Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 9

Something is Killing the Children

by James Tynion IV (Writer), Werther Dell'Edera (Illustrator), Miquel Muerto (Colorist)

The saga of Erica Slaughter continues with a bold new chapter from bestselling writer James Tynion IV and award-winning illustrator Werther Dell’Edera.

Erica Slaughter's haunted past is finally revealed, as her upbringing in the House of Slaughter comes to light. Experience her most formative years as a monster hunter, and discover just how she came to earn her teeth as a black mask...

Collects Something is Killing the Children #41-45.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2026

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Compares, contrasts, relives the past, buried pain erupts, a broody mood, but too subdued, and ends way too abrupt.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #41-43 ◦ Issues #44-45

[Sean Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine volumes in, you'd think the kids would start to get it.

Nope--still getting killed.

Dummies.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erica Slaughter 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Paperback format 📚

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK, but I was really disappointed by the brevity of the volume and the (I guess what's supposed to be cliffhanger) ending point.

Another reviewer said it perfectly: I love what’s in this volume but I hate how short the volumes are. Sorry[,] but this simply feels so unsatisfying to read. It doesn’t even end at a point where it would make sense.

I've really enjoyed the run (particularly the earliest installments), I read this (in one sitting) as soon as it arrived, and I'm assuming I'll keep reading, but, after waiting months for this to arrive, I fear that another (thin? light? unsatisfying?) volume like this one could be last.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love what’s in this volume but I hate how short the volumes are. Sorry but this simply feels so unsatisfying to read. It doesn’t even end at a point where it would make sense. That’s the biggest issue with this whole series really imo. Unless this is supposed to be a whole flashback arc, I don’t see why they wouldn’t try to fit this whole flashback in one volume. At most two, I guess we will see

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last volume, the series took a break from the main story line to feature a series of one-shots of Erica's past exploits. Here, the story goes back farther, showing a young Erica still in training, and heading to a location the older hunters had been to before, with a nasty bunch of oscuratypes feasting on numerous children (and occasionally adults).
This volume was great for a few reasons. One, it's a gripping plot that runs the entire five issues and hasn't been resolved yet. Two, we get to see young Erica earning her teeth, as well as young Aaron. Three, not only do we get appearances by Gary and Cecilia, as well as more of Jessica, but we also get to see young Jessica when she was still in training (with young Cecilia).
The brilliance of taking time out from the main story before exhausting it to plumb the juicy depths of the untold past of our heroes can't be overstated. I don't know how long the creative team and publisher plan to keep the series going, but with all the potential material out there I hope it's for a long time to come.

[Marina López · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este volumen me ha gustado muchísimo más que el anterior, que sinceramente me dejó bastante fría y fue una pequeña decepción. Pero “Hay algo matando niños #9” ha conseguido volver a engancharme por completo.

La trama se centra en un episodio de la infancia de Erica Slaughter junto a su mentora y me parece un acierto total. Tengo la sensación de que este arco va a explicar muchas de las actitudes, traumas y formas de actuar de Erica en los primeros volúmenes. Y sinceramente, cuanto más conocemos de ella, más interesante me parece como protagonista.

Y qué decir del apartado visual… la calidad de los dibujos sigue siendo espectacular. Hay viñetas que son una auténtica locura y consiguen transmitir tensión, violencia y emoción al mismo tiempo.

Como siempre, el cómic termina dejándote con ganas de más y ahora toca sufrir esperando la décima entrega que, por lo que veo, todavía tardará un poco en llegar.

[Frédéric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flashback to Erica's past, when Jessica was still alive but clearly depressed and at the end of her tether.

Tynion and Dell'Edera – and Muerto on colours, let's not forget – once again deliver a brilliant composition, relentless storytelling that builds irresistible tension with vibrant characters full of pent-up emotions.

A masterclass in narration and characterisation.

