Thank you to NetGalley and BOOM! Studios for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Release Date: 20 February 2024
Rating: 3 stars

This is the final volume in the Something is Killing the Children graphic novel series. Back when Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 was released, I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of that as well, so this is a nice full-circle moment with this series for me!

For a finale, I do think this volume lacked some tension that would have really helped this series end on a high. There was an... event... (trying to be vague) toward the end that I did not expect, but apart from that this was a bit of a "meh" ending. I have a feeling that could be because a spin-off set after this is planned (there is also the prequel series House of Slaughter, Vol. 1: The Butcher's Mark that is in progress) but it doesn't change the fact this fell a bit flat. The final showdown just needed more.

The artwork by Werther Dell'Edera and colouring by Miquel Muerto was fantastic as always! The monsters they created visually are very creepy and make the story come to life.

Overall this is a great series that is different from anything else I have read. It takes the idea of the monster that lurks in the dark to a whole new level and creates a world with so many possibilities to explore in the future. I hope James Tynion IV decides to expand on this world.

Finally, we are at the end of the Tribulation installment and this was such an intense ending. I despised Cutter until the very end. I was so glad to see her get the ending that she did. I'm still on the fence on how to feel about Cecilia and would be interested in exploring her relationship with Erika more in further installments. I am also so intrigued to see what becomes of Riqui and if she actually goes out on a quest to track Erika down and seek the revenge that she proclaimed at the end of this volume. There have been, obviously, a lot of deaths in this series and the deaths that happen in this volume, while really sad, did not hit me as hard as some of the others we've experienced.

So I guess this isn’t really the final chapter? The ending was ambiguous and left open the possibility of it continuing later. In any case, I love the series and I hope that it is continued in some way - even if it isn’t told through Erica Slaughter’s POV.

I was a reluctant convert to the world of Something is Killing the Children. But now that I am I am so immersed in this world I never want to leave. Butchers, Slaughters, all of them, I'm in. This volume finally ends the Tribulation arc, and while I'm one of those people saying "about time" because we have literally been in New Mexico since May of 2022, twelve issues ago, I'm glad they took there time because this wouldn't have packed such a punch otherwise. The Duplicitype is destroyed at a heavy emotional cost, but in the end, it's the human, Cutter, who proved to be far more dangerous. This was a perfect ending. And yet, I can't wait to see what happens next. More!

Free eARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher for review purposes

I was so delighted to get an advanced copy of this- I have thoroughly enjoyed each installment of Something Is Killing the Children. I love the plotline, the characters, the art style, and how dark and violent it is. This is not the final volume of the series- it ends with a to be continued- but it does wrap up the Cutter/Erica/Duplicitype that looks like Erica storyline, quite satisfyingly.

Overall, this is a great next entry in one of my favorite comic series and I can't wait for more to come!

Ok, so without giving any spoilers, I'll say that I was all in for this volume. I'm thrilled beyond words at the ending and can't wait to see what the next arc of Erica's story brings us.
And I'm sure I've said it before, but I really enjoyed Cutter as the villain, so here's hoping Tynion can keep that level of menace going strong as the story moves forward.

I highly recommend that people pick up the first one and read this series straight through. The ideas are unique and the illustrations are dark and beautiful.
The consequences are real, and the stakes are high. This final installment is focused on confrontation, but honestly, I hope there are more stories in this world.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC

The hits keep coming. Both definitions. I love this series so much.

Seven volumes in and there's no stopping this title. It still has all the tension, creepiness, and heart of volume 1.

In the latest chapter of Something is Killing the Children, after Erica Slaughter has stolen her "dolly," an even crazier than before Charlotte Cutter has unleashed her plan to finally kill Erica, and the old Dragon is fine with whatever the outcome will be. While Cutter tracks her down, a Duplicitype monster bearing Erica's visage is also on her trail. With no choice but to use Gabi as a lure, Erica prepares for what may be a final showdown versus the creature and Cutter.
The issues within this graphic novel contain some of the best story line of the title. Tynion's fantastic and unique writing along with the slightly bizarre and abstract artwork continue to produce the most intriguing and best comic book title out there today. I love this book.

I just adore Something is Killing the Children series and this seventh volume was a blast. Erica needs to kill both the Duplicitype and Cutter. She needs to make a plan and keep Gabi safe, but it's hard - like everything for her. It's interesting how the Duplicitype takes Erica's looks and how impossible it is to kill them. The blue poison seemed an interesting choice not to forget that Cecilia is actually helping her. How the arrow thing failed was great and how eventually the monster was killed, such brutality and a loss of life. I like it how no one gets out alive aside Erica and how much it hurts her. Such a nasty series!

The art is topnotch once again, the rhythm is wonderful and the darkness is consuming. I so wish a television series was made of this. This is so much better than Stranger Things. It's interesting to see where this series is going though, since it keeps opening new possibilities constantly without repeating itself. That's something I have to raise my hat to. I never knew I liked something like this, even I'm amazed.

Something Is Killing the Children comes to a PULSE POUNDING & EXHILARATING CONCLUSION!!

James Tynion IV had a vision for this series and it has come to several exciting climaxes over the course of this series, however, in this final volume all the chips are on the table and it's a mad rush to the end! Erica, our main character, has been through a lot. (So much so that I find myself hoping that she can finally get a break). However, there are several impending confrontations in this volume, and fans are going to devour them in this volume.

I found myself breathless so many times during this volume! Everything is as tense as you might expect if you've been enjoying this series. The Cutter woman in particular is one of the most terrifying villains that we have had the pleasure of discovering from the mind of James Tynion IV and I for one was fully expecting a blood bath (and yes we got one). The illustrations of these scenes made me so very happy. The team that is behind this volume is next level and I have been such a fan ever since discovering them in volume one.

In addition to the terrifying elements that make up the villains of this volume, there is also some humor here as well. Gabi and Riqui's interactions made me giggle several times. I really enjoyed that dynamic here and the setup that this relationship could mean for future volumes or series has me THRILLED!

All in all, I loved this graphic novel and loved the way that this series came to a close. I love the idea that there could be a continuation of this series and world. (PS GO READ HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY)!! Prepare for the end of an era as Erica's story comes to a close!!

I received a free ARC, and this review is voluntary.

WOW

Volume 7 continues where Vol. 6 left off, with hunting the monster in New Mexico. A bit more of Erica's history is flushed out between the action, which is always appreciated. The ending of Vol. 7 opens up more doors for the story, and I simply cannot wait to know what the future holds.

Erica Slaughter is hands-down one of the best characters written today.

What an ending! Everytime there's a bit of hope in the series, it doesn't take me long to remember this isn't that kind of story 😅

The Cutter arc is wrapped up nicely & we get some more flashbacks + details of Erica's training. The art as always is spectacular, the final fight with Cutter was awesome. The ending sets the stage for future conflicts and has you hooked to find out what'll happen next for Erica & the House.

Thanks to Netgalley & Boom! Studios for the arc!

If nothing else, I'm impressed at the regular release schedule they're maintaining, something not even great success guarantees an indie book - just look at Saga. The Cutter story concludes, albeit in such a way the next volume can reprise with variations, and while we get a reminder of how dirty the series is prepared to play, there was another avenue offered here which I think would have made for a better, and certainly a more different, next arc. Above all, though, even if I continue to find it Tynion's least interesting horror story, Dell'Edera's art remains gorgeous.

(Netgalley ARC)