Something Is Killing The Children #15 brings the story of Archer’s Peak and the Obscuratype terrorizing the town to a wonderfully cathartic close.
This ongoing series is written by James Tynion IV (Batman, Wynd, The Department Of Truth) and illustrated by Werther Dell’Edera (Briggs Land). The horror/adventure series was originally announced as a limited series, but the popularity of the series and of the main character, Erica Slaughter, lead Boom! Studios and the creative team to transform SIKTC into an ongoing series.
“Monsters are real. Only children can see them. I’m part of an organization of monster hunters called The Order Of St. George. We’ve got a special way we can see them, too. They care more about making sure the truth about monsters doesn’t get out than making sure people stay alive.”
-Erica Slaughter
Issue #15 certainly feels like the end of the road, so I wasn’t shocked to discover that it was originally the final issue. Writer James Tynion IV explains this not-so-conclusive conclusion best:
“There’s another universe where SIKTC #15 was going to be the end of the series. But you all have turned the book into a runaway hit, and now there’s no ending in sight. But 15 is still an ending. It’s the ending of the story of young James, and Tommy, and a lot of the people and places we’ve gotten to know in Archer’s Peak. I felt the weight of all those fifteen issues when I put this one down. I am just so damn proud of everything we’ve done.”
SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #15: THE END OF AN ERA
Tynion IV, Dell’Edera, and the entire creative team should feel extremely proud of the story they’ve told across these fifteen issues. This entry into the saga will leave you with that bittersweet hole in your stomach that always appears when you finish a great story. Phenomenal emotional resonance has always been synonymous with this series that has seldom reached such poignant, stirring heights.
SIKTC #15 is easily the slowest, most laid-back issue of the series so far, and rightfully so. The point of this issue is to tie up loose ends in Archer’s Peak, before splitting up the main cast so that their adventures can continue in unexpected and unique ways. There are no action sequences, wild plot twists, or blood-soaked nightmares lurking in Something Is Killing The Children #15, just sweet, sweet resolution.
RELATED: POWER RANGERS #4 REVIEW: THE OMEGA RANGERS VS THE VILLAIN OF THE WEEK
Erica Slaughter will return, though the series is taking a short break from it’s standard release schedule. You can read Boom! Studios official solicitation for Something Is Killing The Children #16 below.
Something Is Killing The Children #16 is about Erica’s early experiences with the House of Slaughter and the start of her monster hunting career… before the horrifying events that brought her to Archer’s Peak. The story you demanded begins here: the origin of Erica Slaughter! What shocking events brought Erica to the House of Slaughter… and what did she have to do to join the Order of St. George? The secrets are revealed here for the first time in this perfect jumping-on point for new readers.
SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN RETURNS MAY 2021
The origin story of Erica Slaughter has been one of the most elusive mysteries in SIKTC, and I cannot wait to read her earlier stories when it comes out in May of 2021. No specific date for release has been announced at this time. Issue #15 did reveal some more information about The Order Of St. George and The House Of Slaughter, so it feels only natural to dive deeper into that mythos in the following issue.
Something Is Killing The Children was one of my favorite comic books of last year. After issue #15, the series has evolved into one of my favorite comic books of all time. The ongoing series is truly a classic in the making, and I cannot wait for the series to return this May. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is the ideal time to get on board. You won’t regret it.
What did you think of Something Is Killing The Children #15? Are you excited for Erica’s origin in issue #16? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media!
KEEP READING: DC ANNOUNCES TITLES COMING TO DC UNIVERSE INFINITE IN MARCH 2021
