Essential Avatar Comics to Explore Before Fire and Ash

Thirteen years may have passed between the first two Avatar films, but the narrative tapestry of Pandora has hardly lain dormant. Since 2017, a series of graphic novels and miniseries from Dark Horse Comics has quietly enriched the universe, offering fresh perspectives and untold tales that bridge the cinematic gap. As anticipation builds for the third instalment, Fire and Ash, these comics provide a proper opportunity to delve deeper into the lore, characters, and conflicts that define the world James Cameron envisioned.

Early Connections and Untold Perspectives

The journey begins with Avatar: Brothers (2017), a special edition that explores Jake Sully’s evolving bond with the formidable Great Leonopteryx. This story, promised by Cameron himself, centres on Sully’s preparations for the climactic battle of the first film, revealing his emotional ties to Pandora’s native creatures through memories of his brother.

Next comes Avatar: Tsu’tey’s Path (2019), a six-part miniseries that shifts the focus to Tsu’tey, the Omatikaya’s future leader. The narrative fills in gaps left by the original film, examining Tsu’tey’s scepticism towards the Sky People and the impact of Sully’s arrival on his relationship with Neytiri. The series offers a nuanced look at the internal struggles and shifting loyalties within the Na’vi community.

Aftermath, Origins, and Expanding Horizons

Following the events of the first film, Avatar: The Next Shadow (2021) picks up the threads of leadership and loss. As Sully assumes his new role among the Omatikaya, Tsu’tey’s family contemplates drastic action, leading to a tense four-part tale of grief, power, and the lingering scars of war.

For those curious about the origins of human-Na’vi relations, Avatar: Adapt or Die (2022) serves as a prequel, spotlighting Dr Grace Augustine and the early days of the Avatar programme. The six-issue arc recounts the first encounters between the RDA and the Omatikaya, as a mysterious illness threatens the Na’vi and suspicion falls on the human newcomers.

Meanwhile, Avatar: The High Ground (2022) takes a different approach, presenting a three-volume graphic novel based on Cameron’s original script for Way of Water. The story follows Sully and his family as they face a resurgent RDA, with battles that extend beyond Pandora’s surface and into the stars.

New Frontiers and Family Ties

In 2024, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – So’lek’s Journey connects directly to the Ubisoft video game, chronicling So’lek’s struggle to find purpose after the devastation of war. Having lost his entire clan, So’lek’s path is one of self-discovery and adaptation in a world forever changed by conflict.

The most recent addition, Avatar: The Gap Year – Tipping Point (2025), unfolds against the backdrop of the Second Pandoran War. This six-part miniseries focuses on the Sully family as they navigate shifting allegiances and the return of the RDA. The narrative also delves into the lives of Jake and Neytiri’s children, including Neteyam, whose fate in Way of Water left a lasting mark.

Key Details and Creators

These stories, all considered canon, have been crafted by a team including James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Faith Erin Hicks, and Peter Wartman, among others. Published by Dark Horse Comics, the series began with Avatar: Brothers in 2017 and continues to expand the universe with each new release.

Avatar: Fire and Ash was released in cinemas on December 19, 2025 (US).