Let’s get this out of the way at the top: Dune: House Corrino is not a particularly great jumping-off point for new fans of the franchise wanting to dive deeper after watching the new films. This first issue is the start of the third part of BOOM! Studios’ Dune Prelude adaptations are based on the novels by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson that take place before the events of DUNE proper. So, if you want a proper beginning to the story of HOUSE CORRINO, I’d recommend returning to the first limited comic run, DUNE: HOUSE ATREDIES.
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Now if you’re still here because you’ve read the previous books, or you’re just a stubborn Dune-Head, allow me to complain about this first issue.
DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO ISN’T THE BEST JUMPING-ON-POINT FOR NEW FANS
I’ve yet to read any of Brian Herbert or Anderson’s prior work, but I don’t love their way of building out this world set up by Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert’s Dune is dense with worldbuilding and politics, but it also houses a ton of intriguing inner conflict and deconstructions of the science fiction genre AND the tropes of “The Chosen One” narrative. House Corrino’s first issue gives a lot of exposition to the reader to set up as much of the novel as possible to fit this limited 8 issue run. It makes for a functional story but a very boring and lifeless one.
I find this adaptation a bit maddening as someone jumping into this series for the first time without reading the two prior comic runs. I understand that Brian and Anderson are still the main creative force in the world of modern Dune literature, with this being a direct adaptation of their novel no less, but I can’t help but wonder what this would look like if someone more versed in telling stories in this medium was at the helm. As is, we get a lot of over-explaining or unnecessary dialogue that could have been communicated to readers through visuals.
Speaking of visuals, we get to see some spectacular work from artist Simone Ragazzoni and colorist Dan Jackson. Since this is a prequel set before the events of DUNE, we see a lot more variety in the other planets and locations that make up this universe. Even so, the most breathtaking images to me were still the ones set on Arrakis. The final panel of this issue is so incredible alone that I might pick up the rest of this run even with my complaints about the writing.
It’s unfair to judge this entire run by the first issue, especially since this installment is dedicated to setting up all the pieces on the board, but I found the storytelling here dull. Denis Venniullville’s two new DUNE adaptations are truly excellent pieces of adaptations that show where to deviate from the novel to create a better experience for a moviegoing audience.
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Reading this comic feels more like you’re cramming last minute for a test that you barely studied for. I hope the series gets better from here, but I’d rather read a novel than a comic that is trying so hard to be one.
About Dune: House Corrino
Release Date: March 20, 2024 (Issue #1)
Written By: Kevin J. Anderson
Artwork: Simone Ragazzoni
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Synopsis: While conflicts escalate between the Fremen and House Harkonnen on Arrakis, the Bene Gesserit keep a close eye on Jessica’s pregnancy, and House Atreides takes part in the plan to seal Ix’s fate…
Are you excited about House Corrino? Have you read any of the other comics based on the franchise? Looking for somewhere else to get your Dune fix after watching Dune: Part Two? Let us know on our social media!
KEEP READING: DUNE: PART TWO Review – The Pinnacle of a Great Movie-Going Experience
