Click the image above to see the full-size art.
——-
Behind the Scenes
I actually created the image below about two months ago. In a Fistful of Arrows artist’s block, I decided to jump ahead to a page I WAS enthusiastic to do.
I had been thinking of Menachite since the beginning of this comic, and had been sketching it over and over again the comic’s inception. This first version was actually modeled after the Forerunner stations (that shoot blue light into the sky) seen on the level “Halo” in Halo: CE. Do you see it?
(Click for larger version)
I wanted Menachite Mountain to be iconic – a mountain that you would remember. But Reach is full of ridiculously cool mountains. Seriously, almost every level of Reach has an awesome mountain. I tried to top all those with an even crazier formation than we saw in the game:
(Click for larger version)
And I was stuck on that till…. last night. When I decided to go to red alert and full-on “I DESPISE THIS” mode. All of the sudden it just looked like a stereotypical fantasy mountain or something. Over-the-top for the sake of over-the-top. It just wasn’t a ‘real’ mountain.
So, I looked back at all the sketches I had done in these last few months and a few in particular inspired me to go for a ‘pinnacle’ look – something a little different for Reach’s usual mountains (but something that was a bit more subtle than the last image). I dialed it down, I subdued the colors and went work on the detail. I think it worked!
(Click for larger version)
In the larger version in the postings above, you can actually see a bridge and a zig-zagging road heading to a little cave in the mountainside, with a small platform nearby. You’ll be seeing a lot of that location in the pages to come. 
Hey Levi, ive been reading since the first bungie post and this is one of the coolest fan made things ive ever come across on. im teaching myself to draw right now by drawing inanimate objects with a hb pencil and wanted to know if you had any tips?
Well it’s simple, but “KEEP practicing”. I only notice major increases in my own ability in periods of intense, consistent practice. Try to keep to a schedule, etc. If you’re getting frustrated, try something different, something more fun that you could do. There’s not ONE way to get better, so don’t be afraid to get really good at the things you really like to draw, and then try to work on what you’re weaker at…
Still lifes are definitely good for perspective, shading, and the basics. Anatomy is also extremely helpful. Learning the muscles, etc.
hattiesburg?
awesome comic, i always look forward to seeing the new pages and fantastic artwork!
Once again I am blown away by your epic comic.
You are an incredible artist! Each comic you post is a true work of art, and I look forward to each time you post a new batch =)
Once again worth the wait! Keep up the great work!
Sorry for saying this a little early but, do you have an estimated time of when the next installation will be?
The next update will be around 25-ish pages and end the comic. It could be a month from now, I’m not sure.
would be amazing if it was released on Bungie Day ( 7/7/2011)
That would be mind blowingly awesome.
And Levi, I definitely will send you pictures when I put this up on my wall.
cant wait to see the conclusion Levi. Looks damn good
I would love 2 land my falcon on that piece of artwork
Ridiculously cool, stuff like this is rare.
xD
Can’t wait for the conclusion but don’t feel rushed by any comments you see the longer we wait the better it’ll be. Then again I don’t think it could get any better the awesomeness of it already is UNFRIGGINGBELIEVEABLE ;P
I have bookmarked this page and check it everyday. Thank you for making such an entertaining, creative, and thoughtful comic!
No problem! Thanks for your readership!
Hey Levi just a quick question. Is Quezon bigger than New Alexandria (it seems so because it has it’s own super) or is it a part of Alexandria? And doesn’t it seem a little odd that a military planet has 2 major cities?
Quezon is definitely bigger than New Alexandria and is its own unique city. In fact, New Alexandria isn’t even named on Reach’s list of largest cities (Manassas, Quezon, Ezhtergom).
http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=intel&cid=24020
Reach isn’t just a military planet, it is THE military might of the UNSC. And it doesn’t just take soldiers to make that happen, it takes the resources of a civilization to provide a powerful military.
I also believe there could have definitely been an influx of immigrants from the destruction of the Outer Colonies (and Inner Colonies by this point) who would see Reach as one of the safest places to live in the galaxy.
This is a fantastic comic, and I would love to see it published in a book. Keep up the excellent work!
Means a lot coming from the Master Chief!
Dude, this is awesome!!
I already consider this canon to Halo.
You are a true professional, and I love the elements of the other media (games/novels) in the comic.
Thank you!
I agree with Superintendent-This SHOULD be considered canon it is just that awesome, I also love how you put in minor details such as a covenant carrier in the distance in the top left with the explosions. Simply Epic, keep up the awesome work.
Finally I’ve been waiting for Ages and I’ve been dying the whole time! Anyway this is amazing I will be eagerly awaiting the next posts keep up the good work.
So awesome.
A super awesome as the detail and structure is, I’ll be blatantly honest. This doesn’t fit canon standards. Sure, the Covenant made sure not to glass the area, but by the end of the invasion, practically all of the glaciers were melted, the water was several meters higher, the atmosphere was ablaze from all the reflections of fire below, what wasn’t ablaze was pitch black clouds of ash, and I’m sure it would have been a lot harder to breathe. To see everything as perfectly pristine here is a little unrealistic. It even seems to have mist still in some places as well as being able to see outer space so cleanly. It basically looks like any other morning dawn, rather than the last days a planet has at death of it’s entire ecosystem (before being terraformed later of course).
Sorry you disagree. Depicting it as ‘untouched’ was intentional, since this is still the early hours of August 30th, before the Covenant had taken complete control of the planet and since the Covenant would never glass this area due to the Forerunner structures and artifact below the mountain.
This is also before the Spartan IIs divided and left the Master Chief to return to this same area (the Highland Mountains region). This imagery attempts to match (and actually ‘rewind’ a bit) what the Spartan IIs described in the novel First Strike (atmosphere was not ‘ablaze’ yet, etc) as well as the imagery of the multiplayer map “Highlands”, which would take place, at the least, a few hours after this moment in time (seeing that the Spartan II’s pelican has already crashed there) and in a nearby area. I believe this imagery matches with these various sources.
Maybe you should make Halsey say something about how Pristine Castle is. Also do you have any plans for Fan-Fic’s after FoA?
@TheOrangeOne–
…really? Of all the things you could have commented on, or perhaps criticed CONSTRUCTIVELY….you chose to point out that little detail as not canon?
Oh hey Levi, I kept going back to tnat same link for pages 37 onwards, I’m coming up with a storyline for my webcomic, I’m thinking of making a motion comic instead, since I’m pretty decent at animation and therfore could also use these for machinima. And as for the atmosperic thing, I agree that it m ight have been a little harder to see, however, would you really sacrafice that view for a tad more believability. You sir, should sort out your priorities… (snooty faced)
God my spelling was apalling back there. I deeply apologise to all who may have read that illiterate insult to a great language (once again very snooty)
Tsk Tsk, Artemis. Shame on you for using the name of the Greek Goddess and still making a mistake, hahaha, just messin with ya
I male btw. Nobody gets an Artemis fowl reference. Anywhoo, I’m gonna do the ship motion comic but instead of just posting it I’ll use it in my machinima.
I’ve read the series and got the reference.
OMG this comic is so fascinating! I really like it. The panoramas of unglassed Reach are so beautiful! Have you also thought about including Noble Six or Thom into the story?
Thanks!
I decided not to include the playable Noble Six into the story so that it didn’t contradict with the reader’s perception of him, since many people made up their own stories concerning him as they played the game. I also didn’t include Thom because we don’t know much about him and I didn’t want whatever I did with him to be retconned later on.
Will we learn anything about WHITE GLOVE or RED FLAG from the coming pages?
Not Red Flag, but White Glove is the motivation for Halsey coming to Castle base (and possibly to survive the glassing of the planet).
I know this is bordering on high treason, but I’m going to take a risk, and say that the way you are telling the story of Noble Team, is actually better than how Bungie told the story of Noble Team. Oh and the artwork is perfect, no point on me even commenting on it.
Just an idea to consider, perhaps later you could also create a webcomic for Master Chief, or a period of time in Halo before Reach, if possible. I know I would certain enjoy reading it.
But anyway, keep up the good job with Fistful of Arrows, I’m loving your work ^_^
HERETIC! You must bear the mark of shame!
Nah, just kidding. Levi is doing a hell of a good job in telling the story of Noble Team.
Waiting eagerly for the next pages. Really loving this comic because of the sheer detail that’s gone into it.
Currently working on some fan-fiction myself, have seven stories that I’m experimenting with. If you like, I’ll give a quick description for each story.
Just wanted to ask: if you do go on to another Halo Comic, where would it be in the Halo timeline? & what would the story focus on? & who would be the main character?
I’ve toyed around with making an epic story beginning where Halo 2 ends and ending where Halo 3 begins – filling in all the unknowns of that time…
Didn’t halo:uprising fill that time slot?
It gave a glimpse. But it didn’t talk about the overall battle for Earth, how Arbiter, Sgt. Johnson and Miranda got back, etc. There’s definitely a lot of story to tell, while still giving nods when Uprising as those elements takes place (while fixing some of the glaring issues of Uprising, like the artist’s reuse of High Charity sections within a Forerunner starship).
