The House of Slaughter lost its last Black Mask hunter when Erica went off on her own. Maxine, a White Mask, is considering taking on that role. It is a dangerous path, but is it truly what she wants? Find out in the Book of Slaughter from BOOM! Studios.

BOOK OF SLAUGHTER

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Werther Dell’Edera
Colorist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Andworld Design
Editor Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $9.99
Release Date: December 28, 2022

Previously in Book of Slaughter: After Aaron’s death, Erica was the last Black Mask hunter that the House of Slaughter had. Now she has gone rogue, continuing her hunting but breaking ties with her House. The Houses also have White Mask hunters, their pack hunters who work as a team to take monsters down. The Houses have an intricate and secretive history, and perhaps now is the time that we learn a little more about them.

A TIME TO REFLECT

Book of Slaughter is a double-sized one-shot that takes place in the world of Something is Killing the Children. As the series has grown and branched out, we have learned little things about the secretive Order of St. George and a few of their Houses around the world. This is a book that puts more of that world into perspective for us. I would not recommend it as a jumping-on point, but for the reader who has become fascinated by the premise of the books, this is a terrific addition to your collection.

The story opens in winter, around Christmastime, and we see Maxine, a White Mask, sitting in her room looking at a bloody black mask. The twins, Tybalt and Paris, barge in to mock her about a decision she is considering. The bloody mask is Aaron’s, and the twins reminisce about how fun it was to tease him in front of the younger children.

Maxine was in Archer’s Peak when Aaron was killed. Cecilia, the head of the White Masks, asks Maxine to ride home with her. Maxine is keeping Aaron’s mask as a souvenir even though she did not know him well. Cecilia talks about the differences between the White and Black Masks, and we learn that she originally was a Black Mask herself. The White Masks, she explains, must be able to shrug off individual deaths and remember that they work for a collective purpose. A Black Mask does not have that luxury. They need to be able to care, and to care deeply. She believes that Erica will not return to the House of Slaughter, and she was their sole Black Mask. But a House needs Black Masks in order to survive.

Maxine does her research. She convinces Benny, an Azure Mask, to dig up Erica’s hunting information. He knows this information is closely kept, and that an assassin from another Order has been brought in to hunt her. Her statistics show a remarkable number of monster kills over six months. He explains that she would do the killing and Aaron would do the paperwork. In most houses, Black Masks have time off between kills to recover. Erica does not.

Next, Maxine heads for the library to read the Book of Slaughter. She is making sure she understands the rules and expectations for the Order. If she wants to change her affiliation, she wants to make as informed a decision as she can. This is part of why this is a double-sized issue. The format changes and we get a concise explanation of the Order, a mix of some things we have seen before and some that we have not. For a new reader to this world, I think this is a lot of information. For someone who has followed the stories so far, I think this opens up the world further and holds the promise of more tales, especially when Maxine makes her decision.

CHANGE IS DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY

The Book of Slaughter takes place at Christmastime, and while this is shown in the art, it is pretty subtle. There is a lot of snow outside, and Maxine has a small tree decoration in her room. This is the House of Slaughter, and the rest of her room is tidy and utilitarian. Monster hunters travel light and do not accumulate sentimental belongings. In a later scene, the White Masks’ gathering room has a larger tree and there is more of a sense of jollity, although it is flavored by the House of Slaughter. Their game is throwing knives at one of their young members who is missing both his arms and seeing how he does not flinch.

We can see that Maxine is deep in thought throughout the issue. As one would expect from a member of the House of Slaughter, she does not let much show, but we can tell through her body language as well as the story that she does not feel like she fits in and that she is seriously considering making a change. The most moving scene of the book is when she goes, alone, to the Black Masks’ room. It is lifeless and empty except for a few photographs of Erica, Aaron, Jessica, and even one of Cecilia.

BOTTOM LINE: A THOUGHT-PROVOKING INTERLUDE

The Book of Slaughter is a gorgeous way to connect the stories so far and stories yet to come. It may not be a starting point, but for someone actively reading the series, it is a worthy item to add to your bookshelf.

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