Fans of the popular Nickelodeon shows Avatar: the Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have great news to rejoice about this week. The shows’ co-creator, Bryan Konietzo, and First Second books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing, announced a new graphic novel series Threadworlds with a release date for the first volume to be in 2017.

Threadworlds , a science fiction/fantasy adventure series, will focus on the character of Nova, a young female explorer, and her long origin story as a scientific superhero. Nova is from a unique universe where five planets share a single orbit, and she’s eager to explore the wonders all around her. Says Konietzo, “This is basically Nova’s long origin story as scientific superhero. I hope she’ll be inspiring to readers of all genders and ages, but especially girls who are interested in studying and pursuing science.”

When asked by Entertainment Weekly if he’s feeling any pressure at all working on yet another groundbreaking series that tackles some of our world’s important issues, Konietzko replied “I always feel pressure, no matter what I do! I think it is what gets me up in the morning. I’m just making Threadworlds out of the things I love and that I’m passionate about learning. When we created Avatar, Michael DiMartino and I did the same thing. We poured in all the ingredients that felt closest to our hearts and tried to make the series live up to our own standards, first and foremost. It’s 13 years later and I’m a different person whose interests and priorities have shifted somewhat. This graphic novel series reflects that. As you said, storytelling is so important, so I try to keep the focus on that and less on outside, abstract pressures.”

Mark Siegel, the Editorial Director at First Second, said, “The seven seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have delivered some of the most beloved and inspired storytelling of our time. With Threadworlds, Bryan further spreads his wings as an author and an artist, taking us to startling new worlds and creatures at once alien and brimming with familiar humanity. It’s daring, it’s deep, and like Avatar, it’s that rarest thing these days: a thrilling adventure that isn’t in the least cynical. And gasp-out-loud wondrous artwork to top it all off. I love what Bryan Konietzko does.”

Mr. Konietzko stated “I try to make the kinds of things I want to see out there in the world, and hope they end up resonating with other people too. All I know for sure is the deeper I get into the story and characters, the more excited I am to make these books and share them. As for what to look forward to, Threadworlds has high stakes, relatable characters and a wide range of tones – similar to the work I co-created with Michael. And though the focus is on science there will be plenty of action and adventure. That’s definitely me being true to myself as a creator.”

Fans of all ages will be eagerly awaiting 2017!