According to sci-fi fans, The Expanse is one of the most well-written and visually stunning shows of the genre. Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey (a pen name for co-authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck), the show transported us into a future where Earth, Mars, and the Belt were forced into a survival-of-the-fittest battle over resources and politics. Yet painfully, the series was canceled not once, but twice, eventually ending with its sixth season on Amazon Prime. And while the authors have stated that the Season 6 ending was a “natural pause point,” the final three novels remain unadapted.
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Now, fans are finally getting a continuation, but it’s not in the form they’ve been hoping for. Three years after the series finale, the franchise is returning with The Expanse: A Little Death, a graphic novel co-written written by Amos Burton actor Wes Chatham, that continues the story with Burton at its center. Sure, it will be exciting to see the universe come alive in comic form. However, for fans who have been waiting to see Season 7 onscreen, it’s hard not to feel disappointed.
Why The Expanse: A Little Death Can’t Replace Season 7
When Book Seven, Persepolis Rising, arrives in the novels, the story undergoes a seismic shift. A thirty-year time jump takes place, and the action is no longer focused solely on the Sol system. Instead, the story opens up to other star systems connected by the Ring Gates, with new political adversaries emerging on the scene. Entire factions rise and fall, and the canvas of the story expands dramatically. Given how gracefully the first six seasons of The Expanse adapted the books, fans have been extremely eager to see the show develop in scope and complete the arc of the Rocinante crew.
A graphic novel, no matter how well-written or illustrated, simply can’t deliver the same reach or visual impact as a television series. And not only that, but the events of A Little Death Issue #1 (now available at BOOM! Studios) pick up only two years after the Season 6 conclusion, circumventing the plotlines of the novels entirely, and instead providing some bridge material between Season 6 and Book 7.
With the non-renewal of the show and the announcement of the comic, fans feel robbed of watching the beloved main cast embody their roles in the new era. Coming to terms with the absence of Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, and Shohreh Aghdashloo in this phase of the story is a tough pill to swallow. While it’s true the time jump would have presented a production issue, it’s hardly the first time Hollywood has worked aging magic. Fans of the show want to see the characters tackle challenges beyond the Sol system.
Yet, if The Expanse: A Little Death gives us even a taste of Burton’s continued journey, it may be worth checking out. Chatham’s portrayal made Amos a compelling sci-fi protagonist, and his deep understanding and love for the character will likely translate to the page. Perhaps if the graphic novel sells well and resonates with fans, Amazon will even consider picking up the show again and giving it the final three seasons it deserves. For now, though, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that this could, and should, have been the beginning of a new season instead of a comic book side story.
Even with frustration bubbling up in the fanbase, it remains true that the showrunners were able to wrap up The Expanse series within its existing six seasons and deliver a satisfying ending, which still stands as one of the greatest sci-fi achievements of the 21st century. While the promise of what could have been lingers, the series remains a masterpiece; an ambitious, intelligent, and character-driven epic that continues to set the standard for science fiction.
Do you think a graphic novel is enough to carry the story forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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