The House Harkonnen, of the Dune universe, will be receiving the prequel treatment in a new 12-issue limited series from BOOM! Studios. The House Harkonnen antagonizes Paul Atreides and his family in Frank Herbert’s classic novel Dune, setting into motion a chain of events that will change galactic history and Dune: House Harkonnen will give readers the best look yet at the Baron and his family, and how they impacted others. The series will be written by Brian Herbert (son of Frank) and Kevin J. Anderson, adapting their novel first published in 2000. The first issue goes on sale in January 2023.
Frank Herbert’s Dune is one of the most influential novels in science fiction history, and echoes of it can be found in movies such as Star Wars. The novel, first published in 1965, is epic in scope, telling the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family is sent to the distant desert world of Arrakis, at the request of the Galactic Emperor. Once there, Paul and his family are betrayed by the evil House Harkonnen. Fleeing into the desert with survivors, Paul discovers that, for him, this is just the beginning, and he has a grand destiny in front of him. Frank Herbert would continue the series across five additional novels; his son Brian, working with Kevin J. Anderson has continued the saga with a series of prequel novels, further developing this fascinating universe. BOOM! Studios has partnered with Herbert and Anderson to produce comics based on the Dune prequel novels and now turn their attention to the House Harkonnen.
BOOM! Studios has provided Screen Rant with an exclusive first look at Dune: House Harkonnen, including advance art, shared below. BOOM! promises House Harkonnen will explore how this evil house influenced some of the franchise’s most beloved characters, including Gurney Halleck, Lady Jessica and Liet Kynes. Political intrigue is an important part of the Dune universe, and House Harkonnen will have plenty of it, as Baron Harkonnen manipulates not only the House Atreides, but also the Bene Gesserit–and even the Emperor himself! Brain Herbert, speaking on his family’s behalf, stated: “I am extremely pleased to be able to provide beautifully-illustrated comic editions of Dune: House Harkonnen for Dune fans.” Likewise, Kevin J. Anderson was excited for the book, saying: “House Harkonnen is one of my favorites of all the Dune novels Brian and I have written,” going on to state that he is “excited” for BOOM! to continue their line of Dune prequel comics.
The “Dune” Novels Flesh Out An Amazing Universe Now Brought To Comics.
Frank Herbert’s Dune universe is one of the richest in literature, rivaling Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and BOOM!’s line of Dune prequel comics shows readers just how deep it runs. The Dune novels alluded to a rich backstory of events such as the Buterlian Jihad, which fired readers’ imaginations, who clamored to learn more about the House Harkonnen and the House Atreides. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s line of prequel novels honors the spirit of Frank’s original works, giving fans a deeper look into the universe; however, the novels are not mere fan service, but instead continue the grand themes found in Herbert’s original series.
In 2021, a new generation experienced Dune for the first time, thanks to a new film version helmed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet. These new fans got to see the depth of Frank Herbert’s creations and those looking for more will be pleased with BOOM! Studios’ line of Dune prequel comics, the latest of which focuses on the evil House Harkonnen.
