Lurker > Amenadeel

Currently reading The Promise, which is about the question burning inside fans for most of the series: what happened to Zuko's mother?

So far they started it off exactly like I would have thought. Ursa had a true love but Azulon forced her to marry Ozai. And he intentionally sought her out because she was related to Avatar Roku, who wanted his bloodline hidden away.

See, that makes a lot of sense. But while I was wondering if they were going to do a reveal about Zuko's lineage, I also wonder if it's a fake out. We'll see.

Holy crap. No way. Ozai is not Zuko's dad? Is this canon?

The Promise is the first of the books and takes place after the end of the series. Basically it deals with the harmony restoration movement after the defeat of the Fire Lord and all the colonies being kicked out of the earth kingdom.

What I find particularly powerful is that the comic addresses the exact things that I was wondering about at the end of the series. In that just because the Fire Lord is defeated, doesn't mean that peace is truly accomplished.

Hell, the yu dao city is almost an exact parallel of the Israel and Palestine situation. That is an incredibly complex issue to put in a children's series and the way they present it is downright impressive.

Plus, this foreshadows the opening I saw in legend of korra's first episode! I'm glad I waited to read the comics first. This added world building and lore building is fantastic.

MorganTJ posted...

There's an official webgame that takes place between Book 2 and 3, and goes more into the previous four Avatar's lives. If also sheds more light on the previous Water Tribe and Air Nomad Avatars, who you don't really get much from outside of the finale a bit.

There's also a few brief behind-the-scenes segments that focus on the reasons that the four primary bending styles are based on a specific real-life martial art. IIRC, Bagua was Air, Hung Gar was Earth, Tai Chi was Water, and Northern Shaolin was Fire. Obviously some characters have their own styles, like Toph's being based on Northern Mantis Style.

Oh yeah they mentioned that in the book as well, the series creators were explaining that they based bending on all these martial arts techniques, like tai chi for water. Was really super cool.

Anyway I finished the lost adventures, and definitely recommend it for any fan of the series, it's an amazing collection of stories.

Now I'm going to be reading the first new story that's right after the end of the series: The Promise

You guys really should take a look at the art of the series. Seeing the creative process and those gorgeous backgrounds really makes you appreciate the scope of the creators work on avatar.

Now it's time for the stories. Reading the comics in chronological/release order, and first is the lost adventures, which take place during the series and actually features storylines I wanted to see on the show so I'm glad I got to see them in comic form at least. It explains a lot of stuff I was wondering about, such as what happened between season 2 finale and season 3's beginning, I liked that they explained that.

Also Reading up on the art of the series, and how the creators got the show on Nickelodeon in the first place. I definitely want to ask them about that, if they ever wanted to go to Disney or other companies to pitch this amazing show.

It turns out one of them already worked on a show for Nickelodeon before so that kinda makes sense why they decided to go to them. Apparently Nickelodeon wanted a show that was full of magic and action like Harry potter or Lord of the rings, which was all the rage in the early 2000s.

I'm currently reading the comics to bridge the gap between the show and its sequel so that I can go in fully prepared for the show.

I'm absolutely loving the way the comics are drawn and colored. It's like watching an episode of the show on paper form, just gorgeous art and coloring.

stoltenberg11 posted...

I feel like book one was a little too episodic until the end, and the more serialized books 2 and 3 allowed the show to really shine.

They were episodic, so I see what you mean. But also I'm glad for them, because the show was finding its bearing at the time and unlike procedural shows that are just episodic, in avatar each episode served a purpose. They helped to establish the world to the audience and show us/Aang a world engulfed in war and suffering from it. Not to mention how great it was that some of these characters played a role later in the series. I was so glad we got to see suki again.

Then later the show gets so amazing with so many complex themes being tackled that I honestly feel it's not just a kids show, it is a series that can be appreciated even more by adults, just like JLU or spectacular Spider-Man or yj or any greg weisman show really.

So here's my review of the series. Book 1 is very good, but Book 2 of avatar and 3 are just out of this world amazing. It's kind of like Justice League to Justice League Unlimited. The original justice league was still a great show but justice league unlimited just took it up so many notches. From the subtle improvement in animation design, to the mature storylines. These can all be seen by the end of book 1, and then further increased in book 2 and 3.

