Something is Killing the Children #0: An insightful prequel

by Junna Base November 5, 2024

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we first met Erica Slaughter Something is killing the kids #1. To celebrate this success, long-time fans have now been treated to a prequel comic that tells us what happened in the events leading up to the start of the Archer’s Peak Saga in the year Something is killing the kids #0.

Experience this crucial untold story in the vast Slaughterverse, detailing the mission before the fateful Archer’s Peak saga where the entire story began. The creative team invites us into this intimate, untold chapter of the monster hunter who made her way into the hearts of readers around the world.

Eisner award-winning author duo James Tynion IV And Werther Dell’Edera changed the landscape of horror comics in September 2019 with the debut issue of Something is killing the children. The introduction of Erica Slaughter took the comics industry by surprise. What’s no longer a surprise is that the 40-issue series is doing well and shows no signs of slowing down.

The prequel comic doesn’t aim to revolutionize what we know Something is killing the childrenbut rather enriches our understanding of its main protagonist. The celebratory comic offers insight into some of Erika’s motivations and struggles before moving on to the events of Archer’s Peak. The story unfolds with a tension that had me on edge and looking forward to re-reading the first volume in the outstanding series.

Something is killing the kids #0 provides the text and graphics we’ve come to expect from this series from Tynion IV and Dell’Edra respectively. What we took away from this prequel issue is that it truly invites long-time readers of the series to step back in time and experience the pivotal moments before one of comics’ most iconic storylines. Honestly, the issue is best read knowing what happens and not as a starting point for those unfamiliar with the series. This is not an introduction, but an edition designed to give us more information about the series we fell in love with.

A special issue #0 celebrating the five-year anniversary of an award-winning series is a lot more fun than a one-off story based on the current timeline. This adds depth to the overall story and expands the lore Something is killing the children in such a profound way. Even if it’s nothing groundbreaking, Something is killing the kids #0 is an outstanding theme to add to the Archer’s Peak arc.

Something is killing the kids #0 honors loyal readers who have been with us from day one, while celebrating the five-year (and ongoing) continuation of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edra’s fantastic horror series. This single issue complements the overall story without detracting from or ruining the series’ first major story arc. Hats off to the creative team after more than five years of experience Something is killing the children. Here’s to many more!

Something is killing the kids #0 will be released on November 6th, 2024 by BOOM! to the local comic shops. Studios.