Review: Book of Slaughter #1

With so many comics out per week combined with a limited budget, there are inevitably books that fall through the cracks. As a reviewer, I manage to catch some, but even still, there are some really good books that I miss out on and then, with a number of issues to catch up on, feel that I will never catch up. Its kind of like deciding to start Game of Thrones now, rather than have been watching since the beginning. Something is Killing the Children is one such book, so I an quite thankful that this new spin-off book offers something of a jumping on point.

Created by the Something is Killing the Children and House of Slaughter creators James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera this one-shot look s to build on their respective books as Maxine Slaughter becomes the focus as she determines to find her place within the various loyalties that vies for her attention.

James Tynion IV has been around Batman for a while along with his own horror tinged books from Justice League Dark and of course, the aforementioned Something is Killing the Children to name but one. Here, Tynion effectively uses Maxine’s confusion of her place in her world to help educate the reader of both the present and history. The dialogue works well, there is a level of tenseness events which will lead into further aspects of the Slaughterverse down the line. Maxine is an interesting character; seemingly happy on one path in her life, when an encounter makes her consider a life not lead and to a fateful decision. Adding further to the immersive element of the book is the text piece that features in the middle of the book. Recently, this trick has been seen a lot on the X-books; Tynion takes it a parade further by delving into the past which seeks to impact the present.

The art is provided by Werther Dell’Edera, the art on Something is Killing the Children. The art, simply put , is gorgeous. Dell’Edera style has an Otto Schmidt look with accentuated necks, angular body elements and an elongated look that oozes the decadence that comes with vampires of old. The colors from Miquel Muerto have a washed out look that allows for brighter colors to be used to against the darkness that comes as part of the horror / vampire territory. AndWorld Design is on hand to deliver a font style that is svelte, matching the overall style of the book very well.

As mentioned, I have missed quite a bit of the Something is Killing the Children run, this book was a great read, seeing as it serves a number of aspects. Firstly, it provides history and context to toe ongoing series. Secondly, it moves the main character through their journey, and finally, looks to set up the wheels in motion for future issues and plot points. All in all, a reach that is firmly met by its grasp!

Writing – 5 Stars

Art -5 Stars

Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; James Tynion IV
Art by; Werther Dell’Edera
Colors by; Miquel Muerto
Letters by; AndWorld Design
Published by; BOOM! Studios

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network