Something is Killing the Children #35: A Bloody Clash

Something is Killing the Children #35 may not be the ending fans are expecting for the New Mexico arc. Still, it certainly puts everyone’s favorite monster hunter, Erica Slaughter, at even worse odds. What will become of her journey now? Readers will have to see. 

Ever since Erica landed in Tribulation, New Mexico, the story of the SIKTC universe has teeter-tottered in keeping the same energy from the Archer’s Peak story. This is not to say this latest arc has been bad; however, with the push for world-building, it is almost as if there is too much and not enough going on simultaneously. This storyline has been 15 issues long, and I was frustrated several times. Reflecting on all the problems–it’s evident this arc had a severe pacing issue. 

For those who need to be caught up, SIKTC follows Erica Slaughter, a hunter who can see monsters visible only to children. She hunts them as part of a secret subsect known as the House of Slaughter that falls under the umbrella of the Order of St. George. This supernatural monster-hunting organization has existed from way back and does whatever it needs to keep its secrets. Exiled and on the run, Erica stumbled upon a monster that mimics people while simultaneously being hunted by a sadistic woman named Ms. Cutter.

From a bird’s eye view, the premise is still exciting, but the individual chapters caused much of the experience to be frustrating. Granted, this series has always read better in trade, but that isn’t an excuse to have issues with almost no significant plot or character growth progress. 

When reviewing issue #35, the details above are mentioned because much of what has happened before hinges on whether or not this issue sticks the landing and makes it all worth following the journey.

I am happy to say that I enjoyed this issue, and while I feel it was rushed in what it wanted to accomplish, fans will be eager to know when we can expect issue #36.

Writer James Tynion IV has made a ton of progress with this series, and it shows in the different characters and world rules. Much world-building has been done well, but the core story still has suffered.

UFrom a writing standpoint, I have to give it to Tynion; I still enjoyed the ending and appreciated how it isn’t perfect. It’s messy, and there’s a lot left to find out. Where I believe fair critique can exist is in the pacing.

I look forward to this series every month, and for several issues, I honestly wanted more to happen–or at least happen sooner. 

With issue #35, the clash between Erica, Ms. Cutter, and the Duplicitype monster happens in a standoff with wins and losses. It’s a vital issue that is violent and action-packed, and combined with Werther Dell’Edera’s art and Miquel Muertos’s colors, comes the point that brings back the core of what fans love about the series. (The art has been fantastic throughout, so this department has no complaints.)