Something is Killing the Children, Book Two

Something is Killing the Children #5-7

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

The long-awaited second hardcover collection of the bestselling,award winning flagship title, collecting the entire second story cycle!

Erica Slaughter returns after the Archer’s Peak Saga in this deluxe hardcover collection of the multiple Eisner Award-winning and Harvey Award-nominated series from GLAAD Award-winning author James Tynion IV (The Department Of Truth, Batman), artist Werther Dell’Edera (Razorblades), colorist Miquel Muerto (Bleed Them Dry), and letterer AndWorld Design (Nightwing). With the unforgiving Order of St. George on her trail and the deadly Duplicitype–a new monster with horrifying implications on the hunt, Erica is in dire straits. If that wasn’t enough, the Order has sent Cutter to pursue the rogue Black Mask, making Erica truly outmatched and without a prayer. Collecting the entire second story cycle of Something is Killing the Children, this epic hardcover collection is the perfect place to continue reading the national bestseller, with over 2,000,000 units sold! Collects Something is Killing the Children #21-35.

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

384 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2024

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-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5
- Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 6
- Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 7

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ — Loved it even more than the first.

Something Is Killing the Children: Book Two takes everything that worked in the first volume and turns the tension way up. The atmosphere is thick, the stakes are higher, and the world around Erica Slaughter feels even more dangerous and layered.

Tynion keeps the mystery tight and the pacing sharp, while Dell’Edera’s art nails the unease — those shadows, the creature designs, and the way panels build dread are just phenomenal. It’s cinematic horror that feels grounded and emotional at the same time.

This series just keeps getting better — easily one of the best modern horror comics out there.

[Tay Gibs · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5

Ughhhhhhhh I love super disagreeable, strong, female characters! Erica, Cutter, Cecelia, Riqui, Gabi... Everyone is deeply flawed and yet determined to do what they view is right. Love it. The storyline is engaging and the writing keep me on the edge of my seat.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Is Killing the Children — Book Two (#5–7) by James Tynion IV

⭐⭐⭐⭐⚝ (4.5 / 5)

📌 Overview

Book Two is where Something Is Killing the Children declares its long game. The monster threat remains visceral, but the true antagonist sharpens into focus: institutions that manage fear by rationing truth. Tynion reframes heroism as compliance under pressure, and Dell’Edera’s art leans harder into absence—faces swallowed by shadow, monsters glimpsed rather than displayed.

The pacing is deliberate, occasionally austere, but purposeful. What it trades in immediacy, it gains in moral weight. These issues ask whether survival that demands secrecy is a form of victory at all.

📌 Chapter-Wise Breakdown (Issues #5–7)

Issue #5 — Aftermaths and Conditions

The story opens on the emotional debris left in Archer’s Peak. The monster count is reduced, but belief is fractured. Adults close ranks; children are left with half-truths.

Erica is confronted by representatives of the House of Slaughter. Their arrival reframes her earlier actions not as heroism, but as procedural success.

We learn that monsters are categorized, territories monitored, and outbreaks “managed.” Horror shifts from claws to clipboards.

The chapter’s key tension lies in conditions: Erica may continue only if she accepts oversight. Autonomy is revealed as an illusion.

Issue #6 — Rules, Masks, and Sacrifice

The House’s internal structure becomes clearer. Masks, colors, and ranks function as dehumanizing filters—identity subsumed by role.

We are shown the unspoken truth: not all children can be saved. Some losses are calculated, written off as containment costs.

Erica’s moral line is tested. She understands the logic, but refuses emotional detachment. This friction defines her character going forward.

Dell’Edera visually contrasts masked operatives with unmasked children, reinforcing the theme that adulthood here is synonymous with concealment.

Issue #7 — Compliance or Exile

The House pushes for obedience. Erica is offered protection, resources, and legitimacy—at the cost of silence.

Flashbacks suggest Erica’s own recruitment and the emotional amputations required to survive long-term service.

A final confrontation clarifies stakes: refusal does not stop the system. It only removes you from it.

The issue closes with uneasy equilibrium. Monsters may be slain, but the structure that breeds secrecy remains intact.

📌 Thematic Deepening

Book Two sharpens three core themes:

Belief as Currency: Truth is distributed selectively, not morally.


Institutional Horror: The House of Slaughter is efficient, rational, and ethically hollow.


Endurance vs. Integrity: Erica survives because she bends—but never fully breaks.

This volume reframes monsters as symptoms. The real disease is a world that prefers quiet control over messy truth.

📌 Visual Storytelling

Dell’Edera’s art grows colder here. Faces are often obscured; bodies fragment at the margins. Monsters feel less like intruders and more like environmental hazards—storms to be weathered, not evils to be defeated.

If Book One asked who believes children, Book Two asks who profits from not believing them.

📌 Final Verdict

Something Is Killing the Children: Book Two is a deliberate escalation—less immediately shocking, more quietly devastating. It transforms a monster story into an indictment of systems that commodify survival.

It may feel restrained compared to the series’ opening arc, but that restraint is the point. Horror here is not the scream—it is the policy that follows.

[Derrick Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE. I couldn’t put this down and I absolutely DEVOURED this one in one sitting. I can’t wait for more!

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've been following my reviews, you already know the deep affection I have for this series. And while I'll admit that Volume 2 (Or book 2 for deluxe editions) had a few issues in the middle that felt a touch slower and less impactful than the surrounding chapters, let me be clear: Something is Killing the Children remains an absolutely excellent comic.

What truly elevates this series, and this volume is no exception, is the incredible cast of characters. They feel so real, so vividly alive, with their own distinct motivations and vulnerabilities. Then you have the monsters, both the supernatural horrors that stalk the pages and the very human ones, that are genuinely disturbing and unsettling in their own unique ways. And let's not forget the introduction of Cutter as a formidable main antagonist. She injects a new level of tension and threat, pushing Erica Slaughter in compelling ways.

Speaking of Erica, this volume showcases significant growth for her as a character. We see new facets of her personality and witness her grappling with increasingly complex challenges. The way her journey unfolds is a testament to the strength of the writing. Ultimately, Something is Killing the Children continues to deliver on its promise of thrilling horror, compelling characters, and a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's undeniably one of the greatest comics being published right now.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was the juice worth the squeeze? As the Tribulation story arc comes to an conclusion, it accomplishes what it needs even if the pacing has been all over the place. There was a lot of build-up to this final showdown between Cutter and Erica and it felt anti-climactic even with the “shock” ending. James Tynion IV has a lot of other stories going on at the moment and I really fear for the quality of this series going forward. Dell'edera delivers some powerful art in this volume. I still believe this series is strong and look forward to what is to come, but I am cautious and hope future arcs manage the pacing better.

[Matt Quann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed both volumes of the gruesome creature-feature comic series. Erica Slaughter's mission to protect children and slay some monsters butt up against real world concerns, personal trauma, and heaps of spooky scenarios. Dell'Edera's art is also perfect for the comic and I'm glad that there are no fill in artists: I love and miss the stories that see two creators see an entire project through to completion.

As I was coming up on the end of this volume I was wishing that it wouldn't come to an end, so imagine my delight at the "To be continued" on the last page. Looking forward to the next instalment whenever it lands!

[Ostrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something is Killing the Children' second act tries to recreate the energy of the first and while it falls short of achieving its level of charm, it does manage to keep the momentum for the story that Tynion wants to tell. I'm not in love with it, but I don't have any complaints so far.

The ending was such a smooth and nice deviation that I am now again curious to see how it will evolve. I do hope we get something new though. The stuff with the house is getting dangerously stale, now that the cat's out of the bag...

[Sookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

somewhere in middle of this story i paused to wonder what my nightmare monster would be like - its probably humans.

the volume is quite strong as the team (loosely speaking!) moves to a different location dealing with much complex problem - monsters and humans - one unexpectedly evil and other generally so.

kinda takes "monster hunter" myth in stories and otherwise, into a much different level that's both fun and terrifying.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as intense as the first book but still good.

[JQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in love with this story and I need James Tynion to write like 20 more of these. I need to know everything about this world and right now but I can’t bc it’s not written yet.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The compendiums skipped volume 4, but I read online that that was probably saved for a future compendium. The result is that the three volumes that are included feel like a whole complete arc which is good to read as an almost standalone.
I read compendium one a long while ago and didn’t remember all the details, but felt that I remembered just enough to be able to greatly enjoy this arc.
This time focus was more on the characters than world building and explaining about the monsters, and I missed not seeing the part how it got created this time.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this comic with all my heart. Just the right kind of gory horror mixed with interesting, morally grey - often very dark grey - characters, but with a core of humanity, painting the love between people, with all it's consequences. I just love Erica, she's the right amount of anti-hero going at it alone while still caring a little too deeply, getting herself in trouble. The psychology behind fighting monsters and what it takes out of people is also supremely well done. And then, the ending to this volume! Wow, just wow.

[Scotts Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished Something Is Killing the Children Deluxe Book 2 and wow… this one really cemented why this series has become such a modern horror classic.

The story widens out beyond the tight, Stranger-Things-style focus of Book 1, pulling us deeper into the House of Slaughter and the Order of St. George. That slow reveal we got in the first book? Now it explodes into full focus, and it’s honestly fascinating. The politics, the hierarchy, the way they manipulate and train kids into monster hunters—it’s chilling and gripping in equal measure.

Erica continues to be an absolute standout. She’s still the same stoic, strange figure we met before, but there’s so much more heart and fire here. Watching her clash with the Order while still trying to protect the people who need her most makes her feel even more iconic.

The monsters this time around hit harder too. The way Dell’Edera draws them—scratchy, grotesque, looming in the shadows—just gets under your skin. And paired with Miquel Muerto’s colours, every panel drips with mood and atmosphere. The action scenes are chaotic but beautifully clear, and when the horror hits, it really hits.

If I had one small gripe, it’s that the story can feel like it slows down at points with all the Order lore. But at the same time, it’s that very expansion that makes me so hyped for where this series is going.

Overall, this volume is brutal, emotional, and constantly compelling. Whether it’s a 4 or 5 star, I can’t decide yet—but either way, I know I’ll be sticking with Erica Slaughter and this series until the very end.

[Camilo Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I READ SOMETHIG ABOUT EATING PUSSY GIVING CANCER .SO MAYBE YOU DID,PUTA.

Segundo arco de SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN , con Erica Slaughter en New Mexico cazando a un monstruo muy jodido, además de ser cazada por una cazadora que está muy, pero muy mal de la cabeza.

LO BUENO: Este arco me gustó muchísimo más que el primero, se siente como una cacería contrarreloj, con monstruos que dan miedo y mucho, y Cutter es un enemigo que odias con ganas, además de unos diálogos muy bien trabajados que los disfrutas, te hacen reír o te duelen. Los colores de Miquel Muerto son una maravilla y el tipo hace unas cosas que simplemente me deja embobado...esa niebla y vapor que colorea, ¿como diablos?

LO MALO: Tynion es bueno, pero por La casa del dragón, el tipo alarga historias de una manera asesina y si, quiere que conozcas y quieras a tus personajes pero resume, sácate unas elipsis, úsate más rejillas de 9x9 y cuenta más cosas en esos números o cuenta todo esto menos páginas, ademàs, ¿porque diablos ese arco en el cual conocíamos el origen de Erica, no está incluido?, por mas que revise y revise antes de comprar este tomo, me toco comprar un tomo extra antes , y eso me parece muy raro, porque ese tomo cuenta cosas muy importantes y vitales para la historia de este tomo, en especial la muerte de un personaje muy importante...del que cuenta mucho en el tomo que no está !!!.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another bloody and stimulating volume of SiKtC in the books! If you've read the first volume you know what you're in for here.
I have positives and negatives as usual for this series, could be preferential.
I love the drama of it, always have. The tension of Erika hunting down a monster (a shape shifter is always tense) as well as adding in the Hunter ruining her life? All brilliant stuff. Not to mention the brilliant added backstory of Gary and Cecilia, really intrigued me and left me wanting to know more. The whole history of the order and their interpersonal drama had me hooked. I am so curious how far out that all can go in the main book. The final three way confrontation was both tragic and exciting, and like any good horror book, there are no winners, only survivors.
I do have my nitpicks as always, like Tyion's very Bendis like conversation esqe dialogue, it tends to be distracting to me. His characters sometimes leave me wanting more as well, little quirks I notice that I either roll my eyes at or pick up. But I tend to overlook these when the overall drama is worth it. Now the long wait for vol 3 begins.

[Sebastian Lauterbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm updating this to 5 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

A new story arc, a new setting, a new creative type of monster, new human antagonists, more background into the houses. It's everything I wanted from a Vol. 2 and it improves the story in almost all areas, kudos!

I could criticise that the second story arc, follows the exact same pattern as the first, but it didn't keep me from reading. The dialogue is really strong. Even if I know some secret that is being revealed already, the dialogue is on point and makes it very compelling.

One of my issues from Book One still remains: The book is so fast paced, that this feels like 5 issues instead of 15. The decompression is quite substantial here. It doesn't bother me in this collected edition, but imagine to read this in the flimsy TPB volumes or even worse: issue by issue?

Highly recommended and I'm eagerly awaiting more volumes!

[Meaningless · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good sequel to the first book. I was satisfied almost the entire time, but the ending almost ruined it for me. It seemed like the book was hyping this major confrontation with the two big antagonists, but even though the fight was good, having major implications moving forward, the big fight at the end felt rushed and ended way too quickly. I felt disappointed in it.

If you enjoyed the first book, I still largely recommend this one, as it does a lot of things right if not better as the first, but the last section may not be as good as you might hope for, but hopefully you'll think that, "it's not as bad as people are saying it to be."

[Michael Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was confused at first why they chose not to include vol 4 in this collection, but besides that this was a solid second installment of this series.

I thought the inclusion of a clear nemesis and complicated long-term conflicting relationship was done skillfully; however, the ultimate showdown could have been a bit more theatrical.

All-in-all I like it enough to keep me up late at night to finish and it was a solid date to dinner.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is what I’m talking about! I still absolutely hate the inconsistent paneling but my goodness was this story so much better than the first collection! The characters weren’t two dimensional, the storyline was unique, and the art was fantastic! The ending also took me by surprise. Excited for what’s to come!

[Jakub Sláma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow so much better than the already great Something is Killing the Children, Book One.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second volume of Something is Killing the Children proves the comic has legs. A scary new monstser. Great new supporting cast. And increasing politics with the House of Slaughter itself. It adds up to a comic that's even more multifaceted than the original and makes me want to see what's going on next.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this even more than the first arc. And it left me very curious as to what comes next.

Still wish these arcs were shorter but this one felt like it needed the space. 12 issues minimum.
I’m excited for the next volume of 1 issue stories.

[Bookworm KohnHead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Vol 1 so was looking forward to reading Vol 2. It did not disappoint. Following Erica Slaughter on another journey in a small town. Getting a little deeper knowledge of the houses. Great read. Looking forward to Vol 3. Do enjoy James Tynion IV stories.

[David Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow felt better than the first one. The inner politics of colleges are not totally braindead, characters have just enough background and motivation, it all goes by fast and the central dilemma of the conflict IS relevant and interesting (secrecy here is not for sake of secrecy and being eeevil, but for very real reasons).
The climax is a bit of a let down, but that is to be expected and I did not mind.

[Aildiin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second cycle.
The art is not amazing but it fits the story well.

[Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

More pulse-pounding, sometimes tough-to-stomach horror, only slightly less novel. Tynion proves that he can really hit hard when he chooses to lean back on the throttle.

[Rozena T · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better! I am so interested to see where the story goes next! Could the next monster be even scarier...?