Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – So’lek’s Journey is written by Ray Fawkes and published by Dark Horse Comics. Artwork is by Gabriel Guzmán, letters by Michael Heisler and colours by Michael Atiyeh.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – So’lek’s Journey is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Meet So’lek – a Na’vi warrior who must go on a transformative journey across Pandora. While the battle of the Hallelujah Mountains is over, the trauma of war is never-ending. So’lek finds himself alone, stricken with grief and desperation. Only through Eywa and the bonds he makes with those he meets throughout his quest can he find a path to heal – and though danger, doubt, and pain await him, it’s time for him to answer the call.
Review
Since James Cameron’s Avatar burst onto cinema screens all the way back in 2009, the franchise has expanded into many different mediums such as theme park rides, novels and video games. One of those games was 2023’s Frontiers of Pandora which has now received a tie-in comic in the form of So’lek’s Journey, a standalone story that follows one of the Na’vi warriors from the game.
Now, you’re probably thinking, do you have to play the game to make sense of this comic? Thankfully, as it is a prequel you can easily read this comic whether you’ve played Frontiers of Pandora or not and still find a lot to enjoy and appreciate. As long as you’re a fan of the world of Avatar, then you’ll be in for a treat with this comic.
From the opening pages, writer Ray Fawkes throws us straight into So’lek’s point of view in a way that is both harrowing and emotionally charged. We see the destruction of his entire clan unfold before his eyes and the sheer amount of trauma that consumes him becomes apparent right from the start. Within just a few pages Fawkes clearly and effortlessly displays the hopelessness of So’lek’s situation and this is only made more apparent through Gabriel Guzmán’s genuinely amazing artwork.
Throughout the entire comic, Guzmán adds an incredible amount of detail to the illustrations on display whilst Michael Atiyeh gives the artwork a level of vibrancy and intensity that makes each panel pop straight off of the page. The colourful world of Pandora is realised here with an immense amount of nuance and energy. From the quiet moments to the action set pieces, Guzmán and Atiyeh’s work in the art department brings this story to life in so many ways and enhances the brutality of this world in a beautifully vivid manner.
As everything he knows suddenly gets ripped away from him, So’lek seeks aid from the Anurai clan as he continues on the Path of Pänuyu. His growing relationship with the Anurai clan is what makes up the majority of the story and allows Fawkes to really develop So’lek as a character as well as those in the aforementioned clan. These playful, tender and, at times, dramatic moments give his journey much more emotional weight for both the climactic events of this singular story but also the events of the video game this comic leads into. Many aspects of this titular journey also mirror that of Jake Sully’s story from the original film which allows for a certain thematic symmetry to play out that fans will find some enjoyment in, along with the newer elements of trauma and pain that will keep readers invested beyond the surface level similarities.
So’lek’s journey of revenge and healing is one that, in the story, takes years to overcome yet absolutely flies by within the pages of this comic. There is a constant ebb and flow pace that Fawkes injects into the story that works wonders in many ways. The quieter moments are given the right amount of time to breathe and last long enough so that they leave an impact whereas the violences comes in short bursts and are drawn out only if they definitely have to. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the latter half of the comic where So’lek and his fellow human inmate Tremayne fight their way through soldiers as they attempt to escape imprisonment.
There is a lot to love about So’lek’s Journey with its breathtaking artwork, character driven storytelling and near perfect pacing. What makes the Avatar films so beloved in the first place is how they seemlessly immerse audiences in the stunning and luminous world of Pandora. Though it doesn’t require 3D glasses to enjoy it, what Fawkes and Guzmán have created with this gripping standalone story will certainly tide you over between now and the next cinematic instalment if you’re a fan of this franchise.
Verdict
So’lek’s Journey is a truly stunning read. From the vibrant and incredibly detailed artwork that bursts with colour from every page to the intense story that will leave you wanting more. If you’re a fan of the Avatar universe, then you are absolutely going to adore this comic as it throws you right back into the world of Pandora as if no time has passed.
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