[Alexandra Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Erica, the weight of the burdens you carry! Really loved this look into the lore of House of Slaughter and the complexities of Erica and Jessica’s relationship. Enjoyed the parallel story telling intertwined into the main story as well. Amazing artwork and top tier visual story telling, as always. Volume Nine pulled me back in immediately and the cliff hanger was delightful. 🪚

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I was even reading the individual issues on Hoopla until the publisher pulled them from the platform. So I was behind and when Vol. 9 arrived from the library, I went and got 7 and 8 also. So I reread all that led up to Vol. 9 and was totally sucked in. The only knock against this volume is that it doesn’t complete the story arc. (And that it is a flashback story that stalls again the forward movement of the main storyline.) This collected volume does what I like best about this series and examines grief and relationships. And the burden of ugly work that never ends. And a hero who lives by a code, her own. The horror aspect is secondary. The insights into Erica’s emotional loyalty to her mentor as well as the complicated connections to her fellow trainees and the House of Slaughter itself are wonderful. One can only hope some of this will prove pertinent to the main storyline when it restarts.

The artwork is special also. Some of the scenic landscapes are beautiful and perfectly set the proper mood. The ancillary characters are drawn quirky, unique, and memorable. They are not written nor drawn as throw-aways. Much of the title’s black humor and creepy terror emanate from them. The panel layouts and pacing work well, especially the closeups of lips and eyes and mouths that build up the emotional point. What he does with characters’ eyes to reveal emotions is excellent. And when he springs a full page panel on us, it is right on time. Can’t wait to continue reading this series.

[Alex Sarll]

We're deep into flashback territory here, little baby Erica (those eyes looking even bigger) on a ski resort monster-hunting mission with her increasingly sozzled mentor. Plus, the mentor is herself flashing back to her own trainee days in that same location, and a past mission where something didn't go as planned. Quite what, we still don't know by volume's end, because this is also a flashback in format, to the days of decompression, two-page spreads given over to a supporting character getting dressed. Which, yes, builds tension in that particular instance, and you can never say doesn't look good on the page. And given I always read SIKTC from the library or, as here, in a Netgalley ARC, I'm not complaining too much. But with how much comics cost these days, if I were shelling out monthly, I likely would be.

[Jessie (Zombie_likes_cake) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, this hurts. I hate giving this rating but this was nothing but a tease. I love this series to pieces and that's exactly why this was so painful: This volume was exclusively up-build and now I have to wait until December? Again: I love this series but I felt strung along here.

So little actually happens. This stories is a prequel, we go back to Erica's teenage training days, and within that keep on asking the question what happened in the past to this story? Asking what happened to Jessica when she was a teenager in training herself. We don't get even the hint of an answer, all the known characters move into position to investigate/ fight but nope-thing gets revealed here, nope-thing happens. Sure, there is a monster, but we don't see much. There's a lot of talk here. Listen, I don't mind talk. The dialogue in SiKtC is some of the best in the graphic novel landscape (well, according to my judgement) but this barely moves the plot even forward and reveals so little about the characters. This is trodden ground. I find it telling that my favorite moments in here don't feature our beloved characters, I loved the "Jaws" moment between the Sheriff and the hotel owner, and then there's the 2 guys running the gift shop. It's not good if Vol. 9 finally lands in my hands and what I enjoy most are some random moments with characters I don't even know and I doubt will be part of the future?!

Everything I could praise is due to the series as a whole, to all that came before. This installment brings nothing to the table, doesn't move it into any direction. No new ground. And that is just frustrating. I might see this differently once I know the complete story with Vol. 10 but for now this was a letdown and I am honestly surprised so few reviews agree with this. A lot comment on how this is too open ended and how not much happens but they still seem to be 4*+ satisfied? Guess, I'm harsher (=more honest) in my rating. We really need the next one to kick it out of the park now!

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a prologue to the main story coming in Vol 10, but still filled with some intrigue in both past, and before the past.

[Sibel Rac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Umm what was this?

[Xroldx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I still love this title I do wish the story would progress a bit faster.

[Brandon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

These prequel stories are where some of the best work in this series is done. This is an excellent story arc (really the first half of one) exploring Erica and Jessica's early relationship, presumably how Erica earned her teeth, and ghosts of Jessica's (and others') pasts.

An absolute must read installment in a must read series.

Read March 23, 2026.

Thanks to Boom Studios and Netgalley for the eARC.

[Madeleine · Rating 2 out of 5]

no resolution to the plot at hand nor the newly introduced backstory

[Eric Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Erica/jessica dynamic but this volume is leading up to something so isn’t that interesting on its own. We will see how the next volume resolves but it will have to be pretty spectacular to keep me going. I just don’t like the characters that much, I don’t love the art, and the monsters don’t always wow me. Could do with a larger dose of mythology about the monsters rather than the people.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 9 by James Tynion IV continues the acclaimed horror comic series, expanding its mythology while keeping the focus on deadly monsters and the people who hunt them.

I enjoyed this instalment, although it felt a little less substantial than previous volumes. Even so, it remains an engaging part of a series I'm still very invested in.

[Jon Coupal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a great series, but I think was the weakest yet. I have no connection to Jessica and everything she does is the opposite of what will gain my sympathy. Good cliffhanger though, and I’m eager for the next one.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepifying. With glowy moody scary art. This doesn't move the plot much at all. And what's with the really really big eyes? But totally cool. And I was sad to get to the end.

[Yoshiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

POPKULTUROWY KOCIOŁEK: Kiedy bierze się do ręki Coś zabija dzieciaki tom 9, pierwszą rzeczą, jaka rzuca się w oczy, jest powrót do korzeni tej opowieści. Po ostatnich omach, które niektórzy fani uznawali za nieco zbyt rozciągnięte, James Tynion IV postanowił zrobić krok w tył. Powrót do genezy Eriki Slaughter, do czasów jej młodości, to nie tylko sprytny zabieg marketingowy, ale przede wszystkim konieczność fabularna. Fani od dawna chcieli bowiem wiedzieć, co tak naprawdę wydarzyło się w życiu tej dziewczyny, że stała się tym, kim jest.

Takie podejście do scenariusza oznacza również jedno. Zamiast pierwszoplanowej widowiskowej walki z potworami dostajemy historię, która w dużej mierze opiera się na atmosferze, relacjach między postaciami oraz powolnym odkrywaniu tajemnic. Potwory tutaj to nie tylko te krwiożercze monstra czające się w lasach wokół Valmont, ale też demony przeszłości, traumy i toksyczne relacje wewnątrz samej organizacji.

Najważniejszym elementem tego tomu jest powrót do młodości Eriki Slaughter. Erica, którą znamy z wcześniejszych historii, jest chłodna, opanowana i bezlitosna wobec potworów. Tutaj natomiast widzimy ją jako młodą dziewczynę, która dopiero uczy się zasad panujących w świecie łowców. To właśnie ten kontrast działa w komiksie najlepiej. W młodej Erice wciąż widać emocje, ciekawość i momentami nawet naiwność. Popełnia błędy, zadaje pytania i czasami reaguje impulsywnie. Dzięki temu postać wydaje się bardziej ludzka i bliższa czytelnikowi

Dużą i ważną rolę odgrywa tu również relacja między Ericą a jej mentorką Jessicą Slaughter. Jessica to postać tragiczna. Widzimy kobietę na skraju załamania. Lata walki z potworami, patrzenia na śmierć dzieci i życie w cieniu Domu Slaughterów zrobiły z niej wrak człowieka, co skrzętnie ukrywa pod maską profesjonalizmu. Ich wspólna misja w ośrodku Valmont pokazuje, jak trudne potrafią być relacje w świecie łowców potworów. Dialogi między bohaterkami są naturalne i dobrze oddają napięcie, które narasta wraz z kolejnymi wydarzeniami. Czasami są to krótkie wymiany zdań, innym razem dłuższe rozmowy, które odsłaniają fragmenty ich przeszłości i motywacji.

Do pozytywów komiksu należy również zaliczyć sposób prowadzenia fabuły. Autor serii od dawna stawia na powolne budowanie napięcia. W dziewiątym tomie ten styl jest szczególnie widoczny. Historia rozwija się spokojnie, momentami wręcz bardzo powoli. Pozwala to lepiej poznać bohaterów, rozumieć towarzyszące im emocje i odkryć świat przedstawiony. Na pewno taka forma opowieści wpływa na gęstość klimatu, ale nie wszyscy będą z tego zachwyceni. Niektórzy czytelnicy, zwłaszcza oczekujący mocniejszej akcji, mogą poczuć pewien niedosyt. Wiele scen skupia się tu bowiem na rozmowach, obserwacji bohaterów czy budowaniu atmosfery. Potwory oczywiście pojawiają się w historii, ale nie są głównym elementem tej części opowieści. Zamiast tego dostajemy więcej informacji o świecie Zakonu oraz o zasadach, które nim rządzą....

https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/cos-z...

