Editing Halo: Escalation

{{Era|RW}}

{{Newcontent}}

|image=[[File:HaloEscalationVol1.jpg|280px]]

|author=*[[Christopher Schlerf]], [[Brian Reed]] & [[Duffy Boudreau]] ''(writers)''<br>

*Sergio Ariño, Ricardo Sanchez Arreola, Douglas Franchin & Ian Richardson (pencillers)<br>

*Juan Castro, Rob Lean & Denis Freitas (inkers)<br>

*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)<br>

*Anthony Palumbo, Kenneth Scott, [[Nicolas Bouvier]], Daniel Chavez, Jean-Sébastien Rossbach & [[Isaac Hannaford]] (cover artists)

*Issue #1: December 11, [[2013]]

*Issue #2: January 8, [[2014]]

*Issue #3: February 26, 2014

*Issue #4: March 26, 2014

*Issue #5: April 23, 2014

*Issue #6: May 28, 2014

*Issue #7: June 25, 2014

*Issue #8: July 23, 2014

*Issue #9: August 27, 2014

*Issue #10: September 24, 2014

*Issue #11: October 22, 2014

*Issue #12: November 26, 2014

*Issue #13: December 24, 2014

*Issue #14: January 28, [[2015]]

*Issue #15: February 25, 2015

*Issue #16: March 25, 2015

*Issue #17: April 22, 2015

*Issue #18: May 27, 2015

*Issue #19: June 24, 2015

*Issue #20: July 29, 2015

*Issue #21: August 26, 2015

*Issue #22: September 23, 2015

*Issue #23: October 28, 2015

*Issue #24: November 25, 2015

*Library: May 24, [[2016]]

'''''Halo: Escalation''''' is an ongoing comic book series produced by [[Dark Horse Comics]].<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1442/dark-horse-announces-all-new-halo-ongoing-series-e '''Dark Horse''': ''Dark Horse Announces All-New Halo Ongoing Series: Escalation!'']</ref> It focuses on "how the events of ''[[Halo 4]]'' have helped define the destiny not only of the [[John-117|Chief]] but of the [[Milky Way|galaxy]] as a whole".<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/07/halo-escalation-comic/ '''Wired''': ''Dark Horse Will Turn World of Halo 4 Into Ongoing Comic Series'']</ref> The series is told in multiple arcs set between ''Halo 4'' and ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. The majority of issues focus on the crew of the flagship {{UNSCship|Infinity}} shortly after the events of ''[[Spartan Ops]]'', particularly during their encounters with [[Covenant remnants|remnants of the Covenant]] and the [[New Colonial Alliance|resurgent Insurrection]]. However, the third story arc ("The Next 72 Hours") instead acts as an epilogue to ''Halo 4'' and takes place [[2557#July|six months]] before the greater part of the series.

''Halo: Escalation'' was originally marketed as a limited-run series consisting of 12 issues;<ref>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbYyXWhCAAANIhl.jpg:large '''pbs.twimg.com''' - ''Halo: Escalation Giveaway'']</ref> however, several more issues have since been announced. A paperback edition of ''Halo: Escalation - Volume 1'' (collecting Issues #1-6) was released on October 8, 2014.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/22-713/Halo-Escalation-Volume-1-TPB/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation Volume 1'']</ref> ''Halo: Escalation - Volume 2'' (collecting Issues #7-12) was released on April 21, 2015,<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-2-Escalation-Brian-Reed/dp/1616556285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409010431&sr=1-1&keywords=halo+escalation+volume+2/ '''Amazon''': ''Halo: Escalation Volume 2'']</ref> ''Halo: Escalation - Volume 3'' (collecting Issues #13-18) is due out on September 22, 2015<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Escalation-Volume-Brian-Reed/dp/1616557591 '''Amazon''': ''Halo: Escalation Volume 3'']</ref>, and ''Halo: Escalation - Volume 4'' (collecting Issues #19-24) is due out on March 22, 2016.<ref>[http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/532378/halo-escalation-volume-4-by-duffy-boudreau-writer-ian-richardson-penciler-parts-1-3-douglas-franchin-penciler-parts-4-6-michael-atiyeh-colorist/ '''Penguin Random House''' ''Halo: Escalation Volume 4'']</ref> The Library Edition (collect Volumes 1 and 2, and the entirety of ''[[Halo: Initiation]]'') is due out on May 24, 2016.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616559071/ref=s9_cartx_gw_d44_g14_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-5&pf_rd_r=0XN1FBDGFEWV6RV15ZTG&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2090149182&pf_rd_i=desktop '''Amazon''': ''Halo: Escalation Library Edition'']</ref>  

Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|1]] to [[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|3]] focus on UNSC ''Infinity'''s mission to provide security for the [[Sangheili]]-[[Jiralhanae]] peace delegation on [[Ealen IV]] and their struggle for survival after [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant forces]] under the command of [[Vata 'Gajat]] attack the conference. In Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 4|4]] to [[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|6]], the ''Infinity'' crew track down the spy in the UNSC's ranks who leaked the location of the negotiations to the Covenant and face down the [[New Colonial Alliance]] and [[Daniel Clayton|Captain Daniel Clayton]], the true mastermind behind the attack. [[Halo: Escalation Issue 7|Issue 7]] focuses on [[Gabriel Thorne|Spartan Gabriel Thorne]]'s trip to the reopened [[New Phoenix]] to receive closure for his grandmother's death in the [[New Phoenix Incident|Didact's attack on the city]]. Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|8]], [[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|9]] and [[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|10]] form a story arc called ''"The Next 72 Hours"'' which details Spartan [[John-117]]'s fate immediately after the events of ''[[Halo 4]]''. Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 11|11]] and [[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|12]] comprise a story arc called ''"Exposure"'' in which Spartans [[Naiya Ray|Ray]] and Thorne are deployed on a mission to uncover the secrets of a mysterious [[Bioweapon|biological weapon]]. The next four issues form another story arc, ''"Spartan Ops: The Janus Key"'',<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 12''</ref> that returns to the principal plot threads of ''Spartan Ops'', continuing the ongoing conflict between ''Infinity'' and [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s forces and their struggle for control of the [[Janus Key]].<ref name="HE13"/> Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|17]] and [[Halo: Escalation Issue 18|18]] comprise a story arc called ''"The Glass Horizon"'', which tells the mysterious origin of Spartan [[Holly Tanaka]].<ref name="HE17">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 17''</ref> Issues [[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|19]] to [[Halo: Escalation Issue 24|24]] comprise the last story arc called ''"Absolute Record"'', continuing the conflict between the UNSC and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant after the end of [[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue 16]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 19''</ref>

{{Article Quote|Halo®, the most celebrated video game series of all time, joins forces with Dark Horse for a thrilling new ongoing series! The UNSC flagship Infinity is assigned escort duty for a diplomatic mission between the Arbiter and a powerful chieftain of the Brute tribes—but when a rogue Covenant group attacks, it’s going to take all the firepower the Spartans have to keep the delegates alive!

