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Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow #3
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow, Part 3
Children are disappearing in the Fire Nation capital! Avatar Aang and his friends are doing everything in their power to save them-but will it be enough? And worse, when Azula-the mad sister of Fire Lord Zuko-appears on the scene, Zuko locks down the city to catch her, igniting fear and riots in the streets! Will Zuko follow in his evil father's footsteps in order to save those he holds dear? * The official continuation of Airbender from its creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko!
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2016
162 people are currently reading
3305 people want to read
About the author
Gene Luen Yang
360 books3,401 followersGene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’ fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), Superman from DC Comics (with various artists), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. His most recent books are Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
December 11, 2019
Smoke and Shadow is my favourite Avatar story line so far! It had so much woven throughout the three parts. World building, character development, humour, deep emotional conversations and so much more that just makes for a great story! The illustrations have also been spectacular! I can’t wait to see what happens next for these characters and this world.
April 13, 2016
I am disappointed to say that this is the first ATLA comic that really hasn't worked for me. I'm still chewing it over, and perhaps I'll like it more when I give it a slower reread, but there's just too many loose ends, too many moments that could have been powerful but instead are rushed over.
July 25, 2020
there's nothing like the adrenaline rush i feel when zuko and azula start fighting 😌
(i don't really like them to fight im just thrilled to see all that power in one go)
(i don't really like them to fight im just thrilled to see all that power in one go)
February 1, 2025
The ending of this was so cute 🥹
February 21, 2021
Agh, this always happens with these comics. Every time.
Well, this was fantastic. In every way.
5/5 stars.
Well, this was fantastic. In every way.
5/5 stars.
May 28, 2016
Awwwwww.
October 18, 2020
3.5🌟
Debo confesar que antes no soportaba a Mai, pero ahora quiero que este con Zuko.
Debo confesar que antes no soportaba a Mai, pero ahora quiero que este con Zuko.
March 12, 2019
"As parents, we want nothing more than for our children to be safe. Unfortunately, this world is an inherently unsafe place, so many dangers, so much to fear. No matter how hard we try, we can never keep our children completely safe. Better to teach them -and ourselves- to see the fear with unclouded eyes."
Oh, what a beautiful tale!
I really love to see how much our characters grow and change. It's so satisfying.
I particularly liked the story arc of Kiyi and Ursa, it was so touching and sad at the same time.
The resolution of the debacle of kidnapped children is truly well managed and makes justice to the plot. It was solved easily enough, but at the same time it took a lot of help and many people to be able to get to that point.
I couldn't help but laugh at the interactions between, basically, anyone and Aang. He can certainly come out with the funniest of comebacks or observations.
I enjoyed it a lot.
"So Ukano's the leader of the New Ozai Society and the Safe Nation Society? That guy's really into societies."
Oh, what a beautiful tale!
I really love to see how much our characters grow and change. It's so satisfying.
I particularly liked the story arc of Kiyi and Ursa, it was so touching and sad at the same time.
The resolution of the debacle of kidnapped children is truly well managed and makes justice to the plot. It was solved easily enough, but at the same time it took a lot of help and many people to be able to get to that point.
I couldn't help but laugh at the interactions between, basically, anyone and Aang. He can certainly come out with the funniest of comebacks or observations.
I enjoyed it a lot.
"So Ukano's the leader of the New Ozai Society and the Safe Nation Society? That guy's really into societies."
September 30, 2016
If this had been the last installment in all of the ATLA graphic novels, I'd be quite disappointed, but the next one (North and South) comes out October 2016! I have a feeling the stories are going to start overlapping more like The Rift and Smoke and Shadow did. Honestly, if they keep making graphic novels ad infinitum, I'd be happy forever.
July 11, 2020
These comics make me love Zuko more and more...
November 4, 2020
This graphic novels are delightful continuations of the legendary cartoon series, so glad they exist and a not-insignificant part of me wishes they could reunite the animators and voice cast for a reunion special or two based on them.
