Avatar: The Next Shadow (2021): Comic Overview
Avatar: The Next Shadow is a four-issue comic series published by Dark Horse Comics that is part of the larger Avatar comic series. Set two weeks after Avatar (2009), the story followed Jake Sully as he attempted to lead the Omaticaya after the destruction of Hometree. Tsu'tey's family challenged his authority, culminating in ritual combat with Arvok and a poisoning attempt that left Jake near death.
Comic Overview
Avatar: The Next Shadow was a four-issue miniseries published by Dark Horse Comics in 2021. The story was written by Jeremy Barlow with interior art by Josh Hood, covers by Gui Balbi, and colors by Wes Dzioba. A collected edition later compiled all four issues into a single volume.
The comic began shortly after the RDA's defeat in Avatar (2009). The Omaticaya lived in a temporary settlement near Hell's Gate, while surviving humans remained dependent on Na'vi cooperation. Jake's leadership was questioned because he was not born into the Na'vi ranks and had replaced Tsu'tey as olo'eyktan.
Plot Summary
Two weeks after the battle, the Omaticaya struggled to rebuild following Hometree's destruction. Jake attempted to lead while coordinating with remaining humans such as Norm Spellman and Max Patel. Many clan members continued to follow Neytiri and Mo'at rather than Jake. Tsu'tey's parents, Ateyo and Artsut, believed leadership should return to their family. They pushed their younger son Arvok to challenge Jake in First Blood, a ritual duel that would decide authority. Arvok agreed, but Artsut secretly poisoned his Na'vi blade to ensure Jake's death.
Jake accepted the challenge and fought Arvok before the clan. He defeated Arvok but suffered a cut from the poisoned knife. The toxin quickly weakened him and he collapsed shortly after the duel. Mo'at took Jake to the Tree of Souls while humans searched for a cure. Norm Spellman, Max Patel, and Katherine Hale assisted in locating a rare flower needed for the antidote. Jake remained unconscious while Ateyo and Artsut attempted to shift clan leadership.
While near death, Jake experienced visions involving Tsu'tey and Eytukan. The visions focused on his guilt over the destruction of Hometree and the deaths caused by the war. After the antidote was recovered, Jake regained consciousness. Arvok later confessed that his parents planned the assassination. Jake chose exile rather than execution for Ateyo and Artsut. The Omaticaya accepted Jake's leadership, though some tensions within the Na'vi clan remained unresolved.
Key Characters
- Jake Sully - Olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya who survived an assassination attempt.
- Neytiri - Jake's mate and one of the clan's most trusted Na'vi warriors.
- Mo'at - Tsahik who directed efforts to save Jake.
- Arvok - Tsu'tey's younger brother who challenged Jake in ritual combat.
- Ateyo - Tsu'tey's father who attempted to reclaim leadership.
- Artsut - Tsu'tey's mother who poisoned Arvok's blade.
- Norm Spellman - Human ally who helped obtain the antidote.
- Max Patel - Scientist who assisted during Jake's poisoning.
- Katherine Hale - Human leader involved in the search for the cure.
- Tsu'tey - Appeared in Jake's visions following his death in Avatar (2009).
Timeline Placement
Avatar: The Next Shadow took place two weeks after Avatar (2009). It followed Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path and depicted the immediate aftermath of the RDA's defeat. The comic showed the Omaticaya rebuilding after Hometree's destruction and established Jake's early leadership. Avatar: The Next Shadow does not reach anywhere near the events of Avatar: The Way Of The Water.
Release History
Avatar: The Next Shadow was published by Dark Horse Comics as a four-issue miniseries in 2021. The issues released from January to April 2021. A collected paperback edition followed later in 2021. Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path was later rereleased in the Avatar: Tales Of Pandora collected edition along with other comics like Avatar: So'lek's Journey. The series was written by Jeremy Barlow with interior art by Josh Hood, covers by Gui Balbi, and colors by Wes Dzioba.
Legacy
Avatar: The Next Shadow continued the story immediately after the first film and can be considered to be the first sequel to Avatar. The comic confirmed that Jake's consciousness survived inside his Avatar body even though his human body died. Although the humans were defeated for the moment, tensions between the Na'vi continued even after the death of Tsu'tey.
Tag Categories: Avatar Lore
