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{{Title|''Halo: Initiation''}}
{{Title|''Halo: Initiation''}}
{{Era|RW}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Novel infobox
{{Comics infobox
|image=[[File:Halo initiation.jpg|280px]]
|image=[[File:Halo initiation.jpg|280px]]
|author=*[[Brian Reed]] (writer)<br>
|writer=[[Brian Reed]]
*Marco Castiello (artist)<br>
|artist=*Marco Castiello (artist)<br>
*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)<br>
*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)
*John Liberto, Terry Dodson, Rachael Dodson, Paul Richards & Kenneth Scott (cover artists)
*John Liberto, Terry Dodson, Rachael Dodson, Paul Richards & [[Kenneth Scott]] (cover artists)
|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]
|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]
|publication=
|publication=
*Issue #1: August 14, [[2013]]
*[[Halo: Initiation Issue 1|Issue 1]]: August 14, [[2013]]
*Issue #2: September 11, 2013<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/23-762/Halo-Initiation-2 '''Dark Horse''' - ''Halo: Initiation #2'']</ref>
*[[Halo: Initiation Issue 2|Issue 2]]: September 11, 2013<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/23-762/Halo-Initiation-2 '''Dark Horse''' - ''Halo: Initiation #2'']</ref>
*Issue #3: October 9, 2013<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/23-763/Halo-Initiation-3 '''Dark Horse''' - ''Halo: Initiation #3'']</ref>
*[[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue 3]]: October 9, 2013<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/23-763/Halo-Initiation-3 '''Dark Horse''' - ''Halo: Initiation #3'']</ref>
*Hardcover: January 8, [[2014]]<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/18670-dark-horse-november-2013-solicitations.html Dark Horse NOVEMBER 2013 Solicitations]</ref>
*Hardcover: January 8, [[2014]]<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/18670-dark-horse-november-2013-solicitations.html Dark Horse NOVEMBER 2013 Solicitations]</ref>
|length=96 pages}}
*''Halo: Escalation'' Library Edition: May 24, [[2016]]<ref name="amazonhe">[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616559071/ref=s9_cartx_gw_d44_g14_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-5&pf_rd_r=0XN1FBDGFEWV6RV15ZTG&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2090149182&pf_rd_i=desktop '''Amazon''': ''Halo: Escalation Library Edition'']</ref>
'''''Halo: Initiation''''' is a three-part comic book series published by [[Dark Horse Comics]]. It acts as the origin story for [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] and is presented as a lead-in to ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'', which also stars Palmer.<ref>[https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/3407/ '''Dark Horse''': ''Halo: Initiation #1 Preview'']</ref> The series follows her career from her time as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] to the leader of the [[SPARTAN-IV Program|SPARTAN-IVs]] aboard the {{UNSCship|Infinity}}.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/04/halo-initiation-comic/ '''Wired.com''': ''First Look: Dark Horse Debuts New Halo Comic Series'']</ref><ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/04/26/Dark-Horse-Announces-Halo-Initiation.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Dark Horse Announces Halo Initiation'']</ref>
*Omnibus Volume #1 TPB: November 28, [[2018]]
*Initiation and Escalation TPB: November 02, [[2022]]{{Ref/Site|Id=DHIE|URL=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3009-559/Halo-Initiation-and-Escalation-TPB|Site=Dark Horse|Page=Initiation and Escalation|D=22|M=10|Y=2022}}
|length=96 pages
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/1616553251|1616553251]]
|pagelabel=Comic series
}}
'''''Halo: Initiation''''' is a three-part comic book series published by [[Dark Horse Comics]]. It acts as the origin story for [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] and is presented as a lead-in to ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'', which also stars Palmer.<ref>[https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/3407/ '''Dark Horse''': ''Halo: Initiation #1 Preview'']</ref> The series follows her career from her time as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] to the leader of the [[SPARTAN-IV Program|SPARTAN-IVs]] aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/04/halo-initiation-comic/ '''Wired.com''': ''First Look: Dark Horse Debuts New Halo Comic Series'']</ref><ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/04/26/Dark-Horse-Announces-Halo-Initiation.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Dark Horse Announces Halo Initiation'']</ref>


