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‘Something Is Killing the Children #11:’ Advance Comic Book Review

Building blocks, gently being placed one on top of the other. Every block brings a shift in dynamic, and every block below it gives it stability. Where will the next block be placed? Will it all come tumbling down? James Tynion IV’s Something Is Killing the Children is a masterclass in how to patiently construct a meaningful and powerful story. Every added story element surprises and brings about a greater dilemma but also makes complete sense. Plot holes? Tynion declares, “Never!” Unmotivated character decisions? Tynion scoffs, “Not on your life!”

Tynion strikes the perfect balance between plot driving the characters and characters driving the plot. It’s like a game of chess.

That chess game includes a horde of terrifying monsters that kill kids and that only kids can see.  Each piece has its own motivation, and within some of the pieces are smaller pieces, each with their own motivation. And no through line muddles with another through line; they all converge gracefully onto the main seemingly uncontainable situation.

Erica Slaughter might be the coolest character I’ve seen in some time. Not simply because of the way ithat she’s written, but also the way in which Dell’edera presents her. The intensity in her eyes, the humanity in her expressions, the way in which she wields her weapon like body – her movements are full of intention. She is the creation of the year.

At Fanbase Press this year, we’ve been talking about how #StoriesMatter. I’ve gone on and on about how great the horror elements of this series are and have spent little time on how well the humanity is portrayed. It’s beautiful. The fear, the confusion, the hope, the tenderness, the weariness, the awfulness – it’s all here. The best type of horror is the horror that brings to life all of the elements of our humanity, how we react to the unknown and the tragic. You have every reason to buy this series and no reason to pass it up.

Creative Team: James Tynion IV (writer), Werther Dell’edera (artist), Miquel Muerto (colors), Andworld Design (letters), Michelle Ankley (designer), Eric Harburn (editor), Assistant Editor (Gwen Waller)
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Click here to purchase.

Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor

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