Editing Halo: Helljumper

{{Title|''Halo: Helljumper''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Center|''This article is about a comic series. For the fan-made film series, see [[Halo: Helljumper (film series)]]. For other articles including "ODST", see [[ODST (disambiguation)]].''}}
{{Novel infobox
|image=[[File:Halo Helljumper HC.jpg|300px]]
|author=*[[Peter David]] (writer)
*Eric Nguyen (pencils, inks, colors)
*Nate Piekos (letters)
|publisher=Marvel Comics
|publication=
*[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 1|Issue 1]]: July 22, 2009
*[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 2|Issue 2]]: August 26, 2009
*[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 3|Issue 3]]: September 23, 2009
*[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 4|Issue 4]]: October 28th, 2009
*[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 5|Issue 5]]: November 25th, 2009
*Hardcover collection: March 17, 2010
*''[[Halo: Oversized Collection|Oversized Collection]]'': October 15, 2013
*''[[Halo: Legacy Collection|Legacy Collection]]'': August 11, 2021
|media=Limited series
|media-title=Availability
|length=120 pages
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0785140239|0785140239]]
|pagelabel=Comic series
}}
'''''Halo: Helljumper''''' is a five issue comic book series published by [[Marvel Comics]]. It chronicles the stories of a squad from the [[105th Shock Troops Division|105th ODST Division]] of [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|Shock Troopers]]. The story is centered around [[Taylor Miles|Taylor "Dutch" Miles]] and [[Kojo Agu|Kojo "Romeo" Agu]] before the events of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', with Romeo serving as the narrator of the story.<ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/nycc-09-marvel-comics-releasing-two-more-halo-mini-series/ '''NYCC 09''': ''Marvel Comics releasing two more Halo mini-series'']</ref><ref>[http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.6832.NYCC_~apos~09~colon~_Two_New_Halo_Series_on_the_Way '''NYCC '09''': ''Two New Halo Series'']</ref>

A hardcover edition was released on March 17, 2010.

==Plot synopsis==
The story begins with a brief scene showing the initial Covenant attack on Ariel. A civilian researcher manages to send a distress call before being captured by the Covenant.

Later, on board a [[UNSC frigate]], [[Kojo Agu|Romeo]] and [[Taylor Miles|Dutch]] get into a fight with other ODSTs. Both are confined to their quarters by [[Master Sergeant|MSgt]] [[Frost]] as a result. While in his quarters, Dutch receives a message from [[Gretchen Ketola|his wife]], who tells him of the option of transferring into a non-combat position to be with her.

The Marines then get their mission to investigate Ariel, and after landing, find the colony's main settlement to be empty, absent of bodies or Covenant. They are ordered to split up, and investigate the colony for any sign of civilian activity. At the settlement's underground reactor complex, Dutch and Romeo find Covenant forces digging for something, and before they can return to the surface, they are attacked. The reactor is damaged in the fighting, and begins to overload. Meanwhile, the other ODSTs detect the subterranean explosions, and Frost orders everyone to retreat from the area, leaving Dutch, Romeo, and two other ODSTs behind. They then proceed to move through a desert to another archaeological dig.

Unbeknown to the other ODSTs, Dutch and Romeo are saved by the reactor's explosion by using Elite bodies as shields. Before the explosion, Dutch tells Romeo that he put in for a transfer to be with his wife. Afterward, Romeo starts angrily asking Dutch why didn't he tell him about the transfer earlier. Dutch only replies that they'll discuss it further later, and the two move out. They soon come across a wounded Grunt and interrogate it, learning only that the Covenant are after something called "Knowing". The two then decide to head to higher ground to locate the rest of the ODSTs. Once there, they find that a massive Covenant ground force is massing behind the other Marines, and decide to create a diversion to draw the Covenant away from their compatriots.

Romeo and Dutch plant explosive charges into a canyon and detonate them, killing numerous Covenant and attracting the attention of the rest. After setting more traps for pursuing Covenant, they commandeer a lightly-guarded [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] dropship and rain death down on the rest of the Covenant infantry in the area. However, the craft is severely damaged by a stray [[Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun|fuel rod]]. Dutch manages to fly the craft to the other dig site and bring it crashing down on a group of Covenant, while the ODSTs bail out. They discover the missing civilians, held prisoner by the Covenant in a building. They learn from a researcher that the Covenant have been using the humans to spring booby traps in an ancient underground complex.