{{Article Quote|As Sarah Palmer fights to get the Arbiter and the Brute Ambassador to safety, Captain Lasky sneaks behind enemy lines to reestablish communications with the UNSC Infinity. Their plans for escape are jeopardized, however, by a turncoat in their midst!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-702/Halo-Escalation-2/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #2'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|Commander Palmer confronts the traitor who has betrayed her team, as the Covenant closes in on their position. With time running out, Lasky is forced to make a costly sacrifice to save the peace delegation from the impending attack.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-703/Halo-Escalation-3/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #3'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The UNSC Infinity is ambushed by an unexpected enemy while on a mission to rescue a damaged civilian freighter. Across the galaxy, an undercover Lasky enlists the help of an [[Petra Janecek|old friend]] in rooting out a spy inside the UNSC.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-704/Halo-Escalation-4/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #4'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|Missing for thirty years, a legendary UNSC warship is discovered deep behind enemy lines. As Infinity plans a rescue mission, however, Admiral Hood’s past with the [[James Cutter|ship’s captain]] threatens to jeopardize the mission. The investigation into the UNSC saboteur continues as the journalist infiltrates an Elite holy land in search of answers.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-705/Halo-Escalation-5/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #5'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The saga of [[Halo Wars]] enters the modern age as Infinity struggles to liberate the long-lost Spirit of Fire from the deadly Vata 'Gajat. Meanwhile, Petra's search for the identity of Infinity's spy could result in her death. The Halo universe is on the brink of a new galactic war!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-706/Halo-Escalation-6/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #6'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Fall of [[New Phoenix]]” — eight months ago, an attack on [[Earth]] left seven million dead, including the family of Spartan Gabriel Thorne. Today the city has been opened from quarantine, and Thorne is going home to see what’s left... and what it has to do with the Master Chief.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-707/Halo-Escalation-7/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #7'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The Master Chief returns in “The Next 72 Hours: Part 1”! After defeating the Didact, John-117 joined the crew of Infinity... but why did he leave? The mystery begins here. Halo® lead writer Brian Reed (Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel) reveals the secret events that immediately follow the end of Halo 4.<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-708/Halo-Escalation-8/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #8'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|In the days following the events of Halo 4, the Master Chief faced one of his greatest challenges. Halo® lead writer Brian Reed (Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel) takes the Master Chief from the fires of Halo 4 to the pages of Escalation in “The Next 72 Hours” Part 2!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-709/Halo-Escalation-9/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #9'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The Master Chief returns in "The Next 72 Hours" Part 3! What happened to the Master Chief immediately following the events of Halo 4, and what do those events mean for the future of the crew on the UNSC Infinity? Halo lead writer Brian Reed (Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel) and Ricardo Sánchez reveal all in the thrilling conclusion to this Halo event!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-710/Halo-Escalation-10/ '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #10'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|Spartans Ray and Thorne set out on a secret mission to uncover the origin of a monstrous new bioweapon... but is it too late to prevent total catastrophe? Halo lead writer Brian Reed (Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel), Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre), and Ricardo Sánchez (Green Arrow) team up to present one of the most dangerous Spartan ops yet!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-711/Halo-Escalation-11 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #11'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“Exposure” part 2—Disaster looms as Spartans Ray and Thorne race against time to track down a mysterious new weapon of mass destruction. Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre, Bloodshot) and Ricardo Sánchez (Green Arrow) bring you the stunning conclusion of another action-packed chapter of the Halo saga!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-712/Halo-Escalation-12 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #12'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|Requiem has been destroyed, but the real war between Commander Sarah Palmer’s Spartans and Jul 'Mdama's New Covenant is just beginning... and everything hinges on control of one all-powerful artifact. Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre, Bloodshot) and Sergio Ariño (Ms. Marvel) team up for an all-new chapter of the Halo saga and a great jumping-on point for new readers!<ref name="HE13">[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-626/Halo-Escalation-13  '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #13'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The brilliant but obsessed Dr. Catherine Halsey has allied herself with fanatical Covenant commander Jul 'Mdama... and now a deadly reckoning awaits the UNSC Infinity. The thrilling sequel to Halo 4's Spartan Ops continues in this four-part story by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre, Bloodshot), and Sergio Ariño (Ms. Marvel)!<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-627/Halo-Escalation-14 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #14'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|On a treacherous planet, the UNSC Infinity battles the bloodthirsty Covenant for control of the [[Janus Key]] — and the Forerunner [[Ecumene|empire]]'s secrets... The action-packed sequel to Halo 4's Spartan Ops continues! Story by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre, Bloodshot), art by Sergio Ariño (Ms. Marvel)!<ref>[https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-628/Halo-Escalation-15 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #15'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|It's total war as Dr. Catherine Halsey and Covenant Commander Jul 'Mdama launch their final assault to regain control of the all-powerful Forerunner Janus Key. The thrilling Halo saga continues in this ongoing Halo 4 story by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-629/Halo-Escalation-16 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #16'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Glass Horizon” part 1: An action-packed survival tale on the treacherous and barren glasslands of a Covenant-ravaged colony world... and a Spartan-IV's mysterious origin revealed in this two-part thriller by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-630/Halo-Escalation-17 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #17'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Glass Horizon” part 2: On a Covenant-ravaged colony world, past and present converge for a tenacious young soldier on a high-risk search-and-rescue mission—the gritty conclusion to another chapter of the Halo saga by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-631/Halo-Escalation-18 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #18'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|An unexpected ally joins a team of Spartans for a dangerous operation—a secret mission into a hidden Forerunner world where the mysterious site known as the Absolute Record awaits! The thrilling sequel to Halo® 4's Spartan Ops continues from Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Ian Richardson (Noble Causes).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-632/Halo-Escalation-19 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #19'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Absolute Record” part 2 — Operation: ATHENA is underway and there is no turning back. Will Commander Palmer's team survive the treacherous journey into an ancient vault of Forerunner secrets? The thrilling sequel to Halo® 4's Spartan Ops continues from Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Ian Richardson (Noble Causes).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-633/Halo-Escalation-20 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #20'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Absolute Record” part 3 — As Commander Palmer's Spartan team battles toward the core of the Absolute Record, a powerful new combatant enters the fray! The next chapter of the Halo saga continues here in this epic six-part sequel to Spartan Ops and The Janus Key.<ref name="HE21">[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-634/Halo-Escalation-21 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #21'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Absolute Record” part 4 — On a hidden world, Spartan Commander Palmer and the fugitive Dr. Catherine Halsey go head to head for control over the ultimate trove of Forerunner secrets. The six-part sequel to Spartan Ops ratchets up to its explosive conclusion in this thrilling issue by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref name="HE22">[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-635/Halo-Escalation-22 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #22'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|“The Absolute Record” part 5 — The penultimate chapter of the battle for the Absolute Record... and the future of mankind! The epic six-part sequel to Spartan Ops continues here in this must-read issue by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref name="HE23">[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/26-636/Halo-Escalation-23 '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Halo: Escalation #23'']</ref>}}

[[File:Halo Escalation 24.jpg|right|84px]]

{{Article Quote|"The Absolute Record: Part 6" — The fugitive Dr. Catherine Halsey makes her final, defiant stand against Spartan Commander Palmer in the explosive conclusion of this epic six-part chapter of the Halo® saga by Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre) and Douglas Franchin (Person of Interest).<ref name="HE24">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/call-of-duty-debuts-usagi-yojimbo-hits-150-in-dark-horses-november-2015-solicitations '''Dark Horse Comics:''' ''Dark Horse Comics November 2015 Solicitations'']</ref>}}

*[[Fred-104]]

*[[Mendicant Bias]] {{C|Indirect mention}}

**[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction]]

**[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant faction]] {{1st}}

*****[[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]]

******[[Fleet Command]]

****[[Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119‎]]

**[[Battle of Arcadia]]

**[[Battle of Alluvion]] {{1st}}

**[[Skirmish on Installation 03]] {{1st}}

**[[Mission to Ven III]] {{1st}}

*{{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}

*{{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}}

*{{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}

*[[D82-EST Darter|Darter variant]]

*{{Class|DSC|support ship}}

**[[M12 Warthog LRV]]

*{{Class|ORS|heavy cruiser}} {{Mo}}

*{{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}

*[[Type-25 Chopper]]

*[[Type-25 Spirit]]

*[[Type-26 Banshee|Type-26 Banshee]]  

*[[Type-26 Wraith]]

*[[Type-27 Banshee]]

*[[Type-32 Ghost]]

*[[Type-46 Spectre]]

*[[Type-52 Phantom]]

*[[Type-56 Lich]]

*[[Type-58 Harvester]]

*[[Type-1 plasma grenade]]

*[[Type-2 gravity hammer]]

*[[Type-25 plasma rifle]]

*[[Type-25 Spiker]]

*[[Type-27 beam rifle]]

*[[Type-31 needle rifle]]

*[[Type-38 Tyrant]]

*[[Type-50 concussion rifle]]

*[[Type-50 particle beam rifle]]

*[[Type-51 carbine]]

*[[Type-52 plasma cannon]]

*[[Type-55 storm rifle]]

***[[Metarch]]

*[[Deployable lookout tower]]

*[[Sangheili combat harness]]

**[[Sangheili Commander|Commander]] variant

*Though the series primarily uses ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s designs for the Covenant species and their equipment, the ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' incarnations of certain elements appear occasionally throughout the series. Most notably, Lydus resembles the Brutes seen in ''Halo: Reach'', yet his bodyguards are clearly drawn in their ''Halo 3'' likeness. Curiously, despite his recognizable classic appearance, ''Escalation'' [[Thel 'Vadam#Production notes|depicts the Arbiter]] much like the Sangheili in ''Halo 4'' with regard to his skin tone and mouth structure. Vata Gajat's combat harness is based on a piece of concept art for ''[[Halo 4]]'', exploring the possibility that [[hard light]] technology could be incorporated into Sangheili armor.<ref>[[:File:Halo_4_Sangheili_harness_concept_art.jpg|Sangheili harness concept art for ''Halo 4'']]</ref>

File:Halo Escalation 1 Variant.jpg|Issue #1 variant cover art by Kenneth Scott

File:Halo Escalation Library Edition.jpg|The cover of the ''Library Edition''

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Literature}}