From Nickelodeon to comics, to Netflix, Avatar: The Last Airbender and its various spin-offs, and sequels, have met and exceeded expectations time and time again. Now, Avatar Kyoshi, killer of Chin the Conqueror, the Earthbender herself, is getting a new comic!
Set to release July 21, Shadow of Kyoshi is the second of a two-part series written by F.C. Yee - the first being New York Times bestselling The Rise of Kyoshi released in 2019 - and this sequel plans to explore deeper into the past of the earth bending Avatar and how she became who she was always destined to be. “With her mentors gone, Avatar Kyoshi struggles to keep the peace between the Four Nations,” to paraphrase the book’s description. “But while her reputation grows, a mysterious threat emerges from the Spirit World. To stop it, Kyoshi and her allies must join forces before the Four Nations are destroyed. This [story] continues Kyoshi’s journey from a humble girl to the merciless pursuer of justice who is feared and admired for centuries to come.”
This book - and its predecessor - take on a darker tone than the show Avatar: The Last Airbender (A: TLA) ever could unencumber from being for kids, the comic is ready to tackle violence and mature content head-on. A good choice gave the way Kyoshi is portrayed as a rather ruthless Avatar; even in the show. According to a CBR article, “in The Rise of Kyoshi, the villain Jianzhu, Kyoshi’s former mentor, firmly establishes the threat he poses by violently killing those who oppose him. The Earthbender launches shards of stone through bodies like bullets and even took out an entire band of archers by sprouting spikes from the earth around them. In addition, the same-sex relationship between Kyoshi and her companion Rangi is more explicitly portrayed than Korra and Asami's was ever allowed to be.”
We also know that Shadow of Kyoshi takes place about two years after the first and is an intriguing and exciting tale for both AtLA and Kyoshi fans alike. It can be purchased on Amazon for $9.99 on Kindle or $16.68 hardcover and at Barnes & Noble where their exclusive version is $18.99 - as is the hardcover - or $10.99 on the Nook.
By Nicholas James
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