Dune: House Corrino #8 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 8, November 2024

Considering the sheer speed with which events are concluded inside this final issue of “Dune: House Corrino”, many a fan of Frank Herbert’s “feudal interstellar society” must have felt its Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon probably regretted the decision to cram this comic book adaptation into just eight instalments. Indeed, by the time the thirty-three page periodical draws to an end after a cataclysmic carousel of captures, treacherous murders and nuclear-powered stand-offs, a good percentage of the audience will have already forgotten poor C’Tair Pilru’s noble sacrifice during this publication’s blood-drenched opening; “You served Ix valiantly… I only pray that the Guild heard you.”

Perhaps this tome’s biggest achievement however, is not in how tightly its collaborative writing team close their fists around all the numerous plot threads they previously had dangling throughout this mini-series. But that they still somehow manage to also include an impressive surprise concerning Piter De Vries, following the dastardly Mentat’s ill-fated brush with the formidable Bene Gesserit, Gaius Helen Mohiam. Those bibliophiles familiar with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s servant, will know well the part he has to play in this science fiction franchise’s future narrative. So for the likes of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson to unexpectedly pull the rug out from under their feet is tremendously well done.

Likewise, the way the authors manage to imbue the Padishah Emperor will much of the impotence later seen in the “Analog” magazine serials is impressive. Shaddam IV has appeared throughout this title as a vindictive power-seeker, who despite being “the hereditary ruler of the Imperium” continues to crave more control over his subject’s affairs and wealth. In this comic, all that momentum is skilfully stripped away from him with a single misstep, and arguably leaves the conceited ruler semi-broken, as well as in the debt of the truly all-powerful Spacing Guild.

Sadly, what doesn’t really ring true for this book are some of the pencilled panels by Andrea Scalmazzi, whose rather wooden, stiff-looking figures occasionally detract from what should be a mesmerising battle scene or incredibly tense moment of high drama. This lack of dynamic drawing is particularly noticeable when the Emperor angrily confronts the Spacing Guild over their refusal to allow him to attack the Harkonnen Headquarters on Carthag, and wipe it from the face of Arrakis. Apart from Shaddam IV’s face contorting with visible anger, there’s no atmosphere to the deadly confrontation, and in fact the penciller repeatedly pulls any onlooker away from the grim stand-off by simply sketching exterior shots of the spaceships within which the main players reside.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by Andrea Scalmazzi

Dune: House Corrino #7 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 7, October 2024

To say that this “penultimate issue of the final prequel to Dune” is ferociously paced would arguably be a massive understatement considering the breath-taking speed with which Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's storytelling races through this comic’s thirty-three page count. Sure, some of the sense-shattering scenarios depicted aren’t all that convincingly told, such as the massive Moritani invasion force suddenly being stopped dead in its tracks by a few Atreides fishing boats projecting a false fleet of Caladan’s own spaceships. But such manufactured moments are perhaps forgivable given the sweeping grandeur of the book’s other interplanetary conflicts.

Indeed, this publication’s opening salvo involving both Gurney Halleck and Prince Rhombur spearheading an assault upon the Tleilaxu tyrants on the planet Ix is so large, that many a fan of the science fiction franchise probably felt that the highly anticipated revolt was worthy of an edition all on its own. Certainly, the mass battles between the spice-addled Sardaukar and heavily-armed uprising makes for a gripping read - especially once the vengeful population gains a foothold on their planet’s lower residential levels, and bravely begin forging a route to the Grand Palais; “We blasted open the access points, Duncan Idaho.!”

Just as enthralling however, though understandably much more sedentary and dialogue-driven, is the birth of the Kwisatz Haderach in the Imperial Palace on Kaitain. Everyone who has ever encountered Frank Herbert’s Nebula Award-winning novel from 1965 will know full well that the baby boy is destined to live. And yet, by cleverly having the Duke’s consort surrounded by politically powerful enemies during the child's momentous arrival, the authors are still able to imbue the scene with a healthy dose of tension – largely due to the presence of a highly-deranged Emperor’s wife who arrives armed with a lethal laser scalpel.

Also well worth a mention are the well laid layouts of illustrators Simone Ragazzoni and Francesco Mazzoli, who together pack as many of this comic’s panels with adrenalin-fuelled action as they can muster. The pair are particularly good at giving Rhombur’s rampage through his former home world all the headlong fury an audience would expect from a returning ruler. Whilst the sheer terror pencilled across poor Lady Jessica’s face as she realises her great treachery is about to become known by the Bene Gesserit is truly palpable.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by Simone Ragazzoni with Francesco Mazzoli

Dune: House Corrino #6 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 6, September 2024

It’s probably a bit doubtful that even those fans who are fanatically familiar with Frank Herbert’s “celebrated” epic science fiction franchise will completely get their heads around all this comic’s Machiavellian machinations upon their first read. Indeed, some likely needed to take a break from the thirty-three page book about two thirds of the way through – on account of all the new characters, astonishing plot-twists and disconcerting declarations of war it contains; “I have no time, cousin! There are urgent matters afoot.”

One of the most striking revelations is Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's sudden introduction of the Spacing Guild's incredibly tall agent for all the Spice smuggling taking place on Arrakis. This giant, bald-headed envoy was apparently the treacherous Rondo Tuek’s former contact in the stellar trading conglomerate, and creates such a shocking storm for the lead antagonists that by this publication’s end the Padishah Emperor himself is fully intent on bringing House Harkonnen down upon its knees as a scapegoat for Shaddam IV’s own murderous manoeuvres with tainted Melange.

