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NYCC 2026: Something is Killing the Children: A Gridstorm Game is coming from Tiny Onion

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James Tynion IV’s production house Tiny Onion has revealed details about Something is Killing the Children: A Gridstorm Game, the first-ever game set in the Slaughterverse. The upcoming companion tabletop card game is inspired by the Eisner Award-winning and bestselling comic book series Something is Killing the Children, created by writer James Tynion IV and artist Werther Dell’Edera. 

Published by BOOM! Studios, over 5 million copies of the comics have been sold globally, and the series has become a pop culture phenomenon, leading to screen adaptations, crossover series, a novel, merch, a huggable totem plushie, and soon, a card game. Designed by Wayves Creative Co., with art by Dell’Edera and card design by Tiny Onion, the upcoming game will launch as a Kickstarter campaign next year. Fans can sign up to get updates about the game here.

The first card from the game, an Erica Slaughter trading card, will be available exclusively in the Something is Killing the Children #50 Cover C Blind Bag Variant published by BOOM! Studios, which will debut at comic book shops on October 7. Fans can also grab Variant C at Tiny Onion’s Booth (#HB907) at New York Comic Con this week. 

Something is Killing the Children begins in the sleepy Wisconsin town of Archer’s Peak, where several children have gone missing. This attracts a mysterious stranger, Erica Slaughter. She alone will destroy them, no matter the cost. Something is Killing the Children explores a dark and deadly world where monsters exist, and only children can see them. The organization known as the Order of St. George is tasked with keeping monsters a secret by any means necessary. With in-depth lore, an alluring sorting system, and magnetic characters, Something is Killing the Children has captured the hearts of comic book fans worldwide, and is perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and John Wick. 

Tiny Onion and the Wayves Creative Co. team, led by CEO Michael Walsh, will be collaborating on more games based on titles from the Tiny Onion universe, using Wayves’ Gridstorm engine and mechanics.

Now fans will be able to play as either Erica and the hunters or as the monsters in opposition. Gridstorm is a grid-based 1v1 card battler where unique character effects and strategic positioning combine to lead you to victory. In this first Gridstorm release, based on Something Is Killing the Children, players can take on the role of the cunning Hunters, using stealth and clever maneuvering to save the children, or as the Monsters, using their predatory instincts to capture them from a distance. Each deck contains a full roster of beloved characters and creatures from the series. 

The Kickstarter campaign for Something is Killing the Children: A Gridstorm Game will launch in 2027.

  • Promotional image for 'SIKTC', a Gridstorm game, featuring artwork of a character and a QR code. