Erica’s plan is carefully thought out, but there is one thing she did not anticipate – Cutter! How will Cutter’s presence affect things? Find out in Something is Killing the Children #34 from BOOM! Studios.

SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #34

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Werther Dell’Edera
Colorist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Andworld Design
Editor: Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 25, 2023

Previously in Something is Killing the Children: Erica is setting a trap for the duplicitype and is hoping to snare Cutter as well. Riqui and Gabi do their part, visiting pools and recalling the girl’s experience with the monster. After their last stop, Cutter stows away in their truck. The Sheriff interviews a girl who saw the monster and describes it as “the scary lady,” one who looks a lot like Erica, but toothier. Back at the ranch, Erica has befriended a horse and is working on her archery. She warns Gabi and Riqui to be careful – she has rigged a lot of explosives. Cutter sneaks out of the truck and into an outbuilding where she finds Octo and tries to talk him into helping her kill Erica.

PUTTING THE PIECES INTO PLACE

As Something is Killing the Children #34, Riqui asks Erica again about her plan. As the monster gets closer, there are targets Erica wants her to hit. The problem, as Riqui mentions, is that she is not able to see the monster. Erica surprises us all when she says the monster has killed so many that it may now be visible to more people, including adults. The more people it feeds upon, the stronger it gets. Still, Riqui will probably have more of a feeling of terror than a clear visual of it. This is not all that reassuring. Erica does have a quiver of poisoned arrows. If she can get one good shot, it should take out the monster.

Gabi gets up from her nap, bored and frustrated. Then Cutter walks into the room. Gabi runs and Cutter grabs her, telling her she will spare the girl if she does not scream. Gabi counters that she knows Cutter is lying and screams. An unsuspecting Riqui and Erica hear her but think that Gabi is merely bored. Before they can think too hard about it, Erica spots the duplicitype, which has assumed its caricature of Erica’s appearance. Riqui runs back to the bunkhouse to check on Gabi quickly before assuming her place to target the monster.

As Riqui runs into the bunkhouse, Cutter’s whip wraps around her neck. She and Gabi are both down. Gabi admits she is scared. Riqui tells her to scream again. It is a horribly dangerous time for these two, but they are tough.

Erica shoots at the duplicitype. Even though it is walking straight toward her, this is more difficult that she anticipated. She hears another scream and recognizes it as Gabi’s. Then there is a hideous silence. Erica turns the horse around and heads for the bunkhouse. Cutter pulls Gabi and Riqui onto the porch. As Erica bears down on her, she raises her bow and shoots at Cutter!

THE HIDDEN PREDATOR

Despite the horror of Something is Killing the Children #34, there are some truly beautiful moments in it as well. As this issue opens, the sun is setting over the desert at the ranch. The sky is huge and clear except for some clouds near the horizon, catching the gold of the late sunlight. It is breathtaking and the peacefulness contrasts sharply with the tension of the hunt. From here Riqui and Erica can see in all directions. It seems impossible that the duplicitype could sneak up on Erica. The women are as relaxed as they can be under the circumstances, alert, and trying to be confident. When Gabi screams, we know what it is, but they cannot even imagine.

Cutter’s outfit leaves her arms and shoulders completely bare. We can see how muscled she is. She is a hunter who lives up to the name. Her mask covers her eyes, and it comes as no surprise that Gabi’s instinct is to flee from her. Cutter is a hunter like a cat – she likes to play with her prey. Gabi is certainly no match for her, but I love how her bluntness comes through. She has no trust in Cutter at all and is not afraid to scream. When Riqui is caught, I think Gabi suddenly realizes how much the woman means to her, despite all their antagonism. They may squabble and frustrate each other, but they will unite against a common enemy.

BOTTOM LINE: TRUST AND CONSEQUENCES

Something is Killing the Children #34 rides the perfect rhythm of horror, the balance between tension and relaxation that amplifies the emotional aspects of the story. The characters may be prickly, but we have come to care about them and dread to see where things are going next.

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