A hardcover edition was released on January 21st, 2014.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Initiation-Graphic-Brian-Reed-ebook/dp/B00GSA7GUS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387321365&sr=1-1&keywords=halo+initiation%7C '''Amazon''' - ''Halo Initiation Graphic Brian Reed]</ref>
A hardcover edition was released on January 21, 2014.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Initiation-Graphic-Brian-Reed-ebook/dp/B00GSA7GUS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387321365&sr=1-1&keywords=halo+initiation%7C '''Amazon''' - ''Halo Initiation Graphic Brian Reed]</ref>


All three issues were released along with the first twelve issues of ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' as part of the ''Halo: Escalation Library Edition'' on May 24, 2016.{{Ref/Reuse|amazonhe}}
==Plot synopsis==
==Plot synopsis==
In [[2553#January|January 2553]], [[Commander]] [[Musa-096]], a former [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]], has arranged an audience with several [[Admiral|admirals]] in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. Despite reprehending the morality of the SPARTAN-II Program, Musa stresses the importance of the Spartans in the [[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] and argues that they are still necessary, revealing that he has created [[SPARTAN-IV Program|a new generation]] of the supersoldiers. Three months earlier, in [[2552#October|October 2552]], a group of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]], including Sarah Palmer, are deployed on a planet under Covenant attack. On the surface, [[Admiral]] [[Kovalic]], protecting an important [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], is heading to an extraction point, but his [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] is attacked by a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]. Palmer's [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|drop pod]] lands nearby and she defends Kovalic from the Chieftain and other [[Covenant]] forces converging on their position. Even though she is wounded by a [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] shard, Palmer eventually kills the Chieftain and saves the admiral. Three months later, while still recovering in a [[Lockhart medical station|UNSC medical facility]], Palmer is visited by [[Jun-A266]], who invites her to join the SPARTAN-IV Program.
In [[2553#January|January 2553]], [[Commander]] [[Musa-096]], a former [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]], has arranged an audience with several [[admiral]]s in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. Despite reprehending the morality of the SPARTAN-II Program, Musa stresses the importance of the Spartans in the [[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] and argues that they are still necessary, revealing that he has created [[SPARTAN-IV Program|a new generation]] of the supersoldiers. Three months earlier, in [[2552#October|October 2552]], a group of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]], including Sarah Palmer, are deployed on a planet under Covenant attack. On the surface, [[Admiral]] [[Kovalic]], protecting an important [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], is heading to an extraction point, but his [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] is attacked by a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]. Palmer's [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|drop pod]] lands nearby and she defends Kovalic from the Chieftain and other [[Covenant]] forces converging on their position. Even though she is wounded by a [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] shard, Palmer eventually kills the Chieftain and saves the admiral. Three months later, while still recovering in a [[Lockhart medical station|UNSC medical facility]], Palmer is visited by [[Jun-A266]], who invites her to join the SPARTAN-IV Program.


