SIKTC#40: The Somber Stories We Tell
Creative Team
writer: JAMES TYNION IV
artist: WERTHER DELL’EDERA
colorist: MIQUEL MUERTO
letterer: ANDWORLD DESIGNS
publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Something is Killing the Children #40 offers one of the most poignant and layered reads in recent comics. It’s somber, direct, and fearless.
Throughout this recent arc readers have followed monster hunter Erica Slaughter as she forged brief friendships, faced violent fights in department stores, and even revealed glimpses of her vulnerability in therapy. As the “Road Stories” arc concludes, issue #40 boldly addresses the devastating consequences of easily accessible firearms.
I do my best to not write in the first person, but for this issue I couldn’t help but be subjective. The series Something is Killing the Children may act like a horror/action title, but there are often these small moments layered within the words of James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera’s art, and Miquel Muerto’s colors that sometimes go unnoticed.
In a surprising issue, there’s no alluding to the topic at hand nor is there holding back. At a time when gun violence is an increasing problem, to have an hugely popular indie title take a stand and make readers think about it, is something I wasn’t expecting. While avoiding specific spoilers, the topic of firearms and those in their path from chance moments is rather personal to me, so I was taken aback when this issue was courageous enough to have it be part of the story. Something IS killing children, and unfortunately guns are the number 1 leading cause in the US.
I won’t dive into politics as this is a comic book review, but the emotional impact of this issue left me with a sense of deep respect for the entire creative team. (More so than I already had.)
From a narrative perspective, the script is well-paced as Erica is found sitting alone on a bench by her adopted brother Aaron. The issue begins with her being visibly distraught and switches between her retelling of her recent hunt and Aaron (for once) not being dismissive as he listens intently. It’s a welcome out of character moment for Aaron, and it makes the scene all the more meaningful.
It’s a small scale story, but the topic’s gravity is certainly not one to be taken lightly. Some may argue that politics don’t belong in comics, and while I would respond that comics have always been political, Tynion masterfully takes a stand while delivering an experience that is dramatic and likely to evoke somber emotions from readers.
The art from Dell’Edera is given a moment to showcase Erica’s rage—something not often seen—and when it finally shows up in the story, it’s almost as if the reader is given an outlet for their feelings to be recognized. Combined with Muerto’s colors, especially the rich purples, and the result is a perfect issue that tugs at the heartstrings.
Final Verdict
Something is Killing the Children continues to prove that it’s not just one of the best action/horror comics on the stands—it’s one of the best comics, period.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 10 |
| Story/Plot | 10 |
| Art/Line Work | 10 |
| Colors | 10 |
| Final Score | 10/10 |