To make matters even more confusing though, the collaborative authors also pen the mysterious Viscount Moritani inexplicably bypassing Giedi Prime’s supposedly significant security measures so the brutal noble can speak directly to Lord Rabban, and conveniently incite him to invade the Atreides home world of Caladan without any preparation (or even convincing cause) that instant. Disappointingly, this entire conversation comes completely out of nowhere, and arguably smacks of the writers needing some excuse to further up the ante as this prequel approaches it cataclysmic conclusion.

By far this adaption’s biggest problem however, has to be Andrea Scalmazzi stepping (back) in as the comic’s artist. Now, despite being quite a noticeable change when it comes to the mini-series’ visuals, the vast majority of its readers will still readily recognise the likes of primary personalities Count Hasimir Fenring and Earl Rhombur Vernius. But scenes such as those set inside the Harkonnen Headquarters are much more confusing, with Rabban’s surprisingly thin-faced visage only becoming identifiable after he’s been addressed by name. This uncertainty can also be experienced with a number of Duke Leto’s courtiers, such as Thufir Hawat, who debatably appears as little more than a faceless servant until he too is directly addressed by the head of his House.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO" #6 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Corrino #5 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 5, August 2024

There’s arguably something of an uneasy feeling concerning Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s penmanship for Issue Five of “Dune: House Corrino” which smacks of the collaborative partnership simply hurling elements into their overarching narrative to see what successfully sticks. Admittedly, some of these new plot-threads, such as the Bene Gesserit having actually had an operative who aided C’Tair in his early rebellion against the Tleilaxu on Ix, are rather intriguing – especially when Sister Crystane is sent to replace her lost compatriot Miral Alechem. Yet others, like Gurney Halleck conveniently spotting some old smuggler friends aboard a Guild Heighliner, who just also happen to be carrying enough melange to rescue the lost vessel, feel far more forced and unconvincing.

Furthermore, these surprising developments hurl a bevy of new characters at the reader when they’re debatably already snowed under by an incredibly large cast, and resultantly can cause the likes of prominent personalities such as Duncan Idaho, Peter De Vries and Count Hasimir Fenring to get somewhat lost within the script’s ever-swirling morass of humanity. Indeed, early on within the thirty-three page periodical it appears that the comic will be focusing upon Lady Anirul’s discovery that her husband has brokered some “vile plot with the Tleilaxu.” However, this entire storyline then suddenly disappears beneath a wave of competing machinations never to be seen in the publication again.

Quite possibly this book’s biggest bemusement though rests with the aforementioned salvaging of a disorientated Spacing Guild starship, which had been powered by Saddam’s unsuccessfully fabricated spice. Luckily for all concerned, one of the transport’s passengers is Prince Rhombur Vernius of Ix, who despite originally being incognito, happily announces to all that he knows the fast route through the vessel’s giant substructure and security restrictions so as to reach the dying Navigator’s chamber. In addition, the cybernetically-enhanced commuter is also the only person able to physically exist inside D’Murr’s melange-filled cell in order to ascertain what the problem is and determine a solution; “I remind you that I no longer have human lungs.”

So many implausible, manufactured moments featuring an incredibly long roster of different personas may also account for Simone Ragazzoni pencilling the odd unimpressive-looking figure, most notably that of Glossu Rabban, whose gaunt, almost vampiric visage appears far from the physically intimidating “Beast” ordinarily envisaged by fans of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction franchise. The illustrator clearly digs deep into his skillset so as to give everyone something different in their demeanour, facial configuration or dress. But by the time Leto Atreides’ disgraced mother makes an unwelcome return to his throne room, some bibliophiles may well mistake her for simply another in a long line of Bene Gesserit witches, as opposed to the black-gowned murderer of “the Old Duke.”

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by Simone Ragazzoni

Dune: House Corrino #4 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 4, June 2024

Excitingly crammed full of misdirection, treachery and double-dealing, Issue Four of “Dune: House Corrino” certainly should have utterly enthralled any bibliophiles even slightly interested in Frank Herbert’s 1966 Nebula Award-winning novel. In fact, considering this comic contains a disconcerting Face Dancer of the Bene Tleilax, a blatant assassination of House Harkonnen’s ambassador on Kaitain, and the catastrophic crash of a Guild Heighliner, it’ll genuinely be difficult for anyone reading this comic to confidently guess just who will survive its thirty-three page plot, and who will die in a particularly gruesome manner; “I’m afraid you have been demoted. The Baron asked me to keep a special eye on… a particular matter.”

Easily this book’s most tensely penned sequences are those concerning Count Hasimir Fenring, and the evil emissary’s decidedly dodgy dealings on the usurped planet of Ix. The nobleman is quite quickly shown to be up to his neck in deadly intrigue when he participates in replacing some Navigator supply tanks with Master Researcher Ajidica’s inferior artificial spice, and at one point it genuinely appears that Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV’s most highly-trusted agent won’t actually survive the mission.

However, the swift rise to power of Project Amal’s utterly immoral leader is similarly as entertainingly told by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Carefully crafted for the pair’s “Prelude to Dune” prequel trilogy, rather than a character found within the science-fiction franchise’s original 1965 narrative, this master of manipulation debatably dominates every scene in which he appears. Indeed, many a reader will surely take great satisfaction in witnessing the disagreeably smug Hidar Fen Ajidica’s smile finally fade from his arrogant face when the grey-skinned genetic manipulator suddenly realises his experimental Amal won’t be superseding “all spice production from Arrakis” after all.

Somewhat disappointingly though, all these sly “plays for power” aren’t pencilled by mini-series regular artist Simone Ragazzoni, with Andrea Scalmazzi taking over the unenviable task of bringing the co-authors' majestic vision to this ‘pulp’. Fortunately, the new illustrator is clearly perfectly capable of providing the likes of Fenring’s brutal battle for survival against a Face Dancer to pulse-pounding prominence. Yet their sketching style is so disconcertingly different to that of their predecessor that it definitely takes a fair few panels before any onlooker can arguably settle back into the comic’s numerous coups.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO" #4 by Raymond Swanland

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

Dune: House Corrino #2 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 2, April 2024

Neatly bookending this “brand new thirty-three-page, oversized” comic book adaption with a traumatic look at the near-fatal fortunes of Emperor Elrood IX’s bastard son, Tyros Reffa, there’s plenty of political machinations inside Issue Two of “Dune: House Corrino” for any fan of Frank Herbert’s science fiction franchise to enjoy. In fact, there’s so many sub-plots, narcissistic intrigues and diabolical double-dealings contained within this publication that many a bibliophile will probably be hard-pressed to decide just what the narrative’s central storyline actually is; “I must strike fear throughout the great and minor houses of the Landsraad.”

Undoubtedly grabbing a fair amount of ‘screentime’ though, is the “renowned authors” obsession with any and all events transpiring on the seemingly settled Castle Caladan, where for once the Duke of House Atreides appears to be momentarily enjoying his rule. This rather poetically-penned piece concerning the marriage of Prince Rhombur Vernius proves a genuinely heart-warming moment for Leto in an otherwise dark universe, and quite wonderfully contrasts with all the death, destruction and assassinations occurring throughout the rest of the galaxy.

Indeed, despite this comic also catapulting its audience to the Imperial Palace on Kaitan, the Taligari Estate on Zanovar, the Tleilaxu Research Facility on Ix and other less than hospitable worlds under Shaddam IV’s governance, almost everything said and done on these planets appears to somehow link back to Caladan, and the Emperor’s 'out of favour' cousin. So massive a ‘spider-web of schemes’ genuinely proves a mouth-watering experience for any onlooker, with plenty of anticipation slowly being built-up as to just how the Red Duke is going to outmanoeuvre his numerous opponents – when some, such as Lady Anirul, Leto doesn’t even know he’s directly competing against.

What most readers should all agree on however, is just how well House Atreides’ trials and tribulations are pencilled by Simone Ragazzoni, with the “acclaimed artist” from the Power Rangers Universe doing a sterling job in depicting all the explosive catastrophes occurring within this book. Of particular note is the Italian illustrator’s deeply disturbing images of pregnant Ixian women having their wombs unnaturally harvested by Master Ajidica for a more “intense, superior formulation” of his substitute spice – a truly harrowing scene which will most assuredly stay in the mind well after this book has been finished.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO" #2 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Corrino #1 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 1, March 2024

Described by its Los Angeles-based publisher as “unveiling a closer look at the rising conflict between beloved characters and bitter villains”, this first issue of “Dune: House Corrino” is arguably a comic book adaption which will only be understood by bibliophiles already heavily familiar with the science fiction franchise created by Frank Herbert, and later expanded upon by award-winning novelists Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Indeed, without such prior knowledge it's genuinely hard to imagine any reader successfully navigating their way through this thirty-three-page deep-dive into the very heart of the dystopian future’s incredibly complicated universe; “We hatched this plan decades ago, Hasimir, after we tricked father. It has been too long!”

Of course, there are times when the periodical’s authors do attempt to provide any new readers with something of a recap – most notably when Leto Atreides holds a celebratory banquet at Castle Caladan for his now almost completely cybernetic companion, Prince Rhombur Vernius. However, even this update doesn’t provide much in the way of actual detail as to how “the last true Earl of the planet Ix” received such life-changing injuries, nor that it was actually the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen who was ultimately behind the failed assassination attempt which lead to them.

Happily however, probably due to this comic’s substantial size, its narrative does still contain some attractive action-sequences which will surely ‘hook’ those within its audience who are ignorant of the sweeping storyline’s wider context. Foremost of these is probably Duncan Idaho’s mission to destroy a scurrilous Tleilaxu contingent who are deplorably attempting to recover DNA on Beakkal from long-dead war veterans. This attack is both planned and executed with the confines of just the book, and resultantly should provide an enthralling, adrenalin-fuelled act of self-contained defiance by the Red Duke against the disagreeable race of genetic manipulators. Likewise, this eight-part mini-series' pulse-pounding opening involving Stilgar destroying a hidden Harkonnen spice storage facility on Arrakis needs little explanation or build-up.

Perhaps this periodical’s greatest attraction though, lies in the layouts of Simone Ragazzoni. The Italian illustrator does a first-rate job of imbuing all the cast with plenty of emotion and personality, such as Leto's heart-wrenching haunted look whenever he recalls the murder of his infant son, Victor. Whilst he also provides the mechanically-enhanced Rhombur with a fitting and highly memorable (re)introduction, as Doctor Wellington Yueh's rebuilt patient quite literally stomps his way to a triumphant feast in his honour.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO" #1 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #12 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 12, January 2024

Considering that this twenty-two-page periodical is the last instalment to a multi-part mini-series supposedly focusing upon the “heavily industrialised” Great House centred upon Giedi Prime and its floating Baron, Vladimir Harkonnen is noticeably absent from the majority of its interior content. In fact, apart from a nineteen-panel piece depicting the corpulent framed ruler torturing his nephew for cold-bloodedly murdering Abulurd, Issue Twelve of “Dune: House Harkonnen” is arguably much more focused upon a grieving Duke Leto Atreides and the man's desperate gamble that Doctor Wellington Yueh can restore his badly-mutilated friend back from the brink of death using “Suk medical techniques.”

Admittedly, this somewhat slow and distinctly dialogue-driven depiction of Rhombur Vernius' fate does prove rather well-written, with the horribly injured Earl’s devoted wife Tessia receiving some marvellous moments in which her forceful love for her spouse can be brought to the forefront of the story; “All of him is here! All that matters. The rest can be… replaced.” Yet overall the pacing to this comic is painfully slow and oft-times sedentary at best, especially when Leto the Just decides to take the Lady Jessica on a pleasant picnic deep within the lush vegetation of Agamemnon Canyon, and illustrator Michael Shelfer tastefully pencils him spending a blissful afternoon in his concubine’s arms before returning to court for poor little Victor’s heartbreaking funeral.

Sadly, even the shocking demise of Pardot Kynes does little to add any lasting drama to this adaption’s narrative, due to the first Imperial Planetologist of Arrakis being poorly penned angrily arguing with his son beforehand for no discernible reason. And just why the aged agriculturist then decides to stop dead in the middle of a lethal rock-fall to contemplatively pick a handful of fruit whilst those around him are being bludgeoned to death by enormous boulders is arguably any bibliophile’s guess..?

To make matters worse, it’s made clear from the character’s last words that Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson would have their audience believe he was trying to save the bountiful crop from extinction. But surely the bearded visionary could simply have safely obtained new seeds from a wandering trader or well-stocked market elsewhere, and debatably only therefore dies just so the “award-winning novelists” had a reason for his guilt-ridden son, Liet-Kynes, to unconvincingly follow in his dead father’s footsteps by ‘secretly terraforming Arrakis into a temperate planet.’

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN" #12 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #11 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 11, November 2023

There surely can be no denying the truly palatable pace to this “penultimate issue of the stunning prequel series from Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson”. Indeed, the comic is absolutely packed full of assorted deaths, physical mutilations and various characters conducting their blood-thirsty revenge upon perceived enemies. Disappointingly though, such speed in the storytelling also results in this book’s authors making some sizeable leaps of logic or imbuing various cast members with an impassioned loathing which has never arguably raised its head before.

Foremost of these ‘jumps’ comes at the publication’s start, when Liet Kynes is somewhat shockingly shown marrying his recently deceased friend’s wife and promising to raise the dead man’s newborn son as his own. Such abrupt timing debatably smacks of being in very bad taste considering just how horrific poor Warrick’s demise was. However, the audience are not only then asked to celebrate the Fremen’s wedding. But also support his bizarre holier-than-thou hatred of his hapless dad, when the Imperial Planetologist arrives to congratulate his son, and gets a highly irrational mouthful for doing so; “You never understand anything, father. You’re never here.”

Similarly as unconvincing is debatably this tome’s brief visit to the now decimated Swordmaster School on Ginaz, where the surviving warriors realise that they’re going to need every trained soldier available if House Moritani is to be defeated and their honourable way of life restored back to its former glory. Having spent years relying upon the people there for his intense training, and believing Caladan to be in the safe hands of Duke Leto Atreides, Duncan Idaho still strangely decides to turn his back on his friends’ pleas for help, claiming he’s supposedly needed more on the “lush oceanic world” than the pillaged planet. Such a choice appears utterly contrived in view of the catastrophe Ginaz is facing, and makes him out to be a far cry from the ”admirable fighting man” Lady Jessica would go on to call him. 

Perhaps therefore this comic’s soul redemption lies within the enthralling fall from grace (and sanity) of Kailea Vernius. Having effectively lost both her son and brother to her own evil machinations, the concubine is superbly pencilled by artist Michael Shelfer utterly losing her marbles with those confederates around her. Indeed, armed with a vicious-looking blade and completely psychopathic, the only surprise is probably just how few people she hacks to death before taking her own life.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer

Dune: House Harkonnen #10 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 10, October 2023

Largely focusing upon Leto Atreides and his discontent with the incredibly unreasonable Kailea Vernius, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s penmanship certainly should have captivated the attention of any bibliophile even remotely interested in this science-fiction franchise about ‘noble houses controlling planetary fiefs.’ True, the creative partnership’s twenty-two-page plot does occasionally stray a little far away from the captivating political tension between the two former lovers, such as when Baron Vladimar Harkonnen strangely decides to stick an infant Feyd-Rautha right in front of a Laza Tiger and becomes upset that the baby is positively petrified at the beast’s angry roar. But it soon returns to the Duke’s misery and the reader’s sickening realisation that his concubine means to assassinate him rather than lose out to another woman.

Indeed, this truly horrible betrayal is really rather well-penned as it arguably sneaks up upon the audience, even whilst Caladan’s leader is still desperately attempting to seek some reconciliation with the mother of his son, by having the walls of his palace installed with blue obsidian. Such endearing devotion on behalf of “Leto the Just” makes the moment Rhombur’s sister decides to actually kill the person responsible for rescuing her from a life of slavery, all the more impactive – especially when it comes straight after the news that Earl Dominic has been slain by the Sardaukar and the slim possibility of her turning back to the Duke for comfort in her grief; “My father is dead. I have given up everything in this life!”

Sitting alongside this devious ‘scheme of destruction and death’ is the less successful subplot of Duncan Idaho and his fellow Swordmasters of Ginaz being abducted by a boatload of grumpy Grumman. Just how warriors who are supposedly superior to even the “elite military force of the Padishah Emperor” are so easily captured by a blow to the head from a cut-throat is far from convincing. However, to make matters even more contrived, rather than murder their bound prisoners for supposedly slapping “our Viscount in the face by expelling the students”, prodigious penciller Michael Shelfer is tasked to depict the pirates releasing the detainees whilst at sea, and unsurprisingly then watch as some simply dive into the safety of the surrounding water.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer

Dune: House Harkonnen #9 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 9, September 2023

It’s arguably hard not to shake a sense of sloppiness with the storytelling inside Issue Nine of “Dune: House Harkonnen”, as numerous plot-threads appear to be resolved with no obvious impact upon this mini-series’ overarching narrative, and new ones created which seem to lack much in the way of compelling logic. In fact, many a fan of Frank Herbert’s original science fiction novel from the Sixties, may well have been left wondering in just what direction this comic was now heading, considering that it ends with a bizarre mixture of death, treachery, and sheer stupidity; “I tried everything else. Ambassador to the Landsraad, appeals to the Emperor. No one will free Ix. The only message I have left is destruction.”

To begin with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson disconcertingly depict Abulurd Harkonnen simply accepting the kidnapping of his son Feyd by Glossu Rabban, and deciding to live a life “of calm acceptance” alongside the Bifrost Eyrie’s Burgomaster. Such cowardly acquiescence is incredibly hard to accept considering that the man is supposedly the planet’s governor. But is then debatably made all the worse when he irrationally thinks redistributing his brother’s horde of stolen spice “to the poor” won’t attract the Baron’s hideous wrath once again.

Just as poorly penned is probably the tragic death of poor Warrick, who having been skinned alive by a sudden sandstorm, is suddenly pencilled by incoming artist Michael Shelfer attempting to be the first male to ever transform the deadly water of life. Initially, this madness appears to stem from “the blood-brother of Liet Kynes” believing he’s seen the vision of the Lisan Al-Gaib. However, according to his dying declaration it seems clear he knew it would just kill him, and resultantly begs the question just why the Fremen knowingly drank the poisonous blue liquid in the first place..?

Similarly as head-scratching is Dominic Vernius' highly illogical decision to suddenly throw caution to the wind after years of building-up his smuggling empire, and trust the perfidious Rondo Tuek to aid him in a reckless attack upon the second capital of the Corrino Empire with atomics. Considering the inter-planetary scale of the former Earl's covert operations it is difficult to imagine him needing to ask an untrustworthy water merchant for help acquiring a space worthy, unmarked hauler. Yet this uncharacteristic lack of judgement is precisely what he does, and it unsurprisingly costs him his life.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN" #9 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #8 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 8, August 2023

For those bibliophiles able to navigate this bemusing mass of people, places, and intervals, Issue Eight of “Dune: House Harkonnen” probably provided them with a number of noteworthy moments; not least of which is the sheer outrage felt when Glossu Rabban travels to Tula Fjord on Lankiveil and abducts his baby brother from the very arms of his parents. Indeed, alongside the dramatic facial disfigurement of poor Warrick at the hands of a terrifying, flesh-stripping sandstorm, this scene should genuinely have its readers wringing their hands in frustration at the injustice of the futuristic “feudal interstellar society.”

Sadly however, the ‘set up’ to these harrowing scenes, as well as those depicted on Salusa Secundus, Ix and Ginaz, are debatably far from convincing - especially as authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson repeatedly push the narrative on for months at a time simply through someone clumsily stating, “It has been a year!” since they last did something.

Foremost of these ‘leaps of logic’ surely has to be Abulurd’s utterly bizarre decision to suddenly renounce his House’s name before the Landsraad Council and simply be a Sirdar Governor. This resolve supposedly stems from a desire to peacefully live with his wife and newborn son away from his family’s misguided and sinister political ambitions. But unsurprisingly results in a furious Vladimir Harkonnen seeking retribution directly against him as the Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles (CHOAM) demand that the Baron explain to them why his brother has suddenly done this.

Similarly as frustrating though has to be the convenient ability of Ixian resistance fighter C’Tair to cobble together a transmitter which “takes advantage of my mental link” with his sibling-turned-navigator. This technological contrivance is the beginning of an entire domino line of happy happenstances which visual artist Fran Galan is forced to proficiently pencil, as the “artificially super-evolved human” D’Murr fortuitously finds that renegade nobleman Dominic Vernius is incredibly stowed aboard the very interstellar guild heighliner he pilots, and can thus covertly divert the spacefaring vessel back to Ix where “an unmarked, undetectable ship” will take the Earl down to the heavily occupied planet completely unnoticed; “I know a thousand hidden ways to my underground city.”

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, Illustrated by: Fran Galan, and Coloured by: Patricio Delpeche

Dune: House Harkonnen #7 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 7, July 2023

Taking a somewhat more measured approach to their storytelling than the frantic dash through numerous people, places, planets, and proceedings of this mini-series’ previous instalments, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s script for Issue Seven of “Dune: House Harkonnen” should have maintained the interest of many within its audience upon its release in July 2023. True, the twenty-two-page periodical still slightly suffers with its authors' attempt to absolutely cram as many different politically-based shenanigans as they can within its cover. But the fact that the reader can now ponder upon the various events for a good score of panels every time, at least allows the characters and incidents upon Arrakis, Geidi Prime and Ginaz to increasingly generate an aura of intrigue and excitement.

Foremost of these insights into the “feudal interstellar society” is arguably Gurney Halleck’s decidedly dangerous attempt to escape imprisonment in the Harkonnen slave pits by inciting his savage guards to beat him close to death, and then using his stay at the prison hospital to stow himself away inside an off-world bound cargo of razor-sharp crystals. Well-paced and packed with plenty of tense moments as the unbroken bondsman risks all for his liberty, the talented minstrel’s plight should cause the odd bibliophile to actually hold their breath in case the noise gives the character away to his brutal overlords.

Similarly as heart-stopping and overwrought are the actions of the Ixian rebellion, as they desperately smuggle in weapons and a message from Prince Rhombur Vernius - the planet’s rightful ruler. Again the writers do a tremendous job in making even the most innocuous of daily tasks on the occupied sphere super-edgy, with every citizen encountered suspected of either being a loyalist saboteur or a Tleilaxu spy.

Undeniably the biggest contributor to this comic’s success though has to be the pencilling of Fran Galan, who quite beautifully imbues this publication’s incredibly numerous cast with as much dynamic emotion as a figure upon a printed page can muster. Whether it be Liet’s utter heartbreak at losing the woman he loved to his best friend and departing to “be alone with his thoughts”, or Duke Leto Atreides’ desperate attempt to reconcile with his long-time concubine only to find Kailea more hostile towards him than ever, the illustrator does a fantastic job in bringing each and every character to vibrant life.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN" #7 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #6 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 6, June 2023

Whilst there should be little doubt that “award-winning novelists Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson expand upon “the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune” with their storyline for this twenty-two-page periodical. The comic book adaption’s frequent time jumps from planet to planet, and then back again, must surely have baffled all but the most committed fans of the best-selling, distant future interstellar franchise; “A year and a half since I was thrown into this slave pit.”

Foremost of these continuum conundrums is arguably that surrounding the events taking place inside Castle Caladan. The publication’s narrative has potentially already been moved on by eighteen months following its opening scenes set upon Arrakis. However, Jessica states she has only been assigned to Leto Atreides for six weeks since she was first introduced to the great house, and resultantly is “still learning the household, the people, the relationships.” However, Kailea then later accuses the Red Duke of having an affair with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s daughter at some point during the past couple of years, so it’s debatably difficult to say when this important argument actually occurs in relation to the Bene Gesserit’s aforementioned earlier sequence and the surrounding events depicted upon other worlds. 

Of course, considering just how many characters within this comic’s considerably sized cast repeatedly mention events moving on ‘a year and a half’, the writers could well have simply pushed everything within this book forward for that span simultaneously. But if so then it has been clumsily implemented, as at Lankiveil the audience are shown Rabban mercilessly destroying the settlement’s reconstruction some four months after its inhabitants first started its repairs, before being hurled the obligatory eighteen months into the future, and are then pushed a further eight weeks forwards to see Lord Abulurd’s wife announce her surprising pregnancy.

Perhaps therefore the sole success of this mini-series’ sixth instalment lies within the layouts of Fran Galan, whose consistently prodigious pencilling at least manages to gel everything together into a harmonious looking feast for the eyes. The freelance illustrator is particularly good at depicting each figure’s emotions on their faces, with Leto’s angry and utterly exhausted looks at the ever-antagonistic mother of his child telling the audience everything it needs to know about his feelings for the infuriating woman.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN" #6 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #5 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 5, May 2023

Having started this comic with a fast-paced opening involving young Gurney Halleck staging "a tense rescue mission” inside a depraved Pleasure House on Giedi Prime, it is hard not to imagine some within this book’s audience becoming a little despondent at the somewhat sedentary storytelling which then follows. Sure, the subsequent seemingly inescapable fate of little Victor Atreides to fall before the charge of a gigantic Elecran should definitely grab all but the most cold-hearted of bibliophiles by the throat, especially when the tiny boy's bodyguards declare their inability to protect the first son of Caladan’s duke from so deadly a sea mammal. Yet even this devastatingly dramatic near miss is quickly engulfed by the co-authors’ determination to cram in as many other locations, personalities, and dialogue-driven predicaments as the twenty-two-page periodical will allow.

Furthermore, there arguably seems to be some distinctly dodgy characterisation taking place where “Leto the Just” and Earl Dominic Vernius are concerned. Many readers will doubtless acknowledge that “the Red Duke” is very wise to be suspicious of the Reverend Mother Mohiam’s motives when she suddenly visits him bearing “a trained Bene Gesserit to serve in your household.” However, the ordinarily cordial and considerate ruler debatably acts more like a paranoid Baron Harkonnen during this meeting, by savagely grabbing his unarmed “gift” around the neck and threatening to cold-bloodedly stab her in the throat with a hand-dagger. Likewise, it is difficult to imagine the “hero of the Ecazi Revolt” making small talk with a couple of Fremen traders who have inadvertently stumbled upon the fugitive’s hidden headquarters deep within the South Polar Zone on Arrakis, when the former war hero’s beloved wife was cold-bloodedly gunned down following a similar indiscretion.

Quite possibly adding to this disconcerting avalanche of figures and affairs from Frank Herbert’s “feudal interstellar society” is artist Fran Galan, who frustratingly appears as just another in an increasingly protracted line of contributing illustrators for this mini-series. Slightly stiff when it comes to drawing the physical movement of this comic’s considerable cast, the Spaniard’s proficient pencilling itself is not really the problem though. But rather his ‘take’ on the appearance of certain individuals, which will doubtless cause some fans to initially rely upon this publication’s text to inform them as to just who it is being depicted in the panels – most notably Gurney, who repeatedly seems to either age or rejuvenate his looks depending upon what activity the “talented minstrel” is sketched performing.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN" #5 by Raymond Swanland

Dune: House Harkonnen #4 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 4, April 2023

Despite somewhat disconcertingly setting this “newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint” some eighteen months after the events depicted in its previous instalment, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative for Issue Four of “Dune: House Harkonnen” still provides its readers with a thoroughly engrossing sequence of jostling sub-plots. In fact, considering the sheer number of characters the co-authors commendably cram into this twenty-two-page publication, its storyline is still incredibly enthralling, especially once Baron Vladimir Harkonnen manages to infiltrate House Atreides with “an operative who fits the particulars exactly” and cleverly starts pitting Lady Kailea against her dearest Duke Leto.

This traitor’s villainous influence genuinely should turn many of this comic’s audience against the exiled member of the Great House Vernius in an astonishingly short space of time, so by the end of the book the refugee’s unreasonably antagonistic attitude towards the father of her infant son seems on the verge of being treasonable. Furthermore, this particular thread allows the storytellers to make another considerable time jump into the future, by showing just how changed the now vindictive concubine has become over the space of two years since her close companion’s arrival at Caladan’s spaceport; “Why are you always angry with me? You’ve changed so much since Victor was born. You’re not the woman I fell in love with…” 

Enjoyably however, this hotbed of political intrigue is also repeatedly interrupted with several much more dynamically paced insights into Herbert’s Hugo Award-winning universe as the reader is temporarily transported to the likes of Carthag on Arrakis and Geidi Prime. Such ‘detours’ do a good job in breaking up the dialogue-heavy discussions which are putting such a heavy strain upon Leto’s relationship, and occasionally get so blood-thirsty that it may come as something of a relief to some bibliophiles when the tale’s focus returns to its far less gore-splattered scenes.

Artist Michael Shelfer must also take a well-deserved bow for his contribution to this comic’s success. The illustrator proves particularly good at imbuing a blossoming Kailea with all the glow one might expect from an expectant mother and then later adding a visible hardness to her beauty once her mind is turned against her lover. In addition, the pencilling (and colours by Patricio Delpeche) for the layouts set on Lankiveil when Glossu Rabba brutally butchers a number of fur whales single-handedly is as darkly dramatic as the majestic beasts’ mutilation is disturbingly memorable.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer

BRZRKR #12 - BOOM! Studios

BRZRKR No. 12, March 2023

Considering that this “epic conclusion to the ground-breaking original series” is a staggering fifty pages in length, it’s doubtful many within this comic’s audience will be particularly impressed with what they read. True, this book’s opening certainly holds true to its publisher’s promise of the nefarious Caldwell facing off against the titular character in a frantically-paced showdown. But by the time Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt’s script purportedly provides a horrific-looking demise to Diana Ahuja’s treacherous boss at the hands of the cosmically-powered Doctor herself, many a bibliophile will arguably be wondering just where on Earth the rest of his hefty tome is going to take them.

Disappointingly, the answer is seemingly a somewhat sedentary journey towards ‘sequel-land’, where the creative team slowly put in place all the elements needed to establish a follow-up storyline, rather than focus on actually explaining just what happened somewhere in the middle of a Saudi Arabian desert. Indeed, rather than try to explain just how the immortal warrior suddenly becomes corporeal, or why the US Government’s physician is somehow able to utilise extra-terrestrial-based energy waves, this publication instead starts to tell a tale with elements potentially taken straight from the pages of Kenneth Johnson’s screenplay for the 1984 American television show “V: The Final Battle” - such as Diana miraculously giving birth to a baby girl who exhibits both superhuman powers and physically matures at an accelerated rate.

Perhaps this plot’s saving grace therefore lies with the tremendous sense of betrayal generated by this comic’s handling of the ‘powers that be.’ Having declared their overall scheme to cajole Unute into helping them make contact with his creator a success – “mostly”, the authorities cold-bloodedly decide to eliminate all witnesses to their mission, including the now vulnerable Berserker himself. Such treachery really does strike home just how untrustworthy the American administration have become, particularly when handler Jim Keever readily accepts the order to shoot the man who previously saved his own life during a botched military assignment; “I’m sorry son. It’s been an honour.” 

Ultimately, a vast amount of the storytelling inside Issue Twelve of “BRZRKR” rests upon the shoulders of Ron Garney, who unquestionably excels when it comes to pencilling the almost bestial nature of the insanely savage close combat fighting Diana’s ultimate survival entails. However, even the Inkwell Award-nominee appears to struggle to make his panels interesting as this over-sized tome plods ever onwards, most notably towards its end when the American artist has to repeatedly sketch each of its considerably-sized cast stoically standing alone as they look up towards an uncertain future.

Written by: Keanu Reeves & Matt Kindt, Illustrated by: Ron Garney, and Coloured by: Bill Crabtree

Dune: House Harkonnen #3 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 3, March 2023

Focusing primarily upon Giedi Prime’s bloated Baron and the increasingly debilitated leader’s battle of wills against the Bene Gesserit following his discovery that the ‘witches’ infected him with a degenerative disease, Issue Three of “Dune: House Harkonnen probably pleased the vast majority of its readers. Sure, it’s not entirely evident from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s penmanship just what the “secretive matriarchal order” hoped to achieve by initially inviting their enemy into the Mother School on Wallach IX and then scaring Vladimir away before the man had even spoken to Harishka. But at least by the end of the ‘game’ it is clear neither side would ever be willing to openly speak out against the other faction to either the Landsraad or Emperor.

Just as beguiling as this uneasy stalemate is Duncan Idaho’s training “to be the legendary fighter he’s destined to become” by the Ginaz Swordmasters. Arguably it would have been all too easy for the two writers to have presented the “Killer extraordinary” as an unstoppable trainee who excelled at every hurdle placed in his way by his teachers. However, despite some significant successes, the youth is shown to still learn from his defeats as well, such as when he’s made to don the most impenetrable armour imaginable and still falls before the blades of his fellow apprentices; “The hawk is safer from the attack than the turtle.”

Rounding out this twenty-two page periodical is the desperate uprising on Ix in the underground city of Vernii. Somehow crammed in between this comic book adaption’s central plots, the plight of poor C’tair Pilru makes for a good reminder as to just how terrifyingly deadly Herbert’s future universe actually is, especially when the Sardaukar dispense with an elderly “accountant for the Earl Dominic Vernius” by lashing his upside down corpse to a stone column with barbed wire for all to see.

Also aiding in the storytelling is artist Michael Shelfer, whose attention to minor details, such as unfriendly eyes of the Ginaz Swordsmasters, helps add plenty of additional atmosphere to the publication’s vast array of locations. Perhaps foremost of these touches though lies in the Florida-born illustrator’s pencilling of Baron Harkonnen, who genuinely seems to be disheartened by his worsening physical plight, and Rhombur’s “new Bene Gesserit concubine” who is cleverly shown close to her partner’s side when he makes the bold decision to “do something to liberate my people!”

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer

Dune: House Harkonnen #2 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN No. 2, February 2023

Despite whisking its audience on a truly head-spinning journey from Kaitain’s Imperial Capital down to “the underground city of Vernaii on the planet Ix" and beyond, there’s still some opportunity to enjoy Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s storyline for Issue Two of “Dune: House Harkonnen whenever the collaborative partnership’s plot lingers just long enough at a single location. In fact, one of this publication’s most pulse-pounding moments comes when the tale momentarily focuses upon the former “home of House Vernius” and depicts a Sardaukar patrol flushing out “a nest of traitors!”

Arguably this comic’s biggest draw though comes with Vladimir Harkonnen’s discovery that his increasing weight gain and physical lethargy stems from him being poisoned by the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. The tense atmosphere during the Baron’s examination by a Suk Doctor of the Inner Circle can be cut with a knife, and the planetary governor’s angry reaction to learning the Bene Gesserit has infected him with “an incurable degenerative disease” definitely does not bode well for the future Imperial Truthsayer. 

However, not every scene is quite so enthrallingly penned, with this book’s dramatic cliff-hanger set on the icy waters of Lankiveil debatably proving both highly unlikely and incredibly contrived. Admittedly, this sequence’s opening shot of Abulurd Harkonnen’s sea-faring vessel chasing down a pod of fur whales during a snowstorm is pretty exhilaratingly penned. But then the authors have the Baron’s out of favour half-brother spot the one fake iceberg in an ocean teeming with real ones simply so he can subsequently uncover an illegal secret sash of melange, which despite its covert nature is helpfully stored within large containers adorned with his Great House’s instantly recognisable griffin motiff.

Persevering through all this political intrigue and interplanetary space-hopping are the proficient pencils of Michael Shelfer, which do a good job of packing each and every panel with as much dynamic energy as the illustrator can presumably muster. Of particular note is the artist’s ability to imbue this comic’s extensive cast with plenty of emotional facial expressions, such as Vladimir’s aforementioned furious response to his debilitating fate, as well as the Padishah Emperor’s utter exasperation at the Tleilaxu’s unsuccessful research into a synthetic spice.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer