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Creative Team – James Tynion IV(writer). Werther Dell’edera(illustrator & cover artist). Miquel Muerto(colors). Andworld Design(letterer). Jenny Frison, Riley Rossmo, Rafael Albuquerque(variant cover artists). Marie Krupina, Nancy Mojica(designers). Maya Bollinger(assistant editor). Ramiro Portnoy, Eric Harburn(editors). Bryce Carlson(supervising editor). Matt Gagnon(editor in chief).
Published by BOOM! Studios
Catch up with Something is Killing the Children #38 here!
The Doctor Will See You Now
In this standalone edition of Something is Killing the Children, we witness a vulnerable Erica Slaughter in a therapist’s office. Her curiosity has piqued by the workings of therapy which leads her to be interested in delving deeper. The therapist employs a “gentle parenting” technique, encouraging Erica to open up at her own pace. Gradually, Erica shares enough for the therapist to grasp the mental challenges she faces.
After sharing a glimpse of her parents’ death, Erica becomes emotional when discussing Jessica, tears welling up. The therapist inquires further about Jessica, prompting Erica to quickly shift the conversation to the dying children in the town. Curiously, she asks the therapist how he would counsel a child coping with loss, leading him to confront the core question: why Erica sought therapy in the first place.
Cries for Help
Of course, Erica, who lives more of solitary life and doesn’t often open up about her inner feelings, simply says she can’t stop crying. According to Erica, growing up where she did, crying was a sign of weakness. But she still cries. Erica wants is a way to bottle up her emotions like she did when she was twelve years old when her parents died. All she wants from therapy is to learn to stop crying.
The Art
The art in Something is Killing the Children #39 was simple but still felt impactful. It was just Erica with a therapist in most panels, but you could still see so much emotion. Erica was drawn in such a raw way that showed her emotions and her internal struggles. Also, I think the artists did a fantastic job with the flashbacks Erica saw, which added more intensity to her words.
The Writing
I thoroughly enjoyed how this installment enriched the Something is Killing the Children series. It stayed true to Erica’s character while making her journey relatable to readers. The portrayal of Erica’s emotions was perfectly suited to the storyline, and the therapist’s role added depth to her character, revealing even more dimensions. Overall, this issue felt grounded and authentic, which I found particularly compelling.
I give this an 8.5 out of 10.
This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes: A Marvel Podcast. If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Something is Killing the Children #39. The Wolverine, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!