The ODSTs assault the chamber where the Covenant are rounding up the civilians, and after eliminating the opposition, tell the humans to evacuate. They then decide to investigate the underground complex. After evading a laser trap, they find themselves in a large chamber, with a [[Monitor]]-like construct suspended in the ceiling. It identifies itself as "[[the Knowing]]", and tells the ODSTs its function: to collect and archive information. After learning that the Covenant could use this information against humanity, the ODSTs decide that the construct must be destroyed, despite standing orders to preserve and record [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] findings. They make their escape as the Knowing willingly [[self-destruct]]s. After its destruction, the [[San'Shyuum|Prophet]] leading the Covenant forces orders them to leave the planet at once and return to [[High Charity]]. Romeo and Dutch move back up to the surface from the underground tunnels, regrouping with the rest of the ODST squad. 

Back aboard the frigate, Romeo is recovering from a broken ankle on an infirmary bed. He tells Dutch that he, too, requested a transfer for a planetside assignment to be with Dutch. Dutch, on the other hand, tells that he withdrew his transfer request. They have a game of rock-paper-scissors, and decide to go with the winner's decision. The story ends with Romeo winning, with scissors over paper.

==Issues==
===Issue 1===
[[File:Helljumpers One.png|100px|right]]
{{Main|Halo: Helljumper Issue 1}}
'''Official summary:'''
{{Article quote|Comic legend Peter David and up-and-coming artist Eric Nguyen bring a whole new HALO story to life! When the colony planet Ariel sends out a mysterious distress signal, it’s up to the UNSC’s elite, highly skilled special-ops Marines, the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers from the 105th, to find out what’s happening. Also known as ODSTs or “Helljumpers”, these soldiers are some of the toughest in the galaxy…and some of the roughest as well. When the distress signal comes, two Helljumpers will find themselves at the center of the mystery on Ariel, and before it’s solved, they’ll have to put their friendship—and their lives—on the line…<ref>[http://www.marvel.com/catalog/HALO:_HELLJUMPER.1 '''Marvel''': ''Halo: Helljumpers #1'']</ref>|Marvel.com}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 2===
[[File:Helljumpers Two.png|100px|right]]
{{main|Halo: Helljumper Issue 2}}
'''Official summary:'''
{{Article quote|Orbital Drop Shock Troopers from the 105th Division—more famously known as the “Helljumpers”—have arrived at a distressed science colony on the planet Ariel…only problem? The place is totally abandoned. As the Helljumpers investigate, trying to figure out what happened to the colonists, it becomes increasingly clear that the colony isn’t quite as empty as it seemed… the discovery of a large Covenant military presence raises more questions than it answers. Helljumpers Dutch and Romeo have penetrated farthest into the Covenant-held facility, and when all hell breaks loose, it will be the ultimate test of their fighting prowess—and their friendship.<ref>[http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=12618 '''Marvel''': ''Halo: Helljumpers #2'']</ref>|Marvel.com}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 3===
[[File:Helljumpers Three.png|100px|right]]
{{main|Halo: Helljumper Issue 3}}
'''Official summary:'''
{{Article quote|Mysteries deepen as the Helljumpers’ investigation of the curious events at the Space Colony Ariel continues. Cut off from the rest of their company, Dutch and Romeo must use every ounce of skill and strength to stay alive. But earth-shaking events--both physical and personal--will truly test the mettle of these two brothers-in-arms.<ref>[http://marvel.com/catalog/?id=12820 '''Marvel''': ''Halo: Helljumpers #3'']</ref>|Marvel.com}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 4===
[[File:Helljumper Four.jpg|100px|right]]
{{main|Halo: Helljumper Issue 4}}
'''Official summary:'''
{{Article quote|With an entire Covenant regiment hot on the trail of their comrades, Dutch and Romeo don't have a lot of options...the radios are out, so they can't alert their CO as to what's behind them, and they don't have enough firepower to take the Covenant force out on their own. But... hey, what's this here? A lightly guarded Covenant Drop Ship? But who'd be stupid enough to steal a Drop Ship? Two of the UNSC's finest, perhaps?<ref>[http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.8779.FIRST_LOOK~colon~_October_2009_Bonus_Previews '''Marvel''': ''Halo: Helljumpers #4'']</ref>|Marvel.com}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 5===
[[File:Helljumper Five.jpg|100px|right]]
{{main|Halo: Helljumper Issue 5}}
'''Official summary:'''
{{Article quote|Dutch and Romeo have gotten themselves into some pretty crazy situations, but stealing a Covenant ship would definitely get both of them a medal for Most Insane Thing Done In the Line of Duty. If they survive this, they'll still have plenty of questions to answer: what the heck are the Covenant doing here on Planet Ariel, an otherwise harmless colony? And why are they acting so strange-taking the humans hostage instead of glassing the planet, which is their M.O.? Whatever's lurking deep underneath the surface, if the Covenant wants it that bad, it has to be big... and deadly. DON'T MISS THE GRIPPING CONCLUSION TO THIS HEART-STOPPING STORY!<ref>[http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.9202.FIRST_LOOK~colon~_November_2009_Bonus_Previews '''Marvel''': ''Halo: Helljumpers #5'']</ref>|Marvel.com}}
{{Clear}}

