Comics - Launch of the Star Wars Balance of Force collection from Panini Comics

By Sabine, Paris, La French paper gallery, 27 april 2023

Our media was invited tonight by Panini France to discover the new collection Star Wars the balance in the force at the French Paper Gallery. As the world Star Wars day is approaching and will take place on May 4th, what a pleasure it was to discover this new collection composed of several volumes and succeeding in retranscribing all the magic of this much appreciated universe.

Throughout the year, Panini Comics publishes several collections at low prices: beautiful albums allowing the assiduous readers of comics, as well as the neophytes, to initiate themselves, or to rediscover, several of the founding myths of the American pop culture: Star Wars, the Multiverse, the stories of the famous Avengers or the Marvel superheroines who opened the ball on March 8th. Second release of 2023, the 6 albums of the Star Wars collection will be available in bookstores for May the 4th, the day not to be missed by all fans of the galactic saga. As Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi turns 40 this year, this collection is the perfect introduction to the Star Wars universe for new readers. As with the previous low-cost comic book collection and the two that will follow, the soft format is favored here to guarantee readers, in the current context of rising raw material costs, a low-cost collection (6.99 € per volume). A piece of advice: go for it if, like us, you are passionate about the Stars Wars universe.

Balance in the Force T01 : Luke Skywalker

The Story: It's the day after the great victory of the Rebel Alliance over the Empire: Luke Skywalker has joined the Rebels and the Death Star has been destroyed. But the Empire is far from defeated! Follow Luke, Leia, Han Solo and the others as they attempt to thwart the evil forces of the Emperor and Darth Vader.
To wit:  Since 2015, Marvel has been publishing comic books that take place in the same universe as the movies and TV series. The first saga presented by Marvel was orchestrated by two of the most renowned writers in the comic book industry - Jason Aaron and John Cassaday. The first issue broke sales records in the U.S. with over one million copies sold!
Characteristics : Script : Jason Aaron, Drawing : John Cassaday, Pages : 144 - softcover
Price : 6,99 euros

Balance in the Force T02: Darth Vader

The story : Darth Vader is the Emperor's right hand man, he is also one of the only survivors of what is the Empire's greatest defeat : the destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance. His position weakened, it's time for the Dark Lord of the Sith to show just how powerful the Force is within him. 
To wit:  After the Star Wars saga, it's the turn of the other cult series (also launched in 2015) to join this collection. The events of Darth Vader, orchestrated by Kieron Gillen (Immortal X-Men, DIE) and Salvador Larroca (Iron Man, Uncanny X-Men) are located between the films A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.
 Characteristics : Script : Kieron Gillen, Drawing : Salvador Larroca, Pages : 144 - soft
Price: 6,99 euros

Balance in the Force T03: Obi-Wan & Anakin

The Story: Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has taken Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan, but the teenager, influenced by Palpatine, doubts his vocation. On a mission on a desolate planet, Obi-Wan and Anakin will fight side by side and get to know each other better.
To wit:  With this third volume, readers will enjoy a complete story signed by Charles Soule (who has established himself as one of the main architects of the license) and Marco Checchetto, who has distinguished himself on The Ruins of the Empire and Captain Phasma on the Star Wars side, and Old Man Hawkeye on the Marvel side.
Characteristics : Script : Charles Soule, Drawing : Marco Checchetto, Pages : 120 - soft
Price : 6,99 euros

Balance in the Force T04: Darth Maul 

The Story: Cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi, saved by the witches of Dathomir but rejected by his former master Darth Sidious, Darth Maul is ready to do anything to get revenge on his enemies. Even if it means taking on the entire galaxy! Leading the Shadow Collective and an army of Mandalorians, Maul attacks Sidious' generals: Count Dooku and General Grievous.
To wit:  The Darth Maul - Son of Dathomir story is one of the latest published by Dark Horse. The story completes Darth Maul's trajectory as fans discovered it after his supposed death in The Phantom Menace, and his return in the Clone Wars animated series. He then possesses the Black Saber, which makes him the de facto leader of the Mandalorians. A storyline that will continue, long after Maul's death, in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
 Characteristics : Script : Jeremy Barlow, Drawing : Juan Frigeri,Pages : 104 - soft
Price : 6,99 euros

Balance in the Force T05: Chewbacca

The story: The co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon in a solo adventure! After the battle of Yavin, Chewbacca makes a forced landing on a planet occupied by the Empire. He then finds himself caught in the middle of a rebellion. 
 To know:  This fifth volume presents one of the first mini-series launched by the House of Ideas. It features Gerry Duggan (X-Men, Deadpool) and Phil Noto (Star Wars, Poe Dameron).
Characteristics : Script : Gerry Duggan, Drawing : Phil Noto, Pages : 120 - soft
Price : 6,99 euros

Balance in the Force T06 : target - Vador

The story : A cosmic crime syndicate refuses to bow to the Empire, Darth Vader cannot tolerate it. But the tables are turned when the syndicate hires the most dangerous bounty hunters in the galaxy to hunt down Vader and eliminate him once and for all. The confrontation is going to be epic and one thing is for sure, it will claim quite a few victims!
 To wit:  Because we never get tired of it, here is a second volume dedicated to the Dark Lord of the Sith but, unlike the Darth Vader series, this story is a one-shot and it gives a nice place to bounty hunters! We follow the fascinating Beilert Valance, (anti-)hero of the Bounty Hunters series.
 Characteristics : Script : Robbie Thompson, Drawing : Marc Laming, Stefano Landini, Pages : 136 - soft
Price : 6,99 euros

Photos and video : Sabine Chevrier / Mulderville

(Source : press release)