The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Vol. 1

The Expanse: Dragon Tooth #1-4

by Andy Diggle, Rubine (Artist)

The Expanse lives on at BOOM!, covering the missing years between The Babylon's Ashes and The Persepolis Rising—the only place for fans to find official content!!

Picking up after the final season of the acclaimed and beloved The Expanse show and filling in the missing years between The Babylon's Ashes and The Persepolis Rising, the hidden stories of your favorite Expanse characters are revealed for the first time! Everything comes together, tying the threads of the show and answering lingering questions that will bring readers and viewers alike far beyond the stellar horizon. In the first of a trilogy of graphic novels, superstar comics writer Andy Diggle (Green Lanterns, James Bond) and artist Rubine ( Legendary Defender) broaden The Expanse in ways that will change how fans view the entire series forever! Collects The Dragon Tooth issues #1-4.

Genres: Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Space Opera, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

112 pages, Paperback

Published December 19, 2023

About the author

Andy Diggle is a British comic book writer and former editor of 2000 AD. He is best known for his work on The Losers,Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, Adam Strange and Silent Dragon at DC Comics and for his run on Thunderbolts and Daredevil after his move to Marvel.

In 2013 Diggle left writing DC's Action Comics and began working with Dynamite Entertainment, writing a paranormal crime series Uncanny. He is also working on another crime series with his wife titled Control that is set to begin publishing in 2014.

Reviews

[Robert]

I’ll admit to skimming since this one follows the TV series continuity and I was a little put off by it since I’ve never seen the show but I’m sure those who have will enjoy recognizing the characters and events referenced Alex is dead? WTF?.

[Sarospice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diggle definitely has the characters voices. This was like reading an episode of the TV show. All your favorites and the same political push and pull we love from The Expanse. Looking forward to the next volume, which is the best compliment one can give.

[Valentin Derevlean · Rating 3 out of 5]

O bucurie să descopăr seria aceasta, pentru că îmi da ocazia să reiau și seria de romane „Expanse”, mai precis ultimele 3 care mi-au rămas necitite. O primă observație e că banda continuă povestea din serialul TV și nu din cărți. Mă rog, până la un punct poveștile sunt similare, diferența mare fiind că Alex moare în serial din motive „metoo” și nu din motive de scenariu, spre deosebire de cărți acolo unde e un băiatul mult mai liniștit. Iar banda desenată preia echipajul lui Rocinante din intriga serialului. La fel, trebuie precizat că poveștile din banda desenată (în momentul acesta au apărut 9 din 12 numere cât are în total povestea, iar acest volum le conține pe primele 4) sunt amplasate în acea perioadă de aproximativ 30 de ani dintre finalul volumului 6 și al sezonului 6 și volumul 7. Decizia de a sări în timp mi s-a părut ciudată atunci când am ajuns cu cititul la volumul 7 și cred că de aceea am decis să fac o pauză, pauză care s-a cam lungit, fie vorba între noi.

Arta din volum e decentă, chipurile personajelor împrumută chipurile actorilor din adaptarea tv, ceea ce e reconfortant, trebuie să recunosc pentru că și eu, la rândul meu, am început să dau personajelor fețele din serial. În rest, totul destul de cuminte, împrumutând puțin din arta generică a adaptărilor unor cărți în bandă desenată. Nimic ieșit din comun, miza fiind mai degrabă povestea decât ilustrațiile, adică adaptarea poveștii în cadre pentru banda desenată. Iar povestea seamănă cu una dintre poveștile scurte scrise de autori pentru antologiile SF. O poveste despre alți pirați care profită de haosul iscat după războiul dintre beltărși și Pământ și Marte, cu mici secvențe de luptă și multă intrigă politică. Ceva oarecum obișnuit pentru un cititor fidel al seriei „Expanse”, dar eu unul mi-aș fi dorit mai mult. Adică nu doar o vânătoare de pirați și o altă zi obișnuită din viața echipajului navei Rocinante, ci ceva mai palpitant și mai inteligent. Decent, dar se poate și fără.

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...okay. The writing is quite good, and Diggle has the characters' voices down quite well. But Rubine's art, while very good on the ships, tends to get quite dull when there's just characters talking, which happens quite a bit. It literally turns into mostly heads with a little bit of background sketched in on much of it. And, while the characters bear a slight resemblance to the actors, if they were pulled out of the comic and set before me, I would not recognize any of them.

Let's see how the next two volumes go.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine chapter in a great scifi franchise storyline :)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel takes place after season 6 of The Expanse or Babylon's Ashes. Avasarala is on the lookout for Martian sleeper agents that are disguised as Belters. I enjoyed revisiting these characters, but I just felt like the action and plot in this graphic novel moved too quickly.

