Why I Chose this Book

All right, so I finished reading Something Is Killing the Children Volume 1 (issues #1–5) by writer James Tynion IV and artist Werther Dell’Edera. I originally found it on Hoopla after realizing I hadn’t read any graphic novels in a while.

I was browsing the featured section and the title immediately stood out. Something Is Killing the Children is one of those names that pulls you in before you even know anything about the story. The cover art also looked strong, and the featured placement made me think it was probably at least decent, and I was right.

From the start, I was not disappointed. The artwork was solid, and the story was engaging enough to keep me going through the entire volume.

Some spoilers ahead.

A Small Town Where Children Are Being Killed

The core premise is simple but effective: something strange is happening in a small town, and children are being killed. No one knows what is responsible, and there are no clear traces of the killer.

Then a mysterious woman arrives, claiming she can handle the problem.

From there, the story escalates into a mix of investigation, horror, and survival.

This setup doesn’t feel radically new, but it fits into a familiar horror structure, something along the lines of the “monster in the woods” trope or the classic hero’s journey framework often discussed in storytelling theory.

Even if the structure isn’t groundbreaking, it works well in execution.

The Monster Mythology and Rules of Fear

Why the Monster Targets Children

One of the most interesting elements is the idea that the monster specifically targets children.

If I remember correctly, the explanation is tied to imagination and belief, children are more likely to believe in monsters, and that belief somehow connects them to the creature. As people grow older and stop believing, they become less visible or less vulnerable to it.

There may also be an escalation mechanism: as the monster grows stronger from feeding on children, it could eventually become capable of targeting adults as well.

This concept adds an interesting psychological layer to the horror, even if some of the details are left ambiguous at this point in the story.

The Opening Incident and Trauma

The story begins with a boy being interrogated after a tragic event involving his friends. He had gone out on a dare with a group of kids during what seems like a sleepover or bonding activity near the woods.

They were essentially testing a local legend, going out to see if something would appear.

At first, nothing happens. The boy falls down a hill, and when he returns, he finds his friends brutally killed. Even the boy he may have had a romantic connection with is among the victims.

This establishes both the horror tone and the psychological trauma at the center of the story.

Introduction of the Mysterious Monster Hunter

We are then introduced to the main protagonist: a blonde woman who carries a machete and is clearly experienced in dealing with monsters. She arrives in town already aware that something is wrong and begins mapping out disappearances and patterns.

She is methodical and confident, suggesting she has done this kind of work before.

At the same time, another character enters the narrative, a young man whose sister went missing earlier. Her disappearance still weighs heavily on him, and it becomes clear he will be pulled into the unfolding events.

Converging Storylines and Rising Suspicion

Eventually, the monster hunter and the young man’s storyline intersect. They meet at a diner where he works, and he begins to suspect that she may know more about the disappearances than she is letting on.

This creates tension and uncertainty, as multiple characters try to understand what is actually happening in the town.

The Mysterious Stuffed Animal

One of the more unusual elements is that the protagonist carries a stuffed octopus toy that she speaks to occasionally.

It is later implied that there is a monster or entity trapped within it that assists her in some way. This adds a surreal and supernatural layer to her character, suggesting she is not operating alone, even if her companion is not fully understood yet.

The Confrontation at the Monster’s Location

Eventually, the protagonist identifies the monster’s location and prepares to confront it. She acquires weapons, including a chainsaw and an axe, from a local store, reinforcing her role as a highly capable hunter.

At the same time, the young man searching for answers about his missing sister arrives at the same location, believing the woman may be responsible for what happened.

Because he is an adult, he cannot perceive the monster, which nearly causes him to interfere with the plan.

This creates a critical moment of misunderstanding and tension right before the confrontation escalates.

Original draft written in January 2021.