When will we see the next chapter? This is so cool Levi! Keep up the great work!
Probably be about a month. I’ve to finish another comic I’m illustrating before I can go back to this hobby. But to make up for it, then next chapter is 30 pages and will end the comic.
Sweet! Is there any way I can get on an email list or something to be notified when you post it? Also, will you post all 30 pages at once?!
An email list is a good idea, but since there’s only one more update, I wouldn’t do that for this one. But next comic, I’ll definitely remember that!
(and yes, 30 pages in one update)
I also read in one of your previous comments that you enjoy bridging various halo lore. What else have you done? Anything with spartans? I would love to see/read it!!!
I did some earlier, rougher, shorter comics some years ago. One of them is called “A Sangheili’s War is Never Over.”
http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=26718
I’ve found an old game model viewing program I had so I can use them for reference. Am thinking of animating the comic. If I get good at motion comics could I animate yours?
I would buy that for any price
I don’t mind folks making adaptations or anything from my art, just give credit where it’s due!
Will start writing the story for my comic, possibly tonight. I have bungie day to celebrate but when thats done with I can get down to business.
Please don’t stop this comic if you still have ideas, it is amazing.
There’s about 30 more pages that will finish the comic, coming in a month or so. Glad you’re enjoying it!
me too
hey levi, do you think you could make an app for the comics you create, such as this one? my iPod gets better connection than my computer
thats a great idea if i had something with ios i would totally buy it.. a pdf dl of the whole comic once you get done would be really convenient too
There will definitely be a PDF version once it’s finished.
awesome! cant wait to see it finished
Goody, My art teacher doesn’t think that your work is “art”
Yeah, you get used to close-minded people very quickly. Everybody has their own definition of what ‘art’ means – all that maters to me is that your heart is in it.
hey levi, i have an idea! you said your next comic might take place between halo 2 and 3, so make one about the sangheili-Jiralhanae war. i kind of want this becaus i think it takes place around high charity, which i have a sudden interest in.
A regular marine squad would kick ass. No enhancements, no ODST’s. Just the plain old UNSC ****ing navy ****ing marines.
This is awesome! I hope to see a new one soon, although it worries me there hasn’t been one yet.
I’m working on an update that will be 30 pages long, all at once, and finish the story.
Hey Levi, I’m starting my comic as I type this, I’ll include a special thanks to you on wherever I post it. Thanks for all the inspiration and help. Can’t think of a name for it yet so I’ll get to work.
Crap, I get down to doing a cover image, then realise, I can’t draw the frigate I am intending to feature heavily in the comic. Bugger. However I’m working on a solution to that problem. In the meantime I’ll have to work on stuff that I can draw.
Sweet! That’s good news! Any chance you’ll do one of these again? I know it takes a lot of work though. I absolutely wish that you were hired to do all of the halo comics.
I’m working on trying to make that sort of job happen.
Until then, Halo will always be on my brain in some facet, and I can hear the rumblings of future projects. They may not all be comics though…. 
May not all be comics…… WHAT!!! Come on, you can’t leave us fan boys hanging like that. Please…… give us something!!!!!
By the way, can’t wait to see what happens to june!
I meant Jun, sorry
I figured.
And sorry, I don’t want to announce any other projects until I’ve finished this one!
*Happy Face*
did whatshisname get banned again?
Nevermind, wrong halo web comic
my bad
I want to see what happens to Jun so bad…!!!!!!!!!! Please hurry Levi, time is short………………
Levi, will the final 30 pages flashback to Noble Team any or will they all center around present day with Jun and Halsey?
You’ll have to wait and see.
Are we still looking at the end of july-first of august for the final post?
Probably be mid-august at the moment. Still working on illustrating a comic for a writer, called Anubis. http://www.facebook.com/Anubis.Comic
Hi Leviathan! May I use your superintendent pic for my Youtube account? That image is so incredibly amazing because of its colours and contrast! P.S: if you’re planning to make another one, please tell me: I like that kind of picture!
Keep up the great work!
Go head. Though you should know, I use it for my Twitter, DeviantArt and more as my avatar. If I get a substantial Youtube account, I may use it there as well.
Thank you!
I told you I’d still be watching! Haha, I last commented on page thirty six? Which was back in April, I think. Been awhile. But you’ve still got the pages rolling. Congratulations on still being awesome! I love Menachite mountain. Got a great new wallpaper now.
Play any SOTC yet? haha
Every new poster has to be approved by me before their posts show up. I believe you must have used a different email or changed some detail and so the system believed you were new here and thus your post didn’t show up till I told it to do so.
I’m glad you’re liking the latest pages. I’m working on more as we speak.
No Colossus yet. Don’t have any money or time to spare at the moment. But it’s definitely on the list.
Ah, I see. I was getting frustrated that they weren’t appearing. But thanks. :3
So yeap! You’re awesome, please stay awesome, aaaaaand I shall be watching. Talk again in a few months!
My comic has taken a backseat so I can focus on my Machinima. I may do a machinima version of your comic, (with permission of course) once AWOL gets finished, episode one is close to done, I just need to record the clips and voices then get my editor to add effects. I’ll let you know when it’s done.
Me: Has you uploaded?
Leviathan: http://urgay.forum.cheatengine.org/files/cool_face_746.jpg_185.png
Me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65808408@N03/5999785441/
Hey Lev, I love your work… you also inspired me to make a square SI XD
Hah, awesome! But we’re running out of geometry!!!!
That is awesome!
;D
Is this going to be available in the physical world, or must I only enjoy it in the simulated reality of the internet?
At the moment, only the internet. But there will be a printed version auctioned off for charity at some point.
The issue is, since this is fan art, I can’t legally charge for it, and I would need to to fund a printing.
I know you got tons a people bugging you… but how’s the new stuff coming along? I’ve been reading since right after your last update, you said a month… been a month! My brother and I are eagerly looking forward to the conclusion! I check your page everyday…
Can’t wait!
Sorry to keep you waiting! I’m working full steam ahead on it now, though. It will at at least be a couple more weeks. Hopefully it will be worth it.
That’s wonderful to hear!! I can’t wait, so excited!!
Levi, is there any way you could give us 3-5 pages to satiate our unforgiving apetites until you can finish the final 25 pages…?
“And before you answer, remember……. we all love you from the bottom of our hearts. ” Oh no, did I just say that out loud?
After some consideration, I think I may indeed release 4 pages a little early than the rest, so as to give a taste of what’s to come and get readers used to the direction this final act is taking. But I still want to get a really good headstart on the rest before posting those 4.
I quite literally squealed out loud with glee. Post soon! I honestly and truly check this page everyday.
Leviathan, I’m happy to hear that your giving it your all for the final pages.
Really wish Bungie/343i would make this official cos it rocks!
Also, would you kindly give me your opinion on a concept I’m working on for fan-fiction?
“Dead Man’s Hunt.”
The Humans & Elites are training a joint combat unit. Proof that they are still allies after the Human-Covenant War. A unit made up of elites and Spartan III’s, in the wake of their victory over the Prophets & the Brutes at Installation 00, “The Ark”.
Led by Rtas ‘Vadum, they send a team into a former Covenant Loyalist region of space. A chance to show the various races of the universe that the Humans & the Elites can forge friendship from bloodshed. Pegasi.
The team find a Covenant Loyalist rally point, possibly the last remnants of the once mighty army that devastated humanity. Yet the team and the Loyalists are not alone in the ruins of Pegasi.
Something is hunting down both sides. Something from the team’s past that will haunt the future of their uneasy alliance with the Elites. The ghosts of Pegasi have descended, for this is Dead Man’s Hunt.
Sounds pretty good.
Are they new generations of Spartan IIIs or secret-survivors like Noble Team? Might be something to think about. But I like the idea of a Spartan visiting one of their defeats – sort of an inverse of The Return short story.
The Spartan III’s in my fan-fic are from several groups/squads that survived. Even members from another fan-fic story I’m working on, about a particular Spartan who uses a katana instead of guns. It’s the last piece from his past and his skill with it unmatched. Would be classed as Hyper Lethal like 117/B312 if he was better with long range weapons.
Glad you liked the premise, Leviathan. Pegasi was a hollow victory for the Spartans, for the loss of nearly a whole company, while it was a devastating defeat for the Elites when they were loyal to the Covenant.
Also putting in a small section that shows the fate of Sadie’s story from ODST. Always wanted to bring the lesser known cast back into the story. Might possibly make a reference to the Uprising comic with the singer.
Spooky.
sigh…was hoping to see some more…xD
I mades a Pentagon!
Hah, nice! I like this trend.
How do I get my own? Want one to be a hexagon or preferably a heptagon, any idea how?
someone needs to make a dodecahedron superintendent
i have read your comments on how you like to bridge things that have never been touched. By any chance would you be showing us the forerunner crystal that was inside of castle base or would you show Dr.Halsey leaving reach while it is being glassed…. i know that i am asking for a spoiler but i would rly like to know. Btw nice website
This story will not continue into First Strike territory, but when it’s over you may notice something…. special.
I can honestly say, that I consiter this to be cannon, it is simply too perfect not to be.