The Expanse

The Expanse graphic novels

by Corinna Sara Bechko, Alejandro Aragón (Illustrations)

A new graphic novel collection revealing secrets of the hit Amazon series!

AN OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO THE HIT AMAZON SERIES

Chrisjen Avasarala, the former longtime Secretary-General of the United Nations, has found herself relegated to Luna after losing the latest elections...and she doesn’t plan on going down without a fight. So when Bobbie Draper - a former Martian marine - brings her intel on an intergalactic black market weapons ring, Avasarala sees a chance to reclaim her former political position of power through a clandestine operation. But as Draper digs deeper into this secret cabal, she soon realizes the threat they pose is far larger - and closer to home - than either of them ever imagined…

Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One) and Alejandro Aragon (Resonant) present a powerful new story set between Season 4 and Season 5 of Amazon’s hit series The Expanse. Collects The Expanse #1-4.

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

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2021

About the author

Corinna Bechko has been writing comics since her horror graphic novel Heathentown was published by Image/Shadowline in 2009. Since then she worked for Marvel, DC, Boom!, Image, and Dark Horse, among others, on titles such as Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: Legacy, Savage Hulk, Aliens/Vampirella, Invisible Republic, and Green Lantern: Earth One. She was recently short-listed for the Aeon Award for her prose short Sooterkin. She is a zoologist by training.

Reviews

[Lauren]

Seemed to go in narrative circles - even when featuring great characters like Chrisjen and Bobbie, this one never went anywhere.

Love the show so much, so I had high hopes for the comic tie-in.

(Read as single issues - this post is about all 4 issues in the arc)

[The Void Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Expanse (Graphic Novel)

By Corinna Sara Bechko & Alejandro Aragon
Collected Issues #1–4 | Set between Seasons 4 & 5

Avasarala is back—and she’s not here to retire quietly.

This graphic novel delivers everything a fan of The Expanse could hope for: razor-sharp political intrigue, morally complex heroes, and a threat that simmers just beneath the surface of the solar system. Corinna Bechko’s writing captures the voice and gravitas of Chrisjen Avasarala with uncanny precision, while Alejandro Aragon’s gritty, kinetic illustrations give the story its pulse—equal parts noir and space opera.

Bobbie Draper’s return as the muscle and conscience of the mission adds emotional weight and tension, especially as the black market weapons ring spirals into something far more insidious. The pacing is tight, the stakes are planetary, and the dialogue crackles with the kind of bite fans of the show will instantly recognize.

Whether you’re a die-hard Beltalowda or just dipping into the universe, this tie-in feels essential. It bridges seasons with style, expands the lore without overreaching, and leaves you hungry for more.

Verdict: A must-read for Expanse loyalists. Political espionage meets Martian grit in a beautifully rendered, high-stakes narrative. More, please.

Happy reading in the void 🚀📚

[H.J. Swinford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Expanse graphic novels, this one has my favorite art style, I suppose thanks to Alejandro Aragon. The stylized/sketchy look really works for me.

This story zoomed in on Avasarala and Bobbie and I love them as a team, so I enjoyed this. It didn't blow me away or anything, but it was definitely a fun little story.

[Road Worrier · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved Bechko's work in Invisible Republic, but the rough graphics and bleak colors made it hard to enjoy this series. On the positive side, the characters felt like the characters I enjoyed from The Expanse James S A Corey books. Avasarala looked a bit young for how I imagined her, but one or two of the graphics caught her in a convincing way. I've never seen the TV show, maybe bleak colors are part of its schtick?

[Anthony Pangilinan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first four issues of the Expanse Graphic Novel. These stories feature Bobbie Draper and Chrisjen, as depicted on the cover, taking place at some point after season 4 and before season 5. I recommend you watch you up to season 4 before reading this, otherwise a lot of context is lost.

Seeing Draper and Avasarala continue to struggle with their new roles is interesting to see as they still try to fulfill the duties of their old ones. When someone does one thing for so long it becomes difficult to change, especially from positions of power and military to one with less power and a more civilian role. The two women remain in contact and infrequently work to uncover secret operations that threaten the peace of the Solar System while trying to maintain their new lives.

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short graphic novel using the likenesses of the actors from the television show. Bobbie, between seasons four and five, is on Mars investigating black market arms dealing, and finds herself on the trail of another problem, which causes trouble for Avasarala back on the Moon. It's okay, but doesn't add very much to what we've already seen on television, and I didn't find the sketchy art style very appealing.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because I was so happy to see an expanse comic about these two! It was a wonderful story focused on the women. It really did feel like a bonus episode. The only think missing was Chrisjen cussing up a storm, her swearing had clearly been PG ified for the series which made me giggle. But I really enjoyed the story. And it made me want to watch the tv show again.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. I have mixed feelings on this book. I loved the cover and the use of different colour pallettes for different pages, but I wasn't a fan of the character renditions. The story was a ok, definitely an interesting side journey for Expanse completionists, which I am. They did use something similar in the Amazon Prime's production.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little side story following Bobbie and Avasarala, though it's hard to mentally tie in to the series because I don't remember any hints of this plot in the books but that may be my fault. I don't think this story would make much sense to anyone who isn't already familiar with either the books or the TV series.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, beautifully drawn addition to The Expanse Universe created by a group of artists familiar with the source material and in keeping with the tone and voice of the books and the television series. No fan of either should miss this beautiful book.

[Charles Korb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was... Fine. I like Bobbie and Avasarala but the stakes feel low and we already know the answer to the mysteries such as they are.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Ok story but a far cry from the level you would normally expect connected to the IP.

[Tiffani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story that delves a little deeper into the what Bobbie and Avasarala are investigating. Supposed to be set between seasons 4 and 5 of the show.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story set between seasons 4 and 5. Enjoyable and with an innovative art style that is dark but still renders full images.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful additional context for what the Laconians were doing behind the scenes to prepare for their big play.

[Ross Blauvelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the expanse. Always will. So good to read new stuff with them but the ending in this felt anticlimactic. Saw where it was going very early on. It was fine.

[Eric Wentling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice interval story from the Expanse. Always love more from these characters.

[Olivia Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the added story, but didn't seem to add to the overall story of the show and there wasn't a resolution. Overall I just love the Expanse.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good stories to fill in the spaces. I didn't like the art. There wasn't enough detail or clarity in the lines.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little adventure that provided a bit more context to the investigations being conducted by Chrisjen Avasarala (on Luna) and Bobbie Draper (on Mars) during the events of Nemesis Games. It's was nice to explore further how that relationship was like, regardless of whether or not people consider this material to be canon or whatever.

The art style is a little messy but certainly quite evocative as well, so it generally works. There are some great character moments across the issues and makes for some good storytelling for sure. A 4-issue arc is still pretty short though, but it's a good piece of Expanse-related short fiction.

[Graham Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better for the show watchers than the book readers.