Terrific storytelling takes advantage of visual medium.

Star Wars The High Republic: The Edge of Balance is an original manga published by VIZ Media and part of the first phase of the ambitious The High Republic publishing project of the Star Wars franchise. Telling stories set about two centuries before the beloved films, these collective stories explore the background of the Jedi and their relationship with the Force while struggling against a diabolical enemy – the Nihil. The Edge of Balance, Vol 1 tells the story of Jedi Knight, Lily Tora-Asi and her adventures on Banchii, a planet on the Outer Rim.

Talented Star Wars writer and one of the core team behind The High Republic, Justina Ireland, teams up with Shima Shinya to craft an exciting Star Wars story that continues to enrich the overall arc of tales during this time in the galaxy. With excellent art by Mizuki Sakakibara, this book is both beautiful to look at and fun to read. They do a wonderful job of utilizing this medium to bring the story to life. A poorly done manga can distract from the quality of the story or bring your focus away from it, but here it is done in a masterful way to balance art and story.

Title: Star Wars The High Republic: The Edge of Balance
Author: Shima Shinya & Justina Ireland, art by Mizuki Sakakibara
Cost: $14.99
Age: 13 & up
Publisher: Viz Media
Genre: Star Wars Manga

If you’re new to The High Republic line of books, don’t fret. You don’t need to have read any of them to understand what’s going on or to get a sense of the story. But if you have read any of the previous books, it will enhance the rich tapestry of what’s gone before. The Edge of Balance takes place in the time surrounding the second book in the Light of the Jedi trilogy, The Rising Storm. It revolves around Jedi Knight, Lily Tora-Asi as she grows into her role as a member of the Jedi Order, guides her padawan and younglings left in her care, and tries to solve the mystery of the wooden people. It’s an intriguing story that quickly and easily sets the tone for this series. Sakakibara’s visuals of the Drengir are frightening and make them into a devastating threat. If you enjoy the manga format, if you enjoy a good mystery, if you enjoy the Star Wars universe, or any combination of those, you will enjoy The Edge of Balance.