Post contributed by Catherine Lowe
Readers interested in diving into the daunting sci-fi/fantasy genre may find reading the original Dune novel by Frank Herbert to be quite intimidating, but these readers may find Brian Herbert’s and Kevin J. Anderson’s DUNE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: BOOK 1 [Harry N. Abrams, November 24, 2020] as a more welcoming introduction to the epics within the genre. Through the colourful illustrations and animated dialogue, this graphic novel proves to be an important addition to the Dune collection.
The first in several instalments of the series, Dune: Book 1 follows the story of fifteen-year-old Paul Atreides as he tries to navigate his new life on the desert planet Arrakis where his powerful family has taken control. When Paul’s mother Jessica finds a note in a secret conservatory warning her of a traitor in their midst, the Atreides family scrambles to figure out which one of their trusted advisors is plotting to kill them or even worse—deliver them to the wicked Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. While Paul and his father Duke Leto navigate the customs of this new world from flying across the sand dunes while trying to avoid giant man-eating worms to selling drops of water to poor people on the street, it is made clear to both Paul and Duke Leto that living on Arrakis will be no easy feat to accomplish.
Throughout the novel, the colourful illustrations accompanying the dialogue between the characters proves to provide special insight into what exactly Herbert intended readers to imagine while reading his original novel. A particularly enjoyable aspect of the novel is a scene where Paul and his father travel to the sand dunes to watch natives to the planet Arrakis mine for spices. During this scene, readers are given special insight into how important spice mining is for the sake of the planet and just how dangerous mining is. Paul and his father have to wear special spacesuits called stillsuits in order to survive in the arid heat of the desert and the air is so potent on the dunes, both men have to breathe through a special apparatus. Then, when a giant worm threatens to swallow all of the men on the dunes whole, the action sequence that follows provides much needed tension and excitement in order to compel readers to continue turning the pages.
With just the right amount of information, humour, and action mixed in with politics, readers may find Dune: Book 1 to be a perfect introduction into the world of sci-fi and fantasy. Through the different races and well-rounded characters that readers are able to meet accompanied by tensions that arise between the house Atreides and the other races provide an interesting dynamic that keeps readers interested. Additionally, the different prophecies surrounding Paul and his magical abilities and how important he is for the development of the planet Arrakis pushes readers to continue flipping the pages and even to go as far as to anticipate the release of the next graphic novel adaptation in the Dune series.
While the addition of illustrations provide much needed insight into the scenery of the planet Arrakis and the differentiation between the different races of people in the series, Dune: Book 1 does leave out some much needed information especially in terms of what certain terms mean. From the Kwisatz Haderach, the Bene Gesserit, Gom Jabbar, and the fremen, there is little to no explanation of what these terms mean and they seem to have a very important place within the novel. It would be helpful for readers, especially those who are new to the intricacies of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, to have a dictionary to reference in the back of the novel in order to clear up the confusion they may feel around these terms.
Overall, the Dune: Book 1 graphic novel is a much-needed addition to the series started by Frank Herbert decades ago. Readers who are trying to find an easy introduction to the dense epics already published within the genre may find this graphic novel to be the perfect way to dip their toes into sci-fi without the added commitment of the written novel.
Dune is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The definitive graphic novel adaptation of Dune, the groundbreaking science-fiction classic by Frank Herbert
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. In the first volume of a three-book trilogy encompassing the original novel, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s adaptation retains the story’s integrity, 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.
