Fans of the Four Nations united earlier this month for the ultimate celebration of the Avatar franchise at New York Comic Con’s 40th anniversary.
No, not Avatar as in the blue, colonizing characters in the film created by James Cameron.
We’re talking about Avatar: The Last Airbender. The animated series launched 20 years ago and has only gained momentum since. Thanks to its serious themes, charming humor and timeless story of hope, ATLA remains a major inspiration for many Millennials and Gen Z. Olivia Rodrigo even sampled a song from the show on her album.
The series also features several authentic, queer characters. Avatar Korra, the sequel series’ protagonist and Aang’s direct successor from The Last Airbender, came out as bisexual at the end of her series, The Legend of Korra.
Now, there’s a new series, Avatar: Seven Havens, that is elevating the Avatar world into a dystopian, chaos-filled adventure about a young amputee named Pavi who learns she’s the next avatar.
To discuss all things Avatar at NYCC, an exciting panel on Oct. 9 focused on this beloved franchise’s future.Coincidentally, the event fell on the same day as the launch of Avatar: Seven Havens. The energy was electric as the panel took the stage.
Janet Varney, the original voice of Korra, moderated the panel and shared her thoughts on the new show. “It felt like coming home, but to a totally new home. It’s so unique and has its own voice,” Varney said.
Varney was joined by executive producers Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Ethan Spaulding and Sehaj Sethi.
Sethi spoke about joining the storied series. “I think what interested me the most was that the [original creators] were gonna tell a whole new story with two characters, Pavi and Misha, who I immediately fell in love with. … There’s so much gray area to every storyline,” Sethi said, adding that she wants viewers to be able to argue each side. “There are no villains in this story, just protagonists and antagonists.”
On the new Avatar Pavi, Sethi shared she wanted Pavi to be “her sweet little weirdo.”
New cast members Saheli Khan [Pavi], Aishu Devan [Nisha] and Major Curda [Jae] received a warm welcome and applause.
New Avatar Saheli Khan shared why this role is meaningful to her. “Representation is so important. Growing up South Asian … I was always bullied for my culture and ethnic features. I’m proud of who I am now. Just seeing how deeply woven this South Asian culture is into the fabric of the show means the world to me. I hope people watching get to learn more about the food, traditions. … I’m really excited for you all to experience it.”
Nisha’s voice actress poignantly added: “Being South Asian is who they are, but it doesn’t define who they are.”
During the panel, the topic turned to queerness in the show. The voice of Jae said “there has been some wonderful queer rep in the Avatar books and novels. … It’s so exciting because of how it’s not a huge deal. It’s very just how it is. Jae and Datu are boyfriends. It’s such a wonderful example of ‘love is love.’”
The panel shared exclusive insights into the making of the series and teased upcoming stories within the Avatar universe.
“We’re excited to see where the Avatar world can go in the future … and a different version of the world we have not seen before,” DiMartino said, adding that the two cat-monkeys are based on his real-life pets at home.
Here’s what to know about Avatar: Seven Havens. Set in the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the series focuses on a young earthbender who discovers she’s the new avatar after Korra, in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm.
Fans enjoyed an exclusive sneak peek into the series’ production and learned how the characters came to life.
The presentation then proceeded to share visual development images. Early images of Pavi and her adorable cat-monkey, Geet, were shown. Concept art showing early images of airbender Jai, who has a boyfriend in Avatar: Seven Havens, and the northern lights hanging overhead. Giant skeletons spanning miles over the land. Spaulding shared that many of the initial designs were set by the time he joined the crew.
Spaulding added that this series is more “serialized” than its predecessor.
The creators said they are inspired by Japanese wood block art, the ’90s anime Silent Möbius, the auroral phenomenon, bazaars, and ’70s anime. The havens “all have a specific shape,” with Ellora, the setting of the first season, being inspired by the way magnets affect sand.
A first-look clip was shown that features Nisha, a young girl who can mysteriously also bend all four elements. It’s not clear yet which sister is the avatar, but the idea of twin avatars is a fascinating premise worth exploring.
A Reebok fashion line was also announced at NYCC.
Regarding novels, the seventh book in the Chronicles of the Avatar series will be released on July 20, 2027, by Avatar Legends and Abrams Books. Titled The Tempest of Sonam, it’s written by New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Randy Ribay.
