Dune: The Waters of Kanly

Dune by BOOM! Studios

by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Francesco Mortarino (Illustrator)

Dive deeper into Dune with this lore-expanding story set during the Frank Herbert classic!

In the aftermath of the battle of Arrakeen, legendary House Atreides warmaster Gurney Halleck takes refuge with spice smugglers, vowing revenge against the Harkonnens no matter the cost. House Atreides may be shattered, but it will never be forgotten. To embark on his mission of vengeance, Gurney Halleck must put himself on a collision course with not only House Harkonnen, but the Spacing Guild itself! Soon, Gurney and the smugglers may have an opportunity to deal a crucial blow to their bitter enemies, but at what cost? Will he finally have his revenge against the Beast Rabban? Or will they be met with certain death, their sacrifices all for nothing? Artist Francesco Mortarino (Power Rangers) brings the original short story adapted by original authors Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson to life in ways that will excite both fans of the novels and the recent hit film alike! Collects Dune: The Waters of Kanly #1-4.

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2023

About the author

Brian Patrick Herbert is an American author who lives in Washington state. He is the elder son of science fiction author Frank Patrick Herbert.

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never knew I needed Gurney Halleck's story in comic format until now. Probably my second fav Dune related graphic novel, it was so good and the art was brilliant as always.

[ChrissiesPurpleLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork was stunning but the story was more filler. Specifically about legendary House Atredies war master Gurney Halleck’s explores his off page story. I wanted more about Gurney’s revenge arc but for what it’s worth it was a fairly good time.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I make no secret of my love for Dune and have been slowly collecting the new additions to the ever expanding universe.

And so on to the graphic novels which although I do love I am always a little sceptical about those that retell familiar stories as I will admit that I have my own opinions and they never seem to align with the artists of these books.

So I moved on to the Waters of Kanly a side story telling of the path Gurney takes for retribution of the betrayal and fall of the house Atraides. Now although it does not expressly places a time you do know it is while he is in service of the spice smugglers so not part of the main narrative but it does show more of the character.

So how did I see it - well the character was there but the way he was portrayed did not fit as well I know there are more books in the series so I wonder if I am only seeing a limited view - I guess if I come across the other installments I will be able to find out

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A interesting insight on what Gurney Halleck was up to after the fall of house Atreides.

[Maciej · Rating 3 out of 5]

wizualnie bardzo super, fabuła ok
przeczytane w 43 minuty

[Al Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent side story of Dune, focusing on Gurney Halleck, okay story, okay art.

Boom does a better job production wise, they had done hardcover with glued bindings but this sewn.

[Yoshiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

PopKulturowy Kociołek:

https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/diuna...

Scenariusz komiksu wywodzi się bezpośrednio z bardzo ważnego wątku oryginalnej powieści, jakim było zniszczenie rodu Atrydów przez Harkonnenów, którzy wykorzystali do tego elitarne oddziały Sardaukarów Imperatora. Noc pełna płomieni, wybuchów i śmierci odmieniła oblicze świata i życie nielicznych osób, którym udało się przetrwać. Jednym z nich był zbrojmistrz rodu Gurney Hallec. Unikając sił wroga, znalazł on schronienie pośród przemytników przyprawy. Nigdy nie zapomniał on wspomnianych wydarzeń i nigdy też nie porzucił planu dokonania zemsty.

Dzieło duetu Kevin J. Anderson i Brian Herbert można określić mianem klasycznej historii zemsty. Pomysł ten niestety jest już na tyle mocno wyeksploatowany (w najróżniejszych segmentach popkultury), że stworzenie czegoś interesującego jest niezwykle trudne. Niestety, ale autorzy albumu niespecjalnie nawet planowali spróbować czegoś innowacyjnego. Od samego początku stawiają oni tu bowiem, na sprawdzone schematy idąc tym samym na fabularną łatwiznę.

Powielanie znanych schematów to nie jedyny problem albumu. Autorzy mają trudności z odpowiednim rozłożeniem tempa opowieści. Spora ilość miejsca (jeśli nie większa część komiksu) to złożone dialogi budujące świat przedstawiony, niekoniecznie jednak pchające historię do przodu (dodatkowo niektóre z nich wydają się być dodane na siłę). Opowieść toczy się więc ekstremalnie wolno, a sceny akcji z wyrazistym napięciem można policzyć na palcach jednej dłoni. Problem z balansem historii dopiero poprawia się pod sam koniec albumu (ostatni z rozdziałów)....

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson bring us a tale of the Atreides warmaster Gurney Halleck and his plot to take revenge on House Harkonnen. It is the year 10,192 and House Atriedes has fallen thanks to a traitor in their mist. Gurney thinks that it's the Lady Jessica who betrayed them. In that time he turned to the smugglers to keep him and band of Atredies shoulders safe. During his year in the desert Gurney learned that the Harkonnen's bring in water tankers from their home world of Gidi Prime for their troops. Gurney has a plan for the recent shipment of water, he and a small band of both desert people and Atredies get smuggled aboard a guild highliner where they then dawn the uniforms of guild officers and head for the main dock where the water taker is. Once there Gurney fools the waiting Harkonnen officer into letting them on board. Gurney and his team inspect the vessel and find places to hide as it leaves the Highliner. But it is Gurney himself that walks up to the bulkhead holding the water in. He then takes out a pouch and incorporates that with the water. They then head for the command deck of the taker where they realize they've been betrayed because the Harkonnen's where ready for them. This is a great graphic novel and I highly recommend it for all Dune fans.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the beautiful things about Frank Herbert’s Dune, despite its length, is it’s actual economy of writing. Herbert left many things unsaid, one of those being what happened to Gurney Halleck between the fall of the Atreides and the later rise of Paul Muad’dib. We get the insinuation that he was leading some leftover Atreides forces with the support of some of the Arrakeen smugglers in small guerrilla sorties against the Harkonens. I don’t think I needed that story expanded upon because Herbert’s writing told me all I needed to know already, based on what we know of the Harkonen, Arrakis, and Gurney Halleck. I wouldn’t say this narrative from Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert is a throwaway — it’s compelling enough and feels like a GRRM revenge thread — but it just doesn’t do much to change or reshape or underscore our understanding of much of the world created by F Herbert. The art is adequate — I think Mortarino’s art works well for the arguably more grounded Power Rangers series than it does here for Arrakis (his settings are flavorless), but he illustrates fighting very fluidly and effectively. Overall, a story worth looking at but perhaps not bothering to read in this format.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gurney Haleck is one of the few survivors of the fall of House Atreides. He joins a group of smugglers led by Staban Tuek as he yearns for kanly - revenge - on House Harkonnen. First on his list is the bloodthirsty Rabban who killed his family and is now working on purging the fremen. He approches Hasimir Fenring who accepts to help, if only to humiliate the governor of Arrakis. Gurney also suspects Jessica of betraying her own family.

The plan involves stealing a tanker of water. Fenring is bribed to provide access codes and uniform to be used in the infiltration of the heighliner. The mission goes well right up until the cockpit is assaulted. Rather than encountering 7 men, 20 fully armed soldiers are ready and waiting for them. They barely get away, but also take losses.

In the end Gurney gets his revenge on the hated Harkonnens. Before the tanker was lost he poisoned it. He infiltrates their ranks to see them savor the water, only to choke to death on its neurotoxin. Unfortunately, Rabban survives by celebrating with wine instead. Still, kanly is satisfied. For now.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This part of the saga that is Dune deals with Gurney Halleck and his revenge plot against House Harkonnen, and claiming Kanly, which is basically like the holy war equivalent of revenge... something that must be done or obtained no matter the cost.
Here, with House Atreides being destroyed (Gurney doesn't know that Paul survived), members of the destroyed house join up and become smugglers. Gurney risks everything for a plot where it appears as if he is trying to steal a water shipment, but is actually just trying to poison it. He does succeed, but at huge cost. We should get to see his reunion with Paul in the next Volume, Three.
Well written, and great art. Right now, I am loving Dune's resurgence.
Recommend.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

DUNE: THE WATERS OF KANLY
Powerful pericope giving insight into a skirmish chronologically set early on in the Dune sequel, Dune: Messiah. ****
#1 – “Blood is thicker than water. Water is more precious than spice. Revenge is most precious of all.” – Songs of Gurney Halleck
#2 – “I am GURNEY HALLECK, once a loyal man of Duke Leto. Once the weapons master of House Atreides. For the past year, I have been nothing more than a SMUGGLER.”
#3 – “My team has made our way onto the Guild Heighliner. We will SEIZE the Harkonnen tanker. For the water. For kanly.”
#4 – “We tried to steal a Harkonnen water tanker from the Guild Heighliner. Only four of us survived.”

[Bruno Franco Netto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Waters of Kanly is a limited series set in the world of Dune. This relatively self-contained story takes place essentially between the events of the films Dune Part 1 and Dune Part 2, right after the fall of House Atreides in the battle of Arrakeen. The loyal Gurney Halleck and the surviving Atreides soldiers become spice smugglers to survive and plot revenge (Kanly) against the Harkonnen. This is an entertaining short story, the art is good, and I like the idea of Dune comic books because I love thay world. Just don't expect this to be as good as the source material, it's just a simple and short revenge story that allows you to go back to the fascinating world created by Frank Herbert.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This doesn't feel gritty enough for Dune; it comes close when Gurney espouses how he came to have the scar on his face on a prison planet work gang. The fundamental problem I had with it is that it's drawn so that a heck of a lot of the characters look like they're auditioning for Lawrence of Arabia, and very few of the characters, some native, some not (like Gurney) don't have the blue eyes from exposure to the Spice. On a continuity/plot point the vessel with the poison is left on the floor, next to the main water tank, and still the 'back-up plan' works; I mean, come on!

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gurney Halleck served House Atreides for years, and when they fell under the assault of House Harkonnen, he swore revenge - Kanly. Now he will fulfil his vow, one way or another.

Another solid Dune story. We all know Rabban won't die, given that he's in later stories, but the ferocity of Gurney's vengeance is a sight to see, and it's fun to see the lengths he'll go to finally feel fulfilled. Also, probably the best art I've seen in a Dune book, thanks to Power Rangers artist Francesco Mortarino.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One more proof point that Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are great comic writers. Beautifully illustrated, closes the gap of what Gurney was up to after the defeat of the Atreides and his re-joining with Paul Muad'Dib.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good side story about Gurney Halleck and what he was doing while House Atreides was in hiding. It's a good if simple story of revenge and the art was better than in some of the other Dune comics.

[Luke Costin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid side story from the dune universe , definitely would work better in tpb format rather than single issues but I enjoyed it none the less

[Andres Pasten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Era para 2 números, no 4. Y los dibujos son bastante básicos.

[Christopher Lim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shallow story. A lot of repetitive dialogue in which Gurney is screaming to people he wants revenge / kanly. Probably because that’s the only way to fill up the panels.

[Tony Quilter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story that doesn't need telling, and didn't add anything to the already well established character of Gurney

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true meaning of kanly.

"Blood is thicker than water. Water is more precious than spice. Revenge is most precious of all."

[Kenneth Colon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me too long for a reason… was interesting but doesn’t do enough to really hook you through and through.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Rachel Newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "side quest" that happens in the background of the first Dune book, falling in between the fall of Atreides and Gurney's reunion with Paul.

CW: violence, reference to rape (no nudity)

[Max McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very badass prequel expanding the depth of Gerney Halleck.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent use of Gurney Halleck and a down payment of the revenge due

[Gingersnap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gurney Halleck is a bard

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing because I was expecting a novel, not a graphic novel. Good story otherwise.

[Verónica Fesbak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este volumen corresponde a una adaptación del relato corto escrito por los mismos autores (¡Ojo! A partir de aquí contiene spoilers del final del primer libro) que nos sitúa inmediatamente después del ataque a Arrakis por parte de los Harkonnen, arrebatando el poder a la Casa Atreides.

El protagonista de esta aventura es Gurney Halleck, antiguo maestro de armas de los Atreides y superviviente de la invasión Harkonnen. Ahora, junto a otros refugiados del ataque, se ha unido a un grupo de contrabandistas de especia con quienes trabaja para dar un gran golpe a los Harkonnen y cobrarse su ansiada venganza. El Kanly.

En este volumen no solo descubrimos qué fue de este personaje tras el ataque, sino que profundizamos mucho más en su propia historia. El odio de Gurney por los Harkonnen no nace tras la derrota, sino que tiene un origen mucho más personal que descubrimos a lo largo de las viñetas junto al pasado del protagonista.

Una vez más, el apartado técnico es espectáculo puro. Los detalles en el dibujo, el juego de contrastes con el color entre tonos cálidos y fríos, colores más suaves y otros más vibrantes… Todo ello utilizado como herramienta para generar diferentes sensaciones en los distintos escenarios: interior, exterior, espacio, Arrakis… Sin duda es una colección que merece la pena atesorar por su arte.

La historia tiene muchísima acción y estrategia y sus poco más de 100 páginas se leen en un suspiro, dejando un buen sabor de boca y muchas ganas de saber más. No es que el final sea abierto como tal. Digamos que toda esta historia recoge una misión y esta sí termina en este cómic, pero aún queda por saber el futuro de algunos personajes importantes.