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Dune: House Atreides Volume One – Review
Dune: House Atreides expands the Dune Universe as we are given a glimpse of both Leto Atreides and Shaddam’s rise to power. Readers who enjoy the political machinations and intricate plots in comics like Monstress and the Game of Thrones comic adaption may enjoy this title as well.
In the far future, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen begins his reign over Arrakis, the only planet in the known universe that produces the Spice Melange. On Arrakis, the planetologist Pardot Kynes begins to unravel the planet’s secrets at the behest of Emperor Elrood Corrino IX. At the same time, Shaddam Corrino IV plots his father’s downfall and his ascension to the Golden Lion Throne. On Caladan, fourteen-year-old Leto Atreides begins a fateful journey as he studies under Dominic Vernius on IX; while on Geidi Prime, an eight-year-old Duncan Idaho dreams of escaping his cruel masters. In this prequel to the beloved sci-fi classic Dune, these five will shape the future of the known universe.
Dune: House Atreides Volume One is published by BOOM! Studios and is available on June 25, 2021.
Dune: House Atreides Volume One – Story
An adaption of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Prelude to Dune novels, Dune: House Atreides is a complex intergalactic political thriller that expands upon the Dune Universe by looking at the origins of characters from the Dune novels.
At the center of the story is the rise to power of both Leto Atreides, father of Dune‘s protagonist Paul, and Shaddam Corrino IV, future Padishah Emperor. The comic creates this interesting parallel between Leto and Shaddam where while Leto faces hardship, he is nurtured into his future role as Duke of House Atreides. In contrast, Shaddam schemes to wrestle control of the Imperium away from his father.
Each of the comics five significant characters are presented as a part of this complex web of interconnected intrigue. Those conflicts revolve around the control of Arrakis, Leto’s training to be the next duke of House Atreides, Shaddam’s desire to usurp his father’s throne, and Earl Dominic Vernius of Ix development of new Meks and Heighliners that skirt the line of the Butlerian Jihad, Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind. While facing their own obstacles they are carefully interwoven into the larger conflict to come. The many pov’s given creates a rich cast of characters to latch onto that range from naive and optimistic to morally ambiguous to pure evil and depravity.
However, while giving us rich characters, the material does feel inaccessible to anyone without an already passing knowledge of the Dune Universe. As it does not hold the reader’s hand throughout its plot and assumes the reader has at least a basic understanding of Dune lore. Shoving you directly into its political intrigue without explaining any of its worldbuilding and lore that it relies on to motivate that plotline. Making it a comic for Dune fans wanting to explore the expanded universe rather than newcomers.
Dune: House Atreides Volume One – Art
Dune: House Atreides has a classic sci-fi design and a rich saturated color palette by colorist Alex Guimarães that brings to life the Dune Universe. Guimarães also uses color palettes in association with particular scenes or people, making the many transitions seamless for the reader. Reds and greens associated with the Harkonnen’s and Giedi Prime, yellows Arrakis, blues and purples with Kaitan and the imperial family, and blues and greens associated with Leto and House Atreides.
While colorist Alex Guimarães work brings to life the Dune Universe with rich colors, artist Dev Pramanik invokes a classic sci-fi feel in his designs. Though updating it for a modern reader with dynamic paneling in action scenes that immerse the reader. The combination of Guimarães colors and Pramanik’s design create a rich reading experience.
Dune: House Atreides Volume One – Conclusion
Dune: House Atreides expands upon the beloved classic sci-fi with its look at the rise to power of Leto Atreides, Shaddam Corrino IV, and Baron Harkonnen to their positions of power that they hold within the original Dune novel. It is a comic series for those already familiar with the Dune Universe looking to delve deeper into their favorite characters. Dune: House Atreides will be a delight for lovers of complex intergalactic political intrigue.
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