Avatar Comic Reaction - Imbalance
Added 2020-10-04 07:56:50 +0000 UTCThe comic trilogies come to an end with Imbalance :(
Overall I enjoyed Imbalance. It was a nice blend of humor and action, and I think Ru is one of the more interesting side characters in the recent comics.
And the end of Imbalance pretty much brings us into the age of Republic City and Korra.
Comments
I like this comic quite a lot. Though one thing bothers me: There are too many frames with no background at all. Several pages with frames with just single-color background. I understand the (probably) creative decision and how the chosen colors represent the feelings of protagonists, but within the context of whole comic book, it really feels disturbing and out of place. Especially with many other frames having such a rich and colorful backgrounds.... But that's pretty much only thing.. Otherwise, as I said, I like it very much and I think it completes the story very well..
Therion
2020-11-04 16:57:33 +0000 UTCI dont know what it is about this comic. First time reading it was when it first came out couples years ago i think I forgot and I just didnt like it but i reread it last week and i really like it now. I just love the maturing of Aang and kataras relationship. Before they were in the honey more phase but now they are in a strong commited relationship. Aang was 15 and katars 17 and Katara has bumi at 24 so you really get to see them maturing enough to about to marry and have kids I just think its amazing. and that frame where there on air temple island without knowing they would eventualy raise their kids there i just love it
hays collins
2020-10-05 04:58:22 +0000 UTCPlanning on it! They're in the mail and on the way now
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:38:00 +0000 UTCFor some reason it just did not compute for me that I could actually get caught up! I really hope they explore Azula's destiny at some point (it seems like they were hinting that they had ideas for that in Smoke and Shadow). And the sword would be nice too :)
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:37:45 +0000 UTCWell said. This comic was one of my favorites so far and I think it had a lot to do with the characterization. Liling isn't the most compelling villain necessarily, but the way they use her conflict to develop Ru, and as a backdrop for meaningful conversations with characters (Katara & Aang, Sokka & Aang, Toph and Liling) brings it together nicely. And, as you said, it does add a lot of nice little details that bring us up to speed for the start of Korra. I didn't realize it was Air Temple Island! I even joked about the private island thing lol.
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:36:22 +0000 UTCDefinitely :)
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:22:42 +0000 UTCInteresting, I hadn't considered the fact that they are still coming out! Hopefully we get some answers about certain things :) Though, after finishing Imbalance it feels to me like it's the end of its own arc, since it basically brings us up to Republic CIty. That doesn't mean there won't be any comics that take place after Imbalance, but they might have different stories to tell.
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:22:20 +0000 UTCI think that's one of the many great things about the show - How much they learn from each other. They all bring their own strengths (and weaknesses) and that's part of what makes the group feel good. I always did love the episodes where we got to see that side of Aang, the carefree one that organized dance parties, etc :) I ordered the Kyoshi novels the other day so hopefully I can gain some insight from them!
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:19:47 +0000 UTCOne awesome thing about these comics is that in many ways we see their transition to adulthood. Obviously in the show they are forced to mature quite a bit because of the challenges they're faced with. But In the comics they are sort of rounded out - becoming more balanced, more open-minded, and kinder.
Alex G
2020-10-04 21:08:44 +0000 UTCHey a good idea for new bonus avatar content is to read the avatar Kyoshi novells Mabye do a chapter or few a video ! They are really interesting
Elijah baker
2020-10-04 20:35:10 +0000 UTCI don't think this is the last of the comics, you're just caught up to real time like the rest of us. They haven't announced anything after toph's standalone in February but probably there will be more. I also want to know about Azula and Sokka's sword!