Plus the development of all the characters as the show goes on, it really puts the show up there as part of the greatest animated shows of all time.

I guess when you put it that way it does seem similar. I'm trying to remember if other shows did the heroes lose and things look grim thing but can't remember though I'm sure I've seen it before.

But if it is like that then it's probably just inspiration, like how a lot of the show borrows inspiration from other culture's settings, or even other shows like how the play recap episode reminded me of Reboot.

masterpug53 posted...

I love the show to death, but once it dawned on me that the last two episodes of S2 were almost a direct copy of Empire Strikes Back, I couldn't unsee it.

Now that I've seen the whole series I have to ask, how is it like Empire strikes back?

Azardea posted...

It really is. Glad you liked it so much!
I'm guessing you'll be watching Korra when you're done with the comics?
It's also great, and a bit more mature and dark, but not quite as good as TLA IMO.

I'll be honest I watched the first episode because I was really curious what the sequel would be like and... yeah. It's too soon. I think it'll be a while before I go back, I was not ready for that 1930s new yorkish setting and didn't like it. Was too taken aback. Maybe in a year or so.

Phantom_Nook posted...

One scene that really got to me was in Boiling Rock, when Zuko locks Mai in the cell so he can escape, you can see the anger and sadness in her eyes.

Initially I was wondering was she hurt that Zuko "betrayed" the Fire nation and joined the enemy or... was she hurt that he didn't confide in her and trust her to go with him?

At first I thought the former but after she helped him escape I think it may have been the latter. Which further shows that not everyone is brainwashed by the Fire nation.

Itt we post episodes/scenes/clips that wrecked us. I'll start:

https://youtu.be/ErmZRsCIUsE

(Felt like having a good cry today )

That insecure moment with her dad when she was like you can't treat me this way, you can't treat me like Zuko really hit me that Azula, with all her manipulating and socipathy, was still just a kid. And with no Zuko, there's no weakest link that she can blame everything going wrong on. The buck stops with her.

Jeff AKA Snoopy posted...

She was still incredibly young for having all that power. She basically started to try and plan against if someone like her tried to come after her, and she became so paranoid she couldn't trust anyone. This is especially true when her "best friends" moved against her.

My love for Zuko is stronger than my fear of you

I feel like that moment broke her.

I was thinking the same thing, I think that ty lee and mai turning against her really threw her out of a loop, she was not expecting it at all.

It made her paranoid that even her... friends (if someone like her who has used fear her entire life to control or manipulate people can even have friends) turned against her, she'll never be safe.

Also why do you think Azula completely lost it? She had it all, everything was at her fingertips, she was the Fire Lord, she had an army of soldiers, why did she start freaking out like that.

One thing I was hoping I'd see (well one of many things) is ty lee and Mai breaking out of prison or being sprung out by the gang and then they also join team avatar and help in the fight against the Fire Lord.

Not necessary, but it would have been a nice segue to seeing tylee joining the kyoshi warriors if they had them fighting together against fire soldiers or something.

But anyway, my final verdict on the show:

Amazing, amazing, amazing. One of the greatest shows of all time. I can't spend enough time complimenting it.

The characters, the story, the animation, the music... it's all superb.

Thanks guys!

So I'm looking up the comics and reading through them and they're amazing. The art style is gorgeous and matches the show exactly, so it's just like watching an episode of the show. Definitely must read for fans

so... The air benders really were wiped out. I was clinging to the notion that there was a secret base somewhere, that some escaped and were in hiding. I didn't know at the time that the show would deal with themes as mature as outright genocide. Now I'm sad because if he's truly the last airbender that means that's it, after him it will be a lost art forever. Heck that would affect the cycle of avatars, it would probably end anyway.

And what did happen to Zuko's mother? We didn't get to hear what the former Fire Lord said.

And what is the fate of Azula? They didn't show. If anyone is likely to disturb the peace, break out of prison, start a coup de tat, and overthrow Zuko, it's her.

That's it guys, it's over. They all lived happily ever after. Oh man I can't believe that's it, I want to see more, more!

I'll post my overall thoughts on the series later, I need some time to collect myself.

