As fans ofThe Expanseawait the next entry in the franchise’s story, it seems there is more to look forward to than just another Amos Burton-led adventure. ThecomingExpansesequel could finally end a years-long fan debate, too.
Recruiting the talents of’Amos Burton' actor Wes Chatham,The Expanse: A Little Deathbrings co-writer Andy Diggle (The Expanse: Dragon Tooth) and artist Francesco Pisa back for another sequel from BOOM! Studios. Already established asanExpansestory close to Chatham’s heart, new art promises to solve a canon riddle some thought would never be answered.
The Secret Meaning of Expanse Tattoos Have Puzzled Fans For Years
Geometric Designs And Languages Speak To The Character’s Complex Backstory
Every fan ofThe ExpanseTV series knows how important body modification and tattoos, specifically, play to the universe’s array of factions, cultures, status, politics, and history. Whether it’s something as coded as neck tattoos keeping the memory of scar-inflicting EVA helmets alive, or as overt as an OPA insignia, tattoos add another layer of meaning to a universe filled with them.
In the case of Amos Burton, the observation, analysis, andonline discussion surrounding tattoos is practically its own subsection ofThe Expansefandom. Perhaps it’s a unavoidable as the “muscle” of the Rocinante, demanding more frequently glimpsed bare arms (at minimum), but after years of debate and theorizing, the most enigmatic of Amos Burton’s body art may finally be solved.
Amos Burton’s Expanse Sequel is Officially Teasing His Most Mysterious Tattoo
The Final Tattoo To Unlock is One of Actor Wes Chatham’s Own Creations
In a brilliant case of adaptation bringing new lore and mythmaking back to the source material, there isno actual way of discerning ‘Amos Burton’s tattoos’ from those belonging to actor Wes Chatham, when sporting both to portray the character on screen. For that reason, one of Burton’s most pronounced tattoos has remained an unsolvable riddle. Perhaps, until now.
The variant cover art from artist Justine Florentino is remarkable for several reasons, not least of which is immediately backing up the idea ofA Little Deathgiving Amos his ownMan on Firethriller. But it also puts Chatham’s signature tattoo front and center. Or rather,it puts Amos Burton’s mystery arm tattoo front and center, to the delight of fans everywhere.
From a factual standpoint, the tattoo itself has been deciphered: written in Hebrew, it speaks of seeking or holding companionship with one’s own self. But even if Chatham has spoken on his tattoo’s ‘meaning,’ that doesn’t explain it’s significance to Amos Burton. It’s a duality Chatham explained in an interview withTheExpanseLives:
“Correct… Amos is always in search of his morality. What is his line between good and evil? And a lot of the tattoos that he has are kind of stories that we created… like guiding symbols to him.And two of the tattoos that I have on my arm, not to be too specific, but they have something to do with morality. And that was just really in line with what we were trying to create, and that’s why we left those.”
And ever since, fans have been resigned to spinning their own theories about the origin of the tattoo, the language choice, and the meaning to Amos within the show’s fiction. Now, with the tattoo featured so prominently in this artwork, there is reason to hope that Chatham will finally reveal the ‘canon’ in this story he’s co-writing.
Recruiting The Show’s Cast is Expanding Franchise Lore in The Best Possible Way
Wes Chatham Forms A New Link To Amos, Even After All These Years
As an obvious mystery that is almost too good to resist diving into, the idea of this coming adventure for Amos directly relating to the spotlighted cover art sells itself. The diehard (read: obsessive) fans spinning theories on Reddit may know what Burton’s Hebrew ink communicates, but many casual fans won’t have a clue. Which means this book’s cover poses a clear question:“What does Amos Burton’s tattoo mean? And why did he get it?”
At the very least, we can only hope that the fans' desperation to see the mysterious tattoo explained is reflected, if not shared by Florentino. Whether it prompts Chatham and Diggle to finally give the fans some fuel for the fire, or only serves to add more speculation, it highlights yet another wayThe Expansecontinues to delight its audience years after its finale.
The Expanse: A Little Death#1will release this September from BOOM! Studios.