A group of [[Insurrectionist]]s have stolen plans to the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. While some stand in disbelief, others feel it will be used to control the colonies; the leader, [[Ilsa Zane]], plans to take the ship for the Insurrectionists instead. Meanwhile, Sarah Palmer undergoes the augmentation procedures to become a SPARTAN-IV. Later, during a training exercise against several Marines, she rushes ahead of her Spartan-IV teammates, who are disabled in the process, to accomplish the objective. Jun-A266 and Musa-096 berate her for this, with the latter emphasizing the importance of Spartans working as a team. Later, while the new SPARTAN-IVs are given a tour of ''Infinity'' by [[Thomas Lasky]], the Insurrectionists make their way aboard the ship disguised as a construction crew. They take Captain Del Rio hostage and make their way to the bridge, taking control of the ship and hold the crew hostage. After realizing that the ship's AI, [[Aine]], has been shut down, Palmer decides to take the initiative and outfits herself with [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]], picking the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant#GEN2|Scout]] variant from the armor bay's limited selection of suits.
A group of [[Insurrectionist]]s have stolen plans to the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. While some stand in disbelief, others feel it will be used to control the colonies; the leader, [[Ilsa Zane]], plans to take the ship for the Insurrectionists instead. Meanwhile, Sarah Palmer undergoes the augmentation procedures to become a SPARTAN-IV. Later, during a training exercise against several Marines, she rushes ahead of her Spartan-IV teammates, who are disabled in the process, to accomplish the objective. Jun-A266 and Musa-096 berate her for this, with the latter emphasizing the importance of Spartans working as a team. Later, while the new SPARTAN-IVs are given a tour of ''Infinity'' by [[Thomas Lasky]], the Insurrectionists make their way aboard the ship disguised as a construction crew. They take Captain Del Rio hostage and make their way to the bridge, taking control of the ship and hold the crew hostage. After realizing that the ship's AI, [[Aine]], has been shut down, Palmer decides to take the initiative and outfits herself with [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]], picking the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant#GEN2|Scout]] variant from the armor bay's limited selection of suits.


While the Spartan-IVs prepare to fend off the attackers, Jun explains Ilsa Zane's background: she is the only survivor of a secret, prototypical phase of the SPARTAN-IV program. Although her physical augmentations are superior to those of the mainline Spartan-IVs, they also made her mentally unstable, resulting in her defection. On the bridge, the Insurrectionists are attempting to gain full control of the ''Infinity''. As they detect the approaching Spartan-IVs, Zane activates S-deck's decompression system, ejecting several of the Spartans into space, with Thomas Lasky and Jun being saved by Palmer and Davis. Lasky contacts Captain Del Rio, while Palmer and Davis make their way for the ''Infinity'' bridge along the exterior hull of the ship. Zane sends a group of her henchmen to eliminate the rest of the Spartans, but Lasky manages to close a [[blast door]] between them. Meanwhile, Palmer and Davis storm the bridge, with Palmer facing off Zane in hand-to-hand combat while Davis takes on the rest of the insurgents. During the duel, Del Rio and the bridge crew enter the bridge and reactivate Aine, who opens the bridge's airlock. Palmer finally knocks Zane out, venting her into space. Later, an unconscious Zane is recovered by a [[UNSC prowler|prowler]] and wakes up to recognize an unknown individual. The narrative returns to Musa addressing the Admiralty. He states that the Spartans are to thank for exposing [[Admiral]] [[Mattius Drake]] and his rebel movement, the [[New Colonial Alliance]], as well as saving the ''Infinity'', and boldly declares the Spartans as an [[Spartan (branch)|independent branch]].
While the Spartan-IVs prepare to fend off the attackers, Jun explains Ilsa Zane's background: she is the only survivor of a secret, prototypical phase of the SPARTAN-IV program. Although her physical augmentations are superior to those of the mainline Spartan-IVs, they also made her mentally unstable, resulting in her defection. On the bridge, the Insurrectionists are attempting to gain full control of the ''Infinity''. As they detect the approaching Spartan-IVs, Zane activates S-deck's decompression system, ejecting several of the Spartans into space, with Thomas Lasky and Jun being saved by Palmer and Davis. Lasky contacts Captain Del Rio, while Palmer and Davis make their way for the ''Infinity'' bridge along the exterior hull of the ship. Zane sends a group of her henchmen to eliminate the rest of the Spartans, but Lasky manages to close a [[blast door]] between them. Meanwhile, Palmer and Davis storm the bridge, with Palmer facing off Zane in hand-to-hand combat while Davis takes on the rest of the insurgents. During the duel, Del Rio and the bridge crew enter the bridge and reactivate Aine, who opens the bridge's airlock. Palmer finally knocks Zane out, venting her into space. Later, an unconscious Zane is recovered by a [[UNSC prowler|prowler]] and wakes up to recognize an unknown individual. The narrative returns to Musa addressing the Admiralty. He states that the Spartans are to thank for exposing [[Admiral]] [[Mattius Drake]] and his rebel movement, the [[New Colonial Alliance]], as well as saving the ''Infinity'', and boldly declares the Spartans as an [[Spartan Operations|independent branch]].


==Issues==
==Issues==
Line 30: Line 37:
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 1}}
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 1}}
'''Official summary'''
'''Official summary'''
{{Article Quote|Halo - one of the largest video game franchises - comes to Dark Horse! Before she was a supersoldier defending humanity as part of the Spartan IV program, Sarah Palmer was an ODST carrying out the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines! Join her on her dramatic journey from the ranks of humanity’s toughest leathernecks to the highest echelon of elite warriors in the galaxy.
{{Article quote|Halo - one of the largest video game franchises - comes to Dark Horse! Before she was a supersoldier defending humanity as part of the Spartan IV program, Sarah Palmer was an ODST carrying out the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines! Join her on her dramatic journey from the ranks of humanity’s toughest leathernecks to the highest echelon of elite warriors in the galaxy.
*The origin of Sarah Palmer and the Spartan IV program!
*The origin of Sarah Palmer and the Spartan IV program!
*The Halo franchise has sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime.
*The Halo franchise has sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime.
Line 39: Line 46:
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 2}}
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 2}}
'''Official summary'''
'''Official summary'''
{{Article Quote|The UNSC Infinity, the UNSC's newest and most sophisticated flagship, proves to be a tempting target for a group of insurgents. It's up to Sarah Palmer and a bunch of rookie Spartans to defend Infinity, but are they up to the task?}}
{{Article quote|The UNSC Infinity, the UNSC's newest and most sophisticated flagship, proves to be a tempting target for a group of insurgents. It's up to Sarah Palmer and a bunch of rookie Spartans to defend Infinity, but are they up to the task?}}
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 3===
===Issue 3===
Line 45: Line 52:
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 3}}
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 3}}
'''Official summary'''
'''Official summary'''
{{Article Quote|The conclusion of this three-part series reveals the story of how Commander Sarah Palmer became a Spartan-IV and leads directly into the exciting new mobile game from 343 Industries, Halo: Spartan Assault. Sarah Palmer and her new comrade Spartans are thrust into action when a violent insurgent group attempts to seize the UNSC flagship Infinity. Is their Spartan cunning a match for the insurgents' brilliant guerrilla tactics?}}
{{Article quote|The conclusion of this three-part series reveals the story of how Commander Sarah Palmer became a Spartan-IV and leads directly into the exciting new mobile game from 343 Industries, Halo: Spartan Assault. Sarah Palmer and her new comrade Spartans are thrust into action when a violent insurgent group attempts to seize the UNSC flagship Infinity. Is their Spartan cunning a match for the insurgents' brilliant guerrilla tactics?}}
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


Line 64: Line 71:
*[[Jun-A266]]
*[[Jun-A266]]
*[[Kovalic]] {{1st}}
*[[Kovalic]] {{1st}}
*[[Mattius Drake]] {{First mentioned}}
*[[Mattius Drake]] {{Fm}}
*[[Musa-096]] {{1st}}
*[[Musa-096]] {{1st}}
*[[Paul DeMarco]]
*[[Paul DeMarco]]
Line 84: Line 91:
*[[Insurrectionist]]s
*[[Insurrectionist]]s
**[[New Colonial Alliance]] {{1st}}
**[[New Colonial Alliance]] {{1st}}
*[[Sparta]]
*[[Wikipedia:Sparta|Sparta]]
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[UNSC Defense Force]]
**[[UNSC Defense Force]]
***[[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]]
***[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]
****[[SPARTAN-IV Program]]
****[[SPARTAN-IV Program]]
*****[[Fireteam Majestic]]
*****[[Fireteam Majestic]]
Line 113: Line 120:


|title-5=Events|
|title-5=Events|
*[[Battle of Thermopylae]]
*[[Wikipedia:Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Insurrection]]
*[[Insurrection]]
Line 121: Line 128:
|title-6=Vehicles|
|title-6=Vehicles|
*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}
*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}
*{{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}
*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}
*[[D82-EST Darter]]
*{{Class|Ibis|freighter}}
*[[Lockhart medical station|''Lockhart'' medical station]] {{1st}}
*[[Lockhart medical station|''Lockhart'' medical station]] {{1st}}
*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]
*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]
*{{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}
*{{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}
*{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
*{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
*[[Unidentified civilian transport craft]]
*[[Egret Spaceliner]]
*[[UNSC prowler]]
*[[UNSC prowler]]


Line 135: Line 142:
*[[M45D Tactical Shotgun]]
*[[M45D Tactical Shotgun]]
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]
Line 162: Line 170:
*[[ODST armor]]
*[[ODST armor]]
*[[Respirator pack]]
*[[Respirator pack]]
*[[Sangheili combat harness]]
*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]
**[[Sangheili Warrior|Warrior]] variant
**[[Sangheili Warrior|Warrior]] variant
*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]
*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]
Line 177: Line 185:
===Mistakes===
===Mistakes===
*In Issue 2, when Palmer proceeds to don her MJOLNIR armor via one of the robotic assembly stations, she is erroneously [[:File:HI-SarahPalmer-ArmorUp.jpg|depicted]] as lacking the titanium nanocomposite bodysuit on which the "hard" armor components are affixed; she is only shown wearing the innermost [[:File:H4-Concept-Undersuit-Female.jpg|undersuit]].
*In Issue 2, when Palmer proceeds to don her MJOLNIR armor via one of the robotic assembly stations, she is erroneously [[:File:HI-SarahPalmer-ArmorUp.jpg|depicted]] as lacking the titanium nanocomposite bodysuit on which the "hard" armor components are affixed; she is only shown wearing the innermost [[:File:H4-Concept-Undersuit-Female.jpg|undersuit]].
*Throughout the first issue, Palmer is referred to as a lance corporal, being promoted to the rank of corporal in the conclusion. Palmer's biography on the official ''Halo 4'' website states that Palmer spent much of her Marine career as a lieutenant.<ref>[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref> ''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' states that Palmer's leadership was the primary reason for her selection as a Spartan. A lance corporal has no authority aside from leading a fireteam in the absence of a corporal (which in practice would provide virtually no command experience), lending credence to the original source. A 343 Industries employee (posting in the guise of [[Catalog#Trivia|Catalog]]) has confirmed that her corporal rank at the time of her transfer is accurate, also stating that she was already in line for rapid promotion to sergeant.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969317_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969317 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction'']</ref>
*In Issue 2, Zane's first name is written I'''sl'''a, whereas in Issue 3 it is written I'''ls'''a.
*In Issue 2, Zane's first name is written I'''sl'''a, whereas in Issue 3 it is written I'''ls'''a.
*In the first issue, Musa-096 states, "''It's two thousand years since Thermopylae.''" However, the [[Battle of Thermopylae]] took place in [[480 BCE]], more than 3000 years prior to Musa speaking these words in January 2553.
*In the first issue, Musa-096 states, "''It's two thousand years since Thermopylae.''" However, the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]] took place in 480 BCE, more than 3000 years prior to Musa speaking these words in January 2553.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 187: Line 194:
File:Haloinitiation1variant.jpg| Issue #1 variant cover art (final) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnG3aFTUG-Y</ref>
File:Haloinitiation1variant.jpg| Issue #1 variant cover art (final) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnG3aFTUG-Y</ref>
File:HI Cover 2.jpg|Issue #2 cover art by Paul Richards.
File:HI Cover 2.jpg|Issue #2 cover art by Paul Richards.
File:HI Cover 3.jpg|Issue #3 cover art by Kenneth Scott.
File:HI Cover 3.jpg|Issue #3 cover art by [[Kenneth Scott]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Literature}}
{{Navbox/Media/Comic}}
[[Category: Canon|Initiation]]
[[Category:Canon|Initiation]]
[[Category: Comics|Initiation]]
[[Category:Comics|Initiation]]

Latest revision as of 14:23, March 2, 2023

  Halo: Initiation  
Halo initiation.jpg

Publisher:

Dark Horse Comics

Publication date:

Writer(s):

Brian Reed

Artist(s):

  • Marco Castiello (artist)
  • Michael Atiyeh (colorist)
  • John Liberto, Terry Dodson, Rachael Dodson, Paul Richards & Kenneth Scott (cover artists)

Number of pages:

96 pages

ISBN:

1616553251

 

Halo: Initiation is a three-part comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. It acts as the origin story for Commander Sarah Palmer and is presented as a lead-in to Halo: Spartan Assault, which also stars Palmer.[6] The series follows her career from her time as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper to the leader of the SPARTAN-IVs aboard the UNSC Infinity.[7][8]

A hardcover edition was released on January 21, 2014.[9]

All three issues were released along with the first twelve issues of Halo: Escalation as part of the Halo: Escalation Library Edition on May 24, 2016.[4]

Plot synopsis[edit]

In January 2553, Commander Musa-096, a former SPARTAN-II, has arranged an audience with several admirals in HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6. Despite reprehending the morality of the SPARTAN-II Program, Musa stresses the importance of the Spartans in the Covenant War and argues that they are still necessary, revealing that he has created a new generation of the supersoldiers. Three months earlier, in October 2552, a group of ODSTs, including Sarah Palmer, are deployed on a planet under Covenant attack. On the surface, Admiral Kovalic, protecting an important AI, is heading to an extraction point, but his Warthog is attacked by a Jiralhanae Chieftain. Palmer's drop pod lands nearby and she defends Kovalic from the Chieftain and other Covenant forces converging on their position. Even though she is wounded by a Needler shard, Palmer eventually kills the Chieftain and saves the admiral. Three months later, while still recovering in a UNSC medical facility, Palmer is visited by Jun-A266, who invites her to join the SPARTAN-IV Program.

A group of Insurrectionists have stolen plans to the UNSC Infinity. While some stand in disbelief, others feel it will be used to control the colonies; the leader, Ilsa Zane, plans to take the ship for the Insurrectionists instead. Meanwhile, Sarah Palmer undergoes the augmentation procedures to become a SPARTAN-IV. Later, during a training exercise against several Marines, she rushes ahead of her Spartan-IV teammates, who are disabled in the process, to accomplish the objective. Jun-A266 and Musa-096 berate her for this, with the latter emphasizing the importance of Spartans working as a team. Later, while the new SPARTAN-IVs are given a tour of Infinity by Thomas Lasky, the Insurrectionists make their way aboard the ship disguised as a construction crew. They take Captain Del Rio hostage and make their way to the bridge, taking control of the ship and hold the crew hostage. After realizing that the ship's AI, Aine, has been shut down, Palmer decides to take the initiative and outfits herself with MJOLNIR armor, picking the Scout variant from the armor bay's limited selection of suits.

While the Spartan-IVs prepare to fend off the attackers, Jun explains Ilsa Zane's background: she is the only survivor of a secret, prototypical phase of the SPARTAN-IV program. Although her physical augmentations are superior to those of the mainline Spartan-IVs, they also made her mentally unstable, resulting in her defection. On the bridge, the Insurrectionists are attempting to gain full control of the Infinity. As they detect the approaching Spartan-IVs, Zane activates S-deck's decompression system, ejecting several of the Spartans into space, with Thomas Lasky and Jun being saved by Palmer and Davis. Lasky contacts Captain Del Rio, while Palmer and Davis make their way for the Infinity bridge along the exterior hull of the ship. Zane sends a group of her henchmen to eliminate the rest of the Spartans, but Lasky manages to close a blast door between them. Meanwhile, Palmer and Davis storm the bridge, with Palmer facing off Zane in hand-to-hand combat while Davis takes on the rest of the insurgents. During the duel, Del Rio and the bridge crew enter the bridge and reactivate Aine, who opens the bridge's airlock. Palmer finally knocks Zane out, venting her into space. Later, an unconscious Zane is recovered by a prowler and wakes up to recognize an unknown individual. The narrative returns to Musa addressing the Admiralty. He states that the Spartans are to thank for exposing Admiral Mattius Drake and his rebel movement, the New Colonial Alliance, as well as saving the Infinity, and boldly declares the Spartans as an independent branch.

Issues[edit]

Issue 1[edit]

HaloInitiation1.jpg
Main article: Halo: Initiation Issue 1

Official summary

“ Halo - one of the largest video game franchises - comes to Dark Horse! Before she was a supersoldier defending humanity as part of the Spartan IV program, Sarah Palmer was an ODST carrying out the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines! Join her on her dramatic journey from the ranks of humanity’s toughest leathernecks to the highest echelon of elite warriors in the galaxy.
  • The origin of Sarah Palmer and the Spartan IV program!
  • The Halo franchise has sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime.
  • From one of the writers of Halo 4 - comics veteran Brian Reed![10]
 ”

Issue 2[edit]

HaloInitiation2.jpg
Main article: Halo: Initiation Issue 2

Official summary

“ The UNSC Infinity, the UNSC's newest and most sophisticated flagship, proves to be a tempting target for a group of insurgents. It's up to Sarah Palmer and a bunch of rookie Spartans to defend Infinity, but are they up to the task? ”

Issue 3[edit]

HaloInitiation3.jpg
Main article: Halo: Initiation Issue 3

Official summary

“ The conclusion of this three-part series reveals the story of how Commander Sarah Palmer became a Spartan-IV and leads directly into the exciting new mobile game from 343 Industries, Halo: Spartan Assault. Sarah Palmer and her new comrade Spartans are thrust into action when a violent insurgent group attempts to seize the UNSC flagship Infinity. Is their Spartan cunning a match for the insurgents' brilliant guerrilla tactics? ”

Appearances[edit]

Characters

Species

Organizations

Locations

Events

Vehicles

Weapons

Equipment and Technology



Production notes[edit]

  • In Issue 1 depicts Palmer's Strident-class frigate in the likeness of its low-detail campaign incarnation rather than the high-detail version seen in Spartan Ops.
  • The same issue features several Grunts in Storm armor and a Sangheili in Warrior armor (both originating in Halo 4) in a scene set during the Human-Covenant War. Despite this, the Brute chieftain Palmer fights resembles the class' Halo 3 incarnation.

Mistakes[edit]

  • In Issue 2, when Palmer proceeds to don her MJOLNIR armor via one of the robotic assembly stations, she is erroneously depicted as lacking the titanium nanocomposite bodysuit on which the "hard" armor components are affixed; she is only shown wearing the innermost undersuit.
  • In Issue 2, Zane's first name is written Isla, whereas in Issue 3 it is written Ilsa.
  • In the first issue, Musa-096 states, "It's two thousand years since Thermopylae." However, the Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BCE, more than 3000 years prior to Musa speaking these words in January 2553.

Gallery[edit]

  • Issue #1 cover art by John Liberto.

    Issue #1 cover art by John Liberto.

  • Issue #1 variant cover art (concept) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.

    Issue #1 variant cover art (concept) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.

  • Issue #1 variant cover art (final) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.[11]

    Issue #1 variant cover art (final) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.[11]

  • Issue #2 cover art by Paul Richards.

    Issue #2 cover art by Paul Richards.

  • Issue #3 cover art by Kenneth Scott.

    Issue #3 cover art by Kenneth Scott.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Dark Horse - Halo: Initiation #2
  2. ^ Dark Horse - Halo: Initiation #3
  3. ^ Dark Horse NOVEMBER 2013 Solicitations
  4. ^ a b Amazon: Halo: Escalation Library Edition
  5. ^ Dark Horse, Initiation and Escalation (Retrieved on Oct 22, 2022) [archive]
  6. ^ Dark Horse: Halo: Initiation #1 Preview
  7. ^ Wired.com: First Look: Dark Horse Debuts New Halo Comic Series
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint, Dark Horse Announces Halo Initiation
  9. ^ Amazon - Halo Initiation Graphic Brian Reed
  10. ^ Dark Horse Comics: Halo: Initiation #1
  11. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnG3aFTUG-Y

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