I really enjoyed the comic. While I’m not a big comic reader, The Promise maintains the same essence the show has. Sokka has his goofiness, Toph has her wittiness, Zuko is collected and cool, and, of course, there’s Kataang. Basically, reading the comic is just like watching the show. Even the opening of the comic has the epic opening of the show.
Another thing I want to point out is the amazing artwork. Gurihiru is an art BEAST. He excellently portrays the characters’ emotions and expressions. The colors are vivid and lively on each page. It’s great to just look at the images and admire the work.
In terms of plot/storyline, the comic continues right after the last episode. When I finished watching the series, I was stuck with a myriad of questions like what will Zuko face during his leadership and how will Aang resolve tensions between the Fire Nation and the rest of the world. The comic does address these questions. The author, Gene Yang, presents a story that will intrigue the reader from the first page to the last, especially because …
[POSSIBLE SPOILER] the story ends on a cliffhanger [END OF POSSIBLE SPOILER.]
The Promise series is in good hands. I’ve been reading one of Gene Yang’s most popular works, American Born Chinese. Mr. Yang knows how to tell a good story. However, I’ve read other reviews about The Promise that criticize how the comic is too short to tell a satisfying story (the comic can easily be read in less than 30 minutes) and how the fate of Zuko’s mother, Ursa, and Azula are not mentioned. These criticisms might be true for some, but I believe that in the 80 pages the book manages to tell a satisfying story. Furthermore, this book is just Part 1 of 3. The story is not complete in just one part. Although not knowing what happened to Ursa and Azula might disappoint some fans, this is only the first part. Like what other reviewers have said, this first part sets up and introduces what is going to happen. Sadly, we will have to wait until late May/early June to find out what happens next.
If you were left with questions after watching the show, this an Avatar “must-have.” Reading the comic feels just like watching the show. The growing conflict in the plot, coupled with the fantastic artwork, provide an intriguing story for any Avatar fan. Rich in detail and maintaining the “feel” of the show, The Promise Part 1 is a promising opening for the rest of the series.
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