There is a line of comic books and graphic novels based on the Avatar franchise, published by Dark Horse Comics. The line debuted with a Free Comic Book Day 2017 issue. In the summer of 2019, the line was then used for a six issue miniseries under the title Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path.
According to Joshua Izzo, every Avatar comic is canon because they begin with an idea by James Cameron.[2]
In 2023, Jon Landau suggested there will be more Avatar comics in the future, helping to flesh out the story of the series between the long waits between the movies.[3]
In 2024, Joshua Izzo mentioned there are two new comic series in the works that are planned for 2025 and beyond (excluding So'lek's Journey which is a 2024 comic.)[4]
History[]
Background[]
The line was unveiled at the 2015 New York Comic Con by James Cameron in a video message. Dark Horse is now part of an associated ten year partnership deal. The comics will be set "before, during and after" the events of the first film.[5]
The Free Comic Book Day 2017 issue was announced on December 12, 2016 and released on May 6, 2017. The full rollout of the Avatar comics line was originally planned for late 2017.[6]
Avatar: Brothers (2017)[]
A stand alone issue, Avatar: Brothers was released as a special edition tie-in to the 2017 Free Comic Book Day event held at comics retailers, was written by Sherri L. Smith. The issue focuses on Jake Sully's bond with the Great Leonopteryx, strengthening it through his memories of his brother and the stories he shared about great historical and mythical partnerships. The story is set during the events of the first film as a "comic book exclusive scene" with Jake preparing for the final battle in the Pandoran War.
Tsu'tey's Path (2019)[]
Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path is a six-issue miniseries focusing on Tsu'tey. Much like the FCBD issue, the miniseries takes place during the events of the first film and features events that were only alluded to in the original movie. It focuses on tutoring his young group of trainees, and how Jake's arrival put strain on Tsu'tey's feelings towards Neytiri.
The miniseries was written by Sherri L. Smith, penciled by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, and colored by Wes Dzioba. The covers were illustrated by Doug Wheatley, with variant covers by Shea Standefer.[7][8][9]
The Next Shadow (2021)[]
Avatar: The Next Shadow is a four-issue comic miniseries that takes place shortly after the first movie's events. It details the inner conflict in the Omatikaya clan after Jake's rise to leadership, culminating in an assassination attempt on Jake by the family of Tsu'tey (Artsut, Ateyo, and Arvok). It also focuses on Jake's trauma, guilt and poor mental health following the Pandoran War.
It was written by Jeremy Barlow.
Adapt or Die (2022)[]
Avatar: Adapt or Die is a six-issue prequel series to the first film featuring Grace Augustine, telling the story of initial relations between the RDA and the Omatikaya clan, including the establishment of the Grace's schoolhouse. Mo'at, the mother of Neytiri, is also a major character in this comic, with Parker Selfridge also playing a role. The main conflict of the story involves the Na'vi becoming infected with a mysterious disease which may have been brought by humanity.
It was written by Corinna Bechko.
The High Ground (2022)[]
Avatar: The High Ground is a three-issue miniseries based on the original screenplay for Avatar: The Way of Water before rewrites. It is set fourteen years after the first film and The Next Shadow, and follows the Na'vi struggling with the return of the RDA, and involves a fight between the Na'vi and the RDA in outer space. The children of the Sully family, as well as Spider, play a role in this comic.
Originally intended for release in 2020, the series was removed from stores and postponed until 2022.
It was written by James Cameron and Sherri L. Smith.
So'lek's Journey (2024)[]
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — So'lek's Journey is a six-issue series focused on So'lek, a character from the video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, as he tries to find his own way with the Na'vi after his clan perished in the Pandoran War. The series focuses on the different Na'vi clans.
It is written by Ray Fawkes.
Chronological Order[]
The comics were not released in chronological order. Listed chronologically, the comics are as follows:
- Adapt or Die: c. 2142
- Tsu'tey's Path: 2154
- Brothers 2154
- So'lek's Journey (issue 1): 2154
- The Next Shadow: 2154
- So'lek's Journey (issue 2): 2158
- So'lek's Journey (issue 3): 2159 - 2162
- So'lek's Journey (issue 4): 2162
- So'lek's Journey (issue 5-6): 2168
- The High Ground: 2168
Comic Characters[]
Na'vi[]
- Jake Sully
- Neytiri
- Neteyam
- Lo'ak
- Kiri
- Tuktirey
- Tsu'tey
- Mo'at
- Eytukan
- Takuk
- Saeyla
- Ka'ani
- Atan
- Maru
- Nekawn
- Sylwanin
- Anuk (only mentioned)
- Neytep (only mentioned)
- Ateyo
- Arvok
- Artsut
- Yeyongo
- Akwey
- Ikeyni
- Pentìyaru
- Yeyatley
- Mireya
- Lunapey
- Rawm
- So'lek
- Syanan
- Rimu
- Hawnutu'un
- Eykang
- Entok
- Tiali
- Ahulang
- Txuratrri
Human[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Split across Avatar: Brothers (1), Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path (6), Avatar: The Next Shadow (6), Avatar: Adapt or Die (6), Avatar: The High Ground (3) and So'lek's Journey (6).
- ↑ https://james-camerons-avatar.fandom.com/wiki/User_blog:Ollympian/Canonicity_Clarifications_from_Joshua_Izzo
- ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/avatar-comics-games-expand-pandora-001510794.html
- ↑ https://james-camerons-avatar.fandom.com/wiki/User:Faern./Josh_Izzo_Panel_at_OmatiCon_2024
- ↑ http://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/621143-james-cameron-and-dark-horse-announce-avatar-comics
- ↑ https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/2449/dark-horse-comics-announces-2017-free-comic-book-d
- ↑ https://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/2789/nycc-2018-dark-horse-returns-pandora
- ↑ https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3004-973/James-Camerons-Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-1-Shea-Standerfer-Variant-Cover
- ↑ https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-dark-horse-covers-avatar-death-orb-umbrella-academy/