EXCLUSIVE: YANG CONTINUES "AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER" IN "THE SEARCH"

Exclusive art: Writer Gene Yang and art team
Gurihiru studios reunite for "Avatar-
The Search"

It's been a fantastic year for fans of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Not only did the "Legend of Korra" animated series debuted to near-universal critical and fan acclaim, but Dark Horse continued to up the "Avatar" ante with its graphic novel series "The Promise," which helps fill in the gap between the end of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "Legend of Korra." Written by "American Born Chinese" creator Gene Luen Yang with art by Gurihiru Studios, the three-part graphic novel series wraps in September -- but that doesn't mean it's the end of Avatar Aang's adventures.

This weekend at the American Library Association, Dark Horse announced Yang and Gurihiru will return for a second "Avatar: The Last Airbender" graphic novel series called "The Search," which explores the biggest unsolved mystery in "Avatar" lore: what happened to Prince Zuko's mother?

CBR News spoke with Yang, a longtime "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fan, about his work on "The Search," wrapping up "The Promise, his feelings about "Legend of Korra," the challenge of linking the two shows and their characters together and the return of Princess Azula.

CBR News: Gene, the last time you spoke with CBR, "The Promise: Part One" hadn't been released yet and "Avatar" fans were still chomping at the bit for "Legend of Korra." Now, "The Promise: Part Two" has just dropped and "Legend of Korra" just aired its season finale. First off, as a fan of the series, how have you been enjoying "Legend of Korra?"

Gene Luen Yang: I've loved every episode of "Legend of Korra" so far. The animation in the original show was great, but the Korra stuff is really in a league of its own. The bending fights are nothing short of spectacular. And also there's this dynamic -- all our old friends from the first show are now legends. So far, we've seen statues of Aang, Zuko and Toph. It reminds us of something that's true in the real world, too -- the actions of a few, even a few teenagers, can have big consequences down the road.

Of all the Korra characters, my favorite is probably Tenzin. I appreciate how different he is from his dad. I like that he's so uptight. And with kids of my own, I really relate to what he has to deal with.

This weekend, you announced "The Search" as the next miniseries in the "Avatar" series of Dark Horse's graphic novels. As a fan of the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series, I'd really love that title to refer to Zuko's long-lost mother -- what can you tell us about the significance of the title?

I'm not totally sure how much I'm allowed to say -- but you're right! It's really, really surreal. Like every other "Airbender" fan out there, I gasped at the end of that scene in the last episode, where Zuko confronts Ozai. How could Mike and Bryan just leave us hanging like that?! In the last episode, with no immediate plans for resolution! And now, for me to have a hand in answering some of those questions -- like I said, surreal.

Beyond the title of the book, is there anything you can tell fans about the storyline of "The Search" and where it'll take Team Avatar?

I've always loved the supernatural elements of the Avatarverse. The

Season 1 finale was one of my favorite sequences in the series. We didn't really do much supernatural in "The Promise" since that story was focused on the political ramifications of the War's end. But I'm happy to say, writing "The Search" is giving me the chance to explore that side of Aang and his world.

"The Promise" has been a continuation of the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" story, featuring a closer look at the politics that are involved in the world's reconstruction. Will "The Search" continue to explore the political side of the Avatar's world or will you be taking it in a slightly different direction?

The politics will be there -- they're difficult to avoid when one of your main characters is the leader of a large nation. However, we'll be shifting our focus from the nation to the family. Within Confucian thought, there's a connection between nation and family -- the family is a microcosm of the nation. I actually reference that in "The Search."

One of the great things about "The Promise" is how faithful to the source material the book has been. As you've been building this story, how challenging has it been to continue developing the characters in your own way while still staying true to their core?

This project is different from my other projects. With "American Born

Chinese," "Prime Baby" and my other books, I was really trying to express something about me. I wanted what was on paper to match what was in my head. With the "Airbender" project, I'm trying to mimic someone else's storytelling voice. I don't want the characters to grow in a direction that suits me or expresses something about me -- I want them to grow in a direction that fits their world and their established history.

Now, that's not to say that there isn't room for self-expression, but the self-expression occurs where my passions overlap with the Avatarverse. For instance, a recurring theme in many of my stories is culture. That's also a deeply important part of the Avatarverse, and the basis for a lot of what happens in "The Promise."

"Avatar - The Search" continues Yang and
Gurihiru's time in the Avatarverse, bridging the
gap between "The Last Airbender" and
"Legend of Korra."

This line of graphic novels is meant to fill in the gaps between the final episode of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and the premiere of "Legend of Korra. So far, we've gotten a chance to see Toph's metal bending academy and Aang's struggle to unite the nations. How will this struggle increase in "The Promise: Part 3" and into "The Search?"

"The Search" focuses on Zuko and Azula. Aang, Katara and Sokka will be there, of course, but the Fire Nation royal siblings are really the drivers of the action. In "The Promise," we see Zuko struggling with his responsibilities as Fire Lord. "The Search" is the next stage of that struggle.

One of the advantages of "Legend of Korra" is the plethora of flashbacks audiences get, seeing Aang, Sokka and Toph come into their own as leaders of Republic City -- but even in the flashbacks, they're significantly older than in the original series. What's your plan for making these characters age, if any?

Those are my favorite parts of "Korra!" In "The Search," the Gang are still teenagers. "The Search" takes place immediately after the end of "The Promise."

You're still working with Gurihiru studio for "The Search." How did you collaborate with them to change up character designs a bit?

Gurihiru's art in "The Promise" is phenomenal, isn't it? I feel so lucky to be working with them. I believe they are the perfect combination of Eastern and Western cartooning influences, which in turn is a perfect reflection of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." They work more directly with Mike and Bryan on character designs, especially when it comes to new clothing for existing characters. I throw in a comment when I can (usually "WOW!").

Two characters of the original Team Avatar have been conspicuously absent from the "Legend of Korra" flashbacks. Most pressing is Zuko, who currently plays a huge role in "The Promise." While I'm sure you're not able to spoil much here, will we get to discover why his influence hasn't been seen in Republic City at all during the course of "The Search?"

Um... you'll just have to read the comics.

Speaking of Zuko, he can't catch a break. After all the heartache he went through in the original series, he's now getting drawn back in to his father's web, Mai has left him and the Earth Kingdom is about to declare war. What are the chances he'll be able to find some happiness when this is all over?

Well, like Ozai said, "Zuko was lucky to be born." That struggle is who he is. Don't you know people who are like that? I have an acquaintance who is like that. Great guy, but life just seems to have it in for him -- his health, his relationships, nothing seems to go his way. Even so, you can see him making progress over the years. Often it's two steps forward, one step back, but when you take the long view there's definitely progress. That's how I imagine Zuko to be. And frankly, I find folks like that more admirable than folks who get everything handed to them.

Speaking of Zuko's family, what's Azula been up to? Her stay in the Fire Nation mental institution has got to be incredibly interesting.

In "The Search," we'll see what a prolonged stay in a Fire Nation mental institution does to a person.

Katara and Aang's burgeoning relationship is certainly something fans were clamoring for since the announcement of "The Promise." Thanks to "Legend of Korra," fans now know they get married and have a child, but what trials will their relationship have to go through before getting to that point?

At the beginning of "The Promise," Katara and Aang are still in that lovey-dovey stage of their relationship. They call each other pet names and are way too affectionate. By the end of "The Promise," they will have gone through their first conflict. Their relationship will continue to mature in The Search, but it will take a backseat to the Fire Nation Royal Family. After all, that is one messed up family. They need all the panel-time they can get.

So, Toph eventually has a daughter. Will readers actually get to see what Toph is like in a relationship in "The Search?" What is it like knowing you may have to explore that aspect of her character in coming installments?