Emma Root
2020-10-04 18:29:16 +0000 UTCI also have a few thoughts to share on Imbalance itself: out of the six comic trilogies we've gotten so far, it is definitely my favourite. I prefer the new art style over the old one (though both are great), and more importantly, I feel like Faith Erin Hicks understood the characters more than Gene Luen Yang ever did. Although his writing definitely improved over time, his characterization of Aang, Katara, and Sokka in particular always felt a bit off to me - Aang acted a bit too goofy and immature and I still find it hard to believe that he would even consider killing Zuko at all, and, until they became the focus in N&S, Katara barely had a presence outside of fawning over Aang and Sokka's tendency to make jokes was his entire personality. I don't think Yang is a bad writer or anything - in fact, I was actually impressed by how well he wrote Toph and Zuko - but I do think his trilogies could have been better than what they were. Conversely, I thought all the characters in Imbalance were written so well that reading it was like watching another episode of the series. Aang and Katara aren't constantly making out in front of everyone anymore - they feel like best friends who happen to be in a romantic relationship, which is much more reminiscent of their dynamic in ATLA. Sokka is still a lovable goofball, but the comic also did a fantastic job of highlighting how he's so much wiser and more mature than he was at the start of the series. Toph is great, but that's no surprise because she's always great. And I love how Suki actually played a major role for once - it was great to see her and Sokka, the nonbenders of the group, help guide Ru towards making the right decision. It was also interesting to see how this comic helped bridge the gap between the world that we were introduced to in ATLA and the one that it has evolved into by Korra's era. The transformation of Cranefish Town into Republic City and the tensions between benders and nonbenders that Amon would eventually exploit are obviously the most prominent connections between the two shows, but there were also quite a few little details that were there to appreciate - Aang and Katara having a touching moment on what will eventually become Air Temple Island, Toph discovering the utility of metalbending cables, Sokka expressing interest in the council, Suki being responsible for chi-blocking becoming widespread, etc. I've always been in awe of just how well thought-out the Avatar universe is (barring a few questionable elements in LOK Book 2), and this comic exemplifies the creators' dedication to great worldbuilding.
newairnation
2020-10-04 15:46:50 +0000 UTCI think Sokka really had time to shine in this comic!
Jupiterninja
2020-10-04 15:22:23 +0000 UTCThe Katara standalone comic (Katara and the Pirate's Silver) is up next, though it doesn't release until October 13. It's also been stated to take place during Book 2 of ATLA, between Bitter Work and The Library. As for the Toph comic (Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy), it's scheduled for release on February 16 and takes place after The Rift, so as of right now we don't know if there are any plans for comics that take place after Imbalance.
newairnation
2020-10-04 15:01:24 +0000 UTCI actually hadn't read this comic yet so this was a nice preview of what I have to come. :) There are so many things I want to say and point out but one of them is how you mentioned Sokka's development from the start and you're right, he has completely changed, and calmed. And I think that has a lot to do with Aang. I think Aang has influenced all his friends in a way, softened them, changed some of how they see the world. There's a quote going around Tumblr about his friendship in them and it says "I think you really did help those kids. You taught them to be free." And I think it goes beyond that. He was the only one of them who knew a life without war, he knew what life could be like when you're just a kid, and how the world could be. None of the others did. Their experiences were so different. They never had real childhoods, real opportunities to be just kids. He showed them it was okay to goof off and have fun sometimes and he also showed them that things aren't always as black and white (like when he recounted what Roku showed him in The Avatar and The Fire Lord when he said all people are capable of great good and great evil). We also know how much they have changed his life. That is not in question. But when you think of where they all would have ended up without him and when you see the way he helped them, it goes beyond stopping the war. At least in my eyes. As for Aang's feelings on change. I think the Kyoshi novels will give you some insight into his struggles with this and the world at large. Because you need to learn more about the Air Nomads and their culture to get a better understanding, I feel like. And they have really helped a lot of people understand him more. But it is always important to remember his culture and belief system is very different from the cultures and belief systems in the world he woke up in. And everyone with his beliefs and cultures was gone and things had changed more for him than for anyone. 100 years can make a huge difference at the best of times but when an entire culture is wiped out that is a huge change, especially if someone came along 100 years after their presence was removed and more or less forgotten (in terms of people remembering their culture). I mean, let's face it, when we started the show, how many people would have known anything about the Air Nomads beyond they used to be airbenders, live in temples and were monks and nuns. I have really enjoyed your reactions! :) We also might get more comics in the future, just from different people.
Trisha
2020-10-04 10:40:24 +0000 UTCToph is my favorite character in this comic series. I still remember her "3 on 3 plus Sokka" comment, and now she respects Sokka as an equal, and even has some romantic feelings for him too. Toph is a living legend who can do almost anything, and yet she's attracted to 2 non-benders (Sokka and Satoru?) who, by comparison, are scrubs. I feel like one needs to earn Toph's respect, and definitely doesn't think of everyone as equal. But, after travelling with the Gaang, she 'saw' how Sokka was still an integral part of the group despite not being a bender. Toph understands what it's like to be born with a 'handicap,' and I think that helps her understand Sokka's strengths. In a world where he has to fight reallystrong benders, Sokka manages to adapt and succeed anyway. He turned his weakness into an incredible strength, the same way Toph's blindness actually helped her become the world's greatest earthbender. She may still act like the arrogant brat who was moonlighting as a pro wrestler, but we can still see how much she's grown.
Nathan K
2020-10-04 09:49:50 +0000 UTC