[Paul Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story, set in the 30-year gap between season 6 and the events of book 7, is typical Expanse: the Rocinante is pursuing pirates around the asteroid belt while Chrisjen Avasarala, secretary-general of the United Nations, investigates Martian separatists. Events are spread across the full spectrum of humanity stretched around the universe. Because all the action happens between the show and the final three books, many fans will know what’s coming. That means the writers need to entertain two separate audiences: people who are learning all of this for the first time and people who have some idea what will happen.

The show found ways to surprise readers by finding drama in between the action, building fascination through its obsession with how everything works as much as where it’s all headed. Dragon Tooth mostly follows suit.

Some more arch elements of the drama give me pause. The Expanse isn’t above going full space opera, with big bads and mano-a-mano grudge matches, but the framing of the villain ship Camorri Garrista as the Rocinante‘s “sister ship” is a little campy for my taste. Maybe it will pay off, but I don’t understand what’s so special about the crew’s repurposed Martian legitimate salvage vessel that the villains having the same ship represents an increased threat. It feels like a cheap way to say “This time it’s personal” without establishing a real relationship between the two crews. All four issues end with pretty dramatic cliffhangers, which, again, isn’t exactly wrong for this series. It just feels a little clumsier and more obvious than when the show did it.

I was drawn to The Expanse in part because of how well it transcended the genre’s cheapest tricks, or at least disguised them in a narrative that felt compelling enough without them.

But there are also a number of really smart, subtle choices layered in. In particular, I like the cut from the Rocinante‘s two murderers, Amos and Clarissa, discussing their own personal desire not to be monsters to the Cammori Gamista‘s crew pretending their own violence doesn’t affect them. It’s more understated than you would expect, and Rubine’s art captures the difference in all four characters’ relationships to their past violence. Similarly, the battle artwork is seriously good. The show brought space warfare to new heights, and the comic—perfectly balanced between mechanical chaos and tactical specificity—shows many of the reasons why.

[The Void Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

### Book Review: The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Vol 1 by Andy Diggle and Rubine

**Rating:** 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Vol 1" is a thrilling continuation of the beloved series, seamlessly transitioning from the final season of the TV show to a fresh narrative in graphic novel format. Fans of "The Expanse" will be delighted as Andy Diggle and artist Rubine weave an exhilarating tale that bridges the gap between *Babylon's Ashes* and *Persepolis Rising*.

**Story & Plot:**
Diggle masterfully picks up the story, revealing hidden facets and untold adventures of cherished characters. The graphic novel does a fantastic job of expanding the universe and answering some of the lingering questions left by the TV series. Each page pulls the reader deeper into the world of "The Expanse," ensuring that the narrative remains both gripping and emotionally resonant.

**Characters & World-Building:**
The transition from novels and television to graphic novels is seamless, largely due to the rich character development and meticulous world-building that fans have come to expect. The personalities and quirks of each character shine through brilliantly, capturing the essence of what made them beloved in previous formats. Rubine’s artwork vividly brings the universe of "The Expanse" to life, from the intricate spaceship designs to the vastness of space, making every panel a visual delight.

**Art & Visuals:**
Rubine's artistry is nothing short of spectacular. The illustrations are detailed and immersive, enhancing the storytelling in ways that text alone couldn't achieve. The color palette and shading techniques used are visually stunning, creating a perfect backdrop for the dynamic and action-packed narrative.

**Final Thoughts:**
In summary, "The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Vol 1" is a must-read for any fan of the series. It is an exhilarating continuation that honors the legacy of its predecessors while offering new dimensions to the story. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to the series, this graphic novel is bound to captivate and entertain, ensuring that the saga of "The Expanse" continues to soar.

Happy reading, and may your journey through the stars be as thrilling as the adventures in "The Expanse" universe! 🚀📚

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'defeated' enemy has sent ripples out in the galaxy. Politics, betrayal, spying, soil management.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun chance to catch up with beloved characters.

[Graham Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start. Solid intrigue. Shaky characters and dialogue tho. 3.75 in story graph.

[Colleen Villasenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a fan of the TV series. I loved being able to get back into that world. The artwork is outstanding, and the story is well done with all the familiar characters back fighting pirates and schemes they are only partially aware of. A new deadly threat emerges. I can hardly wait to continue this story. I also loved the cover gallery included at the back of the book

[Hannah Rose]

I backed this graphic novel (and the following two) on Kickstarter and am so excited to receive them! I finished Babylon's Ashes in late 2021, and I needed a little break from the series after finishing books 5 and 6. Since then, I've watched the entire show adaptation, which was absolutely brilliant. I'm excited to read intervening stories and then pick back up with Persepolis Rising.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comic is an interstitial. Set between The Expanse volumes six and seven, it tells a story of the uneasy peace between the factions of the solar system.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, this comic is not for you. May I recommend "Leviathan Wakes" (Expanse, #1) or the TV show "The Expanse," on Amazon Prime?

