Halo: Escalation: Difference between revisions

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|image=[[File:Halo Escalation 1.jpg|280px]]

|author=[[Christopher Schlerf]] & [[Brian Reed]] ''(writers)''<br>

Omar Francia ''(artist)''<br>

Sergio Ariño & Ricardo Sanchez Arreola ''(pencillers)''<br>

Juan Castro & Rob Lean ''(inkers)''<br>

Anthony Palumbo, Kenneth Scott & [[Nicolas Bouvier]] ''(cover artists)''

*Issue #1: December 11, [[2013]]

*Issue #2: January 8, [[2014]]

*Issue #3: February 26, 2014

*Issue #4: March 26, 2014

*Issue #5: April 23, 2014

*Issue #6: May 28, 2014

*Issue #7: June 25, 2014}}

'''''Halo: Escalation''''' is a twelve-issue<ref>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbYyXWhCAAANIhl.jpg:large '''pbs.twimg.com''' - ''Halo: Escalation Giveaway'']</ref> comic book series produced by [[Wikipedia:Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse Comics]]. It focuses on "how the events of ''[[Halo 4]]'' have helped define the destiny not only of the [[John-117|Chief]] but of the [[Milky Way|galaxy]] as a whole".<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/07/halo-escalation-comic/ '''Wired.com''': ''Dark Horse Will Turn World of Halo 4 Into Ongoing Comic Series'']</ref> The series continues the story of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} a month after the events of ''[[Spartan Ops]]'', beginning with their assignment on escort duty for critical peace negotiations between the [[Sangheili]] and the [[Jiralhanae]].<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1442/dark-horse-announces-all-new-halo-ongoing-series-e Dark Horse Announces All-New Halo Ongoing Series: Escalation!]</ref>

{{Article Quote|Halo®, the most celebrated video game series of all time, joins forces with Dark Horse for a thrilling new ongoing series!

[[2557|Five years]] after the [[Human-Covenant War]], long-lost [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]]—the Master Chief—has been rescued off a [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]], [[Requiem]]. Pursuing an awakened Forerunner known as [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]], the Master Chief [[Battle of Earth (2557)|defeats]] the ancient warrior above [[Earth]], but at a terrible cost—the death of the Chief’s [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]], [[Cortana]].

The attack on Earth opens the door to an emergent threat in the form of [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[Covenant remnant|Covenant renegade]] who takes command of the Didact’s [[Promethean]] army. The [[UNSC Infinity]], led by [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]], is deployed to prevent 'Mdama from gaining control of Requiem, with the help of a [[SPARTAN-IV Program|new generation of Spartans]] led by [[Commander]] [[Sarah Palmer]].

Infinity drives 'Mdama's forces into retreat, but the [[Second Battle of Requiem|victory]] proves to be a temporary one...

• An essential addition to the Halo canon!

• The Halo franchise has sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime!

• From Christopher Schlerf, lead writer of Halo 4!<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=47907 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comics Solicitations for December, 2013'']</ref>}}

{{Article Quote|The UNSC flagship Infinity is assigned escort duty for a diplomatic mission between the Arbiter and a powerful chieftain of the Brute tribes—but when a rogue Covenant group attacks, it's going to take all the firepower the [[Spartan (branch)|Spartans]] have to keep the delegates alive!}}

 

Issue #1 opens with Commander [[Sarah Palmer]] and [[Fireteam Jackknife]] inside the {{UNSCship|Infinity}}'s training simulation deck. Their [[War Games]] session is interrupted by [[Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] who asks to speak with Commander Palmer. Lasky informs her that they have been requested to appear before the [[UNSC Security Council]] at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. At the hearing, the council expresses misgiving about Lasky's handling of the [[Second Battle of Requiem]]. [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]] berates Lasky over the complete destruction of [[Requiem]] and the failed assassination of [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]]. Osman then asks Palmer if Lasky had sent [[Fireteam Majestic]] to stop her from eliminating Halsey. Wanting to protect Lasky from any ramifications, Palmer lies and tells Osman that Majestic was there as backup. Shortly after, [[Fleet Admiral|Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Hood]] arrives onboard ''Infinity'' to speak with Lasky. He tells Lasky that the {{UNSCship|Vociferous}} is assigned to pursue [[Jul 'Mdama]] as he needs ''Infinity'' to aid in peace talks between the [[Sangheili]] and the [[Jiralhanae]]. Two days later, ''Infinity'' arrives at [[Ealen IV]]. Lord Hood meets with the Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], and the Brute [[Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]. Lasky, Palmer and Jackknife join the delegates inside the plasma center as [[Paul DeMarco]] of Majestic and [[Fireteam Bailey]] act as [[overwatch]]. The delegation is caught off guard when [[Covenant remnant]] forces blast into the conference chamber. The Spartan IVs defend the delegation and escort them to a nearby parts depot when their [[DS-004|evacuation shuttle]] is destroyed. With communications with their orbiting fleets blocked, the delegation are left without reinforcements.

