Avatar: The Last Airbender is having a moment, which is to say it’s even more popular than it usually is thanks to its new home on Netflix, and the recent announcement that The Legend of Korra will be joining it in just a few weeks. Riding out that hype comes the news of Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy, a new graphic novel from writer Faith Erin Hicks and artist Peter Wartman – the same team behind the Imbalance graphic novel trilogy. They’re joined by Tim Hedrick, who was a staff writer on the original series and colorist Adele Matera.
As you might have surmised from the title, Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy will follow the blind bandit as head of the newly opened school for aspiring metalbenders, where things are surprisingly dull. That is, until old pals Sokka and Suki pay a visit, with familiar faces trailing behind. Per the recent change, this will be a standalone graphic novel, rather than the trilogies Avatar fans were accustomed to with Hicks and Wartman’s work as well as Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru’s. The new trend began with the March announcement of Katara and the Pirate’s Silver.
Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy will be 80 pages and is available for pre-order now with a February 16, 2021 release date. Check out cover art by Wartman below, as well as an official synopsis.
“For some, perfection just isn’t enough.
Things are looking bright at the Beifong Metalbending Academy! But after all the adventures Toph’s had with Aang, Sokka, Zuko, and Katara, the whole thing feels a bit dull. Luckily, Sokka and Suki come to visit and reintroduce some familiar faces from their wandering days. And while out and about to celebrate, Toph discovers something that just might put the sparkle back in her eye…”
