Published Sep 16, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.
Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.
Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.
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Fans of Star Wars need to know that the franchise just introduced a fascinating new name for the Light Side of the Force - one that communicates a unique idea of 'balance' in the Force.
The Jedi and the Sith don't have a monopoly on understanding the energy field that holds the galaxy together, and Star Wars is exploring other perspectives that harness the Force in their own way.
In this case, the new terminology comes from the Knights of Ren - warriors powerful in the Dark Side, but with no interest in the religious dogma or deadly absolutism of the Sith.
The Knights of Ren Call The Light Side 'The Shine'
In today's Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren #2 - from Charles Soule, Will Sliney, Guru-eFX and Joe Caramagna - Kylo Ren is gifted a mysterious artifact by Tava Ren as the Knights of Ren attempt to run a heist on the First Order. While discussing its origins, Tava Ren refers to the Dark Side as "the Shadow" and the Light Side as "the Shine."
Fans already knew that the Knights of Ren consider the Dark Side a cosmic shadow. Rather than the Sith, who attempt to fully dominate the Force as the center point of their lives, the Knights of Ren consider it a powerful tool to be used and then set down as needed. All Force sensitives, they work together to harness the 'Shadow' when useful, but don't dedicate themselves to mastering it, often compared to a hammer where the Sith are a blade.
Tava Ren's description of the Light Side reveals they see 'the Shine' in a similar way. It's an interesting way of seeing the Force, especially compared to the Sith and Jedi. While the Jedi and Sith treat the Light Side and Dark Side as binary sides which exist in inherent conflict and with no true overlap, the Knights of Ren apparently see the Force as more of a spectrum, with the Shine at one end and the Shadow at the other, never wanting to be totally engulfed by either.
Star Wars Has Broken From George Lucas' Vision Of The Force
The Knights of Ren's vision of the Force is similar to current canon's most-used model, with the Light Side and Dark Side both considered natural parts of the Force and inevitable aspects of life. Each is necessary for a cosmic 'balance,' with the obsessive evil of the Sith dragging the universe too far into darkness.
This is contrary to the original, Legends-era conception held by George Lucas, where the Dark Side is an unnatural, parasitic aspect of the Force brought about by excess suffering, hate and anger. In original Star Wars lore, the concept of 'balance' was understood more as the Light Side going unmolested, rather than maintaining a 'gray area' between the two.
Star Wars just introduced new terminology for the balance between light and dark within the Force, hammering home the modern interpretation of the two aspects of the Force existing in an easily upset equilibrium.
Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Movie(s) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
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