Editor Dave Marshall shares the process for the cover of the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Part 1.
First, writer Gene Luen Yang sent several ideas to inspire the artists of the book, Gurihiru.
Gurihiru then used those concepts to create a series of cover sketches. Gurihiru's second and fourth sketches, with Aang and Zuko in a yin yang composition, were influenced by Gene's first idea, their first and third sketches, featuring all of Team Avatar, were influenced by his second idea, and their fifth sketch, featuring the team flying on Appa, was influenced by his fourth idea.
The creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, chose their favorite sketch and Bryan sent some helpful notes for Gurihiru.
Gurihiru then inked and colored the cover, again sharing it with Michael and Bryan when it was done, and Bryan wrote up a final set of notes.
Finally, the Dark Horse design department added the logo and title to the finished artwork!
