Book Review: Avatar The Last Airbender Smoke and Shadow Part Three by Gene Luen Yang et al.

Avatar The Last Airbender Smoke and Shadow Part Three written by Gene Luen Yang, lettering by Michael Heisler, art and cover by Gurihiru

Reviews of Part One here and Part Two here!

Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang have chased down the Kemurikage and discovered Azula, Zuko's disenfranchised sister, is their leader. She escapes during the fight and kidnaps Zuko's baby sister. Zuko uses his authority as Fire Lord to shut down the capital city and round up all of the people involved with the New Ozai Society, which turns out to be an arm of the Kemurikage. Riots erupt. Can Zuko rescue the kidnapped children and keep the peace with his people? What is Azula's plan?

This volume finishes the story well. It focuses on the characters' motivations and has a nice awareness of the larger political situation. The book doesn't skimp on the action, either, though the humor is less than usual. The last page of the book promises the return of Sokka in October 2016 so you can be sure the humor will be back in full force then. I can't wait!

Book Review: Avatar The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow Part Two by Gene Luen Yang et al.

Avatar The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow Part Two written by Gene Luen Yang, art and covers by Gurihiru, lettering by Michael Heisler

See my review of Part One here.

Avatar Aang is summoned to the Fire Nation capital to help Fire Lord Zuko deal with their latest crisis. Children are being kidnapped in the middle of the night by the dark spirits known as Kemurikage. The legends of these spirits go back for centuries but solid information about them is scarce. Aang and Zuko go into the Dragonbone Catacombs (where previous Fire Lords are buried) in hopes of finding some answers. In the meantime, Ukano (secretly a member of the New Ozai Society trying to overthrow Zuko) stirs up trouble in the city by forming a volunteer militia to fight the spirits. He thereby undercuts the authority of Zuko. Is he really interested in protecting the city or is he still working the political angle of the situation?

The story is more of the same goodness I've come to expect from Yang and the gang. The plot is interesting with enough action and jokes and history (albeit fake history) thrown in. Very satisfying and I can't wait for the conclusion of the story.

Book Review: Avatar The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow Part One by Gene Luen Yang et al.

Avatar The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow Part One written by Gene Luen Yang, art and covers by Gurihiru, lettering by Michael Heisler

Fire Lord Zuko sails back to the Fire Nation with his long-lost mother. As he's arriving, Ukano, the leader of the New Ozai Society, plots to assassinate Zuko and return Zuko's imprisoned father to the throne. Ukano is motivated by a visit from the Kemurikage, a supposedly mythical band of spirits who promise to inflict great pain on him if he does not depose Zuko. Ukano plans a daring attack on the royal procession. Ukano's daughter Mai is a Kyoshi Warrior (the elite troops of the Fire Nation). She has her own plans--to thwart her father's secret group. With Aang and friends off on other business, can Zuko and his allies survive?

This story is another solid start to an on-going story set in the world of Avatar. The characters are interesting, the political intrigue is fascinating, and the humor still comes through. I can't wait for the next issue in December!