Avatar: Katara and the Pirate's Silver Puts a Much-Needed Spotlight on Its Hero
- WRITER
- Faith Erin Hicks
- Artist
- Peter Wartman
- Letterer
- Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt, Richard Starkings
- Publisher
- Dark Horse Comics
- Price
- 12.99
- Release Date
- 2020-10-14
- Colorist
- Adele Matera
While most of the comics continuing the story of Avatar: The Last Airbender picked up where the television series left off, Faith Erin Hicks, Tim Hedrick and Peter Wartman's Katara and the Pirate's Silver takes a look back at the timeline of the series itself to reveal a hidden adventure that takes place during Book Two. The conceit proves inventive not only for the time period it takes place in but also in its choice of lead character. After being usually relegated to the sidelines, Katara shines as the story's chief protagonist in a long-overdue starring role that's just one of several smart storytelling decisions.
Taking place directly following the Book Two episode "Bitter Work" in which Aang first learned earthbending from Toph, Pirate's Silver begins with the Gaang flying on Appa's back as in the start to so many of the series' episodes. As the group passes over a Fire Nation blockade, they find themselves the targets of fiery catapult ammunition, but Appa accidentally flings Katara from his back in the course of evading the projectiles. Stranded on her own, the story concerns itself primarily with her mission to reunite with her friends, and that's exactly where the fun really begins.
Shortly before her sudden departure, Katara spoke with the other members of the group about the difference between her training and Toph's, given how quickly Aang gained a knack for earthbending under Toph's tutelage. Katara took umbrage at the other's insinuation that she was soft or not as tough as Toph was, so the emotional core of the story comes with Katara proving to herself and her friends alike that she has the grit and toughness to stand up to anyone. So, naturally, when she comes across a band of pirates who offer her passage beyond the Fire Nation blockade she eagerly accepts their offer.
The story is a refreshing return to a familiar setting with the characters as they were from the time of the show, and it would be a joy to see future comics take the same approach of fleshing out the unseen stories of the cast during Books One, Two and Three. Where it really helps Katara is in helping to show her growth during a crucial point when the show did not have as much time to spare for Katara individually.
Set right in the middle of the second season, the time the show spent on characterization was split between new cast regular Toph, Zuko's separate redemption arc in full force by that time and the impending loss of Appa following the events of "Bitter Work." With so much going on it was only natural for Katara's character to fall to the background, but Pirate's Silver helps to explain how she toughens up her ability to remain strong while everyone else deteriorates in "The Desert" makes far more sense.
Attachments to the original series aside, the comic is just an enjoyable and fun adventure showcasing Katara's strength and revealing more of the ever-more fascinating world of Avatar as we gain an insight into the life of pirates. Featured in the show's first season and factoring heavily in The Rise of Kyoshi novel, the pirates of Avatar are like a world unto themselves and it's a pleasure to gain even further insight into the spectrum of their characters and just what their lives are like.
While these moments all dig deeper into different corners of the Avatar world, they all very much feel like part of the show with pitch-perfect artwork that flawlessly captures the spirit of the show's signature style.
The Avatar comics have been consistently satisfying with every installment, but Pirate's Silver represents a willingness to forge forward in new directions by digging into the past and enriching the stories that are already there. While the temptation to plow the future of the characters for further stories is understandable, Pirate's Silver proves that there are still treasures to be found in the untold tales of these characters.