Anonymous said: So do you disagree with the entire concept of Republic City or do you just not like the way its creation is handled in The Promise?

No, I’m fine with the concept of Republic City. The idea of equal multicultarism with a fair government is always more than okay with me. 

But the problem is that’s not what’s handled in The Promise. The crucial issues of economic exploitation, social inequality, past injustices and forcefully taking land are never dealt with. They are briefly brought up only to be forgotten in turn for patting Zuko on the back for getting something “right”. All the hugely negative effects of colonisation are pushed under the proverbial rug. The only thing the comic cares about is Fire Nation citizens getting not kicked out. Gene Yang centers his plot tension around this issue and it turns into a straw man debate. Do you want to kick these happy families out or not?!? That’s not what is wrong with Yu Dao, it’s all the issues I’ve mentioned above.

So that’s one of my problems with The Promise. Republic City isn’t created in it, every single oppressive social and economic structure is still firmly in place when The Promise ends and what’s worse the comic just ignores their existence.