I love Toph. She was my favorite character to write in The Promise. Sadly, though, she doesn't have a big role to play in The Search.

And for a slightly silly question, what about Cabbage Corp? You've already dropped a few references to the incredibly unlucky cabbage merchant -- are there plans to chronicle his rise to power in the background?

It's an inspiring story, isn't it? An unlucky cabbage merchant, through elbow grease and sheer will power, grows his one cart into a huge, multi-generational corporation! That guy is my hero!

Article Source: www.ComicBookResources.com

The Airing of "The Legend of Korra"

I actually waited two years to see the sequel of the epic cartoon series Avatar. I really love this cartoon. It was when I was on my high school days when I first saw Aang and found the series really amazing and thrilling (and funny!) and so, I tried my best to watch the entire series from the first book up to the last which was the fire. And yes, the newest avatar finally came and she’s no other than Avatar Korra, a water bender.

After years Aang maintained balance and equality among four nations, now it’s time for him to rest as an avatar, then he died (of old age). As the cycle continues (Air, water, earth, fire) water is supposed to be the next element or tribe that the next avatar should came from and so, it’s Korra’s turn from a southern water tribe. 

The series focuses more on one place which is called the Republic City, a steampunk metropolis occupied by benders and non-benders of different nations. The city was founded by Aang and Zuko after the 100-year war between nations. Tenzin, former avatar Aang’s son, is the one who will teach Korra to air bend and it’s really difficult on her part to master this element (as we recall, avatar Aang has difficulty mastering earth, so it’s usual for avatars to have difficulties). Korra is a stubborn, silly teenage woman who will learn to deal with being into serious job of mastering all elements. The first season will focus on how Korra fight the Equalists, a non-benders who uses chi-blocking to subdue their enemies.


My opinion: I do watched the first chapters of this epic cartoon series and personally, I love how this series is different from the first one. The way the story was constructed is a masterpiece. Somehow the part that I don’t like is that the series is less funny that of it became more serious. As what we recall, people loved Avatar the Last Airbender because of its humor at the same time the story is great. Though The legend of Korra has great story, still i’m looking for some humor like what Aang brought to everyone of us. Another this is that when the first chapter was shown, Avatar Korra already mastered three elements and so what’s next? it’s air, the only remaining element left. So if there’s only one element to be mastered, will the series be short? I don’t want this series to be short I want more story! hehehe..

But all-in-all, the first three chapters are good. Thumbs up to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko!

Photos retrieved from ogmansblog.wordpress.com

Firmoo Eyewear: My Sunglasses Sponsor

Last April 24, 2012, I received a notice card delivered to our house that I’m about to receive a package from abroad. My mom and dad was shocked because they don’t even know where the package came from and why do I have a package from abroad. So I told them that it came from an online store. This store is about to sponsor me for sunglasses. So it’s a win-win situation between me and Firmoo optical store in a sense that I will get a free sunglasses and in return, I will advertise their store.

My mom accompanied me to get my package. It was way to far to go to customs but I should not miss my sponsor package. At customs, I find it really tiring waiting and waiting but then after some checking, I finally was able to get to see my package and voila! I brought home the package.

The package comes with the sunglasses, plastic case, pouch, and some screws.


So, what is Firmoo?

Buy Prescription Glasses Online At Firmoo.Com

Firmoo, the online leader in eyewear, stocks a wide range of affordable prescription glasses and sunglasses in cheap price yet high quality. Our eyeglasses frames feature different fashion styles, vary from retro eyeglasses frames to fashion ones, from rimless ones to full-rimmed ones and so forth. These chic yet inexpensive glasses will not only boost your image to a greater level, but also offer you a clear vision.

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At Firmoo, the prescription glasses and sunglasses are of various styles and types, so you really need to rack your brain to think it over which style suits you most. We offer Virtual Try-On System that helps you see how you look with glasses or sunglasses provided by Firmoo so as to help you find the right pair for yourself.

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All eyewear provided by Firmoo go through strict inspection by our experienced opticians to ensure the quality of frames and the accuracy of lens prescription before shipping. In case you are not 100% satisfied with your eyeglasses, you may return for a full refund or exchange for a new pair. No questions will be asked. We are fully aware that each contented customer is our most worthy investment in promotion.


All thanks to Sir. Patrick Li for the sponsorship! Looking forward to work with you again. And oh guys, Photos of me wearing the sunglasses will be posted here soon.

ORDER NOW AT FIRMOO THEY GOT THE MOST AFFORDABLE EYEWEAR!

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The Outer Limits: Always Darkest by Stan Timmons (Updated)

"I'm currently reading "The Outer Limits" by Stan Timmons with subtitle; "Always Darkest." I actually am not yet finish reading the whole book but the story so far is thrilling and exciting." - Last May 23, 2012

I already finished the book....

So the Story goes like this: (Updated)
Paul Stein wakes in a prison cell with no idea of what's the reason why he's imprisoned. The only thing he knew is that he feels terrible with bruises and wounds all over his body. He's insisting that he did nothing to be imprisoned. And that, he's innocent from any violations or so. He can't even recall how he got there. The warden, Strawberry-nose (Paul made this name), hasn't helped him either on recalling details about his case. All he can understand is that he's being sentenced to death in three day's time. So maybe, he made a terrible action to be scheduled to die. As hours passed, a priest visited Paul as if he knew him. He talked to Paul comfortably without any doubts. But Paul can't even recall his name, or anything. It's like his mind is blank. But then his memory went back like flashes of past. Paul said that he's an astronomer working for NASA. He's guarding the telecommunication for inter-galactic communications where they are discovering life outside the Earth. When suddenly, he heard a sound trying to communicate with him then as they crack the clues, they found out that aliens (the N'lani) is coming to Earth and so, they need a portal for them to enter the planet. This information spread through until some countries also built a portal. This issue made Paul Stein famous that even media is always bothering him especially his family (his wife and daughter). Then the day came, the portal is now ready to be opened. There's this event happened for ribbon cutting. But bad thing happened. The portal worked as they did not expected it. Everything is in catastrophe and the last thing he could remember is that is daughter, Vonnie, is pointing at the portal but when Paul looked behind, he felt like air is coming out his lungs and his wife screamed his name. Then he told the priest that he's Paul Stein. The priest is calling him Max not Paul. So he asked for a mirror (a looking glass, the priest corrected). His wish was granted but when he saw the man in the mirror, he can't recognize himself. Was Paul in a different body? He can't even recognize the place, it's as if he's in the same planet but different time. Paul became so confused but he just can't stand-by there and just wait for his time to die. So Paul planned for his escape using some materials that he found in the infirmary (where he was left by the priest). He used some concrete nails, chemicals (flammable) and etc. When the time came, the place will explode but he will be safe because of what he did on the mattresses that he found on his bed. Then his plan worked. He run outside his cell and into the hallway. Trying to defeat the "still-martyr" guards who still do their job even though their body's on fire. Paul ran so fast because the time is not enough for him to be saved, he should go out the building before the whole structure will be burned. He also freed some prisoners. Then finally, Paul got out the building. There he found the whole place outside, abandoned. Cars were parked and some are still on the streets, windshields broken and some has person inside, dead. Some buildings are broken some are well but abandoned. He's now alone in this world. He walked through the streets and found the library, there he saw newspapers about the event on the portal that he made and he read that it says that "Paul Stein is missing..." But he can't find anything that will inform him where his daughter and wife were. The whole place made him sick because he found weird animals like big insects that crawls. Then he met Jasmine whom he saved from the huge Spider. Jasmine introduced Paul to the people in the tunnel where she and them stays. It's as if they know Paul very much. Then Paul planned to go out the the tunnel and find some materials like guns, vehicles and etc that will help him. He asked Jasmine to join him. Then they went inside the stores for weapons (since there's no one on every stores everything is free!) Paul got the guns and he got the motorcycle. Jasmine is ignorant about those things, everyone is. Paul asked Jasmine to ride with him on the motorcycle. While on their way, Jasmine is afraid, holding Paul really tight. But as they go farther, Jasmine became comfortable. Paul and Jasmine is driving somewhere. to Paul's home, his real home...