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing from Volume 4 of Something is Killing the Children, the backstory of Erica's origins in joining the House shows her progressing to become an efficient killer. However, despite how many monsters she had eliminated, she is not quite ready to fly solo, and her mentor, Jessica, knows that. The duo have been traveling around a lot lately, in a surge of monster attacks they managed to squash. However, Erica is noticing how exhausted Jessica has been lately, along with her evident alcoholism. Her concerns for her mentor is justified in that they are to return to a mountain resort for recent child attacks that is also somehow related to Jessica's own past as an apprentice. Can the duo face off against the threat when it seems like neither of them are ready to face their own demons?

So like Volume 4, this is an exploration of Erica's past as a newbie. If Volume 4 was about her learning the ways of the House, then Volume 9 here is her having to make the transition to being a solo hunter. The plot itself is generally slow, but has buildup to potentially what may be the reason why Erica is on her own in the present timeline. Additionally, there is exploration of Jessica's origins and how she is connected to the other House members. Sadly, this volume ends on a cliffhanger that build ups the stakes, but doesn't progress much in the backstory. On a positive side, the illustrations, while still consistent, is a little more expressive here I noticed with the character's facial features. Of course, this may have been because I haven't picked up this series for a while. I am still fond of this series and will gladly wait until the next volume is ready to see the ultimate foretold fate of Erica and Jessica.

[Frank Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die deutsche Edition, erschienen unter dem Titel "Something is killing the Children. Band 9" und der ISBN 9783987213489 im Splitter-Verlag.

Jessica und Cecilia verbindet ein Geheimnis. Und mit dem neunten Band der Reihe „Something is killing the Children“ begibt sich der Leser an ihre Seite, um dieses zu lüften. Dafür sind immer wieder Zeitsprünge relevant, die deshalb von Bedeutung sind, weil Jessica Ericas Ausbilderin war. Ja, genau, wir begeben uns in die Vergangenheit und springen an den Punkt in Ericas Leben, an dem sie noch ausgebildet wird, um sich ihre Zähne zu verdienen.

Du verstehst nach diesem Absatz Bahnhof? Kein Wunder, wenn Du die Reihe nicht kennst. Auch wenn hier ein neuer Handlungsstrang beginnt, so sollte der Leser schon die Vorgeschichte kennen. Und mit neuer Handlungsstrang meinte ich das auch so, denn dieser neunte Band endet offen, denn er wird nicht abgeschlossen. Da wundert es wenig, dass es einen zehnten Band geben wird, der im englischen Original im September diesen Jahres erscheinen wird. Es dürfte also nur eine Frage der Zeit sein, bis auch dieser Band in den deutschen Buchregalen zu finden sein wird.

Aber zurück zur Geschichte, in der fleißig zwischen den Zeiten gesprungen wird. Zuerst braucht es ein paar Seiten, um neue Figuren mit altbekannten zu verknüpfen, und damit die Monster in Erscheinung treten. Der Zeichen- und auch der Erzählstil wurden getreu der Reihe umgesetzt, wobei dieser Band nicht ganz so brutal ist wie so mancher Vorgänger. Was bleibt, sind die Informationen, die nur häppchenweise zum Leser gelangen. Und die auf diese eine Frage hinauslaufen, was damals wirklich passierte, als Erica ihre Ausbildung beendete.

[Pi]

COŚ ZABIJA DZIECIAKI tom 9, to jest prawdziwa jazda bez trzymanki. Wprawdzie czytałam - poza tomem 9 - wyłącznie tom 8, ale zdecydowanie 9 wygrywa. Jest to wysoko angażujące dzieło, w którym akcja pędzi jak szalona... ale potrafi też zwolnić, w ten tajemniczy, duszny sposób, który wywołuje u czytelnika zatrzymanie krążenia.
Zdecydowanie warto zwrócić uwagę na tę serię i ja żałuję, że nie poznałam jej od tomu 1. Główna bohaterka Erica Slaughter, jest osobowością złożoną, skrywającą niejeden sekret. Jest też postacią, z którą łatwo się utożsamić, ma w sobie coś ostrego, a mimo to sympatycznego - to barwna kobieta/dziewczynka.
Dlaczego kobieta/dziewczynka? Ponieważ poznajemy ją niechronologicznie. Czytelnik skacze z teraźniejszości do przeszłości a cały tom 9 jest ukłonem w przeszłość bohaterki. Coś, co może czasem denerwować, tutaj okazuje się, że zdaje egzamin na 5. Dzięki tym retrospekcją Erica Slaughter okazuje się naszą kumpelą, kimś - z kim chciałoby się iść razem w las... na potwory.
Co jeszcze? Miejsce akcji! Rewelacyjny, klimatyczny ośrodek w górach/lesie... a dzieci giną jak muchy. Świetna kreska, rewelacyjne wnętrza, kolory w punkt i fabuła, którą wciąga i nie puszcza. Oczywiście tom 9 kończy się w tak niewygodnym miejscu... ech trzeba czekać na 10. Ja czekam z niecierpliwością!

dzieciaki giną w lesie
tom 9
COŚ ZABIJA DZIECIAKI
nonstopcomics
egzemplarz recenzencki

[Bexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 9 brings us back to the past with a young Erica and Jessica traveling the states looking for monsters so Erica can get her first kill. They head up to a mountain resort, where things "happened" when Jessica was a teen. Jessica spends most of the book drunk, but still manages to hold things together. The book jumps further back to Jessica's first time on the mountain, before letting us watch Jessica's and Erica's relationship devolve.

Meanwhile, back at the House, Adda, the woman who was with Jessica and Cece the first time, is trying to tell the others about what they need to watch out for. She's not able to speak, and most of the time, they believe that she's old, frail, and unable to do anything. Aaron keeps track of Erica and Jessica, and he wants to know what happened the first time on the mountain. Those files are restricted.

The local folks on the mountain aren't taking the deaths seriously and keep going out on the trails. The owners of the resort refuse to let the building close. People don't take any of it seriously until a large attack occurs and one child is left behind.

The artwork is fantastic as always. I enjoy these backstory volumes, but am grateful this wasn't as gut-wrenching as volume 4. If you've made it this far in the series, you're going to like this book.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Erica Slaughter's training continues in this latest volume, following Erica and her mentor Jessica on the start of another mission. Erica is worried about Jessica and thinks she needs a break, but unfortunately the House of Slaughter does not agree. They get sent to Valmont Mountain House right on the heels of their latest hunt. But Jessica has been to Valmont before, and Erica doesn't know precisely what happened that previous time. Can she help Jessica through this mission, and through the memories of her past, or will the dangers at Valmont prove too terrible to handle?

Something is Killing the Children continues to be a stellar read. I haven't picked up the series in quite a while and was worried that I wouldn't remember enough of the story, but happily I fell back into the world with ease and was able to join along as Erica and Jessica's latest misadventures. The mystery around Valmont is building up and the tension lies both in wanting to learn what happened last time hunters were there and also in seeing whether Erica's fears about Jessica not being fit for this hunt are founded. Unfortunately this volume cuts off without an end to this particular story arc, so I'll be eagerly awaiting volume ten to see what happens next.

[East of Reality · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book collects volumes 41-45 and shows more of Erica’s training under — or rather, her trailing after — Jessica, the woman who saved her from the monsters and welcomed her into the Slaughter family and their duties as monster killers. Erica spends much of her time in this book worried about Jessica, who drinks too much, sleeps too little and works too hard. For all that she and Erica aren’t related, she’s the only family Erica has, and she’s worried about her, especially when Jessica shows signs of strain and distraction as the two head to Valmont Mountain House.

As ever, I love the art, and I like seeing the bond between Erica and Jessica reflected in how Erica treats the young children she manages to save. However, this is only four chapters, and ends on a cliffhanger which … isn’t my favorite. I get it, with the way comics are meant to be enjoyed, in small, bite sized, serialized bits, but I personally want instant gratification.

Still. I love the story, I like the characters, and I can’t wait to see more! Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!