expanse_dragon_tooth_2_featured Reviews 

“The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2

By | May 26th, 2023
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

One of the interesting problems in adapting a massive series with a sprawling cast to a new medium is how you change the characters. You could take two or three characters with similar stories and combine them; you could just cut characters completely. But in any case, even small changes like that can create significant impacts, potentially changing the course of a series. The Expanse is a prime example of this, a book series turned tv series that changes up the cast of characters and follows through with some of those changes. While I’ve read the books, I still have yet to watch the series, so it’s interesting to see a comic continuing the story of the tv show and not the books. It’s fascinating to see how, in both series, similar events might feel different, and it allows creators to explore elements of the world that neither the show nor the books got a chance to explore. In “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2, Andy Diggle creates a tight political thriller, keeps you guessing, and explores a time period both source materials never got to explore, the paranoia of peace.

Cover by Christian Ward
Written by Andy Diggle
Illustrated by Rubine and David Cabeza
Colored by Raul Angulo
Lettered by Pat Brosseau

The stellar expansion and continuation of The Expanse continues in the only place fans will find new adventures!
In a time of great strife and subterfuge, Sohiro, Roki, Avasarala, and other key players make their way in the breadth of cosmic colonialism and piracy.
But, a long-hidden threat lurks in waiting… connected to threads from the past that will change the future forever.

While the universe is in a rebuilding phase after the establishment of the Laconian government, the destruction of Earth, and the chaos of the Free Navy war, “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2 leans into the paranoia of the time period following the destruction of Marcos Inaros. Diggle shows the universe at three levels and that not all is what it seems. From the decks of Medina station to the Secretary General’s office on the moon, humanity’s tension is at an all-time high. Diggle takes some familiar characters in each vignette and puts them under the microscope. From the Transport Union discovering Naomi’s past to Avasalara discovering that, perhaps, Mars was a little more involved than they initially let on, the issue does a fantastic job of showing the pressure built on all levels. But that is nothing compared to the first part of the story, a humble belter helping a sabotaged ice hauler.

It’s all incredibly familiar in the initial pages, with Diggle reestablishing some simple universal truths and highlighting the heightened tension by showing the disabled ship on high alert. However, “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2 pulls its trick. It reminds you that in chaotic times, not everyone is who they seem in chaotic times. It’s subtle and well-executed espionage on the page, as the agent seamlessly slips from Belter Creole to standard English. But it serves a bigger purpose. It’s a reminder that not everyone is who they say they are, and in a world where anyone can be an agent for a rising fascist threat like Laconia, we have to treat everyone with a certain degree of distance. This makes the sequence with the Rocinate crew on Medina station all the more difficult. After years of building trust, Naomi’s past has potentially fractured her crew’s reputation with the Trade Union and beyond. Again, Diggle does a wonderful job capturing the tone of these characters, creating a blend somewhere between the book characters and the show characters. But what makes the book special is its commitment to the aesthetic of the tv show.

One of the things that makes The Expanse work is the series’ commitment to a “no frills” science fiction. Unlike other space fairing franchises, it is a series that looks mass-produced and modular. While this could create a somewhat monotonous-looking comic, Rubine, and David Cabeza do a fantastic job of showing how the various setting in space is unique. The comic’s visuals are varied and top-notch from the cavernous, zero-g airlock of a belter ship to the wood panel’s office of a planetary leader. One of the strongest pieces of visual storytelling comes from showcasing a unique aspect of most space bases, the nightclub. Each panel changes from chaotic fun to overwhelming sound, to the realization that perhaps your reputation is changing. It’s wonderful shorthand for our Rocinate crew and is one of the strongest elements of “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2. Similarly, it’s impressive to see how Raul Angulo uses the lighting of the different settings to set the scene’s tone. From the sterile light of an airlock to the harsh fluorescents of a briefing room, each location has a definite feel that adds to the intensity of the sequencing.

Overall, it’s just nice to be back with the crew of the Rocinate, and the creative team of “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2 is doing an admirable job of continuing the story of James Holden and the company. The universe is enormous and unrelenting. Old alliances seem to be unraveling and leading to a more significant conflict, and the universe continues to remind us that not everyone is who they seem. It’s a good angle to approach the period between the Free Navy and the might of Laconia, creating strong tensions and seeing if humanity can survive the strain.

Final Judgement: 8.0  – Featuring strong writing and impressive visuals, “The Expanse: Dragon Tooth” #2 tests the bonds of familiar allies and serves as a reminder that the universe has changed in a significant way.


Joe Skonce

Joe Skonce was born, raised, and currently resides in Ohio, but has been exploring fantastical and imaginary worlds for as long as he can remember. He loves big guys and barbarians, pirates and puppets, and is always down to find nerdy new things. Come say hi to him on twitter @tunabellgrande.

EMAIL | ARTICLES