Avatar The Last Airbender: Azula in the Spirit Temple script by Faith Erin Hicks, art by Peter Wartman, and color by Adele Matera
Azula continues her campaign against her brother Zuko, the current Fire Lord. Her team is a small band that conducts sabotage. One granary they attack turns out to be a trap. Azula and her allies escape with only one captive left behind. The rest of the gang want to rescue their comrade but Azula is ready to move on with other things that are more important to her (i.e., she doesn't see them as allies, only as underlings). When Azula wakes up in the morning, the rest of the group is gone. Azula wanders through the woods, winding up at a strange temple with only one person inside, a monk who offers meager hospitality. Azula is unimpressed and demands the monk's private room to sleep in. She has a bizarre dream and wakes up to bizarre circumstances and unexpected characters in the temple.The story is an examination of Azula's attitude and what she wants out of life. Azula herself is not aware of what she needs but is entirely aware of what she wants. As the story progresses, readers clearly see that her needs and wants are very different, practically polar opposites. Azula has a chance for growth...will she take it?
I enjoyed this as a basic look at Azula's psychology and at her tragic self-unawareness. The best villains are the ones who are understandable. The reader can see where they went wrong and lament their inability to fix themselves. So many people care for Azula and want what's best for her. She does not accept their attitude, advice, or actions. The other thing she does not accept is blame. Nothing is her fault. Any failure is due to betrayal or incompetence in others. Azula thinks she should be a winner but the world and everyone around her holds her back. She can't find a way to what she wants but she keeps trying. Truly, a tragic hero.
Recommended, highly for Avatar The Last Airbender fans.
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