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Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow #1

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow, Part 1

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The Fire Nation is threatened by a prophecy told by the Kemurikage--mysterious figures thought only to exist in legend--remove Zuko from the throne or the country will perish! Avatar Aang and his friends escort Zuko and his family back to the capitol completely unaware of the looming threat growing in the city. Unrest is brewing as the New Ozai Society prepares to make its move against the crown, and children begin to go missing from their homes under mysterious circumstances! Written and drawn by the creative team behind the best-selling The Promise, The Search and The Rift, Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru, in collaboration with Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this is the ultimate continuation of Avatar and the perfect companion to Legend of Korra!

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2015

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4,793 people want to read

About the author

Gene Luen Yang

352books3,333followers
Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress� fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), Superman from DC Comics (with various artists), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. His most recent books are Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics.

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5 stars
3,523 (54%)
4 stars
2,113 (32%)
3 stars
716 (11%)
2 stars
71 (1%)
1 star
26 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
634 reviews312 followers
March 8, 2019
"Iroh, what are you apologizing for? Your presence in the family always gave me hope."

Oh, how I loved this!

A story centered in Zuko, need I say more? For me, that's more than enough.

So, basically, the plot of Smoke and Shadow is to show us the discontent and period of adjustment for the Fire Nation. After being the most powerful nation in the world now they are retreating and acting more consciously, which doesn't make happy to some people.

Is in this time of instability that Zuko's mother, Ursa, finally is returning to visit the Fire Nation capital with her son, husband, and daughter, which brings a lot of painful memories.

So, yeah, lots of drama are on the horizon and I couldn't be happier about that.

"What do you think? Is my hand-waving filled with enough angst? I've been practicing all morning."

I was a little bit confused though, in figuring out the time when the comic starts.

For what I've figured out I believe that Smoke and Shadow starts a bit, or right, before The Rift and will at the same time continue right after that, from the next issues and forward.

A bit confusing but nothing too bad.

Obviously, I love Zuko, and every time he appears I gain a bit more life again. So I'm gonna be extremely happy while reading this!

"If we're up against spirits, though, we'll need more than just me. We'll need the Avatar."
____________________________

One word Zuko, need I say more?

I didn't think so.

Also, I believe Azula will appear too, and, let's be real, I'm a sucker for her too. She always spices up the situation and makes them ao much more complicated and messy. Simple perfection.
Profile Image for Ashley.
3,302 reviews2,292 followers
November 15, 2015
Oh, man. I love that these comics exist, and are an official continuation of the story. Avatar: The Last Airbender is my comfort food. I watch it when I’m sick and it’s so happy and lovely and colorful. And look, I know it’s a kid’s show, but UGH IT’S SO GOOD. I also love Legend of Korra, and am super looking forward to the comics continuation of that show that’s supposed to be coming out soon.

With all that said, this wasn’t my favorite of these comics. Aang is escorting Zuko and his new-found family (mother, half-sister and step-father) back to the capital. Also going on is unrest from a particular small section of the Fire Nation. They want to remove Zuko as the Fire Lord, and reinstate his disgraced and imprisoned father. They call themselves the New Ozai society, and they are kidnapping children to further their own ends. Turns out one of those kids is Mai’s younger brother.

Not really much to say about this one. I should have read it like I’ve read the others: waited for all the volumes in the story arc to be published, and then read them all at once. It’s way more satisfying.

[3.5 stars]
Profile Image for Juho Pohjalainen.
Author5 books347 followers
June 20, 2020
I got about halfway through before I realized that, hey, I've read this one before! I guess it never left much of an impression. Still didn't.

Art is still decent, characters work as they always did, but the story is pretty forgettable. I don't know what to make of Azula anymore. She needs a proper redemption arc already, no more of this pussyfooting.
Profile Image for Jim Ef.
401 reviews100 followers
December 13, 2015
Once again we travel to world of the Avatar or of the four nations. In "Smoke and shadow" we have see many of the old faces ( Mai, Mei li, uncle Iroh ) and some fresh ones ( Mai's father ).

Fire lord Zuko goes back to the fire nation with his mother, there are people who already waiting for him and to praise him. Trouble awaits the fire lord and his family and his best friend the Avatar is not with him. Will he be killed by his enemies or will he defeat them?

Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru continues they're great job. The only bad thing is that Aang , Katara and Sokka have a very small part and there is no Toph
Profile Image for Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight.
1,160 reviews
February 21, 2021
Okay, look - yes, this was neat, yes the plot was good, yes I liked seeing Iroh - but I swear, if the specific thing I need to have happen doesn't happen by the end of these books, I will mark them all as being noncanon and just stick to the show. I'm serious. 3/5 stars.
Profile Image for Sophia.
2,413 reviews365 followers
October 17, 2019
For an Avatar comic, he sure wasn’t in it very much. Although, that actually benefited the story! Having the story focus on Zuko and the troubles within the Fire Nation showed us just how serious it was. I didn’t like the time jump right at the beginning, however I did love the Mai story line! I also really liked the tension between Ursa and her daughter, Kiyi. I really hope they expand upon that.
Profile Image for Gretal.
908 reviews79 followers
June 7, 2020
“What do you think? Is my hand-waving filled with enough angst? I’ve been practicing all morning.� Iroh I love you
Profile Image for Saraí Elvir.
334 reviews14 followers
January 3, 2024
Todos esos tontos de la sociedad Nueva Ozai no merecen tener un señor del fuego tan espectacular como Zuko.
Profile Image for Emma.
703 reviews24 followers
October 18, 2020
*** This review contains potential spoilers for/of the story ***

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5 stars).

Does this even need an introduction? I don´t think so. Like, I love comics, I am such avatar trash & mixed together you just have an instant success (well for me you do). So here are my opinions on once again another stellar installment in the avatar comic series:


This series keeps me on the edge of my toes. I literally don't know what will happen next. Besides, especially this part had such twists and turns.

I also felt so bad for Ursa, since she had to return to a place of immense trauma and pain she experienced. I truly admired how the writer and the illustrator showed her struggles with coming back to her old home.

I'm also sooo happy that my babe Mai is back since she's one of my favorite characters. My babe deserves the spotlight too.

But the most important question is how does Kiyi know of Zuko's nickname Zuzu that Azula gave him? Is Azula somehow around? I'm just shook. So shooketh.

The ending was quite a plot twist and I can't wait to read the next part. I'm really curious who those ghosty figures are and if they are indeed ghosts.


So yeah go read these comics if you love Avatar or Korra since these comics are truly a blast to read. So onto the next part, I would say.

PS. These covers for the smoke and shadow series are honestly the prettiest so far. I simply adore/love these covers and their color scheme.
Profile Image for Britt.
741 reviews
January 22, 2016
I loved it. But I love the Avatar World and the characters.
It was so nice to see Mai and Ty Lee again. I missed their dynamic duo.
This story is more focused on Mai's family. Aang, Katara and Sokka aren't in it so much, but to me that doesn't really matter. I'm really glad we see how Mai and her family is doing. It was weird to see her acted so happy though.
I wanted to talk about Ursa, Zuko's mother, too. I get that she most be terrified to return the palace. Her memories are probably not that great. But why are her hands so cold all the time? Or is it like Noren said, just because she's really really nervous.
I really liked that Kiyi's still processing her mother's face change, because kids aren't just okay with that.
I don't know what to think about the Kei Lo x Mai relationship but that's more because it started in the last few pages. So I'll see how that develops. I hope that there won't be a Kei Lo/Mai/Zuko love triangle though. Love triangles are just everywheree... But if it's done good I'll be okay with it.
Iroh was very funny and I really loved how HAPPY Zuko was. He deserves that.
So good writing, Gene Luen Yang!! Keep up the good work :) I'll be looking forward to Part 2, especially with the end.
Profile Image for Xiomy's Book Tales.
377 reviews25 followers
August 1, 2018
I really enjoyed Smoke and Shadow it had entertainment, a great start to the story, we see old faces, Iroh made me laugh, and we got more from the threat on Zuko' reign as Firelord!
Profile Image for Antonia (antoniaslonelybookclub).
61 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2021
Primero que todo, ZUKO BB TE AMO, ahora sí: me encantó esta parte, me gustó ver a la nación del fuego, y Mai OMG siento que la amo
Profile Image for Chris Lemmerman.
Author7 books116 followers
October 25, 2015
Whilst I enjoyed The Rift for what it was, it wasn't really very linked to the overall storyline of the series as far as I can remember, especially in comparison to The Promise and The Search, so it's great that Smoke And Shadow has gotten back to that.

