ATLA COMICS

Ai should go on the swings. I feel like she's that kind of kid who goes on the swings and swings really high, giving everyone a heart attack.

I only thought of funny parts that could be implemented, not really what the main plot would be. I thought about a dodgeball recess tournament, but wasn't really sure where I could go with that.

i have no idea what i would do either. i think it would be best if it's like asking Katara to the dance where one character is trying to accomplish something and everyone else pops in during their endeavors. and not necessarily taking place during one time. or, if it takes place during recess, it takes place during multiple recesses.

Maybe I would just throw a random dodge ball tournament thing in there for a reference.

Yeah. and then have Ai ignore him while they're playing because he's trying to ask her something.

and then she gets hit by a ball shortly after XD

Or have them go on some kind of school field trip, with a picnic and school bus ride or whatever.

Anyway did you happen to read the MarySue comic in the Lost Adventures? I really liked that one, it's a total jab at MarySue's, even if it doesn't blatantly say so. Especially the last line, that is golden to what MarySue RolePlayers do.

I read all the comics. But I dont know which one you're referring to. I dont remember the titles to any of them.

It's like one of the last ones, where the group are looking for a fourth member, so a bunch of MarySue like characters come in to try to fill that position.

oh yeah that one.

that wasnt supposed to be targeted towards mary sues though. that was a comic for a contest where kids had to send in their idea of of a bender and the winners got to be featured in a comic.

I know, but the last line seemed to be implying something of that line.

oh well, yeah, i guess it could be that.

It's what I took from it anyway, because they all seemed borderline sue, except for the cookie dough bender.

i feel like the cookie dough bender was just as much of a sue as the others.

A useless one maybe. The kid would need to whip up a batch wherever he went.

Okay, so I read the Promise Part 2 and rather than waiting for you to read it, I'm just going to write all my feelings now so I don't forget it. And then you can read this when you're done reading the Promise Part 2.

I think I will go through the Promise Part 1 when it comes in from the library. Yeah, it'll be out of order but whatever...

Promise Part 2:

For the record, I think some of the dialogue is Out of Character. This is an overall issue though and I thought it was a problem in Part 1 as well. But, I'll consider this a minor issue only because I know I'm personally not the best at dialogue. But it's still an issue.

So it starts off with Aang and Katara being all cutesy together and Sokka want's to get away from them. Which I think makes sense but for some reason I don't think it really makes sense if the comic is taking place a year in to Aang and Katara's relationship. Like, is it just me or should they have been doing this months ago and should now be passed the 'Honeymoon' phase of their relationship? I don't know, can't really say but there's something about it that's just a bit weird. But I'll let this slide. I've got some bigger fish to fry.

We get a better introduction of Toph's students. On one hand, I think these are decent characters. On the other, I feel as though their flaws are being used way to much to create comic relief. Like, okay I can only find the fact that one is constantly saying Doom, the other loves shoes, and the third one is an emo as funny so many times. Seriously, it's like the writer expects me to find this funny EVERY TIME. It's not. It gets boring.

I think the little girl that has a crush on Sokka is kind of cute. What I don't think is cute is the fact that Sokka was kind of hitting on her in the beginning. It's not the fact that she was 9 that upsets me (because he didn't know) but why is he flirting with a girl when he has a girlfriend? Suki, remember her? Really, I know Sokka's a lady's man and all but you would think by this point he would be a bit more...i dont know faithful? But again, maybe this is just me.

But here's where we get to my first problem: Toph metalbends the fire nation teacher's headband WITHOUT TOUCHING THE METAL! Okay, I could be wrong on this but wasn't it pretty much confirmed that Toph needs to TOUCH the metal before bending it? Like, she can't bend it from a distance. Again, I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure I'm not....and if I'm not, all I can say is BULLSHIT! Do your damn research before you write these kinds of things. It's one thing if this is fanfiction, this is CANON! You can't just make **** up and pretend everyone is okay with it. But again, I could be wrong...

Anyway, so there ends up being a challenge between the earthbending kids and the firebending kids. At first, the firebenders are totally okay with fighting to the death (because kids obviously think fighting to the death is the only way to settle a fight) before Sokka convinces them otherwise. I mean, really, I hope I don't have to explain my issue with this.

So Aang and Katara end up in Ba Sing Se and are going to see Iroh. FINALLY WE GET TO SEE IROH. This man needs to get in this comic.

But no, instead, we get Aang and Katara going to an Avatar Aang fanclub where the fangirls sound like complete morons and wear a picture of Aang's face on their shirts. *FACEPALM*. Okay seriously, I don't know if I should call this bad writing, if I should be slightly offended by this, or what. It's just stupid. So obviously right off the bat Katara is insanely jealous. Which, okay, I can understand. But then we get this little bit: one of the fangirls says 'First girlfriend' and then gives a look implying 'I am totally going to steal your man'. Again, *FACEPALM*. Now I'm offended as a fangirl. Just because we fantasize about being with our 'man' does NOT mean we want to steal him from another girl! I mean, jesus we're not idiots, we understand that our odds of getting with him in the first place is slim to none. @_@ So ANYWAY, they end up going to the clubhouse that's supposed to look like the Western Air Temple and yada yada yada I'm getting bored with this subplot already. You'd think they'd be doing something more important like, I don't know, GOING TO THE EARTH KING?!

