REVIEW: Something is Killing the Children #9
Something is Killing the Children #9 is out August 12, 2020.
By Larry Jorash — Nobody needs to be told that a horror-themed comic will have real substance and emotion when writer James Tynion’s name is attached. From his daring work on the Detective Comics story, “Night of the Monster Men,” to his brilliant, indie-debut on, The Woods, Tynion has displayed a subtle and delightful craftsmanship in the genre. Something is Killing the Children continues this trend in a gut-wrenchingly excellent way.
Prepare to feel your eyelids well up with tears as you read through Something is Killing the Children #9. Grieving parents, a trip to the hospital, and more pain will no doubt hit readers hard. This issue spirals straight off the pages of issue #8; when we left Tommy surrounded by five infant monsters. We also find James in the hospital, crying as Erica once again comes to him with the intent of putting him in harm’s way.
James, a victim, gives us the dry emptiness of someone who has lost everything. Imperfections and character flaws can really flavor a horror tale…for better or worse. When we have characters that behave wickedly, we are less disturbed as an audience when they meet their demise. When we have characters who are pure beyond reason, belief can be difficult to suspend. These are the characters that we relate to as flawed individuals ourselves. When we have flawed characters like Tommy (the older brother of one of the now-deceased children in our story) and his increasingly depressing, over-confident, jockish ignorance we find a story much more believable and terrifying. Tommy is the embodiment of the reactionary emotion that we often feel while suffering or moving through trauma and fear. We hate Tommy’s ignorance because we know what it’s like to be left in the dark. We hate his anger because we know what it’s like to lash out when hurt. We hate his decision making because we know what it’s like to make awful chances in the hope of redemption. Tommy is all of us if these stories were ever a reality; and this issue focuses heavily on his choices and actions. James Tynion has been focusing more on these side characters; and this one in specific. He knows and plays the inner parts of us that ache and burn.
The color work in this issue is exceptional. Miquel Muerto plays so well off of the line work done by Werther Dell’edera. Muerto’s work has a hint of subtlety to it. His palette is not extensive, but he knows just where to put those flashes of red to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Speaking of line work; we see a crazy splash of action from Dell’edera’s hand late in this issue through flashbacks. These are possibly some of his best pages in the series thus far. Young Erica Slaughter is something Tynion needs to just keep writing into these pages; and something that I hope Dell’edera is tasked with drawing for future installments.
Overall: Something is Killing the Children #9 is a book it might be difficult to recommend to young readers or those who find themselves squeamish about gore. As an installment in the series however, this issue excels. Bring the tissues for this tearjerker; and gear up for what’s bound to be an action-packed issue #10. 9/10
Review - Something is Killing the Children #9
Something is Killing the Children #9
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Werther Dell’edera
Colorist: Miquel Meurto
Lettering: Andworld Design
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
With the her mysterious employers looking to recall and reprimand her, Erica's running out of time to save the town of Archer's Peak. Do the answers lie with the mysterious young girl found in the monster's lair who no one can identify?
Release Date: August 12, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Something is Killing the Children #9
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Larry Jorash resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys watching ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)