Following Zuko as he returns to the Fire Nation with his mother, he comes under attack from the New Ozai Society who threaten to depose him, but a more sinister, spiritual plot bubbles away in the background too. There are some surprising themes involved here, such as the fallout of Zuko's search for his mother and the revelations of The Search and their effects on Ursa and her daughter.

Mai and Ty Lee also make a triumphant return, as does Uncle Iroh. In fact, Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph barely appear in this volume if at all, but the strength of the politics and the character arcs going on in the Fire Nation mean that their absence is barely felt.

Guruhiru's artwork remains perfect for this series, capturing the essence of the TV show whilst keeping things grounded in the comic medium; their timing with the background jokes is excellent as ever, really playing off of the dialogue too.
Profile Image for Miss Clark.
2,806 reviews220 followers
August 26, 2016
3.5 stars

Another stand-out installment in the continuing adventures of the Avatar and gang. The art continues to impress and delight, nearly identically recreating the art of the television series.

This time as Zuko returns home with his long-lost mother and her new family to the Fire Nation's capital, unrest is brewing, fomented by national zealots who feel that Zuko's tolerant views are weakening their country. There is an attempt made on Zuko's life by Mai's father, the leader of the dissidents, and her new boyfriend, another member of the group. (Yes, cue unwanted love triangle.) Suki and Ty Lee, along with other warriors, are in residence to protect Zuko and his family in these tumultuous times. As the children of the capital begin to disappear seemingly stolen by figures straight out of ancient folklore, Zuko takes drastic measures to try to maintain order, against Aang's advice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
356 reviews
December 25, 2016
4/5 stars.
This was pretty good, it was nice to hear more of the story from Zuko's point of view. This story arc seems exciting and interesting, can't wait to read more!
Profile Image for William Tracy.
Author31 books104 followers
January 31, 2017
Another great Avatar comic. This one focuses on Zuko, who was missing from the last one, and events in the fire nation.
Profile Image for Yub Yub Commander.
387 reviews38 followers
March 5, 2018
This review will cover all three volumes of Smoke and Shadow.

Why I liked this story: It shows how blatantly people dislike Zuko because he isn't the tyrannical, power-hungry Fire Lord that Ozai was. This book also shows the consequences of Ursa's choice to have her face changed not once, but twice, from herself to a new person and from a new person back to her original face. Also we get to see some stuff about how the world was BEFORE the Fire Lords existed and legends about the first Fire Lord. That was awesome. OH and the Fire Nation Priest from the show who helped Team Avatar when he had to talk to Roku was there! I love that guy. He has meditation classes now.

Why I didn't like this story: Azula was back. Joking, I actually don't mind her despotic, insane mind. I have no complaints about this book at all. It was pretty freaking awesome. Since everything else will be spoilers for books two and three of this series, cover thine eyes or leave because below will be spoilers....







SPOILERS STARTING NOW



Okay, so I loved the idea of the New Ozai Society people. Of COURSE there would be Fire Nation citizens who would still want to kill and conquer the whole world. What made it even better was that Mai's father was their leader. Holy. Crap. It was perfect because not only was he related to a secondary character we know pretty well, but he was Fire Nation gentry! So it makes sense why a noble from the Fire Nation who did well under Ozai would not like Zuko at all. I was kinda turned off by the fact that his wife abandoned him, though. Even though Aang saved Tom Tom way back when, she never seemed like she cared about the other people in the world. I feel like they made her leave her husband just so Mai wouldn't be the only one in the family who was on Zuko's side. So that's my only complaint.

