Coming to toy shelves: 'Halo 3' line by McFarlane

With the announcement that Microsoft's upcoming Halo 3-branded Xbox 360 controllers will feature art by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, it seemed only a matter of time before McFarlane Toys officially took the wraps off a full toy line based on the sci-fi shooter.

On Monday, the company did just that, announcing a licensing agreement with Microsoft that should have Halo 3 toys on shelves by spring 2008.

McFarlane Toys' foray into the Halo universe will result in five action figures and three vehicles. In addition to the iconic Master Chief (who will sport more than 18 points of articulation), the action figure roster includes a brute chieftain, a jackal sniper, a two-pack of grunts, and the holographic guide Cortana (with light-up action, naturally).

Credit: McFarlane Toys

A prototype of the Master Chief toy.

The figures will retain a semblance of scale, with the grunts standing 3.5 inches tall, and the 6-inch brute chieftain towering over the rest of the toys.

As for the vehicles, McFarlane Toys is releasing replicas of the Warthog, the Ghost and the debuting single-wheeled Brute Chopper. Each vehicle will measure 3 inches in length and be made from die-cast metal and plastic.

Halo follows the events of an intergalactic war between the last surviving members of the human race and a collection of alien races known as The Covenant. The first title in the series, Halo: Combat Evolved, was the flagship title for Microsoft's Xbox video game console when it was released in 2001.

McFarlane Toys is no stranger to the world of games. Previously, the company has released lines based on Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Soul Calibur II, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny and Ultima Online: Lord Blackthorn's Revenge.

Brendan Sinclair reported for GameSpot.