The Basics Of Monster Hunting In Something Killing The Children #2
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
We meet the family of one of the missing children, Sophie Mahoney. Her brother, Tommy, is going to work at his restaurant job, and his mom urges him to put out more missing person posters for Sophie. Later, James and Erica Slaughter go to Tommy’s restaurant to plan for their hunt using the last known locations of dead and missing kids. Tommy overhears them talking about Sophie, and a fight between Tommy and Erica ensues.
Something is Killing the Children #2 is a far slower and more tame read than the brutal opening issue. It focuses on the quiet agony of Tommy Mahoney and his mother as they worry for his missing sister. It erupts into confrontation when he overhears Erica speaking so crassly about Sophie.
It’s still a compelling and atmospheric issue. The odd team-up of Erica and James makes for some funny dialogue and a little bit of exposition for the reader.
That said, Erica Slaughter is still one of the main riddles of the comic so far. A few especially bizarre twists pop up towards the end of this issue surrounding Erica.
Not much actually happens this issue either though. We meet Tommy, and he gets into a shouting match with Erica. Beyond that and a couple of reveals towards the end, Something is Killing the Children #2 does feel light on plot.
Werther Dell’Edera’s artwork is still quite gorgeous, and capability in using texture and shadow to craft a powerful atmosphere is beyond impressive. The character work is great too, and Erica Slaughter has very memorable expressions. Miquel Muerto’s color art is great too, and it contributes to the heavy atmosphere of the comic excellently.
Something is Killing the Children #2, despite a slow plot, is still another very compelling issue for this fledgling horror series. Erica and James are two very interesting leads, and Tommy could play an intriguing role in the book too. Add to that the phenomenal visual work of Dell’Edera and Muerto, and you have a book well worth recommending. Check it out.
Something is Killing the Children #2 comes to us from writer James Tynion IV, artist Werther Dell’Edera, color artist Miquel Muerto, letters from Andworld Design, cover artist Werther Dell’Edera with Giovanna Niro, and variant cover artists Ian Bertram with Miquel Muerto; and Joseph Schmalke.
Final Score: 8/10