Watching Zuko's little sister have to adjust to Ursa's face was fascinating. The Search made it seem like everything was OK with that, but it wasn't! And it makes sense why Kiyi wouldn't feel comfortable with her mom. Her mom lied to her (Ursa didn't remember her past, but she still "lied"), and then her mom suddenly looks completely different than the mom she's had all her life.

The Fire Lord catacombs! Can we please have more on that? I want to know more about the ancient nations, especially that the Fire Nation was a feudal place. That's so cool!

I needed more info on Azula. She vanished inThe Search and was insane, and suddenly she's back and mentally stable. Didn't make a lot of sense, but OK. Also who were all the people she had broken out of jail?

Kiyi can firebend; that was adorable.

OZAI AND URSA'S SHOWDOWN YAS. This scene was something that needed to happen for so long because it shows what Ozai is: a bully. Strip him of his power, and all he is is a giant boogey man from the past who screams. I love that Ursa had PTSD about the palace, and I wish they had shown more of that. I loved her reunion with Iroh because it showed just how freaking awesome Iroh is. He was born in a horrible family and came out 100% perfect.

I feel like instead of Korra, it would have been cooler for them to do all of these comics as mini series or something, and then have the next show be the lives of Team Avatar when they're in their 40s, but that's just me.
Profile Image for Lucía Colella.
284 reviews52 followers
November 30, 2019
Lo que me encanta de Zuko es que toda su vida va a pelear en contra de lo que le enseñaron, lo que le mostraron que está bien y lo que le obligaron hacer. Todavía es muy pronto como para deshacer todo el camino de odio y totalitarismo que hizo, pero de a poco se va dando cuenta de las cosas y va enmendando sus errores en la medida en que se da cuenta de ellos.
A veces no podemos controlar nuestras reacciones, la manera en la que pensamos o las que actuamos. El miedo, la incertidumbre, el pasado nos controlan. Pero siempre podemos arreglarlas después, aunque no logremos el mismo resultado o hayamos perdido aquello que buscábamos o teníamos, y aprender de esas vivencias para no repetirlas en el futuro.
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,137 reviews180 followers
September 26, 2021
I bought this on the sale table at a Scholastic Book Fair, but now I want to run out and buy the rest. SO. MUCH. FUN!

It's been awhile since I've watched The Last Airbender but it's one of my favorite shows and Zuko is my favorite character, so this series seemed made for me. You'll definitely only like it if you've seen the show clear through and know the story.

Zuko and his fam are headed back to the Fire Nation but a radical group called the Ozai don't want Zuko in charge and they've got some not-nice plans for him and his fam. Luckily Zuko has friends that are ready and willing to help.

Profile Image for ’J.
236 reviews6 followers
June 10, 2024
Overall rating: 3.5/5⭐️

Picking up where The Search left off, we see our heroes returning from their journey and part ways so that Zuko can reintroduce Ursa to his nation. But apprehension and tension lie in the aftermath of returning to normal. And to make matters worse, mysterious forces are at play to remove Zuko from the throne.

What I loved💙
I like the bond Zuko and Kiyi are building. He has been dealt such a tricky and unfortunate hand over the course of his life so I think he needs this. And when it comes to the things Kiyi has had to go through recently, I think she needs someone to lean on as well. Also, this may be an unpopular opinion, but the ZukoxMai plotline?! Best believe I will be tuning in because I live for their relationship drama (and I don't know if it's because I wanted to be Mai when I was a kid or what lol). Also, we love Iroh, you're amazing Unc.

What I didn't love�
The mysterious group that's trying to cause problems kind of bothers me only because like... why are you causing problems?? But, on the other hand, I do believe that I have a theory of who/what they are so we'll see where it goes.

ձ;�
This Kiyi and Zuko dynamic will be very interesting as well as the tension between him and Mai. I also need to know what the heck is the deal with this group and what their motives are. I’m looking forward to where they go from here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews

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