July 13, 2020
Done! This is one of the best story arcs I've read in the comics so far. These books are just what I needed during these crazy times and a reading slump ♥️
September 6, 2020
Toller Abschlusss für die 'Rauch und Schatten' Trilogie. Liebe den Twist am Ende und bin gespannt wie Zuko damit umgehen wird.
July 23, 2022
azula is my fav atla character i would do anything for her. BADDEST BITCH EVERR
June 7, 2020
ahh, not only was this great but there were themes that were really interesting to read right now.
December 24, 2024
Fire Nation is MY favorite Roman Empire💋❤️🔥
Chyba w tej części się bardziej przekonałam do Mai
Chyba w tej części się bardziej przekonałam do Mai
January 7, 2018
O niečo slabší príbeh než tie predošlé, možno preto, že nebol skutočne ukončený... (edit: ale to nevadí, lebo dnes som sa dozvedela, že komiksy budú pokračovať)
April 10, 2018
Interesting and surprising conclusion to this arc.
It's more open-ended than previous comics but I feel like some things were indeed rushed, I wished we see more of Ursa post-meeting, more of her and her daughter, maybe Zuko and Mai, more of "those non-ghosts".
Also I think I'm the least emotional over ATLA: Smoke and Shadow because I was distracted and couldn't fully immerse into the story. I won't make the same mistake again.
It's more open-ended than previous comics but I feel like some things were indeed rushed, I wished we see more of Ursa post-meeting, more of her and her daughter, maybe Zuko and Mai, more of "those non-ghosts".
Also I think I'm the least emotional over ATLA: Smoke and Shadow because I was distracted and couldn't fully immerse into the story. I won't make the same mistake again.
September 27, 2017
soooooooo good! :-)
July 27, 2020
So nice to be back in the ATLA world :)
June 30, 2022
3.25/5
August 18, 2022
الجزء هذا تقييمه 3.8/5
مو نفس باقي الاجزاء حتى زوكو بعض الاشياء الي قالها مو شخصيته
uncle iroh >>>>> يلوح بيده الكريمة
عرفت عن ماضي fire nation
مو نفس باقي الاجزاء حتى زوكو بعض الاشياء الي قالها مو شخصيته
uncle iroh >>>>> يلوح بيده الكريمة
عرفت عن ماضي fire nation
June 30, 2024
Overall rating: 3/5⭐️
Full RTC…
Full RTC…
March 19, 2017
4.5 Stars
It was such a nice wrap for all three parts of the story, but I feel it needs more..
It was such a nice wrap for all three parts of the story, but I feel it needs more..
December 18, 2025
This review is also posted on my blog.
Review for all three parts under the cut.
April 6, 2016
Gene Luen Yang has been constricted by DC's constant Superman crossovers for pretty much his entire run over there. Thankfully, he still gets to run wild with the Avatar universe as Smoke & Shadow comes to a close.
Rather than rounding the story off, this is just the next instalment in the series. There isn't a clear-cut ending, just the progression of everything that's been built up so far. The themes he explores with regards to Zuko and Azula, as well as Aang's role as Avatar in the new world, and even Ursa and her child and Mei are fleshed out well, and build on everything that the characters have been through since the beginning of the series.
Guruhiru's artwork remains evocative of the animated series whilst being dynamic and fluid; I especially like the colours they use, which always reflect the mood and setting for each scene.
Avatar's reputation as a mature cartoon that doesn't look down on it's audience and addresses complicated themes and the consequences of actions extends well into the comic books, and this is a prime example.
Rather than rounding the story off, this is just the next instalment in the series. There isn't a clear-cut ending, just the progression of everything that's been built up so far. The themes he explores with regards to Zuko and Azula, as well as Aang's role as Avatar in the new world, and even Ursa and her child and Mei are fleshed out well, and build on everything that the characters have been through since the beginning of the series.
Guruhiru's artwork remains evocative of the animated series whilst being dynamic and fluid; I especially like the colours they use, which always reflect the mood and setting for each scene.
Avatar's reputation as a mature cartoon that doesn't look down on it's audience and addresses complicated themes and the consequences of actions extends well into the comic books, and this is a prime example.
December 26, 2016
4/5 stars.
