Editing Halo Graphic Novel

{{Era|RW}}

|image=[[File:HGN_Cover_WIP.jpg|325px]]

|publisher=Marvel Comics

|publication=July 19, 2006

|media=Print (Hardcover)

The majority of the book is divided into four short stories by writers and artists from the computer game and comic industries. Each tale focuses on different aspects of the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]], revealing stories that are tangential to the main plot of the game. The book also contains an extensive art gallery compiled of contributions from Bungie, Marvel and independent sources. Released on July 19, 2006,<ref name="ISBN">'''Halo Graphic Novel'''</ref> the ''Halo Graphic Novel'' was well-received, with reviewers noting the cohesiveness of the work as a whole, as well as the diversity of the individual material. The success of the novel led to Marvel announcing a new limited comic series,<ref name="2007 Comic Announcement"/> which became known as ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.

Bungie Studios' original concept of the graphic novel was to bring the ''[[Halo]]'' series into new media beyond that of video games, with sequential art being the main focus.<ref name="IGN: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel">[http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/714/714462p1.html '''IGN''': ''Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel (Part I)'']</ref> Initially unsuccessful in its pursuit of finding a partner and an effective license agreement, Lorraine McLees—an artist on the ''Halo'' development team—suggested that Bungie Studios finance and edit the novel itself before pursuing a publisher. This would allow the studio to maintain control over the content and pursue the venture unencumbered by outside intervention.<ref name="IGN: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel"/> This also gave the studio greater access to various artists that it hoped would contribute; the novel’s executive producer Brian Jarrad noted the procedure of creating the novel independently and outside the "traditional comic process" would prevent the "conflicts of interest and politics and allegiances" that could potentially arise if they approached a publisher or partner first.<ref name="IGN: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel"/> Lead designer Maria Cabardo created a "dream team" roster of writers and artists Bungie admired, and through a period of negotiation Bungie was able to gain contributions from many of those named on the list.<ref name="IGN: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel"/> Buoyed by their success in approaching those in the medium that they respected and admired, including British comic book artist Simon Bisley and French artist Jean "Moebius" Giraud, the progress of ''Halo Graphic Novel'' was described as a "cool morale boost for our team to see their universe, their characters, realized by people that we idolize in the comic industry."<ref name="Inside Bungie">[http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/01/inside_bungie.php '''Edge Magazine''': ''Inside Bungie'']</ref>

The novel was completed after a two-year development cycle and Bungie sought out a publisher, eventually approaching [[Marvel Comics]]. Bungie cited Marvel's "passion for ''Halo''" and "reach in the comic and publishing industry" as the main draws to the company.<ref name="IGN: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel"/> The studio worked alongside Marvel director of development Ruwan Jayatilleke, an early champion of the project, to assist in the distribution and publication of the novel.<ref name="Newsarama: Inside the Halo Graphic Novel"/><ref name="Bungie HGN announcement">[http://web.archive.org/web/20070203055515/http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=HGNJedi631sucks '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Official Announcement'']</ref>

The stories themselves were designed as glimpses into the ''Halo'' universe, including information on the inner workings of the alien [[Covenant]], as well as details regarding elements of the back-story that were hitherto undisclosed. Jarrad explained that "The stories that happen off camera, the parallel events to the arcs that our fans know from the existing mediums, are the stories we really wanted to tell."<ref name="Newsarama: Inside the Halo Graphic Novel">[http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Halo/HGNPre/HaloGN.html '''Newsarama''': ''Inside the Halo Graphic Novel'']</ref> Jarrad further described this as an attempt to move away from the story of the [[John-117|Master Chief]], the central character of the franchise, and focus instead on what they believed to be the core themes that lay behind the game universe, such as maintaining hope in the face of overwhelming odds and humanity's struggle for survival; themes that extended beyond "… a genetically enhanced super soldier picking up two guns and kicking some alien butt."<ref name="Newsarama: Inside the Halo Graphic Novel"/> The four stories that ended up in the final publication were "the most interesting to [[Bungie]] and the writers of [the novel]".<ref name="halo effect"/> Although Bungie created the story arcs present in the ''Halo Graphic Novel'', the studio described the importance of providing a framework for each story that the various artists and writers could tell without jeopardizing their own voice.<ref name="Newsarama: Inside the Halo Graphic Novel"/> Artist Simon Bisley said that "the stress was to make the characters look very much as they do in the game. Beyond that point I was given free rein to interpret the script and the action" based on what was given to the artists and writers.<ref name="halo effect">[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-05-10-halo-graphic-novel_x.htm '''USA Today''': ''The non-stop 'Halo' effect'']</ref>

Located after the main body of stories is a selection of art pieces that represent interpretations of the ''Halo'' universe from a number of comic book artists. These contributors include Doug Alexander, Rick Berry, Geof Darrow, and more than twenty-five others, both freelance and from [[Bungie|Bungie Studios]]—including lead composer [[Martin O'Donnell]].<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/hgn_preview/index.html?display=inside_front_cover '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': ''"Halo Graphic Novel Preview": Front Cover'']</ref>

A few promotional pieces were created before the ''Halo Graphic Novel'''s release date, including a sixteen-page preview, released May 31, 2006, which contained Bungie's introductions to each story along with short excerpts of each story.<ref name="Bunge: 16 Page Preview Comic">[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/hgn_preview/ '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': ''"Halo Graphic Novel Preview"'']</ref> A full-color poster of the book's cover was released on June 28, 2006.<ref name="Online poster">[http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/712/712165p1.html '''IGN''': ''"Halo Graphic Novel Poster Preview"'']</ref>

This story takes place during the events of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. When communications from a [[Covenant agricultural support ship]], the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'', are mysteriously terminated, [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee, also known as Half-Jaw, and his squad of Special Force are sent to investigate. What they find is a peril more deadly and terrifying than any human threat; creatures never officially seen before by Covenant nor human eyes alike.

