Transcending the world of video games, Halo is a phenomenon. While the days of seeing game characters plastered on a cereal box are becoming less common, seeing them branch into other mediums is becoming commonplace. Thankfully, the graphic novel realm is free of any Uwe Boll influence, and in the hands of Marvel, this gaming franchise is in perfect hands.

While slim, the Halo Graphic Novel is jammed with four separate stories. Names like Simon Bisley will jump out at comic fans, while his art speaks for him amongst the video game audience. Multiple authors and artists contribute their work to craft this gorgeous piece of art, including people like Brett Lewis. According to his bio, he doesn't even own a TV, but was gripped by the novelizations of the Halo universe enough to contribute a  fleshed-out piece of writing that becomes one of the best in this novel.

The first chapter is the loudest, and the least likable. Instead of focusing on the game's leading protagonist, it takes the story and views it from the side of the Covenant. The alien race begins a desperate struggle against another enemy, and the limited dialogue is the only thing slowing this one down. Unfortunately, while appropriately dark, hard-edged, and gory, the art style is hard to decipher. Giant frames feature countless tentacles, guns, bullets, claws, and blood. It's impossible to follow at times.

Easily the winner in art direction is Breaking Quarantine, following the exploits of Sergeant Johnson in a fight against the breeding Flood. There's no dialogue to be found anywhere and no chance for it to obscure the stunning watercolor used to create the images. Tsutomu Nihei provides a gripping chapter based on a story concept from game developer Bungie.

Still, it's Brett Lewis's writing style that creates an entirely different side of Halo. Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa is the easy winner in this group. With a simple, pale design, the story features only a few frames of action, concentrating exclusively on the people not found in the game, the residents of the planets under assault. It's a bleak piece of storytelling, with no hope, and a strong connection to our own world. (Civilians staring at the sky with the line "Everyone will remember where they were" will surely be familiar to American fans who experience 9/11.)

As a bonus, the hardbound book finishes off with extra piece of artwork provided by some of Bungie's design team and other comic book artists. It's a wide array of styles to keep the visuals interesting as the final pages are turned. It's an additional touch that makes the $25 cover price feel worthwhile.

Absolutely gorgeous inside and out (be sure to look under the jacket), Halo has been transferred beautifully to the medium. It can be attributed to both the game design team for their classic design of Master Chief's universe and the dedication of the recognizable team that put this all together. This is an obvious necessity for Halo followers.