Dune: House Harkonnen # 1-12

Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Stephanie Hans, Jeremy Bastian, Nimit Malavia, Audrey Mok
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: On Giedi Prime the Harkonnen Homeworld in the Agricutural Zone Gurney Halleck does work work. He is also part of a family. Gurney was having a hard life and then it got harsh. 
  On Arrakis here a father and son are gathering data in the desert. In the distance we see a sand worm and even from a distance you can feel its power. The sand worm is a inspiring sight. 
  Arrakeen Residency here court intregue is going on. Politicians and rulers do have a way of hating each other. They want what is best only for them and those who support them.
  Kaitain Imperial Palace here two men of power find trouble or it finds them. The Lady at the table in green is illustrated most beautifully. The fighting is a minor interruption.
  IX The Underground City of Vernii here the Tleilaxu have a operation going. They are scientists with no morals. 
  Tleilaxu Secret Research Labratory Count Fenring pays them a visit. The Emperor has sent him to check up on the Tleilaxu and they do not like it at all. 
  Wallach IX Mother School Complex of the Bene Gesserit, Jessica is in training to become a Bene Gesserit. The art has her drawn beautifully showing off her youth and her determination. This twelve year old gives you the impression she is meant for big things. 
  Caladan, Leto and Duncan Idaho are two brave and proud men. Duncan has a fiece loyalty to Leto and House Atriedes. 
  The way the story changes from one location to another you would think this would make it hard to follow let it all follows so smoothly and each part is a part of the greater whole. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 2
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Serg Acuna, Mateus Manhanini
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Giedi Prime Harkonnen Homeworld. Here the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen knows something is wrong.
  Gurney Halleck is shown and he is suffering. The Harkonnen soldiers show up and they are uncaring bastards. Gurney had hoped his people would be better he believes there must be a better place out there. The art showing where Gurney lives gives you a sense of the hopelessness of the people there. 
  Kaitain Imperial Capital. The Emperor has his plans and they are good ones just they are moving along slowly. Each of the different Houses have drama going on and it makes you think to be able to follow the story. 
  IX Underground City of Vernii. Here a rebellion is going on. The rebels need weapons to fight. The Tleilaxu and Sardaukar control IX yet its citizans are planning to fight back. 
  Guild Heighliner. A Navigator is navigating and doing his job. He was once human now he is a navigator. He does have a singular existance. 
  Wallach IX Bene Gesserit Mother School. Duke Leto Atreides of Caladan visits the Mother Superior along with Prince Rhombur Vernius are there to find a concubine for the Prince. For the Bene Gesserit it is a way of life. They have many things that they do but this one insinuates them into many noble houses. 
  Planet Richese Artifical Moon of Korona Cyborg Biological Intergration Facility. Here a Suk Doctor is pulled away from his research. 
  The story moves so smoothly from one place to the next. Each part flows into the next so you know the whole thing is connected.
  Giedi Prime. The Baron gets his ansers an he is angry. How will his angry manifest itself? 
  The art is beautifully done throughout this issue. The characters all fit in to their surroundings. 
  Planet Lankiveil Harkonnen Holding. Here the Lord Abulurd is out fishing and makes a remarkable discovery. This discovery could destroy House Harkonnen. 
  So much is happening in so many places yet it is all tied together and made easy to follow. This is a very well told story. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 3
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Tiffany Turrill, Frany
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Ginaz is where Duncan Idaho begins his training to be a Swordmaster. Duncan gets his first lessons immediately. He is there to learn and willing to do so. The training will be tuugh yet he is there to succeed. 
  Giedi Prime here the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen wants revenge on the Bene Gesserit. He has the power and a plan will it work though. The No-Ship is an amazing piece of technology and it is wickedly drawn. 
  Wallach IX here the Baron wishes to speak with the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. The Baron is ready to grind them under his heel. 
  IX Underground City of Vernii here the Resistance is barely still alive and going. The Tleilaxu are an evil race that delight in torturing others. They are also a scientific one and good at it. 
  Wallach IX Bene Gesserit Mother School here the Baron Harkonnen is pushing the Bene Gesserit. The Bene Gesserit push back with their mind tricks. They can control others. As you watch them operate you will be scared even if you do not fully understand what they are doing. 
  Ginaz here Duncan and his new friend Resser are still training. Duncan is always one step ahead of Resser. The challenges they race are hard and push each member to their limits. 
  Caladan here the Duke Leto carrys out his duties. Here Rhombur a friend of the Duke's wishes to join in the Resistance on Vernii. With a Bene Gesserit at his side his helping them and leading them could turn the tide in there favor.
  Wallach IX here the Baron and his nephew find out the Bene Gesserit are not to be underestimated. 
  The way each part of this story is connected even from different planets is truely a wonder. The art fits perfectly for the story. The ships, the people and backgrounds are all drawn just as you would expect. The characters act just as you would expect them to. The whole issue flows so smoothly. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 4
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Gene Ha, Bjorn Barends
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Caladan 18 months later, we see romance in the air and love. Leto and Kailea oly have politics standing in their way of total happiness. They do have happiness coming their way soon to. Leto does everything he can for Kailea.
  Arrakis, Carthag Harkonnen Headquarters here the Duke and his Mentat hatch a scheme against Leto and his concubine. 
  Caladan Spaceport Kailea's new Lady in Waiting arrives. She is not what you might expect of a spy although she is exactly what a spy should be. She is not someone you would expect to be one and she is someone you would be ready to talk to. 
  Geidi Prime here Gurney Halleck is sad to see as he loves his sister who was taken away. He wants her back and he wants revenge on Rabban. Gurney is a good man yet you can see how this is eating away at him.
  Lankiveil here Glossu is shown as a savage killer. Glossu is a man you would enjoy seeing no more. You will hate him so much more than mere words can describe.
  Arrakis here we see a worm this creature is huge and majestic as it travels across the desert. Liet and Warrick are looking for the Antarctic when they do find something or someone This is a most unexpected surprise for all. 
  Geidi Prime, the Baron does get one thing he wanted. The Baron makes it easy to see he is a pathetic ruler who uses fear and intimidation to control others. He is a wicked man. 
  Castle Caladan two years later Let's son Victor is a happy boy. Here Kailea's Lady in Waiting is sabataging her relationship with Leto. There is a lot going on and plans are being laid. 
  Everything that is happening on all these different worlds is so expertly tied together. The art is gorgeously done presenting each character just how you would expect them to look. 
  This issue continues the lives of all involved and you will be glad you have a front row seat for it all. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 5
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Fran Galan
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Jeremy Bastian, Raul Allen
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Giedi Prime, Gurney Halleck is one brothe who does not give up on finding his sister. He does everything he can to find her but now that he has what next? 
  Arrakis South Polar Zone, Earl Dominic Vernius he acts like a business man here. Here we see two lads find Earl Dominic Vernius but who these lads are is not mentioned. 
  Caladan, Leto and Rhombur here we see a storm arise and it is no ordinary one. The storm is well drawn and does not look like any other storm. 
  The stories so far are not exciting and seem to add very little to the overall story. 
  Wallach IX Bene Gesserit Mother School, Jessica is given a choice pain, pleasure or eternity. Jessica thinks out her choice with reasoning and makes it yes it is life and death hers. The Reverend Mother is illustrated to show her authority and she acts with a quite atmosphere that lets you know she can kill and will. 
  Ginaz Swordmaster School, here we see honor at work and different people interpreting it differently. The Sword Master and his students do have a sense of honor and believe it is something worth sticking to. 
  Lankiveil Sacred City of Befrost Eyrie, a city is buried and the survivors are in need of help. 
  Geidi Prime Harkonnen Headquarters, the Barron and Rabban are shown as evil uncaring beings. The Barron wants to being strong threw fear. 
  Caladan Spaceport, Duke Leto gets a new Bene Gesserit in Jessica. Jessica it is easy to see will become a major player on this board. 
  This issue is rather calm. Everyone is getting ready for what is to come.


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 6
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Fran Galan
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Toni Infante
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: http://www.boom-studios.com 
Comments: Arrakis, two Freemen friends talk about marriage and who will have who as his wife. These two friends Liet and Kynes end up in competition. It is wonderful to see the camaraderie shared between these two even in affairs of the heart.  
  Lankiveil Befrost Eyrie, here we see Rabban and just how evil he is. Rabban will do anything to get his point across. Cold blooded murder definitely being one of them. The art leaves no doubt with how he is drawn as he moves thes man is vile. 
  Castle Caladan, the Lady Jessica she is drawn so cute with her freckles. She wants more from her stay with the Duke. She means business yet still has an air of innocence about her. 
  Giedi Prime Blue Obsidian Quarry Mount Ebony, here a group of slaves mine in a quarry. Rabban is shown again and his viscious evil way continues. Rabban is one person you will hate. 
  Castle Caladan, Duke Leto is in a troubling relationship so here he turns to look for comfort from another. The Lady Jessica in a blue and yellow dress is gorgeous. 
  Lankiveil Dacha of Abulurd Harkonnen, here Rabban's parents are nothing like their son Rabban. They are going to have another son one they plan to raise right not like the cruel Rabban. The parents here do love each other so the question is how did Rabban become as he is?
  Giedi Prime Slave Pits, Gurney Halleck we learn exactly why Gurney hates Rabban so much and he has more then enough reasons. Rabban is a man if you can call him that who deserves to be put down.
  Arrakis Red Wall Sietch, Liet and Kynes both compete for a wife yet only one can win and he does. The other accepts his loss with honor. Freeman are an honorable people.
  Again the story jumps all over the place yet they are all connected so well. The whole comic just runs so smoothly from start to finish. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 7
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Fran Galan
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Skylar Patridge
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: IX. Here two dissidents are supplied with the means to protest their treatment. The Tleilaxu invaders are shown two people can make a difference. The people of IX see that the invaders are vulnerable. Hope flares up and these people know they can have a better life. 
  Caladan. Leto tries to make amends with the mother of his son. He does show he still cares. Leto is a good man he is just lost now. 
  Ginaz Swordmaster School. Duncan Idaho is training hard to be a swordmaster. Duke Leto does show his gratitude and that he does not forget the sacrifice Duncan is making. 
  Arrakis. Warrick and Faroula are happy while Liet is heart broken. Life though goes on and Liet does to only he takes a different path now.
  IX. The Tleilaxu have achieved their goal. Their success could change the balance of power throughout the universe. 
  Castle Caladan. Leto and the mother of his son Kailea are not getting along. Kailea decides to push even more when all those around her do not stand by her.
  Giedi Prime Harkonnen Slave Pits. Halleck never gives up. This man does not know the meaning of surrender. He wants his revenge and he will get it or die trying. 
  The art is gorgeously done and presents the different worlds so each one has its own unique appeal. The characters are strong and their personalities pop out at you. 
  The shifting between worlds is again done so smoothly, it makes the different settings and people seem as if they are all intertwined. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 8
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Fran Galan
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Zu Orzu
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Arrakis. In space above Arrakis a Guild Navigator is shown. Yes it once was human and now its something else.
  IX Underground City of Vernii. Here a call for help goes out. The way it is told it is unclear if it was received. 
  Salusa Secundus Imperial Prison Planet. Here we see plans are in motion. Gurney, Weichih, and Earl Dominic Vernius of IX are all working together. 
  Kaitain Imperial Palace. Here Abullurd Harkonnen Siridar Governor of Lankiveil makes a change in his life. How this will effect him and others around him we do not yet know, it is a mystery. 
  Giedi Prime Spaceport Harkonnen Frigate. The Baron does have some evil plans for Rabban's brother. The Barron is drawn with lots of expressive facial expressions. 
  Ginaz. Duncan Idaho and Hiih Resser must survive their final test to become sword masters. Duncan Idaho becomes the newet Sword Master of Ginaz. 
  Guild Heighliner. Dominic Vernius returns home to find it has changed a lot from when he was last there. He knows he has to take action. 
  Lankivell Tula Fjord. Rabban makes a move in the Barron's name. This is an act of pure malice. Rabban is shown only to happy to be leading this act to destroy others. 
  Arrakis South Polar Smuggler Base. Liet a Freeman returns home and finds himself and his friend in danger. The danger strikes hard and fast. 
  It is so beautifully written that way each location and the characters mentioned flow along so smoothly throughout the entire issue. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 9
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Fran Galan
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Zu Orzu
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Lankiveil Ducha of Abulurd Harkonnen. A man and his wife are shown yet the story does not say who they are. They were both hurt by the Harkonnens. The man thinks he can fix what has happened? Can he?
  Lankiveil Ice Sea. The man travels he retreave some hidden wealth which he plans to use to help others. It would be nice if this man's name was mentioned. 
  Arrakis. Warrick has a vision and it is of Lisan Al-Gaib who is that? It would be nice to know. Warrick is not Lisan Al-Gaib, but who is and ahy are they mantioned here? 
  Arrakis Smuggler Base in the South Polar Region. Dominic Vernius has a plan for revenger and House Corrino is going to pay the price. If he succeeds much death will follow. 
  Ginaz. Two Swordmasters celebrate, Duncan Idaho and Resser. Than they are attacked with no reason given. 
  IX Underground City of Vernii. The Tleilaxu are vile and terrible and one man looking around does get disgusted by what he finds. The set up and the art bring out what the Tleilaxu are like.
  Arrakis Arrakeen Residency. Rondo Tuek and Count Fenring are talking about Dominic Vernius. Dom has a ship and he has a plan one that is devastating. Dom may not have achieved what he wanted but he does not go down easy. 
  This issue does not flw as smoothly as others have and things and people are not explained well enough.
  The art looks amazing. It does show each character in a setting and mood that fits so well. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 10
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Raymond Swanland
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Ginaz. The Swordmasters are prisoners of the Grumman. The Swordmasters are being slaughter yet two think and act to survive. Better to fight another day then die today.
  Salusa Secundus Smuggler Base. Gurney learns of those who died on Arrakis. 
  Caladan. Court politics are seen here, an arranged marriage may be in the future. Gurney Halleck joins House Atreides. He hates the Harkonnen's like the Duke does maybe even more. 
  Geidi Prime Harkonnen Headquarters. We see the Barron and how he treats his son. 
  Castle Caladan. Duke Leto is an upstanding man and he wants to do what is best for his people. Others though want to have him out of the way or use him in some way. Poor Leto he is a good man. 
  Ginaz Main Island. Two new Sword Masters put their skills to the test. Swords vs guns and bombs yet they some how survive. Lots of others do not.
  Castle Caladan. The Lady Kailea makes plans against her son's father. She is unaware her son is wit his father though. As the Duke and his son tour the land it does show Caladan is beautiful. Then the Lady Kailea's plan happens. 
  So much is going on here and it is presented in a way to allow you the reader to focus on each moment as it is happening. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 11
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Raymond Swanland
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Arrakis. A man does get what he wants just there was a cost to it. So his wedding day is both happy and sad. He is a good man and he does deserve the happiness he gets. 
  Ginaz Main Island of the Swordmaster School. The attack on the school has hurt them deeply. Duncan Idaho could help here yet he goes where he is most needed back to Caladan. It was always the plan. 
  Caladan. Duke Leto has suffered a grave loss. Yet he still acts as Duke knowing he has duties. One person feels the grif she has wrought and it drives her to atone in the only way she can. Things are to well here on Caladan. 
  Lankiveil. Lord Rabban learns his father is much like him. Neither are to be trusted. The cavern illustrated here is a dark brooding place. 
  Bifrost Eyrie. The peace and quite here is broken. Lord Rabban's arrival changes that. Lord Rabban does make it clear he is a unfeeling evil beast. 
  Castle Caladan. The Duke is in pain over his loss. He though still shows mercy on a guard who does not deserve it. 
  Everywhere it seems is sad here. All planets are suffering.
  Cala City Spaceport. Duncan Idaho has returned home and is now ready to serve his Lord. 
  Planet Richese Artificial Moon of Korona. Here plansd are made to help Prince Rhomba he was badly injured. Dr. Yueh will get to use his new research. 
  Castle Caladan. Duke Leto Atreides is offered something of high value from the Tleilaxu. The Duke does what is best for his people for House Atreides. He does stand up proud and strong and does what he knows to be right. 


Title: Dune: House Harkonnen # 12
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated by: Michael Shelfer
Colored by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Variant Covers by: Reiko Murakami, Raymond Swanland
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Arrakis, Here we see how the water is being used and how it affects the surroubings. Yes even a good thing like water in a desert can have bad effects to. One man has such a nicely drawn expression of giving up. 
  Caladan Cala City Medical Center, Prince Rhombur is being healed as best he can be. Not much of his body is left. So a new body a robotics one will be build. The Prince even with all he has suffered is in good spirits. It says a lot for his character to be so positive. His doctor is also positive and will recreate the Prince as a cyborg. 
  Giedi Prime Harko City, Lord Baron has a chat with Rabban both these men are related and evil. The one needs to show the other who is in charge. Harkonnians are ruthless. 
  Arrakis Fremen Sietch, A son grieves for his father and honors him. The son also honors his friend. Freeman are an honorable people. Compared to the Harkonnians Freeman are pure good. 
  Arrakeen Residency of Count Hasimir Fenring, the Count is informed of something that can change the universe and all within it. 
  Caladan, Leto and Jessica share a moment. Jessica is a manipulator of the hightest order and she does what she has to to achive what she wants. These two on the surface play nice yet both know the other can not be fully trusted. Even those looking to help others know to be on guard.
  One Week Later, Leto mournes the death of his son. Being a ruler he moves on and Jessica is at his side. She has her own plans for Leto. 
  The way each part of the overall story joins together even as it switches froom one planet to another and ties everything together perfectly is writing at its best.

Richard Vasseur