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Halo Graphic Novels
Halo: Escalation Volume 1
Following the events of Halo 4, the UNSC Infinity is deployed to security detail for a peace summit between the Elites and Brutes. When the negotiations are ambushed by a mercenary fleet, Infinity is drawn into a plot which leads them to the discovery of a long-lost UNSC asset trapped behind enemy lines. This graphic novel collects the comics Escalation 1 through 6 .
Don't miss the thrilling new adventures set in the Halo universe!
Don't miss the thrilling new adventures set in the Halo universe!
152 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2014
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427 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 1, 2015
The start
These latest comic series involving the Halo story is well done, good artwork, the story lines so far are good. Though one of the stories are more questionable seemed like the ending of Halo 4 was taken away a bit even though it was a contination.
These latest comic series involving the Halo story is well done, good artwork, the story lines so far are good. Though one of the stories are more questionable seemed like the ending of Halo 4 was taken away a bit even though it was a contination.
April 24, 2017
I'm not sure that this is my type of comic. I received it in a comic book bento box, and while I love science fiction and space opera type stories I am not a Halo player. Since this takes place after Halo 4 and I have only played a tiny bit of the first Halo game I was thrust into a story line I didn't know all the past details to.
May 27, 2015
Muy buenas historias para complementar el universo y allanar el camino hacia H5, donde sabemos que explota todo.
January 2, 2018
So yeah, Halo needs no introduction if you are a fan of role-playing games (RPG) or any other shooter games. The game mechanics and the strength of the story are the main backbones of this franchise. Halo is a masterpiece of a story and I was thrilled for the opportunity to read one of the recent instalments of the comic book - Halo: The Escalation Library Edition, which contains Halo: Initiation #1 - #3 and Halo: Escalation #1 - #12. These volumes, if I am correct, expand mostly on the state of the Halo universe events that occurred shortly before and after Halo 4 (the game). Also, it seems some of the volumes (Initiation, especially) go way back before the events of Halo 4.
In one of the Initiation volumes, we get to see how UNSC get to pick Spartans and the process they go through to become one. The writers show us how Sarah Palmer becomes a Spartan and the enhancements made to her body.
There is also a story about Ilsa Zane, a rogue UNSC Spartan who hijacks Infinity. Spartan Zane is unique in the sense that she fights without armour and her strength equals a modern Spartan wearing a full armour. Needless to say, the hijack attempt is foiled and we are given a little insight into what is wrong the Ilsa Zane project and how she went rogue. Another volume showcases the peace meeting between the brutes and the Arbiter (remember him?) and how that descends into chaos because a Spartan informant named Vladimir Scruggs betrays the location.
The writers also put in some annotations in the volumes, which comprises of their thoughts on some of the processes they went through when penning the stories and drawing the art. They reminisce on the meetings they had and their ideas on individual characters, which altogether makes this collection a refreshing experience.
The art is consistent throughout. Sometimes it feels as if they drew them all the same day. It was professional. There is nothing unique about the art to make it standout, but it is not bad by any means. They are all of good quality.
Halo: The Escalation Library Edition has loads of action scenes, background stories and almost everything diehard fans of the franchise will love. I know it's a cliche, but I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to Dark Horse Books for review copy.
In one of the Initiation volumes, we get to see how UNSC get to pick Spartans and the process they go through to become one. The writers show us how Sarah Palmer becomes a Spartan and the enhancements made to her body.
There is also a story about Ilsa Zane, a rogue UNSC Spartan who hijacks Infinity. Spartan Zane is unique in the sense that she fights without armour and her strength equals a modern Spartan wearing a full armour. Needless to say, the hijack attempt is foiled and we are given a little insight into what is wrong the Ilsa Zane project and how she went rogue. Another volume showcases the peace meeting between the brutes and the Arbiter (remember him?) and how that descends into chaos because a Spartan informant named Vladimir Scruggs betrays the location.
The writers also put in some annotations in the volumes, which comprises of their thoughts on some of the processes they went through when penning the stories and drawing the art. They reminisce on the meetings they had and their ideas on individual characters, which altogether makes this collection a refreshing experience.
The art is consistent throughout. Sometimes it feels as if they drew them all the same day. It was professional. There is nothing unique about the art to make it standout, but it is not bad by any means. They are all of good quality.
Halo: The Escalation Library Edition has loads of action scenes, background stories and almost everything diehard fans of the franchise will love. I know it's a cliche, but I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to Dark Horse Books for review copy.
April 25, 2020
Tem uma função de expandir o universo e é isso que faz, nem mais, nem menos.
Nenhum diálogo é inteligente, nenhum personagem é memorável, ninguém tem "voz" nem "personalidade".