That was... amazing! Aang's avatar state was triggered and that battle with the Fire Lord was gripping! In the end he didn't kill him. I'm kinda glad. He took his bending away, that makes sense. Magic Lion turtle came out of nowhere (was there such a creature mentioned before in the show?)

Still I thought it fit, it makes sense for the avatar to bend the energy of a person, something only the avatar can do

Why was Katara just standing there in the middle of an agni kye? Oh well at least she was the one that took down Azula.

Basically bawled at Zuko and Iroh reconciling. It was exactly like I imagined. These are happy tears.

Jesus the Fire Lord is insane. Burning ba sing se and everything to the ground? What does he just want to rule an ash field?

This... This is it. Sozin's comet. The end's not near, it's here.

Phantom_Nook posted...

"Did Jet just die?"
"You know, it was really unclear."

that part really cracked me up lol

Hehe they're watching a play based on their adventures.

I like this episode because it's a clever way to do a recap and more so than that, it reminds me a lot of that Reboot episode.

Reboot was this little known amazing show in the 90s for those that didn't grow up with it, and it had an episode where they did a recap through a play with a song to the tune of that "modern major general" song.

This avatar episode reminded me a lot of that Reboot episode in the best way.

Poor Aang. The play really embarrassed him by pointing out something we were all thinking, that Katara sees him as a little brother type and not in a romantic way.

I also realized that both Sokka and Katara seem to have the most love interests don't they? Those water tribe huh guys. With Sokka it's pretty much every girl that's not his sister, and Katara had that one earth bender dude, Jet, and they even hinted at something going on with Zuko.

Also depressing that the enemy made that play so the audience actually cheers when the Fire Lord wins.

So close now until the comet...

We're so close to the end. Would I like legend of Korra after this? I'm usually wary of sequels to outstanding shows.

RoseIsHorriblle posted...

Ty Lee and May perfectly represent the people who get dragged in a war they don't want to be in and can't leave either out of fear or royalty. Sometimes people do not have a choice.

You know what that's a good point. I was waiting to see something like this in the Fire nation, how war is unpleasant even for the instigators. They showed it a bit in that episode with the poor fire village polluted by that fire nation factory.

Phantom_Nook posted...

I love how Zuko gets time to bond with the Gaang. It's like he's a totally different character from the start of the series.

Right? He's mellowed out, helpful, almost goofy at times which is so surreal to see animated like that. Still has his anger and hot temper, but there's like a change that's come over him. I can't believe how much he's changed but don't even question it because I'm just so happy about it

Oh man I see what they're doing! Every episode is centered around Zuko bonding with the other members. That's a really nifty idea! Katara finally trusts him. I was worried they were going to show him egging her on to kill the dude, but I'm glad that wasn't what they were going for. It was still a bit worrisome when Katara bloodbended that one soldier though.

But all this non violence Aang is all of a sudden preaching... kinda conflicts with what they've been going through the past three seasons.

What were you guys more shocked by, may helping Zuko or ty lee helping May?

Even the reasoning she gives: "You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you"

Literally on the edge of my seat during that confrontation. Literally.

You could tell that was one thing Azula wasn't prepared for or anticipating, she was shocked too. Something finally happened that wiped that perpetual smirk off her face. I'm glad for that at least.

I'm glad they got sokka and katara's dad out. That was heartwarming. And it's made me hope Zuko gets to reconcile with his uncle before the end.

But holy crap. Did you guys expect that from May? She helped Zuko. She... She does care. I was for sure thinking she like the rest were just brain washed fire nation style. And not only that, Ty Lee struck Azula to save May herself! My jaw dropped. I don't even know what to think right now about them both.

Oh thank God. Suki is fine. I hate the Fire nation so much, how dare they imprison her in such an awful place.

But man a sokka and Zuko partnership, they're bonding surprisingly great.

Lol at:

"my girlfriend turned into the moon"

"That's rough buddy"

seriously it's like a new budding bromance, I love it.

Oh dang this is so cool, all bending comes from animals? Dragons for fire bending, sky bison for air bending, and earth moles for earth bending? I wonder what animal water bending comes from.

