Dune: House Harkonnen #7 // Review
Prince Rhombur Vernius addresses them all from glowing screens. He announces himself as the rightful ruler. He tells them all that he will return to lead them all from suffering under the invaders. Then, there’s the explosion. Red-robed authority stands around in shock as one revolutionary sits in satisfaction, seeing real hope in eyes for the first time in years. It might be the beginning of a real rebellion in Dune: House Harkonnen #7. Writers Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson continue their space fantasy serial with artist Fran Galan and colorist Patricio Delpeche. Political drama continues in the world of Frank Herbert.
Leto was responsible for sending aid to the rebels in Ix. Rhombur can’t thank him enough. Things continue to be complicated for everyone involved...especially Leto, who isn’t on the best terms with Kailea. He has gone to her to apologize, but things are very tense between the two of them, and it seems as though they are unlikely to become clear any time soon. Warrick and Faroula, on the other hand? THEY are quite happy on Arrakis. Husband and wife. Not everyone is happy about it, though. There is at least one man who must go on a Hajj to clear his mind.
Herbert and Anderson fill the pages of the latest issue with lots of politics and drama. The explosive active rebellion at the beginning of the issue is a very strong lead into what is a respectably murky dive into interpersonal drama between an old bunch of characters in a very large ensemble. In this respect, it's very much in the spirit of the original novel series. This issue of the series has its heart firmly planted in Frank Herbert’s labyrinthine pseudo-Shakespeare as people chafe against each other in harsh situations.
Galan and Delpeche have a real gift for drama. The emotional intensity of what's going on on the page has a respectable degree of sophistication and intricacy about it. This is absolutely essential, as it is the case that everything gets so completely lost in dialogue. True to the inspiration behind the original novel, there's a lot of people just talking about what they feel and how they're reacting to what they feel. Not a whole lot of active action, which has always been a difficult point for anyone looking to translate Herbert’s epic into the visual.
It's a soap opera with panels. And the fact that it just happens to be in a space fantasy setting is what sells it. The political drama would be a lot more potent if it were focused on a little bit more closely. It would also feel like a closer walk with the world of the novels if the deeper philosophical aspects were explored. Once again--the authors are doing a pretty good job of being faithful to Dune...insofar as a casual fan of the series would be to enjoy, in any case. An ideal comic adaptation would tie in a bit more to the visual.
