Although the Dune movie was moved to 2021, the books, comics, and games continue to be released on schedule. Next up is Dune: The Graphic Novel and we have an extended preview. Frank Herbert’s bestselling science-fiction novel Dune, originally published in 1965, is now receiving a “definitive graphic novel treatment”. Corresponding with the three parts of the classic novel, this adaptation will be split into three full-length graphic novels, with ‘Book 1: Dune’ coming out November 24, 2020 (Abrams Comicarts). Scripts are being written by Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert’s son, and Kevin J. Anderson and illustrations are by Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín.
In the first eight pages shown below, the noble House Atreides are completing final preparations to leave their home world Caladan, after having been decreed to relocate to Arrakis. On that bleak desert world, also known as Dune, they will take over production of ‘the spice’, the most valuable commodity in the Imperium. Before departure, Paul Atreides, the young ducal heir, must face the agony of the Gom Jabbar test, a key scene that was also depicted in the first trailer of the upcoming Dune movie (2021).
Update (Nov 19): As part of an interview with writers Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, The Hollywood Reporter has shared another set of preview pages. In this scene the Atreides, recently arrived on their new home planet, meet Liet Kynes. The planetary ecologist wields commanding authority on Arrakis, both as an agent for the Emperor and an influential leader among the indigenous Fremen people.
In addition to the pages from the two scenes above, Abrams Books have shared a sampler containing a foreword, by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, and a 13-page preview from later in the first graphic novel (which will be 176 pages). Paul Atreides, Duke Leto, and Gurney Halleck venture out into the Arrakis deserts for the first time, guided by Liet Kynes, the Imperial planetologist. Far from civilization, they will meet the gargantuan, prehistoric creatures that reside beneath the sands of the barren planet.
Official synopsis:
Dune, Frank Herbert’s epic science-fiction masterpiece set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar society, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a powerful, fantastical tale that takes an unprecedented look into our universe, and is transformed by the graphic novel format. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s adaptation retains the integrity of the original novel, and Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín’s magnificent illustrations, along with cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz, bring the book to life for a new generation of readers.
Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1 is available now, in both hardcover and eBook formats.
For more on Dune books and comics, read our first review of Dune: The Duke of Caladan, a novel set in the year before Dune, and a preview of the Dune: House Atreides comic, a prequel series that goes back 35 years to tell the story of the previous generation.
Source: Abrams Books, Publishers Weekly via Calvin Reid, The Hollywood Reporter via Graeme McMillan
