The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire Part One

Everything about this was a step up from Turf Wars. The art has seen a major improvement, looking much more clean and closer to the show than before. The characters and the backgrounds are much more detailed and polished. The plot (so far) is much more enjoyable and doesn't feel like as much of a side story as Turf Wars did. Overall, I really enjoyed this issue and am eagerly awaiting the next 2.

So frustrating they have to put stuff like this in a kids book. Very pissed having my 8 year old come in asking my why they were kissing MULTIPLE times.. Can't you write a strong female character that is straight.. GEEZ...

Daughter was bothered to find the characters in the book were unsettling...

HI! I love Avatar stories, but is kind of annoying that is not on kindle version, I can get the paper version because I'm outside USA.

I GOT MORE KORRASAMI I'M SO HAPPY

Loved this book. Amazing condition, awesome story, enjoyed the art style. LOK is my favorite comic series and I'd definitely recommend this purchase.

Amazing 😉

Great book and came perfectly packaged! Def recommend!

Exactly what we were looking for. Arrived fast and quality product as well!

Right off the bat, the first book of the second graphic novel trilogy that continues Nickelodeon’s “The Legend of Korra” is better than its predecessor. I understand the need for “Turf Wars” to have gradually reintroduced readers to the animated show’s characters and relationships, but “Ruins of the Empire” hits the ground running in terms of its story.

At the end of the show’s fourth season, charismatic but overzealous dictator Kuvira surrenders to Avatar Korra and gives up her dream of an Earth Empire. But despite losing their leader, many of her generals and followers refused to surrender – specifically Commander Guan, who is determined to throw a wrench into Prince Wu’s plans to turn the Earth Kingdom into a democracy.

Meanwhile, a largely-unrepentant Kuvira pleads not guilty to the charge of war crimes in a court of law, frustrating her adopted family and Korra, who want her to face justice. Worried that her obstinance will rile up the hold-outs among the Earth Empire’s soldiers, and knowing that Commander Guan intends to disrupt the elections that are to be held, Korra decides to visit Kuvira in person and try to find out what she knows. Kuvira insists that she can talk Guan into conceding defeat, but that would require her to be temporarily set free – this is not only a security risk, but Korra’s girlfriend Asami certainly hasn’t forgotten the fact that Kuvira is responsible for her father’s death.

Whew, there are a lot of moving parts to this story, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. More than “Turf Wars”, this trilogy feels more like a natural extension of the show itself, catching us up with what our main characters are doing, not to mention all the loose threads that were dangling at the end of the show: Wu’s attempts to introduce democracy, Kuvira’s shaky first steps toward redemption, Asami grappling with her father’s death, and of course – more of the romantic relationship between Korra and Asami (that’s what most of us are tuning in for!)

They also inject some interesting ethical conundrums into the proceedings, such as Guan’s plan to run for a freely-elected candidate (to stop him would therefore be interfering in the election process) and the question of how much Korra owes Kuvira and the world, versus the feelings of her girlfriend, who still doesn’t want to be in the same room as her father’s killer.

The strength of “The Legend of Korra” (at least in its last two seasons) was always its focus on difficult moral choices and genuinely complicated political scenarios, something that is certainly replicated here. It’s never just a question of doing the right thing, but trying to decide what the right thing IS, as many of the so-called villains have valid points to make. It was great to see that committed to shades of grey extended into the graphic novels.

We also get an illuminating flashback sequence into Kuvira’s troubled childhood, a return of the extended Beifong clan, and plenty of adorable Korrasami moments. The artwork in this book is a big improvement on “Turf Wars” too; the panels often look like screenshots of the show itself, especially in the human figures. There are also some great little details, like the lightning scarring on Mako’s arm.

Basically I love these characters and the world they inhabit, so I’m pretty easy to please. But this is a solid story, that expands nicely on the end of the show, and develops the most interesting relationships (specifically Korra/Asami and Korra/Kuvira) in fascinating ways. If “Turf Wars” left you a bit cold, then “Ruins of the Empire” might win you back.