Arte e cores não brilham em momento NENHUM, é tudo feito no limite do "cumprir meu dever e pronto"
Vale a pena pra quem quer se aprofundar no universo, e só.
Nenhum diálogo é inteligente, nenhum personagem é memorável, ninguém tem "voz" nem "personalidade".
Arte e cores não brilham em momento NENHUM, é tudo feito no limite do "cumprir meu dever e pronto"
Vale a pena pra quem quer se aprofundar no universo, e só.
August 16, 2025
Pretty bog standard stuff for the Halo universe. It's nice to get some more characterization for Palmer and Lasky but otherwise this was barely above average. It gets better as it goes along. Worth reading if your a fan of the universe but otherwise it's hard to recommend. Here's hoping Volume 2 improves.
July 18, 2020
Pretty good read.
I liked the graphic novel. It was a good read and it tells a story after Halo 3 and tells the reader what happened to Admiral Hood so if you wondered this tells a little bit of what happens to him, not everything but it dose have him in it.
I liked the graphic novel. It was a good read and it tells a story after Halo 3 and tells the reader what happened to Admiral Hood so if you wondered this tells a little bit of what happens to him, not everything but it dose have him in it.
December 10, 2020
Not much of interest here, to be frank. I constantly found myself drifting away from the book to do other things, including reading two other books in the meantime. It’s not actively bad so much as just bland. The art is functional but uninspired, which suits the writing.
November 27, 2025
Fun read. Post halo 4 timeline. Peace talks between arbiter and brutes goes south after son of Captain Cutter (spirit of fire) goes rogue. Spartan Palmer, Lasky, and Admiral Hood with Infinity get some face time.
August 18, 2017
Another part of the HALO story and Halsey herself. Like the diversity and the art work brings the Spartans and the other world characters to life.
December 20, 2020
Boring and bad art = dropped hard.
As bad as Halo 5 was, actually.
As bad as Halo 5 was, actually.
June 30, 2021
don't like the art style, and story seems to jump a little from frame to frame
December 16, 2021
Why 343i even tried to make Spartan Palmer anything more than a side character in Halo 4, I'll never know.
December 13, 2025
A cynical video-game tie-in that is unnecessary as it is boring.
February 5, 2016
Now this is a damn fine Halo story and an example of what I think should be the standard for other Halo graphic novels.
As mentioned in my "Halo: Initiation" review, this book does a much better job of introducing Sarah Palmer as a likable character, as not only is she devoid of much of the arrogance from her previous version, she even apologies to another character for being "unprofessional" at one point, which I think indicates the author has a better handle on her character. The cast is also much larger and more diverse, with a few different plotlines woven together. In particular, I really enjoyed Commander Lasky and Spartan Ray working together and their subplot was, I think, the most interesting.
I'm also a big fan of the Arbiter (he might even be my favorite Halo character, in fact) and so any book that gives him a role will make me happy, even if he's mostly a side character.
But what made this book great for me, aside from the strong cast of interesting and likable characters, was that it wasn't afraid to really dive into the plot and world building. We're getting a look at the universe in the post-Covenant era, full of warlords and feuding and attempts at diplomacy. We see Sangheili that are becoming money-driven information brokers and Jiralhanae that are actually more than just berserker monsters (though only barely).
It's a world that fills vibrant and alive, and focuses on a story that's more than just "kill these guys and blow this thing up." It even brings back a tantalizing glimpse at a story element from the somewhat forgotten game "Halo Wars" which wasn't terribly popular, but one I really enjoyed. I won't spoil the details here, but it was great seeing the UNSC Spirit of Fire getting mentioned again.
"Escalation: Volume 1" sets a high bar and I'm eager to see if Volume 2 can continue this level of momentum. Regardless of how the next book plays out, though, I would say this is a must-read for any series Halo fan. It has a bit of everything: action, plot, Spartans, aliens, and action, and it's all wonderfully balanced. This is what a Halo graphic novel should be.
As mentioned in my "Halo: Initiation" review, this book does a much better job of introducing Sarah Palmer as a likable character, as not only is she devoid of much of the arrogance from her previous version, she even apologies to another character for being "unprofessional" at one point, which I think indicates the author has a better handle on her character. The cast is also much larger and more diverse, with a few different plotlines woven together. In particular, I really enjoyed Commander Lasky and Spartan Ray working together and their subplot was, I think, the most interesting.
I'm also a big fan of the Arbiter (he might even be my favorite Halo character, in fact) and so any book that gives him a role will make me happy, even if he's mostly a side character.
