shadowcas's review
4.0
This one was a quick and easy read. I was able to get through it on a lunch break at work last night. As I’ve said before, I love the Halo Universe. This graphic novel offered four separate stories that added, even more, background information into the world.
Each story was written and drawn by different authors and artists. While this usually isn’t an issue, each story was so short it was a tad jarring switching to the next.
The first story, The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor by Lee Hammock and Simon Bisley, gives a bit of background information on Covenant Commander Rtos ‘Vadumee and the Covenant’s first discovery and contact with the flood. The artwork is gorgeous with a traditional painting like feel. I personally love stories that don’t immediately vilify the Sangheili. Honestly, they didn’t want to mess with anyone until the San ‘Shyuum started waging war with them, which ultimately led to a treaty thus creating the Covenant.
The next story is Armor Testing by Jay Foerber, Ed Lee, and Andrew Robinson. This one is the only story I had a real issue with. Keep in mind that I read Eric Nylund’s The Fall of Reach before this so my idea of what is canon may differ from other readers. But this story illustrates the initial human testing of the Mark V Mjolnir Assault Armor belonging to MCPO John-117. In The Fall of Reach, it was established the normal humans, those without physical augmentation, were impossibly unable to test the armor without serious, sometimes fatal, side effects. The armor for Master Chief was created specifically for him to not only use, but to initially test as well. The artwork was good; it followed the traditional comic book style that first think about when upon hearing the word comic: a little bland and uninspired but still familiar.
Breaking Quarantine by Tsutomu Nikei is the third story in the novel. It was a quick, art only comic illustrating Sergeant Johnson’s escape from his contact with the Flood. The artwork is detailed and beautiful. There really isn’t much to say about a story with no words except that it is well pictured and gives a plausible story of escape.
The final story is Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa by Brett Lewis and Moebius. It follows a galactic news photographer in New Mombasa just days before the Covenant’s attack on the city. It brings to life the civilian aspect of the universe that the games don’t ever truly show. Even without showing much of the Covenant and nothing really of the UNSC, this a very Halo-esque tale in every sense.
Of course, as with most graphic novels, the last few pages are a gallery of concept art and illustrations by various artists. While the art is varied in style, each one is wonderful and beautiful.
Essentially, this is a must read for any Halo enthusiast or science-fiction lover. The artwork is amazing and the stories and wonderful.
Each story was written and drawn by different authors and artists. While this usually isn’t an issue, each story was so short it was a tad jarring switching to the next.
The first story, The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor by Lee Hammock and Simon Bisley, gives a bit of background information on Covenant Commander Rtos ‘Vadumee and the Covenant’s first discovery and contact with the flood. The artwork is gorgeous with a traditional painting like feel. I personally love stories that don’t immediately vilify the Sangheili. Honestly, they didn’t want to mess with anyone until the San ‘Shyuum started waging war with them, which ultimately led to a treaty thus creating the Covenant.
The next story is Armor Testing by Jay Foerber, Ed Lee, and Andrew Robinson. This one is the only story I had a real issue with. Keep in mind that I read Eric Nylund’s The Fall of Reach before this so my idea of what is canon may differ from other readers. But this story illustrates the initial human testing of the Mark V Mjolnir Assault Armor belonging to MCPO John-117. In The Fall of Reach, it was established the normal humans, those without physical augmentation, were impossibly unable to test the armor without serious, sometimes fatal, side effects. The armor for Master Chief was created specifically for him to not only use, but to initially test as well. The artwork was good; it followed the traditional comic book style that first think about when upon hearing the word comic: a little bland and uninspired but still familiar.
Breaking Quarantine by Tsutomu Nikei is the third story in the novel. It was a quick, art only comic illustrating Sergeant Johnson’s escape from his contact with the Flood. The artwork is detailed and beautiful. There really isn’t much to say about a story with no words except that it is well pictured and gives a plausible story of escape.
The final story is Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa by Brett Lewis and Moebius. It follows a galactic news photographer in New Mombasa just days before the Covenant’s attack on the city. It brings to life the civilian aspect of the universe that the games don’t ever truly show. Even without showing much of the Covenant and nothing really of the UNSC, this a very Halo-esque tale in every sense.
Of course, as with most graphic novels, the last few pages are a gallery of concept art and illustrations by various artists. While the art is varied in style, each one is wonderful and beautiful.
Essentially, this is a must read for any Halo enthusiast or science-fiction lover. The artwork is amazing and the stories and wonderful.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
3.0
In theory, this collection of short stories is supposed to expand the Halo universe and fill in some missing bits from the games. As someone who has only played the first game and read some of the novels, I found these stories to have a lot less impact than the hype suggests. I don't know many of the characters it focuses on, nor have the emotional attachment to the locations.
I did enjoy the visceral artwork, even though many panels were incongruous to me.
I would recommend only for those who have played all the games and read all the books. Not really for casual Halo fans.
I did enjoy the visceral artwork, even though many panels were incongruous to me.
I would recommend only for those who have played all the games and read all the books. Not really for casual Halo fans.
More...