BOOM! Studios has shared new preview pages for Dune: House Harkonnen #1, transporting us to two planets brutally governed by the Harkonnens; their homeworld Giedi Prime and fief Arrakis. Set several decades before events of the original Dune, this prequel comic book series continues the stories of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and Duke Leto Atreides, as well as presenting origins of multiple fan-favorite characters. The first issue (of 12) will be published on January 18, 2023.
For this adaptation, the Dune universe is visually brought to life by artist Michael Shelfer and colorist Patricio Delpeche. Authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are writing the comic scripts, based on the second book of their Prelude to Dune trilogy. As this is a continuation, it’s recommended that readers start with Dune: House Atreides.
Like other Dune comic books from BOOM! Studios, Dune: House Harkonnen #1 has multiple variant covers. You can check out five of those pieces of art in last year’s announcement. Since then, Nimit Malavia’s variant cover has also been revealed, featuring Pardot Kynes and his son Liet in the deep desert of Arrakis. The latter is twelve years old as this story begins.
The opening pages (including two revealed earlier) take place in the rundown agricultural zone of Giedi Prime, where a young Gurney Halleck ineffectually attempts to stand up to the cruelty of its Harkonnen rulers. His provocation serve only to escalate the situation.
Then it’s time to return to Arrakis, where Pardot—Imperial planetologist and Fremen prophet—and Liet Kynes brave a Coriolis storm, all in the name of scientific research. Next stop is a banquet at the Arrakeen Residency, Count Hasimir Fenring’s base of operations in his post as official Imperial Observer.
The official synopsis for this comic book series reads as follows:
Fans will gain insight into how the early years of iconic figures Gurney Halleck, Lady Jessica, and Liet Kynes had their future shaped by the complex and brutal machinations of House Harkonnen!
What difficult choices will tear Leto Atreides apart as Baron Harkonnen plots against not just House Atreides, but the Bene Gesserit and the Emperor himself?
Dune: House Harkonnen #1 arrives in stores on January 18, 2023. Print editions are sold at local comic book shops or, at a later date, the BOOM! Studios webstore (currently closed ahead of its relaunch). Digital versions are now available on comiXology / Kindle and other online stores.
