US publisher BOOM! Studios crowdfunding campaign for a new SF 12-issue comic series written by British writer Andy Diggle, with art by Rubine, based on hit book and TV series The Expanse, has gone supernova.
The Expanse: Dragon Tooth, featuring an all-new story, overseen by overseen by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (aka James SA Corey), the original authors of The Expanse, is set in the aftermath of Season Six of the TV show and before the events of the seventh novel, has so far raised over £703,000 in backing – far in excess of its relatively modest £20,000 goal.
Issue One will be released in comic shops on Wednesday 5th April 2023.The series will subsequently be collected as three separate trade paperbacks (with ISBNs, available in bookstores) and Kickstarter-exclusive hardcovers.
The immersive universe of The Expanse has captured the imaginations of science fiction fans around the globe for over a decade – first in the Hugo and Dragon Award winning novel series and then in a critically acclaimed, Hugo and Saturn Award winning television series (streaming on Amazon Prime) – instantly entering the highest echelon of genre-defining science fiction and adventure.
The Expanse: Dragon Tooth is the first new story since the conclusion of Season Six of the acclaimed Amazon Prime Video series. Developed alongside James S.A. Corey and TV studio Alcon Television Group, superstar writer Andy Diggle (The Losers, Green Arrow: Year One) and rising star artist Rubine (Voltron: Legendary Defender) will tie together the threads of the show and answering lingering questions that will bring readers and viewers alike far beyond the stellar horizon in this monumental 12-issue comic book maxi-series.
The story will finally reveal what happened during the nearly 30-year gap between Babylon’s Ashes and Persepolis Rising. Discover the missing adventures of the crew of the Rocinante – James Holden, Naomi Nagata, Amos Burton, Bobbie Draper, and Clarissa Mao – along with the journeys of other beloved characters, including Chrisjen Avasarala and Camina Drummer and the ebbs and flows of the Inners, Belters, OPA, and Transport Union… all leading to the rise of the Laconian Empire. And it all begins with the Roci responding to a SOS signal, and the emergence of a new pirate faction…
Everything comes together in this epic 12-issue story, tying together the threads of the show and answering lingering questions that will bring readers and viewers alike far beyond the stellar horizon.
The story is a new, original story, and a continuation of the TV show’s timeline. It is not an adaptation of any existing material, and it does not spoil what happens in Book Seven, Persepolis Rising.
Dragon Tooth: The Team
Lancaster-based Andy Diggle is the writer of the bestselling Green Arrow: Year One, The Losers, Cold Iron, and the Eisner-nominated sci-fi graphic novel Prométhée 13:13, in addition to numerous titles for DC Comics, Marvel, Dynamite, IDW and Image.
“Andy has an amazing track record, and his plans for the story are like nothing we’ve seen before. Dragon Tooth is going to be genuinely outstanding,” enthuse the New York Times bestselling authors of the Expanse novels and writers and executive producers on the series, Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham.
“It’s not often you get to work on something you already love with your whole heart, and everyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about The Expanse. Suit up and strap in – we’re gonna be pulling some high-g manoeuvres!,” he said, ahead of the crowdfunder’s launch earlier this month.
Rubine is a Spanish artist who lives in Barcelona. After studying at the Joso School, he began his artistic career in the world of comics. His versatility as a penciler has led him to collaborate on different series like Voltron: Legendary Defender, Nancy in Hell, and Astronaut Down. He has worked at various publishers such as AfterShock, Lion Forge / Oni Press, and Titan Comics.
“It is a real honour for me to participate in this project,” he said. “The Expanse is a spectacular sci-fi story, authentic, and superbly done. But it is also an existential portrait of the course of humanity. How, unfortunately, we constantly repeat the same mistakes of the past. And how only by getting rid of grudges and prejudices can we forge ahead as a society,” said series artist Rubine. “With what’s happening nowadays, it’s an important message to get across.
“I hope you enjoy this comic as much as Andy and I are enjoying working on it. Andy has prepared a brilliant story faithful to the series, full of plot twists, intrigue, humanity, and a lot of heart. Travel with us in the Rocinante!”
The Expanse: Dragon Tooth #1 features a standard cover by Eisner-winning artist Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom), and variant covers by highly acclaimed artists Jung-Geun Yoon (Something is Killing the Children), E.M. Gist (Star Wars), Salvador Larroca (Doctor Doom) and more.
Exclusive premium variants of each issue and exclusive variant editions of each collection, along with highly limited edition collectibles, will also be available via the BOOM! Studios Deluxe Pre-Order campaign on Kickstarter.
Soaraway Success for “Missing Stories” Kickstarter
Kickstarter is the only place you’ll be able to find The Expanse: Dragon Tooth limited-edition hardcovers, exclusive metal box sets, and unique stretch goals such as prop replicas, crew patches, and the Rocinante challenge coin and beanie hat.
Pre-orders for this thrilling new comic book series began on Kickstarter earlier as the latest BOOM! Deluxe Pre-Order Campaign, ending its first day with a record-breaking total of $342,214, and becoming BOOM! Studios’ biggest Kickstarter launch day of all time, a record previously held by Keanu Reeves’ megahit BRZRKR. And the backers just keep coming.
BRZRKR’s day one success led to it becoming the biggest comic book Kickstarter campaign of all time in 2021. BOOM! Studios President of Publishing and Marketing, Filip Sablik has similar hopes for The Expanse: Dragon Tooth.
“Beginning with BRZRKR, BOOM! Studios has positioned itself as the premiere publisher for exciting comic book projects on Kickstarter,” said Sablik. “With each BOOM! Deluxe Pre-Order Campaign, we challenge ourselves to bring new fans into the medium of comic book storytelling and give them a premium experience. I cannot overstate how excited all of us at BOOM! Studios are that the vast, immersive galaxy of The Expanse has earned its place amongst the Kickstarter stars.”
With 22 days left in the pre-order campaign, The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Deluxe Pre-Order Campaign’s record breaking launch has already made the series BOOM! Studios third biggest campaign of all time, behind BRZRKR and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This is just the latest in a series of successful pre-order campaigns for the company, including four campaigns in 2022 that each ended with six figure totals.
BOOM! Studios plans to continue to pursue this successful avenue for pre-orders, with several more unannounced BOOM! Deluxe Pre-Order campaigns for 2023 yet to be revealed.
“The Expanse is a beloved franchise that has one of the most loyal, and vocal fanbases in the world. Those fans can rest easy knowing that BOOM! Studios is continuing to bring new stories in The Expanse-verse to life,” said Jon Moisan, Acquisition Editor, BOOM! Studios.
• The Expanse: Dragon Tooth Deluxe Pre-Order Campaign is here on Kickstarter, offering special surprises and hidden stretch goals to be announced all month long
• You can find Andy Diggle on twitter at @andydiggle or on the web at andydiggle.com
• You can find Rubine on Instagram at @rubinecr
• The Expanse: Dragon Tooth #1 will be released in comic shops on Wednesday 5th April 2023. Fan demand is likely to be high, so you might want to ask your local comic shop to “pre-order” and reserve a copy for you, PREVIEWS Code FEB230275
Single issues will also be available digitally from content providers such as comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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