The Cost of Saving Lives in Something Is Killing the Children #5
The chilling and disturbing tale of monsters continues in Something Is Killing the Children #5. Erica Slaughter is good at her job. Her job is hunting and killing monsters. But even an expert like her cannot plan for every turn of events.
Something Is Killing the Children has been a dark and distressing tale in which monsters greedily hunt down children. It’s a horror series through and through, and for many, it has been exactly what we’re looking for.
This time, Erica is hunting the monster that has plagued a small town, but there are a few setbacks. One had hoped to help, while the other hoped to hinder. Both added complications to an already dangerous situation. On the bright side, that makes for an interesting read for us fans.
Writing
Man, James Tynion IV has dived headfirst into the whole concept of alarming horror series, hasn’t he? Something Is Killing the Children #5 is as chilling as graphic. Yet there’s this little flicker of hope – a little bit of humanity shining through the horrors of this world.
This issue is amazingly written, if a bit intense. But at this point in the series, fans should probably know what they’re in for. At least, I hope they would. This is not a series that pulls punches, a fact proven in the latest installment.
There’s been a running theme this whole series, where it’s the nature of children who can see the monsters. We’ve seen some measures Erica has gone through to maintain that sight. But I feel like this issue forced that connection, making us realize the true depth and cost of it all.
What really impressed me about the writing in this issue is the level of attention to detail and the ability to plan ahead. This issue has twists and turns – of course, there are. But they honestly and truly shocked me in the best of ways. By all appearances, those surprises will advance the plot even further. And I cannot wait to see how those elements will play out in the long run.
Art
Something Is Killing the Children #5 is full of dynamic moments, disturbing scenes, and beautiful artwork. This series would not be the same without the vibrant (and sometimes alarming) artwork supporting it.
Werther Dell’Edera was the lead artist for this issue, and their lines set the tone for this plot arc. Their monsters are terrifying, especially because we can’t always see the full picture. Dell’Edera’s clever use of obfuscation heightens the mood while leaving us eager to see (and learn) more.
Miguel Muerto was the colorist, and I love the color palette. Yes, everything is darker and muted (except for the blood, which is as vibrant as life itself). But there are many shades to be found in the darker spectrum. Muerto used those shades to great effect here, which made the imagery all the more terrifying.
Finally, Andworld Design was in charge of the lettering. And they did an excellent job showing us the story alongside the imagery. It was everything we needed here.
Conclusion
Something Is Killing the Children #5 was another intense addition to this series. They somehow managed to heighten the emotional connection and toll further here while forcing the story onward. Only time will tell the ramifications, but I can’t wait to find out.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
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