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Not to be confused with James Cameron’s movie of the same name, Avatar is an American multimedia franchise consisting of two animated television series, a live-action film, comics, books, video games, home media, and soundtracks. All began with the television series Avatar: The Last Airbender, an animated television series produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
Set in an Asian-inspired fantasy world in which some people can telekinetically manipulate (or “bend”) one of the four classical elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Only the titular “Avatar” can bend all four elements and is responsible for maintaining balance in the world. The Avatar franchise expanded in different directions, one of them being in print publications, with companion books, art books, original stories, graphic novels…
How to read the Avatar: The Last Airbender Series in Order?
Chronicles of the Avatar in Order
A book series chronicling the life of other Avatars. The first two books of the Chronicles of the Avatar are centered around Avatar Kyoshi, set four centuries before the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The third focuses on the life of Avatar Yangchen.
The Rise of Kyoshi – F. C. Yee’s The Rise of Kyoshi delves into the story of Kyoshi, the Earth Kingdom–born Avatar. The longest-living Avatar in this beloved world’s history, Kyoshi established the brave and respected Kyoshi Warriors, but also founded the secretive Dai Li, which led to the corruption, decline, and fall of her own nation. The first of two novels based on Kyoshi, The Rise of Kyoshi maps her journey from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar
The Shadow of Kyoshi– Kyoshi’s place as the true Avatar has finally been cemented-but at a heavy cost. With her mentors gone, Kyoshi voyages across the Four Nations, struggling to keep the peace. But while her reputation grows, a mysterious threat emerges from the Spirit World. To stop it, Kyoshi, Rangi, and their reluctant allies must join forces before the Four Nations are destroyed irreparably. This thrilling follow-up continues Kyoshi’s journey from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice still feared and admired centuries after becoming the Avatar.
The Dawn of YangchenNew – Plagued by the voices of Avatars before her for as long as she can remember, Yangchen has not yet earned the respect felt for Avatar Szeto, her predecessor. When Yangchen travels to Bin-Er in the Earth Kingdom on political business, a chance encounter with an informant named Kavik leads to a wary partnership. But for Yangchen to chart her course as a singularly powerful Avatar, she must learn to rely on her own wisdom above all else.
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Lost Scrolls Series in Order
The Lost Scroll can be summed up as a sort of novelization of certain episodes of the first season of the Avatar: The Last Airbender show, with more background information.
The Lost Scrolls: Water– Katara recounts her discovery of the Avatar in the iceberg, Sokka remembers his childhood upon seeing their father’s old friend, and Aang tells of his lessons with the Waterbending master in the North. The scroll also contains information about Waterbending moves, Healers, Water tribe traditions, and much more.
The Lost Scrolls: Earth – Katara tells how she inspired a group of Earthbenders imprisoned on a Fire Nation ship to take a stand; Aang explains how he managed to outsmart the great Earthbender, King Bumi; and Sokka recounts the tale of the Great Divide. Included are sections on Earthbending moves, the great Earth Kingdom Kyoshi Warriors, and more.
The Lost Scrolls: Fire – Katara describes how Aang outwits and defeats the dreaded Admiral Zhao and the Fire Navy, Aang tells how he comes to accept his destiny, and Prince Zuko recalls the time he once captured — and lost — the Avatar. The scroll also contains information about leaders of the Fire Nation, Firebending techniques, the spirit world, and much more.
The Lost Scrolls: Air – Aang revisits his former monastery, Katara learns the truth about Aang’s mysterious past, and Sokka reveals how he saved the Northern Air Temple from the Fire Nation. The scroll also contains information about Airbending moves, Air temples and monks, the Avatar Cycle, and much more.
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Earth Kingdom Chronicles in Order
The six-part adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender season two, with each book told from a different character’s perspective.
The Tale of Aang – I’m Aang — and this is the tale of my journey through the Earth Kingdom. I traveled there with my friends Katara and Sokka to find an Earthbending teacher. I’m not sure why, but we ran into trouble almost everywhere we went. We got chased by Prince Zuko’s sister, Azula, and got caught in a sinking library. Did I mention that Appa got kidnapped by Sandbenders? There were definitely some scary moments…but I can’t complain about getting stuck in the Cave of Two Lovers with Katara All in a day’s work for the Avatar, right?
The Tale of Azula – I am Azula, daughter of Fire Lord Ozai, and I plan to one day rule the Fire Nation — and the world. But first I have to deal with my good-for-nothing brother, Prince Zuko. Well, he was good for nothing, until he led me to the Avatar! I headed to the Earth Kingdom, where, with the help of Mai and Ty Lee, we tracked down the Avatar and his ragtag band. I engaged in a fierce battle with the Avatar himself! I lost that fight, but he should be forewarned: He has not seen the last of Princess Azula.
The Tale of Toph – I’m Toph. After my father found out that I’d been competing in Earthbending tournaments, he put me under constant surveillance! So I left home. Now I’m traveling through the Earth Kingdom with Aang – he’s the Avatar – and his friends Katara and Sokka, on Aang’s sky bison, Appa. I’m teaching Earthbending to Aang, and man, do I have my work cut out for me! Even though we’ve had our differences, it’s kind of nice knowing these guys will always have my back and point me in the right direction when I can’t feel which way to go.
The Tale of Sokka – I am Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, and I’m the “plan guy” for Team Avatar! Even though I am not a bender, I’m still an awesome fighter with my trusty boomerang. The Avatar and my sister Katara are depending on me to get them safely through the Earth Kingdom, and it has not been easy. I’ve had to deal with fierce badger- moles, an evil Fire Nation princess, and an Earth King who refuses to acknowledge that there is a war going on! Still, I’m giving it my best shot. After all, the fate of the world is in our hands.
The Tale of Zuko – I am Prince Zuko. After being betrayed by my wicked sister, Azula, Uncle Iroh and I have sought new lives in the Earth Kingdom. It is humbling to wander as a refugee, but it has also opened my eyes to the pain the Fire Nation has inflicted on the world — as well as on me. On one hand I am proud to be a prince of the Fire Nation, but on the other hand I feel very ashamed. What is my destiny? Is it to turn my back on the Fire Nation and start anew, or is it to restore my honor and earn back my rightful place as the future Fire Lord? I have yet to find out.
The Tale of Katara – I’m Katara. I’m traveling through the Earth Kingdom with my brother, Sokka, and Aang, the Avatar. After Aang and I studied Waterbending at the North Pole, we set off to find him an Earthbending teacher. The journey has been kind of rough on all of us. I’m having trouble getting along with Aang’s new Earthbending teacher, Toph; Aang’s struggling with his Earthbending lessons; and we’re being chased not only by Prince Zuko, but his sister, Princess Azula, too! But I know we’ll make it through this, as long as we all stick together!
Others Avatar: The Last Airbender ties-in in Order
Aang’s School Days– a literary adaptation of the episode “The Headband” (second episode of Book Three: Fire of Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Sokka, the Sword Master– a literary adaptation of the episode “Sokka’s Master” (the fourth episode of Book Three: Fire of Avatar: The Last Airbender )
Love Potion #8– An original short story about one of Team Avatar’s adventures during their journey through the Fire Nation. Aang, Katara, Toph, and Sokka celebrate their first Love Feast with their friends, the singing nomads, with whom they, excluding Toph, journeyed through the Cave of Two Lovers. After drinking a special berry juice called Love Potion #8, they all openly express their true feelings for each other. Of course, when they blame it all on the crazy love potion, they learn that their nomad friends had more than one trick up their sleeves.
Tokyopop published a series of graphic novels that take screencaps and dialogue from the Avatar: Last Airbender animated series but it’s not available/is out of print. With that said…
A contributing writer here, Carole is in charge of comicbooktreasury.com, our sister website dedicated to comic book reading orders. She likes reading Fantasy books, classical literature, and non-fiction about how Victorians died (but also lived), Her favorite authors are Terry Pratchett, Jane Austen, Kurt Vonnegut, and Robin Hobb. Follow her on Twitter.
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