 

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|As Sarah Palmer fights to get the Arbiter and the Brute Ambassador to safety, Captain Lasky sneaks behind enemy lines to reestablish communications with the UNSC Infinity. Their plans for escape are jeopardized, however, by a turncoat in their midst!}}

 

'''Synopsis'''<br>

Issue #2 opens with the delegation attempting to re-establish communication with the orbiting fleet. The Arbiter informs Hood of the planet's fortifications as a means for an escape route. Lasky orders Palmer to get the ambassadors to the redoubt. Palmer tasks [[Ray (Spartan)|Spartan Ray]] to escort Lasky and utilize her SIGINT background to re-establish communications. [[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]] and his forces arrive and is informed by [[Tek]] that the envoy has retreated into the repair depot. However, a human associate of 'Gajat tells him that they should move quickly before the capital ships respond. In orbit, while ''Infinity'' tries to re-establish contact with the delegation, the Jiralhanae contact the ship and demand to know why communication has been blocked. 'Gajat and his forces storm the depot, only to find the delegation missing. The Shipmaster orders his forces to prepare for deployment, noting that his agent would provide the whereabouts of the envoy.

 

The company make their way through service conduits leading from the depot. Suddenly, a [[Lich]] appears and drops off several troops. Palmer takes her helmet filled with grenades and sends it up the Lich's [[gravity lift]], destroying the Lich. Lasky and Ray head down the administrative wing of the facility taking out an [[Sangheili Warrior|Elite Warrior]] along the way. They find a network console and Ray discovers multiple signals being broadcast blocking out incoming transmissions. The destroyed Lich crashes down onto the service bridge while an [[Sangheili Storm|Elite Storm]] unit is taken out by [[Vladimir Scruggs|Spartan Scruggs]]. Palmer orders Fireteam Jackknife to move ahead to the redoubt while Hood searches the downed Elite. Hood discovers a UNSC [[data pad]] containing information on the Spartans and believes someone is leaking information about the negotiations. Lasky and Ray secure two [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] and make their way to the power source of the jammer but observe Covenant forces heading for the redoubt. Palmer is informed by Scruggs that the facility is secure. Unbeknownst to the rest of the group, Scruggs has instead taken out his team and the security detail.

 

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|Commander Palmer confronts the traitor who has betrayed her team, as the Covenant closes in on their position. With time running out, Lasky is forced to make a costly sacrifice to save the peace delegation from the impending attack.}}<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49153 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for February 2014'']</ref>

 

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|The UNSC Infinity is ambushed by an unexpected enemy while on a mission to rescue a damaged civilian freighter. Across the galaxy, an undercover Lasky enlists the help of an [[Petra Janecek|old friend]] in rooting out a spy inside the UNSC.}}<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49653 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for March 2014'']</ref>

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|Missing for thirty years, a [[UNSC Spirit of Fire|legendary UNSC warship]] is discovered deep behind enemy lines. As Infinity plans a rescue mission, however, Admiral Hood’s past with the [[James Cutter|ship’s captain]] threatens to jeopardize the mission. The investigation into the UNSC saboteur continues as the journalist infiltrates an Elite holy land in search of answers.}}<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50201 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for April 2014'']</ref>

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|The saga of [[Halo Wars]] enters the modern age as Infinity struggles to liberate the long-lost Spirit of Fire from the deadly Vata 'Gajat. Meanwhile, Petra's search for the identity of Infinity's spy could result in her death. The Halo universe is on the brink of a new galactic war!}}<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50966 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for May 2014'']</ref>

'''Official summary:'''

{{Article Quote|“The Fall of [[New Phoenix]]” — eight months ago, an attack on [[Earth]] left seven million dead, including the family of Spartan [[Gabriel Thorne]]. Today the city has been opened from quarantine, and Thorne is going home to see what’s left... and what it has to do with the Master Chief.}}<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=51486 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for June 2014'']</ref>

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===Characters===

*[[Bradley (Commander)|Bradley]] {{1st}}

*[[Catherine Halsey]]

*[[Gabriel Thorne]]

*[[John-117]]

*[[Jul 'Mdama]]

*[[Hong]] {{1st}}

*[[Naiya Ray]] {{1st}}

*[[Roland (AI)|Roland]]

*[[Sarah Palmer]]

*[[Thomas Lasky]]

 

===Species===

*[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}}

**[[Skirmisher]]

 

===Organizations===

*[[Covenant remnant]]

*[[Insurrectionist]] {{Mo}}

*****[[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]]

******[[SPARTAN-IV Program]]

******[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] {{Mo}}

******[[Fleet Command]]

*******[[SPARTAN-II Program]]

 

===Locations===

*[[Escala III]] {{1st}}

**[[Castiglione]] {{1st}}

*[[Sol system]]

****[[New Phoenix]] {{Mo}}

*[[Ealen IV]] {{1st}}

 

===Events===

*[[Human-Covenant War]] {{Mo}}

*[[Reclamation conflict]]

**[[Battle of Earth (2557)]] {{Mo}}

**[[Second Battle of Requiem]] {{Mo}}

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===Vehicles===

*{{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}

*{{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}}

*{{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}

*{{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}

*[[Type-25 Chopper]]

*[[Type-25 Spirit]]

*[[Type-26 Banshee]]

*[[Type-27 Banshee]]

*[[Type-52 Phantom]]

*[[Type-56 Lich]]

 

===Weapons===

*[[Combat knife]]

*[[Type-1 plasma grenade]]

*[[Type-2 gravity hammer]]

*[[Type-25 spiker]]

*[[Type-33 needler]]

*[[Type-38 Tyrant]]

*[[Type-50 concussion rifle]]

*[[Type-50 particle beam rifle]]

*[[Type-51 carbine]]

*[[Type-55 storm rifle]]

 

===Technology===

*[[Data pad]]

*[[Deployable lookout tower]]

*[[Gravity lift]]

*Kig-Yar combat harness

*[[Sangheili combat harness]]

**[[Sangheili Commander|Commander]] variant

*Skirmisher combat harness

*[[UNSC Navy uniforms]]

**[[UNSC Navy Service Uniform]]

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Though the series primarily uses ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s designs for the Covenant species and their equipment, the ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' incarnations of certain elements also appear in some panels. Most notably, Lydus resembles the Brutes seen in ''Halo: Reach'', yet his bodyguards are clearly drawn in their ''Halo 3'' likeness. Pre-''Halo: Reach'' and post-''Halo: Reach'' Banshees are shown side-by-side in Issue 2, and a ''Halo 3''/''Reach''-style Grunt makes a cameo in the same issue. Curiously, despite his recognizable classic appearance, ''Escalation'' [[Thel 'Vadam#Production notes|depicts the Arbiter]] much like the Sangheili in ''Halo 4'' with regard to his skin tone and mouth structure.  

===Mistakes===

*In some panels in Issue 1, Kig-Yar are seen with four fingers instead of three.

*In Issue 1, the visor color of the Spartan with [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/War Master|War Master]] armor is orange, yet in Issue 2 it is blue.

*In all the issues thus far, Banshees are depicted in their pilotless stance even though they are flying. Similarly, in Issue 1 they are shown firing thin beams at DS-004, rather than the bolts that they actually fire in-game. This is similar to the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' box art.

==Gallery==

File:Halo Escalation 1.jpg|Issue #1 cover art by Anthony Palumbo.

File:Halo Escalation 1 Variant.jpg|Issue #1 variant cover art by Kenneth Scott.

File:Halo Escalation 2.jpg|Issue #2 cover art by Anthony Palumbo.

File:Halo Escalation 3.jpg|Issue #3 cover art by Anthony Palumbo.

File:Halo Escalation 4.jpg|Issue #4 cover art by Anthony Palumbo.

File:Halo-Escalation5.jpg|Issue #5 cover art by Anthony Palumbo.

File:Halo Escalation 7.jpg|Issue #7 cover art by Sparth.

<references />

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