Review – Dune Blood of the Sardaukar #1
Review – Dune Blood of the Sardaukar #1
Writer: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Artist: Adam Gorham
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Release Date: July 28, 2021
Variant Covers: Max Fiumara, Adam Gorham & Jeff Dekal
Synopsis
You’ll want to read these reviews of the prequels here.
When the choice is vengeance or honour, which lies at the heart of a Sardaukar?
Jopati Kolona is one of the Sardaukar: the emperor’s elite military unit. The Sardaukar are unbeatable, unbending in their devotion to the emperor, and feared throughout the galaxy.
When Jopati meets Duke Leto of House Atreides, the house he believes responsible for the destruction of his home planet and family, he will be forced to question a life-long hatred.
Tasked with overthrowing the Atreides stronghold on Dune for his master, Jopati will be forced to choose between duty and forgiveness.
A poignant, blood-soaked tale expanding the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune by New York Times bestselling authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson with artist Adam Gorham (The New Mutants: Dead Souls, Punk Mambo)
Writers: Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
The Sardaukar are ruthless, culling all in their path in the name of whoever sits on the Lion’s Throne. Ordered to dress as the hated Harkonnen troops Kolona lays siege to Arrakis to remove House Atreides. But Kolona has a personal vendetta against the honourable House. As a child he watched his planet invaded by Atreides Shocktroopers and his planet enslaved under their boot.
Taken by the Sardaukar, he and his two brothers are brought to Salusa Secundus, the Corrino prison planet. The prison is a front for a training area for the training of the troops hardened by years of torture, pain and discipline. As he grows he sheds his old identity and swears allegiance to Shaddam IV. But he finds any secrets out at the Emperor’s feet, including both that the planet invasion was a tactic by the Emporer’s father and that Leto is returning the status, title and honour of House Kolona.
Back on Dune, Koloa and his troops dispatch the heroic Atreides soldiers, but Kolona is more focused on finding the Duke, his wife and the boy Paul.
Anderson and Herbert add a rich backstory to the mythical Sardaukar, as well as providing a different perspective to some of the key events of Dune. Seen from Jopati’s point of view we see small differences in key scenes, such as Duncan escaping and this tale warms up the fanbase ahead of the big release of the movie.
Artist: Adam Gorham
Adam Gorman sets his stall out early showing the strength of his artwork in the orbital assault on Arrakis and House Atreides base on Arrakeen. The brooding dark colours and tones turn the soldiers into inhuman killing machines, following the will of whoever holds the throne. The scenes on Borhees where House Kolona are slaughtered are enhanced as Gorham gives each planet a different look and colouring. The up-close fighting scenes with personal shields are fluid and action-packed.
The covers from Max Fiumara, Adam Gorham & Jeff Dekal are full of propaganda showing the might and power of the feared military elite.
Overall Thought
This is a unique take on Dune, used changed perspective allowing key plot twists to be seen from another point of view from Herbert’s original classic. Adding much-needed details to some of the actions of the Emperor, who fears that the Landraad will follow Leto builds texture without diluting the key story. Add this one to your shopping list if you can’t wait for the Spice in October.
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