Having read the original Dune novel by Frank Herbet twice and also seen the film adaptation of Dune Part 1 (which covers much of the same events this volume does) twice, this graphic novel adaptation, also on reread, measures out as a fine adaptation of the source material, but maybe my least favourite of the three.

Some of the character panels can be a little flat, but the design and details, especially in the environments, costumes and machinery are pretty well done and are adapted accurately from the novel. I also liked the use of colour in both high contrast pages and entire sections using monochrome tones of red or blue in moments of high tension.

This adaptation does cover some scenes that were left out of the film, the dinner scene, the conversation between Jessica and Thufir Hawat, etc. However, much of Dune's brilliance is in the inner monologues of the various characters, the nuances of their thoughts especially when they are in conversation, that reveal both their characters and the machinations of the various political figures. This adaptation is just over 160 pages and leaves out a lot of those inner thoughts in favour of the dialogue, which just can't get everything across. It also doesn't have the same presence of scale and visual storytelling, or the benefit of excellent actors to bridge that gap the same way Denis Villeneuve's adaptation did.

Overall, if you want a quick and digestible version of Dune that summarises the major events of the first half of the original novel, this does a pretty good job. It comes from a great source, so it still delivers a great story worth reading. Also, that cover is great, so it'll look nice on your shelf!