Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora--So'lek's Journey

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora -So'lek's Journey #1-6

by Ray Fawkes, Gabriel Guzmán (illustrator), Michael Atiyeh (illustrator)

One of the only survivors of his clan, a battered and broken Na’vi undertakes an epic quest spanning years to embrace and heal the wounds of his past.

Meet So’lek—a Na’vi warrior who must go on a transformative journey across Pandora. While the battle of the Hallelujah Mountains is over, the trauma of war is never-ending. So’lek finds himself alone, stricken with grief and desperation. Only through Eywa and the bonds he makes with those he meets throughout his quest can he find a path to heal—and though danger, doubt, and pain await him, it’s time for him to answer the call. 

This story introduces readers to new characters and clans, and is the origin story of one of the key characters in Ubisoft’s AAA PC/console video game Frontiers of Pandora!

Collects Frontiers of Pandora--So'lek's Journey #1–#6.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

Ray Fawkes is the critically-acclaimed author of the comics and graphic novels Underwinter, Intersect, One Soul, The People Inside, The Spectral Engine, Possessions, and Junction True, as well as Batman: Eternal, Constantine, Justice League Dark, and Gotham by Midnight (DC), Wolverines (Marvel), Black Hammer '45 (Dark Horse), Jackpot! (AfterShock) and more. He is an Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster award nominee and a YALSA award winner.

Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.

Reviews

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spiritual journey...that was fun to read

[chey | bibliochey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this graphic novel took me from barely knowing who so'lek was to him being a character i hold close to my heart. watching everything of his life after the war from his struggles with ptsd to each step of his quest to finally reaching his destination and, ultimately, his life purpose was so inspiring. the art in this was obviously gorgeous and i so loved meeting so many more na'vi clans. ever since the first movie, i have thought the palulukan were so so cool and loved getting a closer look at them. so'lek is such an amazing character and i can't believe it took me this long to dig deeper into his story. i kinda hope we get a glance at him in avatar 4 or 5.

[Helena Emenhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started the year with a comic, so I thought I should end the year with one.
Pretty classic story but I still enjoyed it! Love you So’lek!

[Kevin Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is astonishing how great this book is. So’lek’s journey through Pandora and trying to understand his PTSD from war is heartbreaking, interesting, exciting, and has a very satisfying ending. I got very wrapped up in his journey and character. It is the best Avatar graphic novel but also just a really great comic in general and one of my favorites of the year. It goes way beyond what a typical video game comic tie in is like, if it wasn’t for the title I wouldn’t have known a video game even existed. It’s also just a plain great graphic novel that I highly recommend even to those who aren’t particular Avatar fans. It’s a great book that happens to be an Avatar book.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid prequel to what ended up being a pretty solid video game. The lore of this universe really opens up between this comic and the game and I’m the happier for it. So’lek was a character I really enjoyed in the game that seemed to have a very deep past so getting to see it and how he became the man he is was a lot of fun. Poor man has been through it.

[Dovile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a gamer and I only looked into Avatar books and comics, so I found out this was a tie-in to the Avatar game 'Frontiers of Pandora' only after reading this book.
For those who play the game it will be a prequel with the background story of one of main characters in the game. For the rest of Avatar fans, this is an interesting side story about an original character (not from the movies) and it contains introductions to some other interesting Na'vi tribes not seen in the movies (yet). The story is simple, but interesting: a single survivor of his tribe sets out on a long quest, encountering various tribes, learning their skills and changing himself as a person on the way, until he finds his place and purpose in the world. Only 6 issues long, the story and the panels are well done, and to me it's the most memorable of all Avatar comics so far. Makes me want to find out what happened to So'lek after the comic, in the game. Still not a gamer though, so I'll just have to look for full gameplays on YouTube:)

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Replete with all the usual exoticism and tropes of the noble savage, and yet thus run of Avatar comics, by focusing in on one young Na’vi suffering front PTSD after surviving alone through the events of the end of the first film, at least digs into some sort of concept of purpose without fully giving into a need for revenge. The ending feels a little forced (especially that last page), but it doesn’t feel totally out of left field either. The art in this is pretty solid, nothing mind blowing. I was more impressed at how much of the world building from all the peripheral Avatar content found its way into this series. Curious if I’ll spot So’lek in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora whenever I get around to playing it. Also didn’t realize Ubisoft has a seeming partnership with Dark Horse now to adapt and expand stories beyond their games.

[Alexandra Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale like this should be fascinating. Alas, I found it very dull.

So’lek is dealing with severe PTSD after Jake Sully’s battle in the first movie. He has a vision of an ancient ancestor, who sends him on a quest. Years and years pass. So’lek travels from tribe to tribe, learning how to carve a flute, walk silently, de-shell a crab, and practice herbal healing. In the end, what does this amount to? These “Lessons of patience and love, of harmony and craft and medicine.” Not to be at peace, to wish for survival instead of suicide. But death. Always more death. Specifically, by teaching rebel sky people how to fight.

It was interesting seeing aspects of different tribes. But, that was the only positive.

[D.K Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS! Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved! I haven't played Frontiers of Pandora and I was really curious what this would be about as a huge Avatar fan. The story left me like 'Why on Earth have more Avatar fans not read this?". Seriously. If it's because it's a character you don't know you are missing out on a HUGE expansion of Pandora. So'lek visits so many tribes, you learn so much about their different cultures and environments. So'lek is an enjoyable character to watch grow too. It takes place directly after the balle in the Hallelujah Mountains, which helped keep it connected to the larger story, which is always great for spin offs. 5 out of 5 recommend!

[Alyssa Merriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting to learn more about So'lek's story before he joined up with the resistance. He was definitely one of my favorite characters in Frontiers of Pandora. It's also so great that we get to see more of the other clans living on Pandora. They're all so different and unique and it helps to flesh out this massive world that we only get to see parts of in the movies and the game so far.

I got this book as an ARC.

[k mma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the protagonist we deserved for Pandora’s story. He is wise beyond his years, So’lek. I definitely gotta watch more of the video game now. I really HOPE we will see him in the upcoming Avatar movies, he deserves his story to be told to more audiences.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So'lek is the only survivor from his clan after the battle for the Tree of Voices. He has a vision which sends him on a quest across Pandora. #Edelweiss+

[Sam Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[LivThebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good! I wish this story could be a DLC in the game and you play as him through this journey.

[Bailey Downer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading a comic! Absolutely loved it. I love Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora so much and getting to see So’lek’s backstory was amazing. I will be buying the rest of these comics ASAP!!

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Love So'lek 💙

[Summer Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who played the game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, this was an absolute treat to read. Very fun, and love the insight of the journey and various clans you meet. Want to read more!

[Ham Sandwich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, and a story that fits well into the established lore of the Avatar world.

[Precompute · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was insane. Great read. Great plot, great art, many decent new characters and it expands the lore of Pandora without leaning too hard on the movies.

[Haani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love it so much 😭😭

[kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ma so’lek my darling

[L_Loves_Books Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily my favorite of the Avatar comics. I enjoyed getting So’lek’s backstory, but most of all, I loved seeing all the different clans. Even if you haven’t played the game I still think it would be great, a must-read for any Avatar fan!