Turf Wars Part One

Turf Wars Part One is the first installment of the Turf Wars trilogy. It was released in comic book stores on July 26, 2017, and in mass market retailers on August 8, 2017. It had been available for purchase at the San Diego Comic Con on July 20, 2017.

Overview
''Relishing their newfound feelings for each other, Korra and Asami leave the Spirit World ... but find nothing in Republic City but political hijinks and human versus spirit conflict!''

''A pompous developer plans to turn the new spirit portal into an amusement park, potentially severing an already tumultuous connection with the spirits. What's more, the triads have realigned and are in a brutal all-out brawl at the city's borders– where hundreds of evacuees have relocated!''

In order to get through it all, Korra and Asami vow to look out for each other– but first, they've got to get better at being a team and a couple!

Synopsis
Korra and Asami Sato enter the Spirit World through the Republic City spirit portal, ending up in a meadow from which they admire the landscape before them. After welcoming Asami to the Spirit World, Korra reminds the former to remain close to her, given the unpredictability of the realm. The two begin their vacation and fly on the dragon bird spirit to a field of oversized greenery, before heading to a field of giant toadstools and subsequently to a lagoon.



Eventually, the two stop before a large rock formation and decide to compete against one another in a climbing race to the top. Asami gains the upper hand and teases Korra about her lack of speed, to which the latter remarks that she is merely going easy on her. Suddenly, the outcrop begins to rumble and a giant rock spirit reveals itself, demanding to know who dared to climb upon his body. Korra begins to apologize but is interrupted by the spirit, who remarks that it should have been obvious that the culprits were "pesky humans". The spirit plucks them off his body by their collars, and Korra, having taken offense to the spirit's description as "pesky", reveals herself as the Avatar, further displeasing the spirit who claims that the Avatar is even worse than a regular human. Stating that despite remaining complacent over the Avatar's decision to keep the two polar spirit portals open, the creation of a third portal is unacceptable, and the two realms should have been kept separate. The spirit ignores Korra's remarks that the formation of the third portal was an accident and flings the two away, ordering them to leave his realm forever.



In midair, Korra uses airbending to attempt to cushion her and Asami's fall, but the two land on the ground roughly despite her efforts. On the ground, Korra asks Asami if she is okay, relieved to see the latter sit up before Korra laments that the ordeal was a disaster, as she wanted their first getaway to be perfect but nearly got them killed instead. Asami dismisses Korra's apology, stating that they have gone through worse situations and that one disgruntled spirit should not ruin their trip, to which Korra agrees. Asami helps her up, pointing out that they lost all of their supplies and that they should probably be heading back to the city. Before they head back though, Asami says there is one more thing she wants to do, and it makes Korra blush, right before they share their first kiss and agree that it has been a wonderful few days.

On their way back, Korra reminisces of the time Asami took her out to race car driving, saying that she is relieved to have gotten to know someone who could be just as intense as her. The two talk about how they found out about their feelings for one another, and Korra recalls how Asami took care of her after she was poisoned. She says that she was confused during her recuperation, and that it was not an accident she only wrote to Asami, who replies that she is glad about that. They are interrupted by the dragon bird spirit that arrives, prompting Asami to ask how it keeps finding them. According to Korra, it can sense where she is, stating that not every spirit hates her.

As they mount the spirit, Asami expresses her wish to stay longer, because they will barely have a moment's rest back in Republic City. Korra has an idea, and instead of flying back to the city, she instead asks the spirit to fly them to the Tree of Time so that they can visit Korra's parents. Asami is hesitant, but Korra assures her that her parents will be thrilled when they tell them about their relationship.



As expected, Tonraq and Senna are excited to see their daughter again, not in the least because they expected their vacation to last longer than it did. As they sit down to enjoy dinner, conversation starts out a little stiff, as Korra is still a bit hesitant, before she finally comes out to her parents and tells them about her newfound relationship with Asami. Tonraq and Senna are definitely excited and happy for them, but do council caution about telling everyone, with Tonraq saying it is best to keep her personal life private. Korra dismisses it, but Senna mentions how not everyone will be as understanding as they are. Tonraq tells her that she should not get ahead of herself, saying sometimes she gets too excited, causing Korra to call him narrow-minded. Asami decides that it is probably best for them to leave, which they immediately do. Tonraq still tried to apologize to his daughter, but she waves this off.

On their way to the Southern portal, Korra apologizes to Asami for the way her parents reacted. Asami does not mind and says that she understands their reasoning and explains why she was hesitant about meeting Korra's parents. Hearing that, Korra feels bad for having rushed Asami and comes to understand what her father has told her earlier but Asami tells her that she feels the same way about their relationship, telling Korra that what they have is special and rare, and that not everyone will agree with it. Both promise to have each other's back before they enter the portal.



Back in Republic City, the pair notices the commotion and joins the airbenders, who have gathered together to protest around the portal. Upon seeing Korra and Asami, Jinora rushes over to them, informing them about a man showing up and demanding them to leave the portal. Korra asks who he is, as said person walks over to them and introduces himself as Wonyong Keum. He recognizes Asami and offers her his condolences, which she dismisses bluntly. He then moves on to tell them that he plans to turn the area around the spirit portal into a tourist attraction, saying that everyone should have the chance to experience the Spirit World. Not pleased with his intentions, Asami yells at him that people like him should not be allowed to be anywhere near the portal before they get interrupted by the dragon eel spirit who threatens Wonyong.

The spirit asks Korra to close the portal, insisting that the portal was never meant to be and that humans will only exploit it, after which Korra asks why the spirits were suddenly interested in human conflicts. The spirit tells her that now there is a portal to the Spirit World in the middle of a metropolis, the spirits must be protected. Korra understands, telling the spirit that everybody wants to keep the spirits safe but that the new spiritual energy will have a harmonious effect on the citizens of Republic City. The spirit concedes eventually, but also tells her that she is going to be held responsible for keeping the portal safe before leaving. Still angry about them for trespassing, Wonyong shouts at the group to leave, making Korra go into the Avatar State and scare him and his construction workers away.



Some time later that night, two opposing groups can be seen fighting against each other, one of them being the Triple Threat Triad. The opposing group, the Creeping Crystal Triad, manages to outnumber them and gain the upper hand. Unknown to them, a man is watching the fight in secret, looking down from a ladder of a building. Two Toed Ping, who tries to hold his ground along with the other Triple Threats, addresses him, suggesting to retreat, but he dismisses the idea quickly, before jumping down and coming out of his hiding spot. He smoothly deflects the attacks but is caught off-guard by a boulder which sends him on the ground.

However, he quickly manages to recover and is confronted by three opponents. Their leader, Jargala, addresses him by his name and tells him that the Triple Threats better back down. The unknown, whose name is revealed to be Tokuga, refuses and dodges their attacks before he chi blocks them. When he is about to strike again, the sound of sirens interrupts him, making him look up to see a police car driving towards them, as well as an airship heading for them, from which Lin and her metalbenders jump down. Tokuga and Jargala order their respective triads to leave and the triads escape the scene. Lin catches a fleeing Viper while Bolin and Mako manage to get hold of Two Toed Ping, escorting him to the police car where he greets a fellow named Mushi.



On the way to the police's headquarters, Two Toed Ping makes small talk with Mako and Bolin during which the latter tells about his new job on the Triad Task Force as Mako's partner. Later, Ping is being questioned by Lin who asks about the name of the new leader of the Triple Threats. Mako enters the room, convincing Lin to trick Ping into telling them the truth, which works. Not happy with his slip-up, Ping explains how the triads' turf got destroyed along with downtown. He further tells them about how Tokuga took advantage of the chaos and defeated Viper, thus becoming the new head of the Triple Threats, and how he went on to recruit new members of other triads. Figuring out his plan of taking over the turf of the Creeping Crystal Triad, Lin announces that Tokuga would now be their top priority.

The next morning, Zhu Li announces to the volunteers their next plan in aiding the evacuees at the evacuation camp, with some members of the Air Nation and Kya attending. Mid-speech, Korra and Asami enter the tent and are being greeted warmly by everyone. Tenzin tells them about the current condition and explains how it is thanks to Zhu Li's leadership that things are going well before he goes on about Raiko's involvement, noting that he is preoccupied with his reelection as his popularity has dropped drastically after he surrendered the city to Kuvira a few days prior. Korra and Asami offer their help and Kya suggests that an appearance of Korra as the Avatar would lift the spirits of the evacuees. Korra agrees to the idea, asking Asami if she wants to join her, however the latter declines, saying she would rather talk with Zhu Li about some practicalities. Taking offense at this, Korra retorts which results in a minor argument between the two. The moment gets interrupted, however, by Tenzin who urges Korra on to meet the crowd and offers to join her, as Asami regretfully looks away with Kya in the back glancing at her pitifully.



As Korra and Tenzin are walking through the camp, soon a huge crowd of evacuees quickly surrounds Korra and she apologizes for everything, offering them her service. Several evacuees make requests, making her nervous under the pressure. Tenzin joins her side and suggests they head back, however Korra has an idea and earthbends a podium, holding an inspiring speech and promising the evacuees to make things up, upon which the crowd cheers. Tenzin and Korra return to the tent where Asami has started to work on plans for new housing developments. Curious about what she has in mind, Korra joins her while Tenzin and Kya watch the two, stating that they make a good team. Korra suggests showing the plans to Raiko in order to get money from the city to realize the housing plans.

Setting up a meeting, Korra, Asami and Zhu Li meet with Raiko at his campaign headquarters to ask him for funding which Raiko turns down, telling them that the city is broke. Zhu Li and Asami offer money from Varrick Industries and Future Industries respectively to start the project, upon which Raiko's campaign manager, Wenyan, interferes and convinces Raiko to help by explaining him that this would help his approval ratings upon which Raiko agrees to fund money. As they are leaving, Korra addresses the spirit portal, suggesting to buy the land from Wonyong Keum, so they could turn it into a spirit sanctuary. Raiko rejects, repeating that the city is broke and orders them to leave, making Korra angry but before the situation escalates, Asami leads her out of the room, saying that they will find another way to solve the issue.



Back at Air Temple Island, Korra and Asami are enjoying the sunset. Kya joins them and compliments them for making a good couple, surprising them. When Asami asks her about how she knows, Kya explains them that she has had suspicions and mentions the time she and her first girlfriend went on her first getaway. She asks them if they have told anyone else about their relationship to which they answer her that Korra's parents are the only ones who know so far, noting their worry about telling anyone. Unsurprised, Kya tells them that it is Water Tribe tradition to keep personal things private and moves on to further explain each nation's views on same-gender relationships. Dejected, Korra expresses her fear of not finding acceptance. Asami retorts that things have changed with Kya giving them the advice to tell everyone when they know the time is right. The conversation gets interrupted by Mako and Bolin who join them. Kya leaves the group, telling the couple that she will be there for them if they should need advice. Reunited, the four friends catch up on each other's lives with the couple debating whether to share the news or not but the moment is cut short when Jinora's astral projection appears and informs them about the Triple Threats attacking the airbenders at the spirit portal.

The team makes their way to the spirit portal where Jinora and the airbenders are fighting against members of the Triple Threats and join the fight. While Korra, Asami and Bolin help the airbenders, Mako charges at Tokuga who quickly subdues him due to his injury. Bolin comes to his brother's aid, rendering Tokuga harmless by slicing his hook swords with lavabending. Tokuga escapes right when a bunch of spirits emerges from the portal, including the dragon eel spirit who orders them to protect the portal. The spirits begin attacking the triad members who run away in fear. Trying to keep the spirits at bay, Korra tells the dragon eel spirit to call the spirits off but instead of doing what she asks, the dragon eel spirit merely says that she failed in keeping the portal safe. Korra tries to reason with the spirit, explaining that attacking humans will worsen the conflict between spirits and humans.



Meanwhile, Tokuga watches them from the distance, wondering about what she is up to. The dragon eel spirit states that the humans started the fight and that one of them must pay, before flying away. Joining it at the side, Korra asks him to stop but gets distracted when she sees Asami getting overwhelmed by triad members. Leaving the spirit's side, she flies down and saves her while Tokuga attacks the dragon eel spirit, but his weapons are useless against the spirit. Enraged, the spirit flies through him, consequently disfiguring him. The triads retreat and the spirits return to the Spirit World.

Regaining consciousness, Asami wakes up in Korra's arms and the two kiss passionately. The others join them and they tell them about their newfound relationship to which everyone reacts happily with the exception of Mako who is a little dumbfounded at the news. Moving away from the topic, Bolin then asks about the triad's attack, wondering why they attacked the portal instead of trying to take over the turf of the Creeping Crystal Triad. Korra answers that someone probably hired them in order to intimidate the airbenders into leaving, stating to have an idea who could have sent them.



Unbeknownst to the group, a now disfigured Tokuga breaks into Keum Enterprises' headquarters, telling Wonyong of the events and attacking him, furious about having been disfigured. Tokuga declares that he will take over Keum Enterprises and all of its assets, and that Wonyong will be working for him from now on.

Series continuity

 * This story begins immediately after the last episode of The Legend of Korra, "The Last Stand".
 * When Korra warns Asami about the Spirit World, she tells her that the ground might spontaneously drop out, which happened to her and Jinora in "A New Spiritual Age".
 * The dragon bird spirit that Korra befriended in "A New Spiritual Age" takes Korra and Asami to various locations during their trip.
 * Korra and Asami visit a field with oversized green foliage that Korra also visited with Jinora in "The Guide" and with Zaheer in "Beyond the Wilds".
 * When about to leave the Spirit World, Korra recalls the time Asami took her racecar driving in "The Aftermath".
 * Korra recalls her mercury poisoning, which happened in "Venom of the Red Lotus", and the letter she wrote to Asami, which happened in "Korra Alone".
 * The rock spirit references Korra's decision to keep the two polar spirit portals open in "Light in the Dark" and her subsequent creation of a third spirit portal in "The Last Stand".
 * Korra mentions having asked the spirits for help in the battle against Kuvira, which she did in "Operation Beifong".
 * Mako has the spiky hairstyle he sported throughout the first three books of The Legend of Korra, which was last seen in "Venom of the Red Lotus".
 * Ikki is sporting the hairstyle she had in the first three books of the series.
 * Mako's left arm is still in bandages due to the wounds sustained during the attack on the colossus in "Day of the Colossus".
 * Raiko's popularity dropped due to his surrender of Republic City to Kuvira in "Kuvira's Gambit."
 * During her speech to the evacuees Korra tells them that "change can be good or bad, depending on your point of view", which is the same advice Tenzin gave her in "A Breath of Fresh Air".

Character revelations

 * Kya is homosexual and has had girlfriends.
 * Fire Lord Sozin made same-sex relationships illegal in the Fire Nation.
 * Avatar Kyoshi was bisexual.
 * Viper has been deposed by Tokuga as the Triple Threat Triad's new leader.
 * Asami and Wonyong Keum know each other due to the latter having done business with Hiroshi Sato eight years prior.

Goofs

 * When Korra stepped through the spirit portal in "The Last Stand", her backpack is green, but when she emerged from the portal in the graphic novel, it is greyish-brown.
 * In Book Four: Balance, Tonraq's hair had noticeably turned gray around his temples, but the gray streaks are absent in the graphic novel.
 * Korra's belt buckle continuously changes throughout the graphic novel.
 * The color of the wingsuits' cuffs keeps changing from gray to yellow in the last few panels in the graphic novel.
 * On page 23, the buttons on the left side of Wonyong's attire have vanished; they reappear on the following page.
 * On pages 27 and 74, Jinora is missing her glove and her tattoo.
 * On page 39, Pema's eyes are brown instead of green.
 * On page 42, Asami is suddenly wearing a green earring in her left ear, which she does not wear for the rest of the graphic novel.
 * On page 55, Kya's necklace disappeared in one panel.
 * On page 63, the seal of the United Republic of Nations is missing from Bolin's uniform.
 * On page 66, Asami is fighting a firebender in the upper panel but is nowhere to be seen in the center panel when the firebender and the other triad members run away.

Trivia

 * This is the first time in the run of either series that social views on same-sex couples are mentioned and being explored.
 * Bolin has joined the police force and is working alongside Mako.
 * Spiritual energy has an influence on frequencies.
 * Tokuga is the first known member of a bending triad to utilize chi blocking as well as the only human known during Korra's time to have been disfigured by a spirit.