'Halo' Due This Summer

By Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 4/17/2006

Marvel Comics has been chosen by Bungie Studios, developer of the megaseller Halo videogame, to publish a full-color, 128-page hardcover graphic novel based on the game that will be available this summer. The Halo Graphic Novel will feature an all-star cast of writers and artists—among them artists Moebius, Tsutomu Nihei and Simon Bisley—and a gallery section with characters from the game depicted by a host of equally acclaimed artists. The Halo game franchise has sold more than 14 million copies.

The book is an anthology of four original stories. Bungie produced the book itself before approaching Marvel. "We decided that if we really wanted to make the book we envisioned, we were going to do it ourselves," said Bungie executive producer Brian Jarrard. Bungie hired Maria Cabardo, a comics industry veteran, to oversee the project and picked Marvel because "we needed a partner that could get it in front of the most people."

The book, priced at $24.99, will be unveiled at the San Diego Comic-con in July. Marvel editor Ruwan Jayatilleke said initial orders are impressive. "Retailer reaction to this book has been far beyond our initial expectations," Jayatilleke said. He added that Marvel has a substantial marketing and promotional plan, noting that "consumers can expect to see this book popping up all over the place."