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