancora?
If you have already read avatars, answer them in the comment section. If you want to start reading, note down the questions and find the answers by reading these comics.
Is Avatar: The Last Airbender for Kids?
Avatar: The Last Airbender primarily targets a younger audience, particularly children and teenagers. The show originally aired on Nickelodeon, a children’s television network, and features a mix of humor, action, and adventure that appeals to a younger demographic. In summary, while Avatar: The Last Airbender is designed for kids, its depth and maturity make it enjoyable for people of all ages.
When should I read Avatar comics?
After watching the animated series, you should read the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics. The comics pick up where the series left off, and they help to fill in some gaps and unanswered questions from the show. Reading the comics after watching the series will give you a deeper understanding of the characters and storylines and an appreciation for the extended universe.
The comics are released in a series of graphic novels, which are best read in the following order to follow the chronological events and character developments:
- The Promise (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
- The Search (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
- The Rift (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
- Smoke and Shadow (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
- North and South (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
- Imbalance (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
Additionally, there are standalone comics, such as “The Lost Adventures” and “Team Avatar Tales,” which consist of short stories that take place during the events of the animated series. You can read these at any point after finishing the show because they offer supplementary and entertaining content.
Remember that the comic series also expands to include “The Legend of Korra,” a sequel to the original animated series. After finishing the comics and watching The Legend of Korra, you can also explore the Korra comics. Enjoy your journey through the Avatar universe!
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Table of Contents
