Halo Graphic Novel: Difference between revisions

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, 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/Reuse|2007 Comic Announcement}} which became known as ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.

==Background and publication==

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/Site|Id=Newsarama|URL=http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Halo/HGNPre/HaloGN.html|Site=Newsarama|Page=Inside the Halo Graphic Novel}} 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/Reuse|Newsarama}} The four stories that ended up in the final publication were "the most interesting to [[Bungie]] and the writers of [the novel]".{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|Newsarama}} 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/Site|Id=halo effect|URL=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-05-10-halo-graphic-novel_x.htm|Site=USA Today|Page=The non-stop 'Halo' effect}}

===Supplemental===

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/Site|Id=Bunge: 16 Page Preview Comic|URL=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/hgn_preview/|Site=Halo.Bungie.Org|Page="Halo Graphic Novel Preview"}} A full-color poster of the book's cover was released on June 28, 2006.{{Ref/Site|Id=Online poster|URL=http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/712/712165p1.html|Site=IGN|Page="Halo Graphic Novel Poster Preview"}}

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/Site|URL=http://www.firingsquad.com/features/halo_graphic_novel/default.asp|Site=Firingsquad|Page=Firingsquad Review}} On the other hand, GameTrailers praised Bungie for having the moxie to not focus on the major character.{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|IGN Review}}{{Ref/Reuse|Moz La Punk Review}}

==Artist credits==

==Gallery==

<gallery>

File:Infinite Succor.jpg|A page from ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.

File:Spartan-062.jpg|A page from ''[[Armor Testing]]''.