Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 9

Something is Killing the Children #9

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, ebook

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 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new arc begins, one from when Erica was in training with Jessica. Jessica is a drunk and making mistakes while Erica secretly is looking out for her on missions. They are called back to a ski resort where Jessica cut her teeth on a really bad case in her training days. This is clearly part of a larger arc as it ends more or less midstory.

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection is the beginning of a new arc for this series. It is a prequel as we see Erica training with Jesse and Erica has not earned her teeth yet. In this one there is something killing children at a remote ski resort. Jesse has a previous connection as she was involved with a case here in the past.

I have loved the main series collections so much. Out of all of them that I have read this is probably my least favorite. The reason for that is that it was incomplete which I will explain in a second. First off I will say I love the idea of seeing Erica as a child right after her personal tragedy. I really enjoyed seeing a younger Erica and her caring ways of victims and Jesse. It is such a contrast to how we have seen her in the present and I love the idea that living in this world has affected her. I also am enjoying the story of getting more of Jesse's background and that there is more to this location. Jesse is complicated and I want more of her. Once again an offering in this series has top notch dialogue and artwork. I will say that the artwork was not perfect as there is a flashback that I could not differentiate from two characters. The main reason that I gave this three stars is it is incomplete. We just stop in the middle of the action. Not one thing is concluded. I get that it is a continuing series. But have something concluded or a cliffhanger. Nope. Just a stop.

I did think the atmosphere was palpable from this collection. It has a lot of aspects that I did enjoy. The ending ruined it for me. Actually there is no ending and that is the problem. That being said I liked this collection and I am definitely going to continue reading this series. Let's face it. There was no way I was going to stop. Even with this being my least favorite I still liked it.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

" im not the Mayor from Jaws...im a very tired man who has seen more dead bodies in the last month than I wanted to see in a lifetime "

A flashback sees Erica and her on the edge mentor Jessica traveling to a ski resort that Jessica had a connection with when she was a child and training.

Good to see Erica holding the team together and Jessica's flashbacks show why they may be here now..

The story continues in the next Volume.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot whatever happened in the previous volume, but I followed along well enough.

Good stuff, but I'm looking forward to the next volume because this just felt like it was building up to something bigger.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flashbacks within flashbacks as young Erica travels with Jessica to a ski resort that's plagued by monsters...and was also plagued by monsters for a young Jessica. It's not nearly so convoluted as that sentence though.

The ninth volume hits all the highlights (unexplained deaths, clueless locals, kids knowing more than adults) and hits them well. The snowy lodge setting is a nice shift from previous adventures. Once again a cruelty that I have to wait for more.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume, this time with some proper THE SHINING vibes.

[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.

[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. 🪚

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this installment in the series. An interesting look into the past. Complicated relationships. Blood. Dark backstories. Everything you could want.

[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.

[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!

[Ricardo Tavares · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume we go back to when Erica was a kid learning the ropes and trying to deal with Jessica's demons. There's a mystery from the past waiting to be unravelled and more kids to save as well as monsters to hunt and kill. Good stuff as always.

Really enjoyed this one. Can't wait to read the rest of the arc.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ probably my favorite volume to date, reminds me so much of the early seasons of Supernatural. Very interesting to finally see Erica/Jessica dynamic in action in the context of Erica as we know her in present day. Great character work all around, looking forward to the next volume.

[David Miles · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

We're back with young Erica, she's with Jessica at the Valmont Mountain House. It just so happens that Jessica and Cecilia did their apprenticeship at this same resort. We see the probably that Jessica is having and what the young Erica has to do to navigate becoming a black mask.

[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?

[Lex Ophiuchus · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, I can’t tell if Tynion is purposely making all his characters talk the same as some sort of running joke. I feel like most dialogue responses are “yeah,” “okay,” or “yeah, okay.”

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 4 out of 5]

This arc feels very incomplete but I can't deny that I'm invested already.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Vols 1-9 for spooky season and it didn’t disappoint. Beautifully drawn graphic novel that builds an engaging mythology around monster hunters.

[Xroldx · Rating 4 out of 5]

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