Dune: House Corrino #3 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 3, May 2024

Rather neatly encapsulating Tyros Reffa’s unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Shaddam Corrino IV at the Imperial Opera House on Kaitain, this thirty-three-page periodical definitely seems to expand upon “the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune.” Sure, the oversized comic book also contains quite a considerable number of sub-plots as well, perhaps most notably the Sisterhood's attempt to eradicate any trace of Chobyn’s incredible invisible spacecraft. But many of these ‘side hustles’ should probably be seen as resultant ripples emanating out from the explosive exploits of the Emperor’s half-brother and his Jongleur troupe of actors; “This changes everything! I’m not the only son! I’m not the only hope for House Vernius.”

Intriguingly however, it is perhaps the Fremen’s truly frightful attack upon Rondo Tuek which will linger most in the audience’s minds, especially once they see just how horrifically Stilgar punishes the treacherous Arrakeen merchant. Physically mutilated, possibly beyond recognition, the fiend is left deaf, blind, dumb and handless by the vengeful descendants of Zensunni Wanderers – surely a fate far worse than actual death..?

Much more palatable and easier on the stomach are the authors’ insights into Lady Jessica’s stay at the Imperial Palace, and her respectfully polite relationship with Empress Anirul. Desperately guarding the secret that she is pregnant with Duke Leto Atreides’ son, as opposed to the daughter she was instructed to give birth to by her Reverend Mother, the bronze-haired Bene Gesserit still appears to embrace all the idyllic opulence surrounding her with a child’s voracious appetite, and many a bibliophile surely won’t be able to stop themselves being utterly enchanted by her meeting with the adolescent Princess Irulan.

Undeniably enabling Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson to so entertainingly tell this particular instalment of their comic book adaption is “acclaimed artist” Simone Ragazzoni, whose lavish pencilling really brings all the publication’s considerable cast to animated life. Of particular note is the previously mentioned stealthy infiltration of Tuek’s mansion, where its arguably possible to actually hear the water splashing from poor Rondo’s sacrilegious ornamental fountains, as well as the man’s disconcerting unanswered gurgles as the merciless Fremen’s blades do their savage work in the dead of night.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO" #3 by Raymond Swanland