They finally got to Paul's home. Everything is like a nightmare. There's no one. The whole place is old and some was ripped off. There, Paul found a journal written by his wife, Sara. Through that journal, he discovered that during the time he was gone, everything is in a catastrophe, accusing Paul that everything is his fault (that they are blaming him for the N'Lani invasion here on Earth). Sara said that he doesn't believe them. And as the notes went farther, Sara became so confused. She was like infected by liquid Alzheimer's for she was forgetting how to write in proper spelling. But still she continued writing. At the end of the journal, Paul found out that the people were transferred to Neverland. And so Paul and Jasmine went to Paul's neighbor. There they stayed. Benefiting on what's left in the house. After he got some sample blood from Jasmine to check in his lab, he left her. Then Paul went home again to check the blood in his house where his lab is located. Jasmine is not infected. How is that? Is she immunized? Then Paul went back. Jasmine is not there. He saw a half scorpion thingy and defeated but was infected by its venom. He, for days, suffered but through his mom, (Max's mom - because Paul's inside Max's body) he got cured.

When he woke up, he realized that they are with Jasmine. And she told Paul where she've been. Looking for him. She said that she wandered around. Then she helped a little Throwaway from being burned then gave it a decent burial (even though it was an alien). She was caught by some Throwaway then pulled down  under water. She was found at the side of the river by Jon, a little kid. Then Jon told his Grandma about Jasmine then they helped Jasmine. When Jasmine woke, she thought that she saw Max (Paul) but then he was not Max, he was Dolan. They are all Max's family. Then they looked for Max and found him just in time before he became fully infected.

Max (Paul) stayed with his family, still struggling from his own identity, from being Paul to Max. He discovered that Max's mother is Vonnie (his daughter) and so he was trapped inside his grandson's body. So in conclusion, he was in a different time, future. Throwaways, found where Max stayed and killed every person in the small community (a tribe). He saw Vonnie being killed with recorder on face saying that Max should surrender, Max didn't gave up. He went to Neverland with Jasmine and Dolan, Jon is missing because N'Lani caught him. Then during their journey, they saw Jude and his group (people from the tunnel). They had some conflicts but in the end, they grouped together to defeat the N'Lani forces, the aliens.

They reached Neverland. The place is different. Buildings are alive and breathing and the wall is like a skin. There, they separated to search for the children. Paul or Max went inside some of the building. Then when he went out, Jasmine is calling him. (Someone's whispering not to come with Jasmine) Then it's true, Jasmine sold Max/Paul to the N'Lani just to get the children in return. Max was caught. He was injected by tons of wires and little by little he's forgetting who he was but Jasmine came back to rescue him. There she helped him and they decided to see the portal. To destroy it. Max reached the portal. Someone's whispering to him to get in but he doesn't want. The person who's whispering is Paul, both of them is inside the body. And little by little, Max is dominating from Paul. Max obeyed then he went in. He was caught by N'Lani commander. Both of them struggled to defend themselves, the commander from being destroyed and Max from being attacked. Max finally reached the control and little by little there is no air. He's gasping for air. Bigger gravity and he's becoming heavy. Then started the control. Everything is like being eaten by a black hole. Little by little, N'Lanis, Throwaways and some creatures were eaten by the black hole. And so everything was swept, the buildings, trees, and the Earth. Max can't breath. And everything went black. And like flashes...

He was standing in the portal. Trying to open it. Paul returned to his body. He was on the day the portal is going to open. The day where the Earth is still alive. Paul went back to his time. It's like premonition, he saw what future lies ahead. But destiny has it. He started again the portal.

