The Halo Graphic Novel
by Lee Hammock, Jay Faerber, Brett Lewis, Tsutomu Nihei
List Price:
Our Price: $6.19
You Save: $18.80 (75%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.20 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Brett Lewis, Jay Faerber, Lee Hammock, Tsutomu NiheiIllustrator: Tsutomu Nihei
Illustrator: Simon Bisley
Illustrator: Moebius
Illustrator: Andrew Robinson
Illustrator: W. Andrew Robinson
Colorist: Ed Lee
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-08-09
ISBN: 0785123725
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: Marvel
Book Reviews of The Halo Graphic Novel
Book Review: Bungie Proves Itself Once More
Summary: 5 Stars
As the book is a collection of stories, rather than a single graphic novel, a brief review of each is warranted:
The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
This first story, the longest of the group and centerpiece of the book, recounts a mission of a Covenant Spec Ops squad, lead by the Sangheili commander "Half-Jaw" that the player fights alongside in Halo 2. As the Master Chief flees from the newly-released Flood menace on the first Halo, a hijacked Covenant dropship crashes its way into an agricultural ship and proceeds to infect the crew. The Spec Ops squad is dispatched to find out what happened, retake or destroy the ship, and rescue the Prophet who is trapped onboard.
I'm not a big connoisseur of comics, but I do read through them from time to time, and I think I can tell when the artist is into his work. He was here. The art may not be the most realistic, sacrificing clean lines for the gritty and even hideous imagery that derelict corridors and Flood monstrosities entail, but it is very engaging nonetheless. Though Bisley takes some artistic license with Covenant aesthetic and look of the Flood, their essence is preserved. Especially well done are the Sangheili warriors, both while in repose and engaged in blistering death duels with the marauding parasites. And the extensive usage of dual energy swords is a very cool touch, and never overdone.
My only issues with the story was the dialogue early on, which seemed rather clunky, but that cleared up quickly, and the plot was quite easy to follow. The bits of background on the Covenant included and the expansion of the Flood were welcome additions as well.
Armor Testing
This short depicts, as the name suggests, a field test of the new Mjolnir Mark VI armor Master Chief receives at the beginning of Halo 2, conducted at the Songnam research facility also mentioned in the game. The art used for this story couldn't be more different from that of Infinite Succor, clean, clear lines and vibrant colors, but it suits the more familiar human setting. I really liked the art in this one as well, and the action was depicted well. Indeed, my only problem with Testing is the odd depiction of the Spartan at the center of the tale, and I'm not talking about gender. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable read.
Breaking Quarantine
Essentially a retecon for a controversial part of the novel First Strike, this piece recounts the unkillable Sgt. Johnson's escape from near-certain doom after Captain Keyes accidentally releases the Flood from stasis. Its short and completely free of dialogue, but both of those factors only heighten the desperate and confused mood the story is trying to convey. A mid-ground between the previous two styles, with a good deal of Japanese influence (the artist is a manga author, after all), I think that this piece had the overall best art of the collection.
Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa
The last and most original short in the book, Second Sunrise shows the Covenant invasion of Earth from the point of view of a photographer working in ONI's (UNSC Intelligence) propaganda department. The piece follows him as he attempts to balance artistic credibility and the demands of the military (his job is essentially filtering and editing remote news footage of the war to make it seem as though thing aren't going as badly for humanity as they really are), and then his desperate flight through embattled streets as the Covenant descend upon the city. It also contains a brief lead-in, if a rather obvious one, for Halo 3.
As much as I liked the story of this one, I couldn't really get into the art. Although it shifts from place to place, the overall style is very modern, urban-abstract, a artisitic method I've never been very fond of. Nevertheless, it never gets to over-the-top, although it comes close in places. Another small issue I had was with the portrayal of Covenant weaponry and of the soldiers themselves; it didn't really distract, but I think the artist drew a little too much from older Scifi imagery (although the homage to a Martian tripod was neat).
