Review: Halo Helljumper (mild spoilers)

At first, I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to read any of the Halo comics. I've never really cared for comics. But I thought, if I consider myself a true Halo fan, I should read all the Halo material I can. So I started with Helljumper.

Helljumper follows a squad of ODST's on a mission to investigate a distress call from the small colony of Ariel. When they get to the planet, they discover it's abandoned. So they begin searching the planet for the presence of the Covenant, as well as the human colonists. They soon discover a mass occupation of Covenant troops, digging for something, as well as forcing the colonists to help dig. Two ODSTs infiltrate one of the dig-sites, and enter a system of Forerunner tunnels. NOTE: Do NOT read any further if you don't want a mild spoiler. Eventually they find a Forerunner construct that calls itself The Knowing. The Knowing tells the ODSTs that if the Covenant gets their hands on itself, that they could wipe the human race out "down to your last DNA strand". The ODSTs, Reclaimers, order The Knowing to destroy itself. The construct obeys it's master's command, and detonates the facility it was housed in. With nothing for them on Ariel for them anymore, the Covenant leave the planet, and the ODSTs go home.

It was an interesting story, though not essential to the Halo story. It was also very short. It took me only about an hour to read it. I would try to check it out of your local library, as it is worth reading. Personally, I wouldn't pay for it, but if you want to, that's up to you.

Expect my reviews for the other Halo comics, as well as the graphic novel sometime next week.

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I made a Facebook page for this blog. Hopefully this will get more viewers/followers. The Like Button gadget isn't working right now, so here's the link: The Halo Expert on Facebook.

Remember to "follow"!

Hey, I just want to thank all my readers for their support. Also I want to thank Seth Jorgenson from Halo Reach Pro Tips for doing a little advertising on his own blog. Since I started The Halo Expert on monday, I've gotten over 215 pageviews, 200 of them just today. But it seems as if I still only have 1 follower. Please, when you visit my site, remember to click "follow". Thanks.

Halo 4 story clues

         I'm sure if you're a Halo fan, you can't wait for Halo 4. You probably wonder what the story is going to be about. Here are some clues from other Halo media as to what it may be about.

          Halo 4. Set to release "Holiday 2012", part of a the new Reclaimer Trilogy. 343 says that it will "definitely" have "resonant connections" with Halo Glasslands, Halo Primordium, and the Terminals in Halo CEA. Based on what I know about Glasslands and Primordium, this gives a pretty good picture of Halo 4. Halo 4 will explore Master Cheif's character, who he is, and his relationship with Cortana.
          Many people think that the Legendary Planet is Onyx. That is a poor assumption, because the Onyx Shield world is located in slipspace. Many also think we will fight against the Forerunners. I hope not, I'd rather fight alongside the Forerunners. We could possibly see flood and covie stragglers, new enemies, and maybe even Precursors....

          Halo Glasslands was released yesterday, and is to be part of the "post-war series" by Karen Traviss. I read the first 2 chapters online, as well as other articles. It's going to be about humanity getting back on their feet after the nearly three decade war with the Covenant. We will also read about the Spartan III's and Dr. Halsey in the Shield world.

         Halo Primordium is to be released January 3rd, 2012. It will be the second book of the three-book series called the Forerunner Saga. It will follow the humans Chakas and Morning Riser, after Mendicant Bias' assault on the Forerunner capital. It will also delve deeper into the story of the Precursors and the Timeless One.

Halo CEA is set for release ten years to the day from Halo CE, November 15th, 2011. It runs on the same engine as the original, so it plays and feels exactly like CE. It has HD like in Halo 3. Don't know why they dropped it in Reach.... It will have Terminals like in Halo 3, which 343 has hinted will give insight and clues about the story of Halo 4.

Halo: Glasslands

I've been very excited about the two upcoming Halo novels. I even put a countdown gadget for Glasslands on my desktop. Yesterday, I got up at 7 in the morning (which is crazy early for me), rode my bike 3-4 miles to Barnes and Noble so I could be there the second it opened. I was pacing in front of the door like a six-year old need to go potty. Finallly, the doors opened. I went in, looked on the new releases section. Nothing. New paperbacks, nothing. Finally, I had to ask for help. The guy looked it up on the computer, and told me that they hadn't gotten any in yet! I have never been so upset/frustrated/hysterical in my life. So he put in an order for me, and now I have to wait a few days... Luckily I read the prologue, 1st, and 2nd chapters at Tor's website and Halo Waypoint. Expect my review early next week.

Prologue and 1st Chapter on Tor.com, 2nd Chapter on Halo Waypoint

Reviews

I'm thinking of also putting up game reviews as well as news and updates on upcoming Halo games and books. What would you think of that?

Post your questions!

So anyone who has questions, post them as a comment on this post, and I'll get back to you ASAP. Or you can email me directly, or ask a question on Y! Answers, and chances are I'll see it and answer.