The fire bending masters episode was amazing. They memorized those dance moves a little quick when they'd only just seen the statues, but I didn't even care, that was freaking badass. The way they were doing the sacred dance with the dragons flying around them and then both dragons doing the rainbow colored firespin... That was awesome.

And heck, just an episode about Zuko and Aang as allies (nay, maybe even friends) together on a mission? Book 3 is awesome. Who would have thought it would be Zuko who would teach Aang fire bending.

Lol that was hilarious, Zuko trying be good and trying to explain himself to "team avatar"

At least Appa seems to like him. And huh, toph wasn't around when he was chasing them in s1 so she was the first one willing to give him a chance. Even after he accidentally burned her feet, I hope that's not permanent!

Katara seems to hate him most, even more than Aang... I can imagine why, if she had wasted her special healing water on Zuko, Aang wouldn't have been revived after being struck by Azula lightning and would be dead...

Phantom_Nook posted...

And at this point, those of us watching the series in real time had to wait many months to see what happened next.

I feel for you guys. To have actually watched this as it was airing 10+ years ago is so insane to think about though because I still can't get over this being a Nickelodeon cartoon. A Nick cartoon in the 2000s amid all their live action MTVkids crap programming. A Nick cartoon in the 2000s that's utterly fantastic. It's like... how? Why was this on Nick and not Disney or some other channel?

It's like finding a diamond in a sea of coal.

Phantom_Nook posted...

The Earth King blabbed when Azula was disguised as a Kyoshi Warrior.

*Facepalm* duh! Cant believe I forgot about that. Both me and sokka forgot about it, they should have suspected after the earth king was infiltrated! How could we miss it.

He did it, Iroh broke out! I wonder where he went.

More importantly... Zuko. Zuko... stood up to his dad???!!!! Omg omg the thing they teased us with in book 2 but then disappointed us, now it's happening? Zuko is on the side of good??!!!!

Oh. my. god. This is the most insane most exciting thing yet. I can't believe it. Zuko Is planning to help the avatar.

They... They knew. How did they know? Is there a mole on the team? How did Azula and fires know they were going to invade during the eclipse?

I can't believe it. Everything, all that planning... for nothing?

Omg omg the day of black sun! It's finally here!

holy crap holy crap! This is it. I can't believe they're finally invading the Fire nation!

Doom_Art posted...

I just assumed it was magical space metal

It isn't? I mean after all if a comet can apparently give fire benders more power, I'm sure meteorites and meteors also hold special powers.

Bloodbending? How utterly terrifying. Old people are so scary.

And the worst part is it's not her fault, the Fire nation made her this way. I can't even blame her when they were literally imprisoned and tortured.

But still, a very horrifying skill. I feel for Katara.

masterpug53 posted...

Bruh, don't even tell me you didn't comment on one of my favorite eps, 'Sokka's Master.'

Oh man sorry I really wanted to! Here's the thing, it was so good I had to see more and couldn't stop myself from binging before posting in this topic.

Such a great sokka episode. I mentioned before that despite making him the goof/comic relief most of the time, they really know when to treat his character well. I loved how the gang missed him and showed what he brings to the group.

And I particularly loved how they showed something that was brought up in a later episode: that one being from the Fire nation doesn't mean they're bad. The sword master knew right away and helped sokka. Also I like his meteor sword, that looks cool.

This show handles its characters so damn well.

Oh my god. Finally. They finally explained the origin of the war, the avatar, all of it. That episode was chilling.

Zuko's great grandfathers were both the Fire Lord sozin and the avatar roku!

That was one of the best episodes. I almost don't want this show to end, I had no idea I'd like it so much.

Omg never mind, book 3 is amazing and I'm once again super stoked.

That beach episode was hilarious and I loved getting to see the Fire girls and Zuko in that kinda setting (now I see what everyone is talking about with ty lee, all the guys are into her. Azula is hilarious too in her own demonic way)

Also it all but confirms what I suspected, this show is basically an anime that's American produced. That beach episode is pretty reminiscent of all those anime beach episodes and I really liked it.

And I really liked seeing Aang in school. I hope we find out just how exactly the Fire nation beat the air nomads. Seeing the brain washing of young kids confirms my suspicions exactly.