The collection is completed by a gallery of twenty or so stand-alone pieces of art, each from a different artist, among them Craig Mullins. It was an unexpected touch, and really helped fill out the book. Among my favorites was one by Bungie artist Lorraine McLees (who also wrote the foreword), of the Chief surrounded by a truly formidable arsenal of human weaponry.
Overall, the graphic novel is a must buy for any Halo fan, or anyone with a appreciation for high-quality comic artwork. I have high hopes for the future of the franchise (and Bungie proves that it's the best company ever. Again.)
Summary of The Halo Graphic Novel
Marvel and Bungie team up to create The Halo Graphic Novel HC based on the best-selling video game. The graphic novel brings the Halo universe to life for the first time in the sequential art medium in a 128-page, full color, high quality, jacketed, hardcover graphic novel. Stories include: "Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor" by Simon Bisley and Lee Hammock. When communications from a Covenant agricultural support ship are mysteriously terminated, an Elite Commander and his squad of Special Forces are sent to investigate. In "Armor Testing" by Ed Lee and Jay Faerber, the only way to test Spartan armor, is to send a Spartan. The question is what's really being tested? In Tsutomo Nihei's "Breaking Quarantine," the untold tale of Sergeant Johnson's escape from the clutches of the Flood menace is revealed! Finally, Moebius and Brett Lewis' "Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa" tells of the subtler, more dangerous fights taking place on the streets of New Mombasa and in the hearts and minds of men. Cover by Phil Hale. Gallery art created a number of elite artists including Rick Berry, Geof Darrow, Scott Fischer, Sterling Hundley, Craig Mullins, George Pratt, Juan Ramirez, George Staples, Justin Sweet, John Van Fleet and Kent Williams.Horror Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Horror Books
X-Men: Schismby Jason Aaron
Marvel; Published: 2012-01-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.52
Price in other shops:
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures - The Complete Editionby Laurell K. Hamilton, Jessica Ruffner, Stacie Ritchie
Marvel; Published: 2009-10-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.09
Price in other shops:
The Stand 1: Captain Tripsby Stephen (creator); Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto King
Marvel Enterprises; Published: 2011; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.40
Haunt of Horrorby Richard Corben
Marvel; Published: 2009-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.60
Price in other shops:
Ghost Rider, Vol. 2: The Last Standby Jason Aaron
Marvel; Marvel; Published: 2009-08-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.16
Price in other shops:
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The First Deathby Laurell K. Hamilton, Jonathan Green, Brett Booth
Marvel; Published: 2008-02-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.49
Price in other shops:
From Hellby Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell
Turtleback Books; Published: 2000-04; School & Library Binding; Book
Price in other shops:
Dreadby Clive Barker
Harpercollins; Published: 1993; Paperback; Book
Black Holeby Charles Burns
Pantheon; Published: 2005-10-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.75
Price in other shops:
Parasyte 2by Hitoshi Iwaaki
Del Rey; Published: 2007-10-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Halo: First Strikeby Eric Nylund
Tor Books; Published: 2010-12-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.70
Price in other shops:
Halo: Helljumperby Peter David
Marvel; Marvel; Published: 2010-03-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.18
Price in other shops:
Halo: The Art of Building Worldsby Titan Books
Titan Books; Published: 2011-10-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $18.68
Price in other shops:
Halo - Fall of Reach: Covenantby Brian Reed
Marvel; Published: 2011-12-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.23
Price in other shops:
Halo: Blood Lineby Fred Van Lente
Marvel; Published: 2010-07-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.74
Price in other shops:
Halo: Fall of Reach Boot Campby Brian Reed
Marvel; Published: 2011-04-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.26
Price in other shops:
Halo: Uprisingby Brian Michael Bendis
Marvel; Marvel Books; Published: 2009-06-16; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Halo: Helljumperby Peter David
Marvel; Published: 2011-01-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.89
Price in other shops:
Halo: The Essential Visual Guideby DK Publishing
DK ADULT; Published: 2011-07-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universeby DK Publishing
DK ADULT; Published: 2011-09-19; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $20.00
Price in other shops: