Dune: House Atreides #12 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 12, December 2021

Bringing their twelve-issue long comic book adaption to an end, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative for this twenty-two page periodical undeniably brings some semblance of resolution to the trials and tribulations of Duke Leto Atreides. But whilst the young ruler of Caladan succeeds in protesting his innocence before the great Landsradd Court on Kaitain, courtesy of a personal plea by the upcoming Padishah Emperor himself, the vast majority of this publication disconcertingly seems much more concerned with laying down the groundwork for the collaborative authors’ subsequent printed chronicles rather than even partially resolving the numerous character-arcs of this particular storyline’s sizeable cast.

Perhaps the biggest of these disappointments is the notion that Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is never once suspected of being behind the mysterious destruction of a Tleilaxu ship aboard a heighliner, despite the fact that his animosity towards the Atreides is apparently well-known to the numerous noble houses of the distant future. If Leto himself wasn’t behind the surprise attack, and Thufir Hawat is convinced of this despite all the crime’s physical evidence suggesting otherwise, then surely the famed Mentat and Master of Assassins would quickly deduce just who would be manipulating the events so as to destroy his duke; “We were supposed to start a war that would wipe out both House Atreides and the Tleilaxu! It failed entirely -- and now that pup is seen as a hero!”

Likewise, debatably out of no-where, the audience discovers that both Hasimir Fenring and Earl Dominic are unconvincingly destined to set up a base of operations upon Arrakis so as to further their own personal ends. Just why Crown Prince Shaddam would exile his former friend upon Dune as its Imperial Spice Observer is never explained, nor how the “harsh desert planet” seemingly still has water enough to create large ice caves within which the outlawed Vernius Family can house their fighters and atomics for a surprise attack upon the treacherous Emperor..?

Happily however, what Issue Twelve of “Dune: House Atreides” debatably lacks in satisfying resolutions, it does make up for with some eye-pleasing pencils. Dev Pramanik’s layouts for the Tleilaxu wheeling their torture device into the court-room and enthusiastically declaring their intention to “drain every drop of his blood” if they succeed in their prosecution of Leto are tremendously well-drawn, as is the determination upon Dominic's grim visage to have his revenge upon the murderers of his beloved wife, when the embittered Earl visits her final resting place on Bela Tegeuse.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #12 by Evan Cagle

Dune: House Atreides #11 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 11, October 2021

Arguably feeling more like a modern day courtroom drama rather than a futuristic space romp, Issue Eleven of “Dune: House Atreides” certainly should still delight fans of “the world's best-selling science fiction novel” with its superbly-penned mixture of political intrigue, double-crossing dealings and high-stake games of bold-faced bluff. Indeed, despite this comic’s lack of action-packed adventures, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s storytelling still provides an incredibly enthralling experience of life in the far distant future where Vladimir Harkonnen is absolutely desperate to see Leto Atreides be tortured following the young Duke’s imminent trial by forfeiture.

Foremost of these tantalising hooks is probably the incredible lengths Crown Prince Shaddam undertakes when faced with the possibility that his support for Project Amal will be revealed to the entire Landsraad during Leto’s tribunal. The soon-to-be Emperor’s evident fear at such a revelation is fascinating to watch, especially when he savagely turns upon his most trusted Mentat political tactician, Hasimir Fenring, for daring to suggest the Imperium blackmails the Great Houses into simply acquitting Duke Atreides; “I have not even been crowned, and this could threaten my rule. How ham-handed! And you did this without consulting me?”

Similarly as well-delivered is the duplicity of the Tleilaxu, who for once are seemingly unaware that it is they who are actually being ‘played’ in a much larger game. Determined to seek justice for the apparent unprovoked attack upon their delegation by House Atreides, the treacherous Hidar Fen Ajidica not only somewhat patronisingly manages to defy Shaddam’s order to drop his allegation against Leto with some mere well-placed words. But subsequently arranges for a pair of shape-changing assassins to unsuccessfully attack the defenceless prisoner in his cell, and resultantly causes even more chaos for "the youngest son of the 80th Padishah Emperor Elrood Corrino IX" to somehow quietly contain.

Fortunately, all of these ‘behind closed doors’ dealings are well-illustrated by Dev Pramanik (with Mariano Taibo). The Indian artist does a particularly good job in pencilling the facial expressions of “the newly crowned” Atreides during his incarceration on Kaitain, as both the evidence seems to slowly stack up against his claim of complete innocence, and his shrewd intuition helps him make full use of some surprising support from the Bene Gesserit.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #11 by Evan Cagle

Dune: House Atreides #10 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 10, September 2021

It is difficult not to recollect the Space Guild Navigator’s line from David Lynch’s 1984 science fiction film “Dune” that “I see plans within plans” whilst reading Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative for Issue Ten of “Dune: House Atreides”. For whilst the twenty-two page periodical also includes a few scenes depicting the social niceties of life inside both Castle Caladan and the Imperial Palace on Katain, it predominantly focuses upon the Machiavellian machinations of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the soon-to-be crowned Padishah Emperor and the superbly sinister Bene Gesserit.

Indeed, coupled with the aspirations of young Duncan Idaho to suddenly rise from his position as stable boy to become a Swordmaster from the Weapon School of Ginaz, Duke Leto Atreides’ dangerous determination to see House Vernius restored back to its full glory at the Imperial Court, and Liet Kynes’ planet-wide plans for the future of life on Arrakis, some within this comic’s audience may well start to experience their head spinning as to just which character is trying to manipulate whom under what circumstances; “Therefore we must use all the tricks and influence of the Bene Gesserit to make sure that Duke Leto survives for our Kwisatz Haderach Breeding Program.”

Happily however, such a richly thick goulash of plots and sub-plots doesn’t stop this book from being a thoroughly enthralling experience, especially when the Harkonnens actually initiate their scheme to create a devastatingly destructive war between the treacherous Tleilaxu and honourable Atreides, only to find the newly ensconced “Red Duke” is already willing to disobey Guild laws and regulations in order to save his people. This shockingly serious breach of galactic etiquette takes the Baron by complete surprise, and bodes intriguingly well for the reader in the future, as it becomes abundantly clear that no matter how well laid out a conspiracy’s preparations may be, the end result may not be as ‘written in stone’ as the plotters might hope. 

Also adding plenty of foreboding, atmospheric tension to this tale with his pencilling and occasional eye-wincing depiction of death, is Dev Pramanik (with Mariano Taibo). The Indian illustrator is arguably at his best when sketching the skulking Harkonnens prematurely patting themselves on the back in the dingy blackness of Giedi Prime at the cleverness of their undetectable space-fighter. But the artist additionally does a great job in suggesting the sheer scale of a heighliner’s horrendously large hold, packed full of “frigates, cargo shuttles, and passenger craft.”

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #10 by Evan Cagle

Dune: House Atreides #9 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 9, August 2021

Considering just how enthrallingly impactive this publication’s opening is, as the newly ‘crowned’ Duke Leto Atreides presides over the investigation into his father’s tragic death, it is in some ways a pity that this comic book adaption’s narrative soon shifts its attention away from Caladan and transports its audience to the likes of Ix and the Spacing Guild’s central planet instead. Indeed, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s ability to project the emotionally tense atmosphere within the young nobleman’s courtroom is so palpable that an entire edition dedicated solely to Thufir Hawat’s initial findings, young Duncan Idaho's passionate recollection of his multiple warnings concerning the killer bull's temperament, and the subsequent interrogation of the Stablemaster would arguably have proved no chore at all.

Somewhat disappointingly though, that is not how the plot to Issue Nine of “Dune: House Atreides” plays out, as this twenty-two page periodical also follows the exploits of the son of the Ixian Ambassador to the Imperial Capital, C’Tair, the death of Elrood IX, and the murderous machinations of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Of course, all of these insights into the lavishly large universe of "the world's best-selling science fiction novel" are important, as they each chapter revolves around the dead Padishah Emperor’s plan to secretly support the Tleilaxu in “an ambitious research project to create a cheap and plentiful artificial form of the spice Melange.” But some bibliophiles’ minds will debatably still be distractedly racing from the revelation that Paulus was clearly murdered and that his cold-hearted wife is implicated in the despicable deed; “Mother, you will be silent, or I’ll have the guards evict you from the hall and lock you in one of the towers. I am the Duke.”

Ably aiding this comic’s storytelling are Dev Pramanik and Mariano Taibo’s layouts, which together do a proficient job in portraying the duplicitous political posturing occurring upon both Kaitain and Giedi Prime. However, it is the pencilling of Leto’s increasingly sombre mood which really catches the eye, as this book’s Indian artist really manages to imbue the somewhat thin, diminutive figure sat upon his father’s great throne with all the haunted looks a reader might expect from one so young being suddenly thrust into the limelight of the Landsraad and proclaimed “Head of a Great House.”

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #9 by Evan Cagle

Dune: House Atreides #8 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 8, June 2021

Arguably best capturing this comic book’s audience with its exhilarating coverage of the Old Duke Atreides’ commemorative ‘corrida de toros’ in the Plaza de Torres, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative for Issue Eight of “Dune: House Atreides” does a simply splendid job of illustrating just how dangerous a universe the distant future can be whilst Mankind is under the waning grip of the Padishah Emperor Elrood IX. For whilst the novel adaption provides a glimmer of hope in the shape of planetologist Pardot Kynes’ new-born Fremen child on Arrakis, the twenty-two page periodical’s plot predominantly dwells upon the somewhat sudden and certainly savage deaths of two central characters – Leto’s dangerously generous father, and the recently declared renegade, Lady Shando Vernius.

Foremost of these killings has to be the shocking demise of Minotauros at the cataclysmic conclusion to the last of his famous bullfights. The suggestion that something foul may well occur during the contest is hinted at by this publication’s creative team much earlier when a young “Duncan Idaho has a bad feeling about the upcoming celebration at Castle Atreides.” But such doubts as whether or not to be worried about the planet’s charismatic leader debatably don’t truly manifest themselves until the increasingly fatigued Duke himself starts to question just why his nerve toxin-tipped banderillas are having absolutely no effect upon the red-eyed, steaming beast who is angrily trying to gore him to death. 

Slightly less impactive, though probably much more heart-breaking on account of the elderly noblewoman’s last thoughts dwelling upon her desire to once again be reunited with her much beloved husband, is the cold-blooded execution of the “former [favourite] concubine of the eightieth Padishah Emperor.” Much of this mini-series’ violence and political manoeuvring can indirectly be laid at the feet of this woman, courtesy of Shando’s decision to marry Dominic Vernius after leaving the service of the Emperor, and Elrood’s resultant festering jealousy. However, artist Dev Pramanik pencils such a traumatic death scene for the lady, mercilessly gunned down midway through the act of romantically reminiscing, that only the most black-hearted bibliophile would feel she was in some way responsible for the total collapse of her family’s household.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by Dev Pramanik & Mariano Taibo

Dune: House Atreides #7 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 7, May 2021

There’s an almost palpable sense of urgency to simply getting the story told with Issue Six of “Dune: House Atreides”, which rather seems to be at odds with some of the complicated and emotionally important issues the comic’s script covers. In fact, the sheer contrast between this twenty-two page periodical’s various plots, ranging from a pair of adolescent boys immaturely laughing at the destruction of their sailing craft on Caladan, through to the horrific sexual assault of Gaius Helen Mohiam, debatably marks out this particular instalment to Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel adaption as simply being ‘thrown together’, rather than a well-paced, self-contained chapter of the Prelude to Dune prequel trilogy.

Much of this haste is arguably on show during the comic’s opening quarter, when its readers are subjected to little more than a summary of events involving Pardot Kynes’ successful acceptance into the Fremen on Arrakis. The young planetologist is not only suddenly married to the sister of Stilgar without any exploration as to how the bearded scientist managed to find true love amongst the sand banks, but is also inexplicably now supported by the senior tribesman who had previously arranged for him to be assassinated; “As I promised Umma Kynes, I… I will relinquish my role as Naib. You have been shown to be our prophet.” Just what the Padishah Empire’s liaison agent has actually done so as to accomplish such strong feelings remains utterly unclear, as is the motivation behind why his new-found allies are so willing to install “my devices in the most remote parts of the desert.”

Leading straight on from this whirlwind tour of Fremen life is the disconcertingly detailed depiction of Mohiam’s aforementioned rape by Vladimir Harkonnen on Giedi Prime. This shocking scene is so traumatising that the comic’s publishers actually have a warning as to its explicitness stamped inside the book’s cover, and even go so far as to highlight the National Sexual Assault Hotline for those readers who want “more information on how to prevent and report acts of sexual assault”. Such a responsible attitude to an utterly reprehensible crime by “BOOM! Studios” is extremely laudable, but also debatably begs the question as to why illustrator Dev Pramanik couldn’t have been tasked to pencil more of Kynes’ adventures on Arrakis rather than provide so detailed a depiction of the Baron’s attack that the artist even goes so far as to actually sketch the release of the “virulent pathogens” latently stored within the Bene Gesserit’s polynucleotide chain during the couple’s disagreeable intercourse.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #7 by Evan Cagle

Dune: House Atreides #6 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 6, April 2021

Almost obsessed with a detailed depiction of the savage events occurring inside the “embattled city of Vernii” on Ix, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s collaborative narrative for Issue Six of “Dune: House Atreides” provides this long-running adaption with arguably its most action-packed instalment yet. Indeed, the sheer sense of scintillating pace which emanates from Earl Dominic’s desperate attempt to hold back a veritable sea of savage Suboids from washing over his beloved civilisation must have had many of this comic’s readers wondering just how the ruler’s guest, Leto Atreides, was ever going to survive such utter carnage in order to eventually father the Kwisatz Haderach.

Enjoyably though, this twenty-two page periodical doesn’t simply hurl dynamic set piece after set piece at its audience ad nauseam either, but rather cleverly interrupts the insanity taking place upon “the ninth planet in the star system Alkalurops” with some similarly intriguing political machinations occurring within the Imperial Throne Room on Kaitain. Ambassador Cammar Pilru’s passionate pleas to the Padishah Emperor for help were always going to fall upon death ears considering that the treacherous Elrood is actually the mastermind behind the Ix workers’ rebellion. However, that doesn’t stop the dying ruler’s theatrical performance in front of his subjects from being any less gripping; “Interesting. But the Imperial Throne cannot be bothered with mere internal unrest… Oh dear, Ambassador. You are being overly dramatic.”

Just as well done is this publication’s ability to swiftly inject a bit of personality into some of the unexpected revolt’s lesser known combatants so as to better personalise the impact which the Emperor’s barbaric treachery is having upon the population. This extra attention to detail is most markedly seen with C’Tair Pilru, son of the Ixian Emissary to Kaitain, who is unluckily trapped amidst the ruins of his once elegantly-crafted capital, and quickly made aware that his “beautiful city” is now under the ever-tightening control of the Sardaukar-supported Tleilaxu.

Finally, this comic is also noteworthy for Dev Pramanik’s sumptuously coloured artwork and lavishly pencilled representations of the sheer slaughter taking place on Ix. It quickly becomes clear that despite their technology’s superiority, Dominic’s forces are being brutally beaten back by both the religious furore of their slaves, as well as through sheer weight of numbers, and the Indian illustrator does a cracking job of imbuing the Earl’s people with the necessary incredulity when facing such an unthinkably overwhelming defeat.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #6 by Evan Eagle

Dune: House Atreides #5 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 5, March 2021

Despite predominantly focusing upon the exploits of Pardot Kynes and his desire to understand all that there is to know about the deadly Fremen, as well as young Leto Atreides’ harrowing flight through a rebellion-torn Ix, this twenty-two page periodical must still have proved something of a disconcertingly sedentary reading experience for many within its audience upon its release. For whilst this comic book adaption’s narrative does eventually portray a treacherous attempt upon the lives of both the Imperial Planetologist and the eventual ruler of Caladan, these somewhat exciting events don’t actually occur until the publication’s pedestrian plot is already two-thirds spent.

Regrettably, up until this point, all Issue Five of “Dune: House Atreides” provides its fans is a series of seemingly endless panels featuring lots of dialogue, plenty of political manoeuvring, and a fair amount of cordial greetings. Indeed, those bibliophiles more inclined towards dynamic action than conversational set-pieces might argue that much of what occurs before Uliet makes his unsuccessful assassination attempt upon Kynes, could easily have been truncated or even removed without this comic’s story-telling being even slightly impinged upon; “Will the old vulture never die? Why is it taking so long? You gave him the poison a month ago!”

Happily however, once “the revolt brewing on Ix” does take hold, then this book’s pace picks up considerably, and its debatably quite easy to imagine the horror unfolding before Leto’s eyes as his escape car flies through the city’s underground tunnels. Aghast at the carnage unfolding around him, the courageous young man’s commentary as to the destructive events taking place around him are enthralling, especially once it becomes clear that this well-planned insurrection isn’t the sole work of the Suboids, but rather Tleilaxu engineers who want to take the planet for themselves.

Adding enormously to this frenzy of death and demolition are Dev Pramanik’s layouts, which do an extraordinarily good job of depicting the combination of revulsion and excitement in Atreides’ face as he squashes it up against his automobile’s window to better see the barbaric frenzy unfolding before him. The Indian artist genuinely seems to capture the sheer chaotic rapidity of the revolution and its unhinged violence with his pencilling, as well as generate the ‘zip’ of the Ix car as it flies through a maze of sprawling channels in its desperation to convey its passengers to some semblance of safety.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #5 by Evan Eagle

Dune: House Atreides #4 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 4, January 2021

Neatly bookended by the increasingly tense exploits of Duncan Idaho on the Harkonnen Homeworld of Giedi Prime, as well as containing an abundance of misadventures featuring this comic book adaption’s considerably-sized cast in between, Issue Four of “Dune: House Atreides” certainly seems to pack an awful lot of action within its twenty-two page count. Indeed, with the odd notable exception, such as when Reverend Mother Gaius Mohiam’s unpleasant impregnation by the Baron in his bedchamber is secretly spied upon, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative arguably doesn’t let up, even when it follows young Leto Atreides’ romantic wanderings deep underground during his naïve endeavour to better understand the cave-dwelling existence of Ix’s supposedly sub-human labour force.  

Leading this charge of sense-shattering storytelling is Rabban’s aforementioned unsuccessful pursuit of young Idaho and the fleeing youth’s remarkable ability to momentarily turn the table upon his hunters with something as simple as a forest clearing and a well-used hand-light. However, this furious dash across “the third planet orbiting the star Ophiuchi B” isn’t the only time this publication should have its audience gasping in anticipation, with the likes of Pardot Kynes partially forming an uneasy alliance with the Freman and an adolescent Atreides facing off against a rather sinister looking Ixian Training Mek providing plenty of dynamic entertainment too; “Aggressive, enthusiastic, but sloppy. Very little control.”

Somewhat less pulse-pounding, though equally as intriguing, is this periodical’s perusal of Crown Prince Shaddam and his ill-advised plot to overthrow the Emperor Elrood with the help of Count Hasimir Fenring. It seems pretty clear straight from the start that the self-righteous heir’s plan to somehow synthesise the spice Melange is not going to end well. Yet the princeling’s impatience to sit upon the Golden Lion throne and no longer have to accede to the Spacing Guild’s monopoly still makes this somewhat sedentary plot-thread incredibly enthralling, especially when it’s revealed Shaddam will have to deal with a mysterious Tleilaxu researcher in order to achieve his goal.

Perhaps therefore this comic’s sole disappointment lies in some of Dev Pramanik’s erratic pencilling, which seems particularly poor when depicting Fenring at the Imperial Observatory on Kaitan. Wide-eyed with a toothy grin, Shaddam’s maternal cousin and his curly hair debatably doesn’t withstand much scrutiny, appearing perturbingly rushed when compared to the Indian artist’s ability to imbue the likes of Duncan and Leto with substantial speed during their respective dashes for freedom.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #4 by Lorenzo De Felici

Dune: House Atreides #3 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 3, December 2020

Somewhat disconcertingly a comic of five distinctive parts, this twenty-two page periodical’s flow is repeatedly truncated by the book simply providing a short-lived awareness as to the ‘goings-on’ at one specific location before suddenly upending its readers and depositing them upon another planet entirely. True, such siloed storytelling does mean that Issue Three of “Dune: House Atreides” contains a handful of dramatic cliff-hangers with which to ensnare its audience for future instalments. But it also strongly suggests that this particular mini-series is probably much more suited to being enjoyed as a complete trade paperback, rather than the lengthy, twelve-part episodic format “BOOM! Studios” have decided to present it in for now.

Luckily, each compartmentalised insight is still extremely well-penned by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, and definitely holds the attention, whether the perusing bibliophile be a fan of House Harkonnen, Pardot Kynes, Duncan Idaho or Leto Atriedes. Indeed, arguably every leading cast member is very well-served within this comic, as the writing duo appear to go to great lengths to award them both plenty of limelight and some quite noticeable character development; “The Sisterhood has issued their instructions. And I must obey… You must impregnate me. Rest assured, this will not be pleasant for either of us.”

Foremost of these moments is that involving the future Swordmaster of the Ginaz, and his harrowing efforts to escape being fatally recaptured by his Harkonnen captors on Giedi Prime. Armed only with “a knife, hand-light, [and] a few metres of rope”, the recently orphaned adolescent demonstrates all of the fighting savvy he will become famous for in Frank Herbert’s original 1965 novel by painfully removing his tracker implant from his back and using it as bait for a particularly nasty trap. Wonderfully pencilled by Dev Pramanik, there’s a palpable vulnerability to this sequence’s early panels, which soon hardens into deadly determination once the boy resolves to stand and fight, rather than give Glossu Rabban the pulse-pounding pursuit “The Beast” desires.

Likewise, the Imperial Planetologist on Arrakis is similarly well-served by the authors and comic book artist during his data collection in the vast open desert. Initially seeming utterly occupied by his job to discover how life somehow manages to survive on the supposedly waterless world, Kynes suddenly demonstrates a surprising savagery when the ‘scholar’ shockingly takes sides with an outnumbered group of Fremen against a band of Harkonnen thugs, and literally guts a handful of the barbaric antagonists with his blade before they even know what has hit them.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Dev Pramanik

Dune: House Atreides #2 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 2, November 2020

Somewhat strangely focusing upon House Harkonnen rather than its titular family, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s storyline for Issue Two of “Dune: House Atreides” must nonetheless have provided its fans with a healthy dose of exciting endangerment and enthralling intrigue. In fact, arguably the highlight of this “newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint” is the detailed depiction of Rabban’s frightening attempt to bring down one of the mighty sandworms on Arrakis, rather than the comic’s somewhat matter-of-fact portrayal of young Leto slowly making planet fall on Ix; “We have delivered your belongings here. The shuttle will take you to the surface. We thank House Atreides for your patronage…”

However, for those within this book’s audience more interested in the wider political scope of the science fiction franchise, the collaborative pair’s script rather agreeably still manages to crowbar a tantalising taste of the Bene Gesserit Mother School of Wallach IX, in between Pardot Kynes’ attempt to show some polite veneration towards Vladimir Harkonnen at the Baron’s headquarters, and Duncan Idaho’s desperate attempt to flee from the slave pits on Giedi Prime. Furthermore, Reverend Mother Anirul’s evident delight at the ancient order’s attempt to create the Kwisatz Haderach is especially well-penned, with the woman positively beaming at her brethren over a scroll containing a complicated family-tree, when she announces that a Harkonnen daughter will mean the universal super-being is only a generation or two away from being born.

Likewise, this twenty-two page periodical’s cliff-hanger is similarly as beguiling, with illustrator Dev Pramanik pencilling a well-paced surprise for any bibliophiles unfamiliar with “the eponymous prequel novel” upon which this mini-series is based. It is easy to imagine the internal emotional struggle taking place within the adolescent Leto as he experiences a mixture of homesickness for Caladan and excitement for his new adventures on the mysterious industrial planet of Ix. So when his journey from the sterile atmosphere of a Spacing Guild Heighliner supposedly deposits “the guest of Earl Dominic Vernius” at his final destination, the stunned surprise and fear on the lad’s well-drawn face should actually cause many readers to actually hear a distinctive crack in his voice as he gives a distraught cry for assistance.

The regular cover art of "DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES" #2 by Jae Lee & June Chung

Dune: House Atreides #1 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES No. 1, October 2020

As official prequels go to Nebula Award-winning novels, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s narrative for Issue One of “Dune: House Atreides” most likely pleased the vast majority of the science fiction franchise’s fanbase in October 2020, with its intriguing combination of familiar figures in their apparent prime and the introduction of several fresh, innovative characters. Indeed, having been only briefly mentioned “in the appendices of the original Dune” this twenty-two periodical provides a fascinating insight into the Kaitain courtroom of Padishah Emperor Elrood Corrino IX, and his dealings with the likes of Imperial Planetologist Pardot Kynes and the much less likeable Earl Dominic Vernius of Ix.

However, such a successful amalgamation of the old with the new isn’t simply limited to the capital world of the Imperium. But is actually used to treat this comic’s audience to some fascinating foretastes of the events upon both Arrakis and Caladan as well, with an adolescent Leto Atreides debatably seizing the lion’s share of the spotlight as his daily duties at the theatre, Castle Caladan and the Colosseum-like Plaza de Toros are documented in detail; “One of my grand bullfights! Something the people will never forget! It is the old-fashioned extravaganza you deserve, Leto.”

Interestingly though, it is arguably this publication’s opening sequence, focusing upon the Baron Harkonnen’s exploits on a certain desert planet, which prove the most memorable, as the newly appointed Siridar Governor inspects his men’s collection process of the spice Melange. Packed full of the grandiose machinery such a large scale mining operation would require, this visit is made all the more impactive when the site is struck by a cataclysmic chemical reaction that threatens to bring Vladimir’s planetary reign to an abrupt end if not for the quick-thinking and piloting skills of Kryubi.

Ably assisting this comic’s collaborative writing team in their story-telling are Dev Pramanik’s layouts and Alex Guimaraes’ colours. The Indian artist’s pencils do a fantastic job of depicting the sheer size of “the known universe” which Frank Herbert created. Whilst the Brazilian’s choice of palettes for the different homeworlds provides each fiefdom with its own unique atmosphere, especially Kaitain with all its regal purples and royal turquoise.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by: Dev Pramanik