Something Is Killing the Children #17 is a horror comic from James Tynion IV and Werther Dell'Edera that was published on June 23, 2021 by Boom! Studios. It is the seventeenth issue in the Something Is Killing the Children comic series.
Synopsis[]
What turned young Erica into the monster hunter she is today? Discover Erica Slaughter's true origin as she is further initiated into the House of Slaughter. But will she be sorted into the prestigious White Room, or the dreaded Black Room with her new nemesis Aaron?
Plot[]
Erica sits outside The Old Dragon's office, staring at the tupperware holding an angry Octo. Aaron Slaughter tells Erica that the adults are arguing because Jessica recruited her wrong, and she should have passed a test before even being allowed to enter the house. As she didn't pass the test, he sees Erica as unworthy, and says that Jessica probably only let her stay because she felt sorry for her. Erica responds by kicking him in the balls, which results in Cecilia and Jessica exiting into the hall, and Erica getting a glimpse of the Old Dragon. Cecilia sharply tells Jessica that Erica will be taken to the Farm at 6:00AM.
After a seemingly-silent tour of the House, Erica is taken to the Black Room, to Aaron's dismay. Jessica tells Aaron to have some sympathy for her, especially knowing what she will go through tomorrow, and Aaron quietly agrees. Jessica then introduces Erica to Adda Slaughter, her old mentor, who seems unresponsive. She then awkwardly explains the legend of Saint George, telling her that rather than building the Church where he slayed the dragon, George began The Order of St. George, initiating others to keep the secrets of monsters and how to slay them. Erica will need to promise to keep the same oath, and while Jessica can't tell her what will happen tomorrow, it will be very scary, but she must keep the secret no matter what. She also informs her that if she survives, she can get an Order Tattoo wherever she wants, and finally shows her the groups' totems, including her own, Thumper. She then lets her into her own room to watch DVDs and rest.
At a nearby bar, Cecilia and Jessica argue over her recruitment of Erica. Jessica begins to cry over the thought of Becca ripped in half and the fact she would have been expected to kill Erica as well. She then asks if Erica will die tomorrow, and when Cecilia says it's likely, Jessica asks for more beer.
Erica has a nightmare of hiding and clinging to her Octo plush as the Oscuratype eats Becca. She then hears her parents arrive home, and her mother discover Becca's body. As her mom calls for her husband to call the police and then screams for Erica, she is cut in half by the monster she can't see. She wakes up to Aaron sitting on the edge of the bed. He says that it's cool that she almost killed the monster herself, and that tomorrow, "some of it is real, but some of it is in your head." He says the monster wants her to be afraid, so if she remains brave, it won't get strong enough to hurt her. He then apologizes for his behavior, and asks her not to die, since all the other kids are White Masks who suck, and everyone else is old and mean. Erica responds that she's young and mean, but she promises not to die.
Characters[]
Order of St. George[]
Civilians[]
- Becca †
- Erica's mother †
- Mark (mentioned)
Monsters[]
- Oscuratypes
- Totems
- Hootie
- Thumper
- Wuppy Puppy
Gallery[]
Exclusive covers[]
Comic guide[]