This was really good! :D
This was really good! :D
July 30, 2019
Zuko has the best development, no tengo pruebas pero tampoco dudas.
March 5, 2018
This review will cover all three volumes of Smoke and Shadow.
Why I liked this story: It shows how blatantly people dislike Zuko because he isn't the tyrannical, power-hungry Fire Lord that Ozai was. This book also shows the consequences of Ursa's choice to have her face changed not once, but twice, from herself to a new person and from a new person back to her original face. Also we get to see some stuff about how the world was BEFORE the Fire Lords existed and legends about the first Fire Lord. That was awesome. OH and the Fire Nation Priest from the show who helped Team Avatar when he had to talk to Roku was there! I love that guy. He has meditation classes now.
Why I didn't like this story: Azula was back. Joking, I actually don't mind her despotic, insane mind. I have no complaints about this book at all. It was pretty freaking awesome. Since everything else will be spoilers for books two and three of this series, cover thine eyes or leave because below will be spoilers....
SPOILERS STARTING NOW
Okay, so I loved the idea of the New Ozai Society people. Of COURSE there would be Fire Nation citizens who would still want to kill and conquer the whole world. What made it even better was that Mai's father was their leader. Holy. Crap. It was perfect because not only was he related to a secondary character we know pretty well, but he was Fire Nation gentry! So it makes sense why a noble from the Fire Nation who did well under Ozai would not like Zuko at all. I was kinda turned off by the fact that his wife abandoned him, though. Even though Aang saved Tom Tom way back when, she never seemed like she cared about the other people in the world. I feel like they made her leave her husband just so Mai wouldn't be the only one in the family who was on Zuko's side. So that's my only complaint.
Watching Zuko's little sister have to adjust to Ursa's face was fascinating. The Search made it seem like everything was OK with that, but it wasn't! And it makes sense why Kiyi wouldn't feel comfortable with her mom. Her mom lied to her (Ursa didn't remember her past, but she still "lied"), and then her mom suddenly looks completely different than the mom she's had all her life.
The Fire Lord catacombs! Can we please have more on that? I want to know more about the ancient nations, especially that the Fire Nation was a feudal place. That's so cool!
I needed more info on Azula. She vanished in The Search and was insane, and suddenly she's back and mentally stable. Didn't make a lot of sense, but OK. Also who were all the people she had broken out of jail?
Kiyi can firebend; that was adorable.
OZAI AND URSA'S SHOWDOWN YAS. This scene was something that needed to happen for so long because it shows what Ozai is: a bully. Strip him of his power, and all he is is a giant boogey man from the past who screams. I love that Ursa had PTSD about the palace, and I wish they had shown more of that. I loved her reunion with Iroh because it showed just how freaking awesome Iroh is. He was born in a horrible family and came out 100% perfect.
I feel like instead of Korra, it would have been cooler for them to do all of these comics as mini series or something, and then have the next show be the lives of Team Avatar when they're in their 40s, but that's just me.
Why I liked this story: It shows how blatantly people dislike Zuko because he isn't the tyrannical, power-hungry Fire Lord that Ozai was. This book also shows the consequences of Ursa's choice to have her face changed not once, but twice, from herself to a new person and from a new person back to her original face. Also we get to see some stuff about how the world was BEFORE the Fire Lords existed and legends about the first Fire Lord. That was awesome. OH and the Fire Nation Priest from the show who helped Team Avatar when he had to talk to Roku was there! I love that guy. He has meditation classes now.
Why I didn't like this story: Azula was back. Joking, I actually don't mind her despotic, insane mind. I have no complaints about this book at all. It was pretty freaking awesome. Since everything else will be spoilers for books two and three of this series, cover thine eyes or leave because below will be spoilers....
SPOILERS STARTING NOW
Okay, so I loved the idea of the New Ozai Society people. Of COURSE there would be Fire Nation citizens who would still want to kill and conquer the whole world. What made it even better was that Mai's father was their leader. Holy. Crap. It was perfect because not only was he related to a secondary character we know pretty well, but he was Fire Nation gentry! So it makes sense why a noble from the Fire Nation who did well under Ozai would not like Zuko at all. I was kinda turned off by the fact that his wife abandoned him, though. Even though Aang saved Tom Tom way back when, she never seemed like she cared about the other people in the world. I feel like they made her leave her husband just so Mai wouldn't be the only one in the family who was on Zuko's side. So that's my only complaint.
