Editing Halo: Initiation

{{Title|''Halo: Initiation''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Novel infobox
|image=[[File:Halo initiation.jpg|280px]]
|author=[[Brian Reed]]
|cover artist=*[[:Category:Images by John Wallin Liberto|John Liberto]]
*[[:Category:Images by Paul Richards|Paul Richards]]
*[[Kenneth Scott]]
*Terry & Rachel Dodson
|illustrator= *Marco Castiello (artist)
*Michael Atiyeh (colorist)
*Michael Heisler (letterer)
|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]
|publication=
*[[Halo: Initiation Issue 1|Issue 1]]: August 14, [[2013]]
*[[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>
*[[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>
*''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> 
*Omnibus Volume #1 TPB: November 28, [[2018]]
*[[Halo: Initiation and Escalation|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 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>

Dark Horse has reprinted ''Halo: Initiation'' several times in [[compilation|collected editions]]. All three issues were included alongside the first twelve issues of ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' in the ''Halo: Escalation Library Edition'', released on May 24, 2016.{{Ref/Reuse|amazonhe}} The miniseries was later republished in the first volume of ''Halo Omnibus'' on November 28, 2018. It was packaged with the entirety of the ''Halo: Escalation'' series in the compendium ''[[Halo: Initiation and Escalation]]'', released on December 6, 2022.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.amazon.com/Halo-Initiation-Escalation-Brian-Reed/dp/1506729185|Site=Amazon|Page=Initiation and Escalation|D=19|M=1|Y=2023}}

==Plot synopsis==
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 [[M8900 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.

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==
===Issue 1===
[[File:HaloInitiation1.jpg|100px|right]]
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 1}}
'''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.
*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!<ref>[https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/3444.halo-initiation-1-john-liberto-cover/'''Dark Horse Comics''': ''Halo: Initiation #1'']</ref>}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 2===
[[File:HaloInitiation2.jpg|100px|right]]
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 2}}
'''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?}}
{{Clear}}
===Issue 3===
[[File:HaloInitiation3.jpg|100px|right]]
{{Main|Halo: Initiation Issue 3}}
'''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?}}
{{Clear}}

==Appearances==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5|title-1=Characters|
*[[Aine]]
*[[Andrew Del Rio]]
*[[Anthony Madsen]]
*[[Bossman]] {{1st}}
*[[Carlo Hoya]]
*[[Catherine Halsey]] {{Mo}} 
*[[Edward Davis]]
*[[Gabriel Thorne]]
*[[Ilsa Zane]] {{1st}}
*[[John-117]]
*[[Joel Thomas]] {{1st}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama]]
*[[Jun-A266]]
*[[Kovalic]] {{1st}}
*[[Mattius Drake]] {{Fm}}
*[[Musa-096]] {{1st}}
*[[Paul DeMarco]]
*[[Ryder]] {{1st}}
*[[Sarah Palmer]]
*[[Tedra Grant]]
*[[Thomas Lasky]]
*[[Vladimir Scruggs]] {{1st}}
*[[Yeong-hao Holst]] {{1st}}

|title-2=Species|
*[[Human]]
*[[Jiralhanae]]
*[[Sangheili]]
*[[Unggoy]]

|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Covenant]]
*[[Insurrectionist]]s
**[[New Colonial Alliance]] {{1st}}
*[[Wikipedia:Sparta|Sparta]]
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[UNSC Defense Force]]
***[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]
****[[SPARTAN-IV Program]]
*****[[Fireteam Majestic]]
***[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
****[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
***[[UNSC Navy]]
****[[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]]
*****[[SPARTAN-II Program]]
****[[Office of Naval Intelligence]]
*****[[SPARTAN-III Program]]
******[[SPARTAN-III Alpha Company|Alpha Company]]

|title-4=Locations|
*[[Sol system]]
**[[Earth]]
***[[Africa]]
****[[East African Protectorate]]
*****[[Republic of Kenya]]
******[[Voi]]
*******[[Voi Memorial]]
***[[Australia]]
****[[Sydney]]
*****[[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]
**[[Oort cloud]]

|title-5=Events|
*[[Wikipedia:Battle of Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Insurrection]]
**[[Raid on UNSC Infinity]] {{1st}}
*[[SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program]] {{1st}}

|title-6=Vehicles|
*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}
*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}
*{{Class|Ibis|freighter}}
*[[Lockhart medical station|''Lockhart'' medical station]] {{1st}}
*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]
*{{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}
*{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
*[[Egret Spaceliner]]
*[[UNSC prowler]]

|title-7=Weapons|
*[[M6H Personal Defense Weapon System]]
*[[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose grenade]]
*[[M45D Tactical Shotgun]]
*[[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]

|title-8=Equipment and Technology|
*[[Armored matrix]]
*[[Artificial intelligence]]
**[[Avatar]]
*[[Holography]]
**[[Holotank]]
*[[Jiralhanae power armor]]
**[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] variant
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#First generation|MJOLNIR [GEN1]]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]] 
****Upgraded variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR [GEN2]]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator|Aviator]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Operator|Operator]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Pathfinder|Pathfinder]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Recruit|Recruit]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant|Scout]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Soldier|Soldier]] variant
*[[Methane tank]]
*[[ODST armor]]
*[[Respirator pack]]
*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]
**[[Sangheili Warrior|Warrior]] variant
*[[M8900 drop pod]]
*[[Unggoy combat harness]]
**[[Unggoy Storm|Storm]] variant
**[[Unggoy Imperial|Imperial]] variant
*[[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform]]
}}

==Production notes==
*In Issue 1 depicts Palmer's [[Strident-class heavy frigate|''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 [[Unggoy Storm#Storm|Storm]] armor and a Sangheili in [[Sangheili Warrior#Warrior|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===
*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, 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 [[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>
File:Halo Initiation.jpg|Issue #1 cover art by John Liberto.
File:HI Cover 1 Alter.jpg|Issue #1 variant cover art (concept) by Terry Dodson and Rachael Dodson.
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 3.jpg|Issue #3 cover art by [[Kenneth Scott]].
</gallery>

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

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