Advance Review: `Something Is Killing The Children’ #24 Catches Its Breath

There’s a lot of storytelling going on in this latest issue of Something is Killing the Children. Gabi, who survived a monster attack is continuing to look for answers after most of her family is killed. Monster hunter Erica Slaughter is trying to learn more about the deadly beast so she can end its reign of terror. And Erica herself is being targeted by her former house, which has sent an assassin to track her down and kill her.

With that many plot threads to weave together, it is inevitable that writer James Tynion IV needs a chapter like this one that is light on action and heavy on evolving the many storylines. It’s not that this issue is uninteresting – it’s likely a necessary tool in telling a larger story of Erica and the beast she is hunting. Left by itself though, this single issue is a lesser entry into what has become a groundbreaking franchise.

Without too much action to rely upon, artist Werther Dell’Edera doesn’t have a lot of material to exploit. Still, his visual depiction of Erica has been amazing from the first issue, and any opportunity to see her and her big eyes is welcomed. Similarly the creature hunting the residents of Tribulation is a monstrosity that could only come from Dell’Edera’s wonderfully twisted mind. The humanoid monster has no face, but a fang-filled mouth that resembles The Lord of the Rings’ eye of Sauron. It’s no wonder the death toll is so high.

With the first arc in this storyline set to conclude with the next issue, it’s a sure thing that the story will pick up its pace after taking what is likely a necessary breather this time around. If so, it will be a welcome entry into this great series.

Something is Killing the Children #24 will be available for purchase on June 22, 2022.