Dark Horse have announced a new graphic novel based on the hit Nickelodeon animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender – Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy.” Written by Faith Erin Hicks (the “Imbalance” trilogy”) and Tim Hedrick (a staff writer on the original series), the book is illustrated by artist Peter Wartman, and colorist Adele Matera.
The graphic novel will follow Toph Beifong, the blind earthbender, who is bored by life as the head of the Beifong Metalbending Academy, until she is visited by Sokka and Suki, along with other familiar faces, bringing exciting changes. Dark Horse has described the graphic novel as “the ultimate continuation” of the animated series.
The animated series ran for three seasons and told the story of 12-year-old Aang, the current Avatar and last of the Air Nomads, and his friends Sokka and Katara, trying to stop the Fire Nation’s continued war against the rest of the world’s nations. There have been several entries into the franchise, such as a sequel series called The Legend of Korra, a prequel novel series, and a live-action adaptation in 2010. The series has recently found new audiences after launching on Netflix and CBS All Access in May and June 2020, respectively. Dark Horse had been telling the continuing stories in graphic novel trilogies, but announced a change in format to standalone graphic novels in March.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender – Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy” is set for release on February 16 2021.