But what made this book great for me, aside from the strong cast of interesting and likable characters, was that it wasn't afraid to really dive into the plot and world building. We're getting a look at the universe in the post-Covenant era, full of warlords and feuding and attempts at diplomacy. We see Sangheili that are becoming money-driven information brokers and Jiralhanae that are actually more than just berserker monsters (though only barely).
It's a world that fills vibrant and alive, and focuses on a story that's more than just "kill these guys and blow this thing up." It even brings back a tantalizing glimpse at a story element from the somewhat forgotten game "Halo Wars" which wasn't terribly popular, but one I really enjoyed. I won't spoil the details here, but it was great seeing the UNSC Spirit of Fire getting mentioned again.
"Escalation: Volume 1" sets a high bar and I'm eager to see if Volume 2 can continue this level of momentum. Regardless of how the next book plays out, though, I would say this is a must-read for any series Halo fan. It has a bit of everything: action, plot, Spartans, aliens, and action, and it's all wonderfully balanced. This is what a Halo graphic novel should be.
November 19, 2015
Halo Escalation Volume 1 collects the first six issues of the comic series with the same name. It's divided into two three-comic arcs set in between Halo 4 and 5, focusing on the Spartan IVs and the UNSC Infinity.
The stories are similar to what you might expect from Spartan Ops, had that series continued. There are some returning characters from past games and media, including The Arbiter and Lord Hood, as well as several new ones. The writing is solid and fits in with the established Halo lore. It serves to expand the universe and delve into areas that wouldn't quite fit into a game. I especially like the callback to events from one of the less-played Halo games.
The art is a bit stylized and is definitely of a comic style. For the most part the characters are recognizable, although at times it's stretching things a bit. For the medium though it definitely works.
Overall I enjoyed the first volume of the new Halo comic series. It was a nice way to get back into the universe and get some new story. I would certainly recommend it to any Halo fan, but am not sure there's much appeal outside of that.
The stories are similar to what you might expect from Spartan Ops, had that series continued. There are some returning characters from past games and media, including The Arbiter and Lord Hood, as well as several new ones. The writing is solid and fits in with the established Halo lore. It serves to expand the universe and delve into areas that wouldn't quite fit into a game. I especially like the callback to events from one of the less-played Halo games.
The art is a bit stylized and is definitely of a comic style. For the most part the characters are recognizable, although at times it's stretching things a bit. For the medium though it definitely works.
Overall I enjoyed the first volume of the new Halo comic series. It was a nice way to get back into the universe and get some new story. I would certainly recommend it to any Halo fan, but am not sure there's much appeal outside of that.
August 6, 2016
Well, what a great continuation of the series and building on the events of Halo 4. Really enjoyed getting to know these characters and how they handle themselves with legend of Master Chief
You do not require knowledge of having played Halo 4 to follow along with this comic but it enhances the experience for the reader and those of us who enjoy the Halo universe
Really well done in the scheme of things
Peace out
You do not require knowledge of having played Halo 4 to follow along with this comic but it enhances the experience for the reader and those of us who enjoy the Halo universe
Really well done in the scheme of things
Peace out
May 5, 2015
Deep and interesting
Definitely for halo fans..
This series deeply explains the other side of halo and what's going on outside of chiefs life as well as his journeys as well. If only the games branched off and did the same.
My only dislike is that the comics are longer like 200 pages or so
Definitely for halo fans..
This series deeply explains the other side of halo and what's going on outside of chiefs life as well as his journeys as well. If only the games branched off and did the same.
My only dislike is that the comics are longer like 200 pages or so
June 13, 2016
This is my second graphic novel I have read. This one was very well put together. It flowed from one panel to another with very little effort. After the events of Halo 3 the humans and the covenant are at peace but it seems to others that are trying to break apart that. 5 out of 5 stars.
May 20, 2014
Political from the get-go and a quick change in pacing. Nice to see Arbiter back too
May 27, 2015
Good read before Halo 5.
Good action sequence and kitties in with Hunt For The Truth web series. Excellent background information relating to the Halo universe.
Good action sequence and kitties in with Hunt For The Truth web series. Excellent background information relating to the Halo universe.
March 2, 2016
Fun
Great read for anyone who loves the halo franchise. Keep bringing the great work. I love reading these halo books.
Great read for anyone who loves the halo franchise. Keep bringing the great work. I love reading these halo books.
July 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I do love the story of Halo and appreciate the way the story is told here. It conveys the emotion and action of the story very well.
September 12, 2016
very good read and keeps the story interesting
May 19, 2015
Amazing stories. Just not a fan of the art.
March 26, 2017
Not bad, I suppose. I got this from Comic Bento, but I've never played a minute's worth of Halo, so I have no idea about a lot of the stuff going on here. Game players might enjoy this a lot more.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews