Early this year, Boom! Studios launched a new comic book series examining the history of House Harkonnen examining how it became the organization that audiences would eventually go on to know in author Frank Herbet’s timeless science fiction/fantasy novel, Dune and its cinematic counterpart in the form of the new series, Dune: House Harkonnen. Led by the vile Baron Harkonnen, House Harkonnen was a dangerous entity within the Dune universe. Late last month, Boom! Studios culled the series’ first four issues in a new hardcover edition titled Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1. Spanning a total of 112 pages (including the bonus variant covers which will be addressed much later), the recently released collection will appeal to any longtime Dune fans. That is due in large part to its featured story, which will be examined shortly. The artwork that is exhibited across the story’s first four issues adds to the book’s appeal and will be discussed a little later. When it is considered along with the noted bonus variant covers and with the story, the whole herein makes Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1 a presentation that any Dune fan will welcome in his or her home library.
Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1, the first collection of stories from Boom! Studios’ new comic book series, is a presentation that the most devoted fans of the franchise will appreciate. That is proven in part through the four issues that make up its body. The story that spans those four issues is a prequel of sorts. It tells the story of how the evil Barkon Harkonnen became the hated figure audiences came to know in the novel from author Frank Herbert. That includes how he controlled Giedi Prime and how he ended up with the anti-gravity belt he wore and how forces under his control and those opposing House Harkonnen conspired against him and his house. The transitions from one chapter to the next help serve well as breaking points, making it easy to follow what is happening over the course of each issue. Those who know the original story of Dune are sure to remain engaged in this story thanks to those transitions and the very stories within each issue that build the tension throughout the collection. It all works collectively to form a strong foundation for the anthology.
Strengthening the foundation formed by the collection’s story is the artwork exhibited throughout the issues. The design team of illustrator Micheal Shelfer and colorer Patricio Delpeche develops a look throughout the issues that at times harkens back to the look of so many vintage role playing video games at times, and at others, akin to more modern, rough looks from so many comic books and graphic novels. There is even a slight touch of anime influence in some of the designs, what with the angular designs in some scenes and the rich coloring that really enrich the look and feel of specific points. That aesthetic element makes the reading experience all the more engaging. That is especially the case considering that it seems like the noted differing art styles change up not just from issue to issue but within the issues themselves. It is a testament to the work put in by both Shelfer and Delpeche.
While the story and art presented throughout Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1 undeniably do plenty to make this hardcover collection worth reading. They are only part of what makes the collection engaging and entertaining. The addition of the variant covers for each of the collection’s culled issues rounds out its most important elements. It allows readers to have all of those variants in the same place as the story without having to take up extra space in their libraries with the separate titles. It means not having to keep up with those issues, in turn. It really is that proverbial cherry on top. When the addition of those variants as bonus content is considered along with the collection’s primary and secondary content, the whole becomes a presentation that is sure to engage and entertain the noted readers and earn this collection its own place among the best of this year’s new comic book collections.
Boom! Studios’ recently released Dune collection, Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1, is an enjoyable new offering from the famed comics company. It is a collection that is sure to appeal to the most devoted Dune fans. That is due in part to its story, which serves as a prequel of sorts to the original Dune novel and movie. It tells how the evil Baron Harkonnen become the figure audiences have come to know and how forces beyond his control conspired to remove him from control and overthrow House Harkonnen. The artwork that is displayed throughout the collection’s four-issue set is sure to generate its own share of interest among readers because of how it varies from issue to issue and even within each issue. The addition of the issues’ variant covers as bonus content rounds out the book’s most important elements, completing its presentation. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the collection. All things considered they make Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1 a work that the most devoted Dune fans will find appealing.
Dune: House Harkonnen Volume 1 is available now. More information on this and other titles from Boom! Studios is available now at:
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