GurihiruReviews

Better than the last. Main metal spirit was a bit strange conceptually but overall solid.

More Avatar is always good, but the book has some issues and didnt totally hit the mark for me. 3.5. I suspect I’ll like some of the next ones more.

Iroh inventing boba before its time was excellent though.

Gr 7 Up—Roberta and Tommy Lee's family moves from Chinatown to Metropolis only to encounter threats from the
Klan of the Fiery Kross. The Lees have a friend in Superman, who grapples with his own sense of belonging, but
they'll need more than superpowers to prevent their community from falling under the sway of xenophobia. Nuanced
writing and fluid artwork sell the bombastic moments as well as the heartfelt ones.

Part 1 of a series of graphic novels explaining some of the story between the end of the war at the end of A:TLA and the events of A:LoK. Great artwork that captures the essence of the TV show. The writing is canon, so this is essential for some knowledge of the situation in the Legend of Korra, although the show stands alone. 4 stars have for some minor quibbles: the story is not long and I think it could easily have been released as a single volume. Now, we will need to get the other parts in order to appreciate the story. The other is that the script does make very overt attempts to distinguish the characters (Sokka with plenty of jokes, Toph really in-your-face etc.) I think having watched some of LoK, I am disappointed that this novel is almost more juvenile than the original show, and has not aged with its audience.

Part 1 of a trilogy following up on the hit Nickelodeon TV show. The plot pretty much parallels the current Israel/Palestine conflict. One nation (Fire) has colonized another (Earth). Now world leaders agree that the Fire colonies should remove themselves and stop occupying Earth, but the Fire colonists want to stay because they've been there for generations and have put down roots. The Fire leader is torn between the international peace process (adorably called the "Harmony Restoration Movement") and the interests of his own people. Though the topic is heavy, the treatment is light. Should be a treat for fans of the series.

Based on an actual Superman radioplay that really did have Superman smashing a (fictionalized) Klan to dampen recruiting efforts for yet another revival, Superman Smashes the Klan is both fun and informative and while set in the late 1940s post-WWII, it still rings timeless to today, with the palpable feeling of being perceived as a Perpetual Foreigner when moving into or occupying spaces that don't typically have people like yourself. The Klan in Metropolis plot weaves beautifully with a younger Superman trying to determine his origins and how trying to fit in (aka assimilate) really limits your whole self and abilities. I don't really read DC, so I'm less familiar with the early versions who couldn't fly or how he figured out his abilities, but they're explored well here.

This version gives a name and a story to Tommy Lee's sister Lee-shin (who goes by Roberta) Lee. She isn't as comfortable he is moving out of Chinatown, but makes fast friends with across-the-street neighbor Jimmy and bravely confronts the adult bullies trying to intimidate her family.

There's a kid who struggles with recognizing that his family members have evil beliefs and wonders if they're still good people, if they've been nice to him which is complex relationship that many youth (and especially adults) STILL avoid confronting and considering today. While he doesn't explicitly speak on it further, he sides with our protagonists in the next attack, showing actions speak louder than lip service.

Great combination of super hero graphic novel and historical fiction!

I thought again this was a nice dive back into the world. Again as this series and comics go on, i find the characters are together in smaller groups and some elements make me miss the gang being together again but i did like how we got to see all the characters and a different setting!! It was a fun quick read for sure!

I really enjoyed this section in this story. I really liked how each of the three volumnes focused on different of the characters. It does have a pretty big cast of characters. I also again like how these three vols did focus on another myth in the world, but also was a direct sequel to the search. I wish we saw the whole gange together at one point but a nice arc!

I really loved this graphic novel and think this is def one of my favorite reads of this series. I really loved the plot sort of uncovering why this holiday was important. It was a really fun read. I aslso loved the new characters that we got to meet and just being with ange and the gang again. I also really loved he toph got her moment to shine and really dived into her past. I am def excited to read more set in this world.

I really liked finally getting an answer to this one of the series forever questions about Zuko mom. This book overall did not go where I predicted it to go. I really enjoyed it however and loved seeing and and the gang back together again. I really liked the last section but it was super fun read and so much background information was given!!

I really did like the end of this story. I think it wrapped everything up but also expanded the policies of the world and also it was such a well crafted story. I really loved seeing how these characters expanded and focused on both their relationships but also the avatar world overall. I am really excited to check out more stories in this line of comics.

I really loved seeing these characters again. I loved how this story developed and seeing ang and the gang again and loved seeing the plot the develop in the aftermath of the sho and how it explores the happy ever after elements but still keeps me super engaged. really happy for vol 3.

I really loved being back in this world again and seeing a story set after the events of book 3. I also really liked the plot of this read. I loved how the promise element was the the focus of the read. I also liked how this book focused on and and zuko relationships. It was a great read excited for the sequel.

I really enjoyed this section in this story. I really liked how each of the three volumnes focused on different of the characters. It does have a pretty big cast of characters. I also again like how these three vols did focus on another myth in the world, but also was a direct sequel to the search. I wish we saw the whole gange together at one point but a nice arc!

I thought again this was a nice dive back into the world. Again as this series and comics go on, i find the characters are together in smaller groups and some elements make me miss the gang being together again but i did like how we got to see all the characters and a different setting!! It was a fun quick read for sure!

I really loved this graphic novel and think this is def one of my favorite reads of this series. I really loved the plot sort of uncovering why this holiday was important. It was a really fun read. I aslso loved the new characters that we got to meet and just being with ange and the gang again. I also really loved he toph got her moment to shine and really dived into her past. I am def excited to read more set in this world.

I really did like the end of this story. I think it wrapped everything up but also expanded the policies of the world and also it was such a well crafted story. I really loved seeing how these characters expanded and focused on both their relationships but also the avatar world overall. I am really excited to check out more stories in this line of comics.

I really loved being back in this world again and seeing a story set after the events of book 3. I also really liked the plot of this read. I loved how the promise element was the the focus of the read. I also liked how this book focused on and and zuko relationships. It was a great read excited for the sequel.

I really loved seeing these characters again. I loved how this story developed and seeing ang and the gang again and loved seeing the plot the develop in the aftermath of the sho and how it explores the happy ever after elements but still keeps me super engaged. really happy for vol 3.

I really liked finally getting an answer to this one of the series forever questions about Zuko mom. This book overall did not go where I predicted it to go. I really enjoyed it however and loved seeing and and the gang back together again. I really liked the last section but it was super fun read and so much background information was given!!

Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru’s Superman Smashes the Klan adapts the 1946 episode “The Clan of the Fiery Cross” from The Adventures of Superman radio show, focusing on the Lee family moving to Metropolis and facing racist attacks from a group of bigots in bedsheets. Yang sets the story in 1946 with the Golden Age Superman, incorporating elements of the character’s changes during the radio show. For instance, this graphic novel introduces Kryptonite as well as showing Superman learn to use more of his alien powers rather than seem like an extension of the circus strongman. Yang uses these changes in Superman’s powers to parallel the Man of Tomorrow’s narrative with the immigrant experience in America. Just as he expands the story of the Lee family from the radio drama, Yang brings in other elements from the immediate postwar Superman comics. The result is a great Superman story that gets to the heart of the character’s message while showing the lasting importance of the 1946 radio show nearly 80 years later.

Between the excellent artwork by Gurihiru and the re-imagining (and redraw) of an older comic story this book has basically everything I love in it. Story's a bit abrupt in places, but it largely flows really well. The characters are great, the themes are great, and it's just an overall enjoyable book.

Do you have a picky reader? One of those pesky middle schoolers that hates reading and never wants to look at a word, let alone a book, ever again? Well, you might be just the audience this book is seeking! Thor and the Warriors Four is an excellent book for those seeking a fun read.

I thought this book was utterly adorable. I couldn't get enough of this fun romp with four kids with superpowers. Throw in Thor and all of his buddies (Woo, Beta Ray Bill!) and you've got yourself one heck of a ride!

This book will make your heart swell. The Warriors Four are trying to help their Grandmother because they don't want her to be ill longer. They have hearts of gold and only want to help. They seek out Thor (and all the bands of misfits that go along with Asgard) and have a magical adventure.

I seriously loved this book. It's a great read and it's super fun. I highly recommend this series to people who loves comics, middle graders who want something fun to read, and people who love Marvel. It's a G rated comic book series that will be fun for the whole family.

Four out of five stars.

I found the first two parts underwhelming in comparison to "The Promise". Azula did not feel as strongly written as some of the other characters, and I didn't find the art as satisfying as in the previous book. I know that this was a transition point for them in going all-digital, but I'm not sure if that's related to my impressions here. There are some lovely details, but there are also panels that look a bit flat to me.

Part 3 is quite the turnaround though, with a huge chunk of added spirit-lore, gorgeous use of colour, and a very compelling twist to the story. I would have preferred a slightly more bittersweet ending, rather than the borderline perfection we get here. I also think some of the relational dialogue could have been better, as the family theme that runs through feels a little try-hard, which jars with how well this kind of thing is handled in the animated series. But, overall, it's a solid conclusion to an important character arc and a must-read for fans. I didn't think they could cover sufficient ground in the final part, but it really did bring the story home in a satisfying manner.

4.5

"Library Edition", which collects all three parts into one, accompanied by commentary from the sketch artists and some additional art at the back of the book. It's a nice little package. I think there could have been more in terms of concept art and insight, but I'm grateful for what's included. It seems that there were some touch-ups to the drawings as well (one of them notes they added in a missing scar on a drawing of Zuko for this edition), so this should probably be considered definitive.

This was a reread for me in prep for the other graphic novels, which I never got around to reading when I dipped in years ago. I think some of the new secondary characters are a bit weak, but the overall story and art are an excellent expansion of the series. The main crew feel right at home in this format and the tone of the original series is really well captured. I was gripped, excited and often laughing; it was a joy from beginning to end. The cliff-hanger is great and I can't wait to get into the other entries. Somehow I've managed to shield myself from spoilers all these years...