So now we get Zuko who has decided to take another field trip to his father's cell. Right. Because that worked SO WELL the last time. And Ozai decides it's time to share a family story about vacations on Ember Island. Aw. Oh look and there's Ursa in one panel. I'm pretty sure that's all we'll see of her. Ozai tells this story about Zuko and how when he was little he tried to rescue a turtle crab from a hawk...and Ozai tells Zuko that when Zuko looked at the hawk, he realized that he was condemning the hawk to starve and therefore wasn't sure what to do with the turtle crab: save it or let the hawk have it? Omg are you serious? First of all, I seriously doubt a three year old is making these kinds of decisions at this age. In fact, some three year olds are still unaware that they're even alive at this point. They don't understand survival of the fittest, the circle of life, etc. They're 3! And, not only that, since when is one turtle crab going to condemn a hawk to starvation? It's not like the hawk can't go down the beach and pick up another one @_@ But no, instead, this is somehow a metaphor for how Zuko can't make decisions as a three year old and can't decide to defend the weak or the strong.

Again, WHY THE HELL ARE WE ASKING THIS MAN FOR ADVICE? Please, someone explain this to me. Ugh and I'm not even done with this damn scene.

So then, Ozai says a wave swept Zuko up and he went to save him. Oh, congratulation Ozai. Father of the year award for you. Yeah, who gives a **** if you burned your kid's face off, exiled him, and then tried to commit genocide. Because you saved your son ONE TIME I'm supposed to think 'oh you're not such a bad guy after all'. Yeah, okay. Keep trying cause you're first attempt just failed miserably. And I really get what the author is trying to do: that he's trying to give more layers to Ozai instead of being a one-dimensional villain. But, really, if you're going to sacrifice a lot of common sense for the sake of developing one character, I would just leave him be and write something that makes sense. Because so far, this is just...I don't even know what this is.

Zuko asks 'why the hell are you telling me this' (really, I'd like the answer to this too), Ozai tells him to leave and then Zuko listens to him. Yeah, that worked real well. Clearly, going to your father who is clearly screwing with you LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES was a great idea.

Anyway, Toph and Sokka's quest continues as they try to get the kids to metalbend. Honestly, other than the over-used jokes about their personalities, I'm really not bothered by this bit. Yeah, it technically doesn't need to be there because it doesn't move the main plot forward but it's decent. Though, I still wish they had spent more time then on the main plot because it seriously needs attention. Really, it's just not making sense.

And again, the kids are trying to metalbend without touching the metal....yeah I already stated my potential problems with this.

Okay so we get back to Aang. Aang is impressing the fangirls while Katara mopes in a corner. Again, hasn't their relationship already gone through this phase? Oh right, the Kyoshi Island episode in season one. Literally, this is the exact same plotline as that episode. So again, WHY do we need this? And, at least in Kyoshi Island, Aang was trying to include Katara and Katara just blatantly refused. Here, he's ignoring her. WTF. That is so out of character. Aang LOVES Katara, why would he suddenly be ignoring her? Again, he also lets the attention get to his head but he's always included Katara. ALWAYS. No, let's just let Katara mope in the corner.

So Aang gets a flute and starts playing it and Katara finally decides 'hey, maybe we should go see the earth king'. You know, the guy we came here to see to prevent A WAR from happening? My god, if I was in the Avatar world and I knew that there was a potential war about to happen and that the people in charge of preventing this war were playing with flutes instead of negotiating, I'm not going to lie, I would be pissed.

But now we get to one of my favorite parts of this comic: as they're leaving Aang suddenly says 'thanks for letting me stay there because being with those crazy fangirls reminded me of home.' OMG. WTF. How in god's name does spending time with a bunch of fangirls in a building that kind of sort of looks like an air temple and then playing a flute REMIND YOU OF HOME?! HOW!? Explain this to me. Because I'm pretty sure spending time with fangirls while playing a flute for five minutes is nothing like the flashbacks we got of the Air Temples. I could be wrong though @_@.

And of course, Katara feels guilty because 'aw she ruined and was jealous of his 'home' time'. Katara, I don't like you in the series, but my god you have every right to be pissed and get him the hell out of there. Because seriously. Also, if they call each other sweetie one more time, I think I'm going to throw something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9YEWYpxfTY <= This is how it is done. I will accept no other way.

Oh god another tea session with Ozai. There's nothing really to mention other than Zuko is saying 'I know what you were trying to say before and I'm doing what I should be doing yet I still can't sleep'. Well, at least the therapy sessions got you somewhere Zuko. So then Ozai says that Zuko is wrong and that whatever he does is right because he's firelord. Zuko and Ozai argue over this and we FINALLY come to something that I actually agree with and that makes sense. Zuko puts his faith in higher powers and lacks the confidence in himself as a leader. FINALLY. Finally we get something that deals with Zuko's emotions and that makes sense. Praise the lord. It only took us a volume and a half to get this point. And Zuko acknowledges that he and Aang are friends and that's why he TRUSTS him. Gee, if only Aang had the same sentiment.

Ozai also mentions that the Earth King is going to go against Zuko and won't agree to the meeting Aang and Katara are currently setting up which is part of the reason why the previous argument happens. Zuko and Ozai fight yet again to the point where Ozai yells at Zuko to leave. And Zuko does. Suki sees Zuko leave. Yeah, that's totally not going to bite him in the ass later.

So Sokka and Toph get attention again. And again, I see no issue with this. I mean, yeah it's not the greatest thing I've ever read. But it's certainly better than the issues I have with the other parts of the story.

Then we get Kori. Remember Kori? The assassin from volume one that seemed to merely be a plot device? So, Kori's training with her cousins in case she has to defend Yu Dao. Because she did so well against Zuko, I'm sure handling a potential army will go over great with a few more people involved. And then we get this: this thing that I don't even know what to deal with. Apparently, Kori is in a relationship with Sneers. Sneers. Remember him? Good, cause I don't. He's a freedom fighter. And it turns out he was involved with the riots in front of the city. Naturally, Kori is pissed because her boyfriend was essentially supporting Yu Dao to be evacuated. And, Kori actually brings up another good point: why does she have to choose between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation? Why can't she have both because she is both?

GREAT POINT! If only this was developed more. Seriously, that's all we get: is her shouting at Sneers, telling him she's an earthbender and a Fire Nation citizen and that Yu Dao is her home. And that's her choice. It's not really brought up...again.

And then Katara and Aang go to the Earth King. And, they try to convince him of the meeting. And, again, Aang is saying 'oh I'm sure we can convince Zuko to listen to us' while Katara is saying 'but Zuko has legitimate reasons to worry so we all need to talk this over'. You know, maybe instead of going to the fangirl club, you could have talked about what the hell you were going to say BEFORE you went to the Earth King. Because clearly, if you two are already in opposition without talking it over, how the hell is the Earth King supposed to be 'oh okay let's all talk this over?' THE AVATAR JUST SAID HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH ZUKO. So, what's the point of this meeting? To maybe see if Zuko will listen? Not to mention, that means Aang doesn't trust Zuko's judgement at all because in the last volume, he said he would talk to the Earth King so they could all talk this over like Katara said. So basically, that means Aang was 'playing' Zuko and had no intention of agreeing with him or even hearing him out. My god wtf is written all over this crap. I mean...seriously? That is so out of character I don't even know how to deal with it. Look, I get how you wouldn't want to trust Zuko's judgement considering the dumbass decisions he's made so far but to not even consider listening to him is just...ugh it's just not Aang!

Back to Toph and Sokka. Thank god. The only thing I didn't like about this bit was the Dark One's name. It was...kind of lame. Like, it wasn't even funny, it was just dumb. But I'll get over it.

So the earth king is like 'im going to be a man and fight Zuko' jesus christ. I give up with this comic. And for once, Aang and Katara are in character and say something to the effect of 'wtf is wrong with you'. Yeah, really, WTF. Okay, this war has been going on for 100 years. You'd think EVERYONE would be in a 'we don't want another war' mindset. Instead, everyone is just DYING to fight again. This is so out of character! Not only out of character, it just doesn't make sense! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

okay so now we got back to Toph and Sokka again. thankfully. And their bit pretty much finishes up. and it's good. no complaints really.

oh god we're back to Zuko. so, Mai finds out that Zuko's been having field trips to Ozais and decides to dump him. I kid you not. *sigh* how many times are these two going to break up? seriously. they broke up twice in season three and now they've broken up again. i get that maybe Mai is trying to whip Zuko's ass in gear by making him realize what's important but...this is just getting so old between the two. i mean...really. can we get something a bit less cliche? of course, Zuko's an idiot and orders Mai to come back. Lol, good one Zuko. Suki comes in and it turns out she was the one that told Mai. Yeah, totally knew that was going to bite him in the ass later.

A random general named Mak (i kid you not, that is his name) comes in and tells Zuko that the spies he sent out confirmed the Earth King is heading to Yu Dao with an army. Suki is like 'omg how could you send spies?!' even though she was just caught spying on Zuko....awkward....

and so the two groups are heading to Yu Dao to fight with Aang and Katara rushing to hopefully bring peace between the two. I can only think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9YEWYpxfTY <= and even though this clip is Disney, it is by no means a compliment.

THE END.