Then everything was like a nightmare again.

Then Paul Stein woke again in the prison cell, with no idea of what's the reason why he's imprisoned.

The story goes again. To Chapter 1.

So there's the story. I really was shocked by the end of the story because everything went to start again. And it's like a nightmare at the same time a cycle. Everything is repeating, and you can't get out.

By the way, the novel is based on a TV hit series. And I tried to search about this book and they got tons of it (on different episodes). This book of mine is like a Novel-Length Tie-Ins.

This blog will feed you information regarding the book

www.WeAreControllingTransmission.blogspot.com

Buy Eyeglasses Online: Vision & Fashion the Frugal Way

Press Release: Firmoo Optical Company Limited

NEW YORK, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- A month ago, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) published a piece of news about purchasing eyeglasses online; a month later, this news has already been commented on by thousands of people. With the rise of purchasing eyeglasses online, more and more eyeglass wearers have begun to focus their attention on it. However, with regard to buying eyewear online, some support it while others still have doubts about it. What has turned numerous eyeglass wearers from traditional brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores to online ones? Firmoo's slogan tells you everything: Vision and Fashion the Frugal Way.

Most eyeglasses wearers have purchased eyeglasses at traditional eyeglass stores. Nevertheless, due to the limited styles and unaffordable prices, consumers have had to regard eyeglasses as a medical tool used to correct vision instead of a fashion accessory. But now, with the emergence of online eyeglass shopping, we can get fashionable eyeglasses at reasonable prices. Among the many online eyeglass stores, Firmoo, which combines fashion and economy, is undoubtedly the most outstanding one.

As we all know, we usually have to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of glasses at brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores. Yet, you can get the same pair of glasses from online eyeglass stores at a fraction of the price. For this reason, buying glasses online is, so to speak, quite an economical way to get eyeglasses. Among the numerous online optical stores, Firmoo is the most economic one. Customers can usually get their beloved glasses at a price that is up to 90% lower than that in brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores. Furthermore, new customers can even get their first pair for FREE there. Some people may doubt the quality, safety, durability, etc. of eyeglasses purchased online, but there is no need to worry when purchasing from Firmoo. Firstly, all glasses provided by Firmoo are carefully manufactured by skilled workers and are strictly inspected by professional opticians before shipment, thus ensuring the quality and safety of glasses; secondly, Firmoo has developed a try-on tool for customers to try their beloved eyeglasses on so as to see how they look on them; thirdly, Firmoo has a customer service team that has always been committed to offering their valued customers the best service; lastly, all glasses available at Firmoo are provided by their affiliated factory, which is why they can offer eyeglasses at such a low price.

"We have dozens of affiliated eyeglasses factories which enable us to provide our customers with the most affordable eyeglasses around because there are no middlemen in between. Meanwhile, we have devoted ourselves to providing our valued customers with fashionable and aesthetic eyeglasses," said Patrick Li, Firmoo's CEO.

Compared with purchasing eyeglasses at brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores, purchasing eyeglasses online is not only more economical but also enables customers to select from more fashion elements. This is due to Firmoo meticulously picking several hundred classic styles from thousands of eyeglass models.

Firmoo CEO Patrick Li also added, "Our team has selected hundreds of classical and fashionable styles in order to save time for our customers when they are picking eyeglasses."

So what do online eyeglass stores bring to us? We believe the answer is fashion and frugality.

For more details about how to get fashionable and economical glasses from Firmoo, please visit: http://www.firmoo.com/

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Firmoo.com is an emerging global online eyeglass store offering prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Years of expertise in the optical industry have enabled Firmoo.com to offer a variety of high quality prescription eyeglasses to the public at affordable prices. Firmoo is devoted to offering high quality eyeglasses, competitive prices and thoughtful customer service. Only our valued and satisfied customers can further solidify our position as the leading online eyeglass store in the world. For Firmoo's Online Optical Store, user satisfaction is always the highest priority.

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