Watching Zuko's little sister have to adjust to Ursa's face was fascinating. The Search made it seem like everything was OK with that, but it wasn't! And it makes sense why Kiyi wouldn't feel comfortable with her mom. Her mom lied to her (Ursa didn't remember her past, but she still "lied"), and then her mom suddenly looks completely different than the mom she's had all her life.
The Fire Lord catacombs! Can we please have more on that? I want to know more about the ancient nations, especially that the Fire Nation was a feudal place. That's so cool!
I needed more info on Azula. She vanished in The Search and was insane, and suddenly she's back and mentally stable. Didn't make a lot of sense, but OK. Also who were all the people she had broken out of jail?
Kiyi can firebend; that was adorable.
OZAI AND URSA'S SHOWDOWN YAS. This scene was something that needed to happen for so long because it shows what Ozai is: a bully. Strip him of his power, and all he is is a giant boogey man from the past who screams. I love that Ursa had PTSD about the palace, and I wish they had shown more of that. I loved her reunion with Iroh because it showed just how freaking awesome Iroh is. He was born in a horrible family and came out 100% perfect.
I feel like instead of Korra, it would have been cooler for them to do all of these comics as mini series or something, and then have the next show be the lives of Team Avatar when they're in their 40s, but that's just me.
October 18, 2020
Rtc
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5 stars).
Lol, Aang had to be escorted out by Ty Lee and Suki😂😂
Ty Lee is truly shining in this part, I'm loving the attention she's getting now.
Iroh and his tea agenda will never not be funny. And in all honesty, the man has the right priorities.
WHAHAHAHAHA LOL, Aang is air scootering zuko away because he simply isn't listening😂😂 this is literally too funny.
You truly should never piss Azula off or you really have a death wish.
Kiyi is literally the cutest.
O
M
G
KIYI IS A FIREBENDER😱😱😱😱
Unleashed Azula is the best kind of Azula.
Damn, I actually love Azula's reverse psychology. I won't be fire lord but I'll turn you into a fire lord that rules through fear, that's honestly fucking smart. I just admire my kickass villainous babe. But we all know that Zuko won't do that.
Also, Zuko is truly coming together as a fire lord and works leader. I'm so proud of my baby and how fast he had come and how much he has learned; I'm just so proud.
I loved how Ursa finally got her closure on the trauma that Ozai enforced on her. I also like how it wasn't Ursa's change in face that scared Kiyi but her change in personality. I think that was really beautiful.
I can't wait to read more about Azula's upcoming schemes. And this comic truly ended on a perfect note. I think it may be my favorite ending so far.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5 stars).
Lol, Aang had to be escorted out by Ty Lee and Suki😂😂
Ty Lee is truly shining in this part, I'm loving the attention she's getting now.
Iroh and his tea agenda will never not be funny. And in all honesty, the man has the right priorities.
WHAHAHAHAHA LOL, Aang is air scootering zuko away because he simply isn't listening😂😂 this is literally too funny.
You truly should never piss Azula off or you really have a death wish.
Kiyi is literally the cutest.
O
M
G
KIYI IS A FIREBENDER😱😱😱😱
Unleashed Azula is the best kind of Azula.
Damn, I actually love Azula's reverse psychology. I won't be fire lord but I'll turn you into a fire lord that rules through fear, that's honestly fucking smart. I just admire my kickass villainous babe. But we all know that Zuko won't do that.
Also, Zuko is truly coming together as a fire lord and works leader. I'm so proud of my baby and how fast he had come and how much he has learned; I'm just so proud.
I loved how Ursa finally got her closure on the trauma that Ozai enforced on her. I also like how it wasn't Ursa's change in face that scared Kiyi but her change in personality. I think that was really beautiful.
I can't wait to read more about Azula's upcoming schemes. And this comic truly ended on a perfect note. I think it may be my favorite ending so far.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews