{"id":26913,"date":"2016-05-31T06:53:03","date_gmt":"2016-05-31T11:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=26913"},"modified":"2016-05-31T06:53:03","modified_gmt":"2016-05-31T11:53:03","slug":"canon-fodder-driving-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=26913","title":{"rendered":"Canon Fodder: Driving Force"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BY\u00a0GRIMBROTHER ONE
\nISSUE 77<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Greetings, story-seekers! Welcome back to another lovingly crafted edition of your favorite fiction feature.\u00a0This week, we\u2019ve got even more Hog Wild lore-lovin\u2019 on tap, as well as a virtual sit-down with a new name in the Halo story stable, John Jackson Miller. Intrigued? Then by all means, read on, friends!FARAWAY FICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"cfjjm-4d17c775273c42f2a521307d7ed5b3b5\"<\/p>\n

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Over the past couple of issues, we\u2019ve shed some light on a couple of exciting new story sources for Halo fans coming up later this year \u2013\u00a0Halo: Fractures<\/em>, a new short-story anthology, and\u00a0Halo: Tales from Slipspace<\/em>, the aforementioned graphic novel collection. Both books include some particularly intriguing new names within the Halo writers realm, and over the next few months we thought it might be fun to get to know a few of them a bit better in order to whet community appetites. Keen-eyed Canon Fodder followers might likely have noticed why Mr. John Jackson Miller made a logical first choice to start off these familiarization exercises, as he\u2019s written stories for\u00a0both\u00a0<\/em>upcoming products. Using the power of the internet, I sat down with the tri-monickered man to get an idea about where he\u2019s been, and what makes him excited about leaving his own mark on the Halo universe.<\/p>\n

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GRIM: So, you may be new to Halo, but definitely not to science fiction. Rumor has it that you\u2019ve written some words for at least a few, you know, relatively obscure sci-fi franchises. Something about \u201cboldly going\u201d and this thing called \u201cthe Force,\u201d whatever that means. Tell us about some of your sci-fi street cred!<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Jackson Miller<\/strong>: I\u2019m a comics fan, science fiction fan, and gamer \u2014 both electronic and tabletop \u2014 from way back. I got my break into the business editing magazines like Comics Buyer\u2019s Guide and Scrye: The Guide to Collectible Card Games \u2014 which led to my moving to the other side of the camera, so to speak. In comics, I wrote Iron Man for Marvel, which led to my writing for Star Wars; I\u2019ve written more than 75 Star Wars comics, including the entire\u00a0Knights of the Old Republic<\/em>\u00a0series, which is now available digitally and in collections again from Marvel. I was able to work not just on the Star Wars comics, but also games \u2014 writing for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game \u2014 and then, finally, novels. My Kenobi novel led to my writing\u00a0Star Wars: A New Dawn<\/em>, the first novel in the Lucasfilm Story Group era of storytelling.<\/p>\n

Along the way I cowrote the first three Mass Effect graphic novels,\u00a0Redemption<\/em>,\u00a0Evolution<\/em>, and\u00a0Invasion<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 and also wrote comics and prose for other franchises including Conan, Simpsons, and Planet of the Apes. Somewhere in there I had time to write\u00a0Overdraft: The Orion Offensive<\/em>, a fun science fiction book in my own universe which I think should have some appeal to Halo fans.<\/p>\n

Finally, yes, I have spent much of the last year in the Beta Quadrant writing Star Trek novels. My first Trek novel,\u00a0Takedown<\/em>, came out last year, and led to my doing my major project for the fall \u2013\u00a0Star Trek: Prey<\/em>, a trilogy of novels releasing in consecutive months: September, October, and November, telling of a crisis that involves the Federation and the Klingon Empire and which spans both the Original Series and Next Generation eras. So I\u2019ve got a lot of frequent-flier light years!<\/p>\n

GRIM: Okay okay, so I guess you seem to know your way around the genre \u2013 also, you\u2019re killing me with the sudden inflation of my sci-fi reading back-log. Now that we know a bit more about what other universes you\u2019ve played in, let\u2019s talk closer to home. What particular aspects of the Halo universe have drawn you in or excited you personally, and are there any aspects that you feel set it apart from other sci-fi franchises that you\u2019ve worked in?<\/strong><\/p>\n

JJM<\/strong>: I\u2019m impressed with the depth of the universe \u2014 how much has clearly been thought through \u2014 as well as a lot of the places it\u2019s gone thematically. There\u2019s enough that\u2019s familiar to give the newcomer a place to jump on board \u2014 but then you\u2019re pretty quickly immersed in a very different world, with a detailed history behind it.<\/p>\n

We actually got the Halo Xbox One bundle at my house last year, and my kids think it\u2019s cool that I\u2019m writing in the universe. They\u2019re much better players than I am!<\/p>\n

GRIM: Hey, if it makes you feel any better, they\u2019re probably much better than\u00a0I am\u00a0<\/em>as well. You spoke of the preexisting \u201cdepth of the universe\u201d in Halo \u2013 much of which is actually found in novels and comics; what is your favorite published Halo story you\u2019ve experienced so far? And no counting your own!<\/strong><\/p>\n

JJM<\/strong>: Greg Bear\u2019s Forerunner Saga was a lot of fun. I had the experience of writing the\u00a0Lost Tribe of the Sith<\/em>\u00a0stories for Star Wars so I know what it\u2019s like to set tales in the distant past, long before the time we\u2019re most familiar with. It\u2019s always interesting to get into the mindset of an alien species, and I think he did a great job.<\/p>\n

GRIM: I think you\u2019d probably find a lot of Halo story fans \u2013 myself included \u2013 agreeing with you there. Now as those fans have recently found out with the announcements of\u00a0Halo: Fractures<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Halo: Tales from Slipspace<\/em>, you\u2019ve found yourself in a unique creative double-dipping, having penned stories for both anthologies. How does the process differ for you when approaching writing a story for a comic\/graphic novel\/visual format vs a more \u201ctraditional\u201d novel-style narrative?<\/strong><\/p>\n

JJM<\/strong>: I did my first \u201cdouble-dip\u201d at Dark Horse as well, when I simultaneously developed the\u00a0Star Wars: Knight Errant<\/em>\u00a0comics series and the novel by the same name for Del Rey; I later did something similar with\u00a0Lost Tribe of the Sith<\/em>. Since I\u2019d been working for Dark Horse for many years and also writing Star Trek for Simon & Schuster, it had been long discussed that I would be part of both anthologies; I\u2019m glad my schedule worked out and that it finally came to pass.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve written lots about the difference between comics and prose, but clearly the biggest is that in comics, we\u2019ve got very talented people doing the artwork, so I\u2019m much more in the role of a screenwriter. In prose, I\u2019m also the cinematographer and art director and set designer and makeup artist \u2014 it\u2019s up to me to paint the picture entirely with words. On the other hand, prose offers the advantage of letting you get into characters\u2019 heads and \u201cthink\u201d more about issues than you might be able to do in comics, where things like thought balloons and narrator captions have pretty much gone away in recent decades. You can dig a lot deeper into ideas that aren\u2019t necessarily visual.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Certainly a very interesting perspective! Speaking of those stories, we\u2019re not giving away any specifics just yet, but what can fans expect from the tales you spun in the Halo universe? Any overarching themes that might tease fans\u2019 tastebuds?<\/strong><\/p>\n

JJM<\/strong>: Whenever I step into a new universe, I tend to go toward stories that are laser-focused on a narrow set of characters and concerns; I did that with both Star Wars and Star Trek when I was getting started. This way I can do a deep dive into the lives and thinking of the characters. I also like the notion of showing what the line officers of the various factions are thinking \u2014 I always like imagining what it\u2019s like living in these worlds if you\u2019re one of the masses.<\/p>\n

The two stories are both different and similar. Different in that they\u2019re set in two different timeframes and involving different species; similar in that they both deal with questions of isolation and duty from the warrior\u2019s point of view. I really like that the setting is so developed that it allows for something like that. There are a lot of options for the storyteller.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Sounds awesome. I know I\u2019m personally excited for fans to get the hands on the stories you\u2019ve told, and am stoked to have you contributing to the universe. Any final words? Where can fans keep up with you and your universe-hopping exploits online?<\/strong><\/p>\n

JJM<\/strong>: Just that I\u2019m happy to have joined the fun. Folks can follow me on Twitter at\u00a0@jjmfaraway<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 and can read more about my other works at my website,\u00a0farwaypress.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> Count me SOLD! I’ll be buying his Halo works. How about you?<\/span><\/p>\n

GRIM: Sounds great. Thanks so much for joining us today!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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PUMA POWERED<\/h2>\n

In\u00a0this week\u2019s Community Update<\/a>, we announced that the Hog Wild REQ Drop will be sliding into your\u00a0Halo 5: Guardians\u00a0<\/em>experience on May 31. Last week we tackled the fiction for the upcoming STINGER Mjolnir variant, as well as the ridiculously cool new Sword Hog. This week, we thought we\u2019d provide some creative context to a few more items arriving in the new REQ Drop. Let\u2019s see what we\u2019ve got!<\/p>\n

\"cfvespinhog-6f27928812ad44e98b6c10ad4c8fdd7a\"<\/p>\n

VESPIN WARTHOG<\/strong><\/p>\n

UNSC expeditionary forces allied with the Arbiter conduct joint patrols to monitor and defend the Sanghelios badlands from Covenant remnants and Created scouts. Named after a particularly deadly pseudo-arachnid<\/strong><\/span> that often lairs in the ancient temple complexes used as staging areas, the Vespin Warthog can deal a deadly defensive sting against any local predator, living or construct. The Vespin M-12 is an improved Warthog with high-acceleration rockets and faster reload time.<\/p>\n

\"cfrallyhog-a4fd2d8376e24ac98c592706ed8e209a\"<\/p>\n

RALLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Extreme racing on New Carthage combines deadly wildlife, rugged terrain, heavy weapons, and insane driving skill. With class victories in both the New Carthage Sprint Series and 24 Hours of Quezon, AMG’s competition division routinely dominates the high-stakes world of interstellar motorsports. An advanced Warthog with heavy armor and greatly increased speed, The #550 Scuderia StarSpeed M-12R, operated by AMG\u2019s most experienced factory team, is an exemplar of heavily modified Rally Warthogs homologated for racing series across multiple systems. Fitted with the latest hydrogen-burning turbines and ceramic applique armor, the Rally Warthog can handle environmental hazards that would leave even mil-spec vehicles as broken wrecks.<\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> For those wondering what ‘homologate’ is (and yes, I had to look it up:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

verb<\/span>\u00a0(used<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0object)<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0homologated,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>homologating.<\/span><\/span><\/header>\n
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1.\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0approve;<\/span>\u00a0confirm<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0ratify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2.\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0register<\/span>\u00a0(a<\/span>\u00a0specific<\/span>\u00a0make<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0automobile<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0general<\/span>production)<\/span>\u00a0so<\/span>\u00a0as<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0make<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0eligible
\n<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0international<\/span>\u00a0racing<\/span>competition.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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HYBRID SCOPE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Covenant have been using smart-link aiming systems for millennia, refining the technology and interlink protocols to near perfection. Though Sangheili display a predilection to iterating on existing designs, some artisans have become fascinated with the possibilities of combining technology refined over centuries in the Covenant with human industrial methods and robotic assembly lines. Among these efforts is a novel reimplementation of the millennia-old Covenant holoscope design pattern used in the Carbine.<\/p>\n

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SOMETHING STINKS<\/h2>\n

In this week\u2019s Community Update, we pulled the curtain back a bit on upcoming\u00a0Halo 5: Guardians<\/em>\u00a0content. In it, a curious message can be found that lore-lovers might want to check out. For the Fodder faithful who tirelessly scour both blogs for every shred of knowledge, we offer an extended bit of inspiring insight. Then again, maybe we\u2019ve just been breathing the wrong gas\u2026<\/p>\n

The horizon is a roiling gyre of smoke and steam. Sizzling plasma arcs across the low clouds, illuminating a twisted nightmare of scorched wreckage strewn across the frozen ground. Seeking shelter, an Unggoy foreman flees from his post, amidst the cackling chatter of a hundred thousand Unggoy hard at work.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, the factories of Balaho are active again!<\/em><\/p>\n

Following their alliance with Cortana and the Created, the Unggoy were granted nearly limitless resources. Ships empty of life but loaded with advanced technology arrived. New agricultural support stations appeared in orbit, awaiting eager workers to feed the desperate masses below. Where chaos had once reigned, stability and\u00a0a semblance of order\u00a0have returned. And something more: a purpose.<\/em><\/p>\n

With their pressing requirements \u2013 food, shelter, medicine \u2013 met, Balaho\u2019s finest designers and crafters have worked day and night, tirelessly building their future. From their factories come clever mechanisms and curious cudgels, manufactured with knowledge the Unggoy secretly learned over centuries of oppression and cruelty. The destiny of the Unggoy is unfolding, and this time, THEY will be the elite! Well, maybe.<\/em><\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> Oh boy….A mass of Unggoy with new found tech? What could possibly go wrong? LOL \u00a0Well, I for one can’t wait to find out!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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And with that, we take our leave of you for now. The next month is going to bring some pretty exciting times for Halo fans, and we hope you\u2019ll join us every step of the way for all the awesome.Until next time\u2026 Live well, play Halo, and remember: we suck as one, we fight as one!
\n-GRIM<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n
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FEATURED UNIVERSE ARTICLE THIS WEEK!<\/strong><\/section>\n

GEK \u2018LHAR
\n<\/a>Gek \u2018Lhar joined Jul \u2018Mdama following the aftermath of the Great Schism. His experience as a ruthless commander helped reform the Covenant.<\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> Poor Gek. He died too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source Link<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint: BY\u00a0GRIMBROTHER ONE ISSUE 77 Greetings, story-seekers! Welcome back to another lovingly crafted edition of your favorite fiction feature.\u00a0This week, we\u2019ve got even more Hog Wild lore-lovin\u2019 on tap, as well as a virtual … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-canon-fodder"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26913"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26923,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26913\/revisions\/26923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}