Imagine my surprise this morning when I settled in to work and found that Nickelodeon was running a Legend of Korra marathon. So as I worked, I watched the story of Avatar Korra and her friends and allies work to stop Kuvira and the Earth Empire from invading Republic City. Imagine my annoyance when the Nick marathon cut off four episodes from the end of the arc. Who does that?! So I pulled up LoK on Prime, because duh.

All of this is to say, I felt that this was a sign, that the time was perfect to review The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part Three.  You may recall, from Part One and Part Two that the Earth Empire is once again at the center of chaos, as General Guan has brainwashed pretty much everyone to vote for him in what was to have been the first open democratic election after King Wu stepped down.  To stop Guan, Korra enlists the help of Kuvira herself.

In Part Three, Kuvira is on our side. She has a short, bitter reunion with Baatar who, ultimately, also offers his assistance. Together they figure out how to break Asami free from Guan’s brainwashing. But Kuvira escapes and head off to face down Guan herself. When the Avatar catches up, Kuvira surrenders and she and Guan are put on trial. Kuvira pleads guilty and is miraculously remanded to the custody of her family. (I wish this arc had been animated, because Kuvira looks throughout as if she would sound…younger, I guess, less burdened, maybe…and I’d like the opportunity to hear Zelda Williams voice her again.)

My only complaint with this book is the same as all the others in this series – everything feels very rushed, with any given “episode” handled in about 4 pages. It makes for a fast read, but a thin one. Someone please write this as a Sayaka-style 3-part novel series, so we get all of Asami’s, Korra’s and Kuvira’s perspectives and internal dialogue. ^_^ On the other hand, the pace means we’re not dragging through expository scenes.

Michelle Wong’s art in this final volume was very good. There’s a moment at the very end where Asami takes the opportunity to address Kuvira about her father’s death (a half chapter in my internal novel…2 panels here) that were worth the price of admission for me, as Asami lets her residual anger and resentment go.

As for Korra and Asami, they only get to be together for half to book, as Asami spends the first half brainwashed. But when they are reunited, they get a prelude to a romantic interlude, when they are interrupted. Nonetheless, the story is neither awkward nor coy about their relationship in that moment or any other.

This series and Turf Wars were very solid sequels to the animated series. I’m happy to have had them and certainly would be pleased if any more were announced.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 9
Characters – 9
Service – 0 Well, they almost get a bed scene…
Yuri – 10 Same

Overall – 9

I am once again reminded that had I had this comic at 9 years old, my life might have been very different indeed. ^_^ Here’s to is making a difference for the 9 year olds out there who need it!

Thank you so very, very much to Okazu Superhero Eric P. for his sponsorship of today’s review and his ongoing support. If you’d like to help support Okazu, please consider subscribing on Patreon! $5/month will get you access to sneak peeks at content from the Big Book o’Yuri!

Now I’m going to go rewatch the final two episodes of the cartoon!