If, however, I'm speaking your language, then you'll enjoy "Dragon Tooth." It's a pleasure to spend time with Rocinante's crew, to live in their universe a little while longer, to see them through another adventure.

If I could change anything about this comic, however, I'd improve the visual design. While certainly professional, this isn't a visually arresting comic. It looks ... fine.

NOTE: This is V1 of a three-volume series. My local library system only carries this volume, not the other two. Looks like I'll have to buy 'em!

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love letter written to reminisce on the Good Old Days when The Expanse was still a thing, Dragon Tooth is a graphic novel presentation of what happens to the key characters from that production after the dramatic last episodes of the series. The primary audience here is people who have finished the Prime Video series and are craving more Rocinante goodness. The first of a trilogy, Dragon, provides a compelling story featuring characters who, for the most part, match their on-screen personas.

I recommend this one to anyone who liked the show.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 overall. Good story. It feels a touch bare bones at times and lends itself to reading it very quickly in places, which can be good or bad depending. Art wise I agree with the comments that it is great on the ships but there is something about the artists style of drawing people that I don't live. It's fine, just not my cup of tea? Bottom line I enjoyed it and would like to see more - I kind of regret not having Vol 2 lined up already - but while I would recommend it to fans of the show / books it's just good, not great IMHO.

[Universal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nie czytam zbyt często komiksów, po części też dlatego, że zazwyczaj mnie rozczarowują. Dragon Tooth stoi na wyższym poziomie. Dość duża szczegółowość i dobra koloryzacja idą w parze z bardzo przyzwoitą historią podpiętą pod zakończenie serialu - bo to on jest fabularną bazą dla tego komiksu. Zachowano rozmach znany mi z książek, całkiem zgrabnie wpisano to w ramy zbudowane między 6 a 7 częścią. Fajne, podobało mi się (choć nie wzbudziło euforii), ale pieruńsko drogie.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this sits in the 30-year time period between books 6 and 7 of the book series, it follows the television show's continuity, with the death of Cas Anvar's Alex Kamal (who, let's be honest, was never the most interesting character anyway).

Separately, this is one of the few times I've backed a Kickstarter project and been entirely happy with the end product.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slots right into where the TV show left off and Diggle has a good grasp on the various characters. If this is the only way to get more visual Expanse content, I'll take it. Hopefully, this series will be just what it takes to jumpstart some ongoing stories. The art's good, though nothing spectacular.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I heard they were continuing the expanse as a comic I was really looking forward to it. But I found this a bit disappointing. The actors bring so much to the roles that the characters all felt a bit flat in comic form. Also compared to where the series left off this felt a bit minor. So I don't think I'll be getting vol. 2.

[Fabricio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice read.
After finishing the Series and the Books this is a nice taste of what could've been the continuation of the show. I'd hope now that new comics would come out like these. Seeing a new Duarte, more present and an older Team Rocinante in the works would be nice as well. And how this could lead to a different outcome in the end.

[H.J. Swinford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start to this short series. Felt just like an episode of the show. I take note that it is definitely set in the SHOW universe and not the NOVELS universe because of the...change that happens at the end of season 5. IYKYK. I don't necessarily love that, but alas. Still a great start to this story.

[Charles Korb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been an episode of the tv show, they capture the characters well but this emphasizes that the frenetic (presumably realistic) space battles in the expanse don't really work in this medium.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and very accurate characters. When you have seen the same characters through novels, tv series and now comics, all faithfully transmitted, it speaks to the careful handling that everyone involved takes, hopefully out of a mutual love for those characters and the story.

[Simon Heldreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, with good artwork, for fans of the TV show or the books. It follows the continuity of the show, so one particular character is missing, but that doesn't really affect anything. I'm glad they are filling in the missing years between books and I'm looking forward to reading the rest.

[Joe Jungers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice art.
Good story.
Great characters.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss the show and book series so this was a great dive back into the world of the Expanse. Good writing, decent action and all your favorite characters are there.

[Kathryn Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally getting around to these after backing the Kickstarter.
The artwork is great, and the characters' voices really shine through. Reading these makes me want to re-read the entire series.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels like an episode of the show; it follows that continuity, not the books. Well drawn and fits into the characters well. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels so good to be back in this universe with all the familiar faces, even if it's just in print.