Frank Herbert, father of the EU universe? *spoilers*

[Kurgan]

Bear with me here, I haven't read every sci fi novel in the world, and I admit, that the number of sci fi books I read is tiny compared to some people.

 

However, I couldn't help but notice as I continue to read the Dune series of novels by Frank Herbert (the first three written in the late 60's, the others written in the mid 80's before his death in '86) the vast similarities and items that are borrowed and appear in the Star Wars exanded universe novels.

 

Now I agree that Dune won awards when it came out and so it was inevitable that it would be copied, however I wonder to what degree it was. Again, it could be that nowadays everybody just writes sci fi novels a certain way....

 

But, even in the classic trilogy, we can see parallels....

 

The universe of Dune is our universe (the story begins in the year 10191), true, BUT,

 

It's ruled by a corrupt Emperor... and his buerecrats and assassins...

 

Is populated by various beings with prescience and super-human mental powers (the Mentats, the Bene Gesserit Order, the Spacing Guild).... the Bene Gesserits are always scheming, can read minds, have visions, and can use "the Voice" to have a strong influence over others. The "Weirding Way" of combat is also another trick of the trade. Reading how the Bene Gesserit and Guildsmen think reminds one of the Force... These groups are often hated and feared, but used by those in power for their own ends, all the while these groups conspire against their rulers and each other of course...

 

They have faster than light travel through wormholes (similar to hyper-space, although the Spacing Guild Navigators are the ones who allow the ships to pass through)... we don't see any space combat though, as nobody wants to risk losing their Guild spacing privileges.

 

The story revolves around a desert planet, Arrakis (aka "Dune") which bears a striking resemblance to Tatooine. It's populated by nomadic groups of fierce warriors who scavange and prey upon smugglers and others in the deep desert, called the Fremen. There is an obsession with water and so devices like moisture vaporators and other things are used to retain and store water.

 

The Spice is a precious commodity, and smugglers trade in it... in the classic trilogy we don't know what the Spice does, but in the EU it has geriatric properties... it allows people to expand their consciousness and have influence over the minds of others.

 

Now let's take a look at some examples from the EU:

 

What is "plasteel"? Sounds familiar right? It's the stuff that Stormtrooper armor is supposedly made of. It's mentioned in Dune... we also have "plastone" and other high-tech materials.

 

How about those personal shields from Jedi Knight/2? They figure big in the weaponry of the people of the Great Houses. In fact the aristocrats and nobles specialize in shield-combat with knives and swords.

 

Granted, there are huge differences in the stories... for example the Sand Worms (Shai-halud) of Arrakis are nothing like the animals we see in Star Wars on Tatooine... then again we do have the Sarlacc, and that worm that hide the Millennium Falcon in its belly.... ; )

 

Paul Atredies becomes the fabled "kwizatch haderach," the chosen one.... but then that's a cliche that's been done to death in sci fi anyway.

 

One big difference between the SW universe and that of Dune is the fact that artificial intelligence is banned. After the Butlerian Jihad, a new commandment was written "Thou shalt not make a machine in the image of a man's mind" which means no self-aware machines... you also don't have things like Death Stars, although planets do get "sterilized" from time to time...

 

Btw, if anybody has seen the recent Sci Fi channel version of "Dune" (there was a film by David Lynch done in the 80's which I thought was good too, albeit changed the story a bit and left out a lot of details) I hear there's a sequel coming out that combines the second and third books. Should be interesting...

[Darth Xhan]

Lucas admitted to being influenced by Herbert.

 

You also have a group of People who follow a veryvspecific and very spritual code, they are astute and amazing warriors who follow said code, and are seen as an anachronism that has outlived it's usefulness.. but can still beat ass with impunity.

 

Jedi=Fremen.

[Kurgan]

Okay, cool. I didn't know he'd admitted it.

 

That explains why the EU authors are continuing the tradition. Which reminds me, Children of Dune has "Solo babies" written all over it... ; )

 

There's even the part where everybody is related.

[XERXES]

dune is awesome. I recomend the newest books, House Atredes and House Harkonnen...they are the events leading up to Dune itself. Personally i like dune better than star wars just because it is more serious. And the overall theme is polotically oriented.

[Lunatic Jedi]

There's a new version of the movie Dune, made in 2000. Actually, its not a new version, its a whole new movie. Much better special effects (sandworms are CGI, and shields don't appear as hand-drawn boxes around guy's bodies, thank god), and an actor who can actually look the part (William Hurt). This is good, since Kyle McLachlan looked about twice as old as he should have, since Paul was 15 when the story began.

 

Its only on DVD, as far as I know. Its about 4 hours long (yes, very long) and spans 3 discs. Not rated, some brief nudity and sexuality, helluva lot of violence. This message brought to you by the guys who give films ratings. Its a thankless job but somebody's got to do it. PORK LOAF! HA HA HA HA HA!!!

[Nebelwerfer_]

What is "plasteel"? Sounds familiar right? It's the stuff that Stormtrooper armor is supposedly made of. It's mentioned in Dune... we also have "plastone" and other high-tech materials

 

sorry, kurgan, but it's "DURASTEEL"... i think.

if i'm wrong, ban me

 

heh, not very durable though, why do they even wear it , cause it hasnt saved 1 stormtrooper's life, and it's bulkey.

[Lunatic Jedi]

The stuff won't even protect them from rocks!