Comic Book Review - Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar #1

Rob reviews Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar #1...

The Dune universe is a vast expanding franchise that's full of large and small stories. While the titular story centres around the planet Arrakis, its valuable Spice and the many factions vying for its control. There's plenty of smaller stories that can easily split off into a branch of their own, or expand that already told by Frank Herbert’s original tale. 

One such side-story is Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar. This one-shot from BOOM! Studios and written by the team of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, centres on the mysterious Sardaukar - the Emperor's elite fighting force. 

In the original novel, these fearsome warriors of the Emperor are spoken about in hushed tones. They are the Emperors who will make flesh and to see a Sardaukar leads to certain death. However these fearsome warriors never made an appearance within Frank Herbert's novel and as such, they've remained a secret until now. This secrecy is what makes the faction a pretty effective bad guy. However by allowing an insight into Sardaukar's ways these secrets are now in the open. And as such, the mysticism and the fear factor has been dissolved. 

This isn't to say that Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar #1 is a bad tie-in to the ongoing Dune series, but it sort of feels unnecessary. One takeaway is that we see a different side to House Atreides. Atreides is normally portrayed in a heroic light, with the House pretty much being Dune's protagonists. However here we get to see a ruthless House Atreides as the noble House targets the planet Borhees in a surprise strike. It's a nice touch that shows there's more to the growing unrest than what's happening on Akkaris. As well as highlighting that every House has had their role to play in the current events - knowingly or not.

It's this act from Atreides that drives Colonel Bashar's unwavering loyalty to both the Emperor and his fellow Sardaukar. As the issue develops we follow events from Bashir's point of view. While this gives an almost outside view to the conflict, it's a view that's almost certainly being swayed by the Emperor. The turning point is when Bashar comes to this realisation himself. The Sardaukar Colonel realises that most of his life has been a fabrication so the Emperor can stay in control, with Bashar being an unknowing pawn in the rouse.

Both Brian Herbert and Kevin J.

Anderson brings quite a lot of exposition to Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar. Throughout we see past events play out that has certainly shaped the current state of play. While this one-shot certainly gives off the impression that Bashar is out for revenge, Herbert and Anderson do it in a way that you almost feel for his cause ' even if he's the "bad guy".

Adam Gorham does a brilliant job in bringing each setting to life. The scenes set on Arrakis are a gritty reminder of what's playing out on its barren surface with the light source being the very destruction caused by the Sardaukar. Naturally aside from some gorgeous planetary landscapes, Gorham brings some expertly captured action that pushes the ferocity of the Sardaukar, as well as Bashar's doubts. Even with their mysticism gone, the Sardaukar are portrayed in a way that shows they really shouldn't be messed with. 

Patricio Delpeche adds a gorgeous colour palette to proceedings. A personal favourite of mine is the colours used on Arrakis. Depeche lights up the skies with the very destruction caused by the Sardaukar. There's plenty of warm orange and cool blues that add a somewhat peaceful mirage of the carnage that's happening. 

Overall Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar is a decent one-shot, even if it doesn't add much to the overall story. There's some pretty bloody and well-drawn action and plenty of exposition. Seeing events play out from a new perspective often adds another layer to proceedings. Yet with the Sardaukar being an almost unknown up until this point it feels a little unnecessary. However we do get another cog added to the big Dune wheel and no doubt when it's all done, Blood of the Sardaukar will have a much greater meaning.

 

Rating: 7/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev