The Curiosity of Style, A Conversation with Werther Dell’Edera
“If there is one thing I can suggest to artists it’s this: Be curious and remember it's your personal details that make art stand out.”
- Werther Dell’Edera
For more than 20 years, Eisner Award-winning comic book artist Werther Dell’Edera has carved his own path developing and expanding his masterful artistic skills.
A man of choice words, he is always full of smiles when he is meeting fans or talking about his visual storytelling style. When he isn’t at a convention somewhere around the world, he can be found in Rome, Italy illustrating horrors for the hit series, Something is Killing the Children (SIKTC).
SIKTC follows black-masked monster hunter Erica Slaughter as she takes on monsters visible only to children or members of the secret Order of St. George. This tale of terror, politics, and commentary on failed systems, isn’t just an impressive ongoing story, but contains visceral visuals that have inspired cosplayers and plenty of variant covers of the fan favorite character.
Art process from The Art of Something is Killing The Children, published by BOOM! Studios
Published by BOOM! Studios, SIKTC was co-created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera. This blockbuster indie series has continuously ranked highly in comic book sales and critical acclaim, and the Slaughterverse (the identifier of the world of SIKTC and its spin-off House of Slaughter) recently entered its fifth year in 2024.
The signature visual style of SIKTC wouldn’t be the same without Dell’Edera—nor would Erica have her famous tooth-filled bandana. While Dell’Edera’s time is spent illustrating monsters and bloody fights for the series, he took time to talk with Pages and Panels about his work.
Like many kids, the love of comic books started with animated television shows. Dell’Edera noted how influential the 1960s animated Spider-Man tv show was; and when translated modern age American comics finally made their way to Italy, he couldn’t get enough.
“I read comics before I read books,” joked Dell’Edera. “Comics like X-Men by Chris Claremont and illustrated by John Byrne blew me away.”
While Dell’Edera didn’t plan on being in the creative field as a child, it was in high school that he became determined to join an art school in Rome and become a comic book artist. “Creators like Mike Mignola, Sean Phillips, and Duncan Fegredo impressed me and shaped my desire to grow in my skills.”
Dell’Edera’s artistic debut was Road’s End in the early 2000s and he worked on various series such as The Punisher, G.I. Joe, and of course his childhood hero, Spider-Man. In 2018, his work on the series The Crow: Memento Mori was critical as it caught the attention of editor Eric Harburn who would contact Dell’Edera for SIKTC.
While The Crow: Memento Mori showcased Dell’Edera’s range of skills, what he brought to the SIKTC series ended up being entirely different from what connected him in the first place. Fortunately, this is exactly what SIKTC needed.
Dell’Edera’s style in SIKTC utilizes textured line-work and grey tones to emphasize dynamic moments, emotions, and intense fights—especially when monsters from the Slaughterverse appear in the dark.
“My art style is a product of an entire life of experience,” said Dell’Edera. “I try to always grow and whether it’s looking at old art from Jack Kirby’s Captain America or Japanese horror, I try to expand my knowledge.”
Dell’Edera’s studio contains shelves of different comics, and he is no stranger to absorbing new techniques and evolving his visual style. When asked what advice he would give to aspiring artists, Dell’Edera said this: “If there is one thing I can suggest to artists it’s this: Be curious and remember it's your personal details that make art stand out.”
As of this article, Dell’Edera has produced more than 40 issues of Something is Killing the Children (including cover art) since 2019. His energy towards the series is infectious and it’s easy to see his passion in every panel.
Art process from The Art of Something is Killing The Children, published by BOOM! Studios
In addition to SIKTC, Dell’Edera is currently working on Green Lantern Dark for the DC Elseworlds line with writer Tate Brombal while making sure to find time to explore different artistic styles.
“I love that I can go to my studio and do my job, and I share a space with other artists who introduce me to new technical aspects such as painting. This has changed my way of thinking when it comes to inks.”
Tynion and Dell’Edera have developed what Dell’Edera refers to as “rodato,” an Italian way to describe a working method that is fluid and runs smooth. Fortunately for fans, they have very long term plans of taking the series into triple digit issues.
If you haven’t checked out SIKTC, Volume 8 was recently released and this collected edition is an excellent starting point for new fans. There is still time to start from Volume 1 as SITKC is due to return to stands in April 2025. The Art of Something is Killing the Children is also available in beautiful hardcover format for fans wanting to dive into the creation of the series.
This interview has been edited for clarity. For more on Werther Dell'Edera, be sure to follow him on Instagram @wertherscut and on Bluesky: @wertherdelledera.bsky.social. Commissions for Dell’Edera can be coordinated through Scott’s Collectables.
Art process from The Art of Something is Killing The Children, published by BOOM! Studios