== Appearances ==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5|title-1=Characters|
*[[Master Sergeant|MSgt]] [[Frost]] {{1st}}
*[[Corporal|Cpl.]] [[Taylor Miles|Taylor "Dutch" Miles]] {{1st}}
*[[Lance Corporal|LCpl]] [[Kojo Agu|Kojo "Romeo" Agu]] {{1st}}
*[[Brimley]] {{1st}}
*[[Campbell (ODST)|Campbell]] {{1st}}
*[[Charles (civilian)|Charles]] {{1st}}
*[[Fielding]] {{1st}}
*[[Gretchen Ketola]] {{1st}}
*[[Catherine Halsey]] {{Mo}}
*[[Higgins]] {{1st}}
*[[Jambo]] {{1st}}
*[[Kelly (ODST)|Kelly]] {{1st}}
*[[Michaels]] {{1st}}
*[[The Knowing]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified Prophet (Battle of Ariel)|Unidentified Prophet]] {{1st}}
*[[Langston]] {{c|flashback only}}
*[[John-117]] {{c|flashback only}}

|title-2=Species|
*[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}}
*[[Human]]
*[[Sangheili]]
*[[Unggoy]]
*[[Kig-yar]]
*[[San'Shyuum]]

|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Insurrectionists]] {{c|mentioned in flashback only}}
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
**[[UNSC Navy]]
***[[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]]
****[[SPARTAN-II Program]] {{c|mentioned in flashback only}}
*[[Covenant Empire]]
*[[Forerunner]]

|title-4=Locations|
*[[Ariel]] {{1st}}
**[[Ariel Forerunner complex]] {{1st}}
*[[Ballast]] {{C|Flashback only}}

|title-5=Events|
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
**[[Operation: FIRESIDE]] {{1st}}

|title-6=Weapons|
*[[M6C magnum]]
*[[M6C/SOCOM]] {{1st}}
*[[M6D magnum]]
*[[M7 SMG]]
*[[M7S SMG]]
*[[MA5C assault rifle]]
*[[BR55HB battle rifle]]
*[[M41 SPNKR]]
*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
*[[Type-25 plasma pistol]]
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
*[[Type-33 Needler]]
*[[Type-51 Carbine]]
*{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}
*[[Energy cutlass]]
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}
*[[Unidentified Covenant explosive]] {{1st}}

|title-7=Vehicles|
*[[UNSC frigate]]
*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]]
*[[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]]
*[[Gravity throne]]

|title-8=Equipment and Technology|
*[[ODST armor]]
*[[O/I optics device]]
**[[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]]
**[[Flashlight]]<ref>'''''[[Halo: Helljumper Issue 1]]''', page 22''</ref>
*[[Binoculars]]
*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]
*[[Unggoy combat harness]]
*[[Kig-yar targeting headgear]]

|title-9=Miscellaneous|
*[[Reclaimer]]
*[[Self-destruct]]
*[[Xeno orders]]
}}

==Re-releases==
The comic was later included in two [[compilation]] re-releases alongside ''[[Halo: Uprising]]'' and ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''; [[2013]]'s ''[[Halo: Oversized Collection|Oversized Collection]]'' and [[2021 (real world)|2021]]'s ''[[Halo: Legacy Collection|Legacy Collection]]''.

==Trivia==
*Although described as an excellent sniper, Romeo is never depicted wielding a [[sniper rifle]] in the comic. There were multiple scenes, however, in which Romeo shows his impressive skill in [[Head shot|pulling off head shots]].
*Grunts' blood is depicted as colored-green in the series, even though the canonically color of the Grunt's blood is blue.

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

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[[Category:Comics|Helljumper]]