[[File:Page 122.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Pg 122, an intriguing piece of gallery art.]]

Critical reaction from both the gaming community and the comic book community was positive. UGO Networks praised the novel, citing the wealth of contributions from recognized artists and the strength of the material in fleshing out the ''Halo'' universe as the work's greatest strength.<ref name="UGO Review">[http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/halo/default.asp '''UGO''': ''Review'']</ref><ref name="IGN Review">[http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/719/719171p1.html '''IGN Review''': ''Halo Graphic Novel'']</ref> Mike Deeley of Comics Bulletin lauded the book for the diverse range of storytelling and art styles that lent the ''Halo Graphic Novel'' the feel of an anthology yet still retained a cohesive whole.<ref name="Silver Bullet Comics Review">[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/115635878171387.htm '''Silver Bullet''': ''Comics Review'']</ref> Other areas that received particular attention included Tsutomu Nihei's work on ''Breaking Quarantine'' for its vivid imagery and its focus on visual storytelling in lieu of any dialogue.<ref name="Moz La Punk Review">[http://www.gametrailers.com/player/12449.html '''GameTrailers''': ''Halo Graphic Novel Review'']</ref>

Some reviewers expressed their disappointment at the novel's focus on minor characters and events, with the presence of the Master Chief—the central character of the ''Halo'' series and its most iconic figure—limited to featuring in artwork and a brief appearance in the first story.<ref name="Firingsquad Review">[http://www.firingsquad.com/features/halo_graphic_novel/default.asp '''Firingsquad''': ''Firingsquad Review'']</ref> On the other hand, GameTrailers praised Bungie for having the moxie to not focus on the major character.<ref name="Moz La Punk Review"/> Each publication had their own opinions on the weakest story in the collection; both IGN and GameTrailers thought that "''Armor Testing''" had the least emotional impact, although its surprise ending and art were well done.<ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Moz La Punk Review"/>

Upon release, the ''Halo Graphic Novel'' proved to be a "rare hit" for the games-to-comics genre,<ref name=pub/> debuting at #2 on both the Nielsen BookScan and Diamond sales charts.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/july06sales.html '''Newsarama''': ''July 2006 Sales Reports'']</ref> At least 100,000 copies were rumored to have been published,<ref name=pub>[http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/08/18/halo-gn-selling-like-hotcakes/?q=halo+graphic+novel '''Publisher's Weekly''': ''HALO GN selling like hotcakes'']</ref> and the comic continued to be one of the top-selling graphic novels months after its debut.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/aug06charts.html '''Newsarama''': ''August 2006 Sales Charts'']</ref> The success of the novel led Marvel Comics and Bungie Studios to announce a four-issue monthly ''Halo'' comic series at San Diego Comic-Con 2006 called ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.<ref name="2007 Comic Announcement">[http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/720/720412p1.html '''IGN''': ''San Diego 2006 Comic-Con Announcement'']</ref> Despite delays, the first issue of the limited series was released on August 22, 2007.<ref>[http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=7013 '''Marvel Comics''': ''Catalog: ''Halo Uprising'' #1'']</ref>

*'''[http://www.ainokostudios.com/ Doug Alexander]''' - [[John-117|Master Chief]] with a [[shotgun]] in hand and [[Maria-062|SPARTAN-062]] (without her armor) wielding a [[M7057/Defoliant_Projector|flamethrower]], surrounded by [[The Flood|Flood]].

*'''[http://lambiek.net/artists/d/darrow_g.htm Geoff Darrow]''' - [[John-117|Master Chief]] standing over one destroyed [[The Flood|Flood]] [[flood infection form|infection form]], while behind him a group of a hundred [[flood infection form|infection forms]] gather.

*'''[http://www.studiokrum.com/blame/interest.html Tsutomu Nihei]''' - A [[Sangheili|Elite]] [[flood combat form|combat form]] roaring.

*[[Frank O'Connor]] - A hand holding a reflective sphere, the picture is the Mister Chief in his room. Bungie recently released the picture on Bungie.net, [http://www.bungie.net/images/News/InlineImages/MisterEscher.jpg Mister Chief] .

*[http://www.georgepratt.com/ George Pratt] - Master Chief aiming a [[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System|Particle Beam Rifle]].

*[http://www.geofdarrow.net/ Geof Darrow] - A two page spread of Master Chief standing over a destroyed Flood [[flood infection form|infection form]] holding two SMGs, with dozens more infection forms coming up behind him.

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Literature}}