Fans of the in the Dune Universe, a new one-shot story promises a deep-dive into the past of a character that no one saw coming and Screen Rant has all the details.
Screen Rant is excited to announce the one-shot comic book, Dune: Edge of a Crysknife: Hiding Among the Harkonnens #1 from BOOM! Studios. The story will be penned by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (Dune : House Harkonnen, Dune: House Atreides) and illustrated by Dune: House Corrino artist Simone Ragazzoni.
The story is set in the past and follows the Fremen's attempts to disrupt Governor Dimitri Harkonnen’s spice operation. But while the Fremen plan a more noticeable sabotage, a young Shadout Mapes finds the value in going undercover to achieve her goals of stopping the spice harvesting.
New Dune Story Reveals Shadout Mapes Unseen Past
Mapes' Backstory Promises Big Revelations for the Mysterious Fremen
Though not one of the series’ most commanding characters, the Shadout Mapes is a character largely seen in the original Dune story. Mapes was the head housekeeper of the Imperial Residence of Arrakeen and served House Atreides. However, her loyalty lies with her people, the Fremen and she serves as an informant. Mapes also had a strong bond with the Lady Jessica, believing she was a figure that was spoken of in Fremen prophecies. The Shadout Mapes was also known for carrying a crysknife, a weapon made from the tooth of a sandworm, which was later given to Jessica.
Dune: Edge of a Crysknife: Hiding Among the Harkonnens #1 isn't the first time Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson or Simon Ragazzoni have contributed to the Dune mythology. But this is the first time fans are getting a greater glimpse into who Mapes really is and what she was like before she served House Atreides. Mapes doesn't get to play much of a role in the original Dune story, but she does lay the groundwork for Paul Atreides transformation. It should be interesting to see what helped shape House Attreides’ head housekeeper before the events of Dune.
Dune's New Prequel Story Will Give Fans a New Look at Mapes
The Fremen's Past Will Change Everything Fans Know About Her
The Dune mythology is an incredibly rich and well-detailed one, but there's still so much that fans don't know about particular characters. Few may have thought about where Mapes came from or what led her to serving House Atreides, but there's clearly a story there that the creative team is eager to tell. A story set in the past isn't just interesting, it's primed to give fans an entirely new perspective on Mapes. Hopefully, this new prequel to Dune and its examination of the Shadout Mapes will really give fans something special.
Dune: Edge of a Crysknife: Hiding Among the Harkonnens #1 is available on July 2nd, 2025.
