Things are heating up on Season 5 of The Expanse. Naomi is still in mortal danger, and it seems everyone left that she cares about (excepting Amos on Earth) is barreling straight towards her, and their deaths. And though the picture of how Marco Inaros began to assemble his Free Navy is becoming clearer, there are still so many unanswered questions. Not to worry – Boom! Studios continues to fill in the gaps in The Expanse #2.  [Warning: contains spoilers.]

The Expanse #2; Boom! Studios
Image: Boom! Studios

Issue #2 picks up where Issue #1 leaves off, and the mystery of the Consortium grows. A desperate Bobbie, alone and injured in the desert, has to turn to turn to an old acquaintance for a rescue. His connections, it seems, are far-reaching, as the mere flash of his “credentials” gets him and Bobbie through security without any question. In The Expanse #2 it becomes clear that the conspiracy Bobbie and Avasarala seek to uncover runs far deeper than either of them can possibly imagine.

The Expanse #2: Avasarala in danger?

Whatever the Consortium is, it’s obvious that its reach extends not only into Martian politics, but the upper echelons of Earth authority as well. So much so that Avasarala finds herself in a dire situation, in her own quarters, on Luna. Only her quick thinking and a piece of her signature jewelry allow her to escape… but to what end? She’s alone, running, and no one can hear her call for help. If nothing else, The Expanse #2 certainly ramps up the intensity of the in-between story preceding Season 5.

The Expanse #2; Boom! Studios
Image: Boom! Studios

What’s great about this issue is the insight we get into Bobbie’s continued self-examination. The once proud Martian marine has begun to question everything, including herself. Still, the integrity we’ve come to know and expect from Bobbie Draper remains. She knows there’s a greater purpose here, and together with Avasarala, she’ll discover just what that purpose may be.

The question is whether or not she can do it in time.

The Expanse #2; Boom! Studios
Image: Boom! Studios

The Expanse #2 is on sale now. The series airs Wednesdays on Amazon Prime Video.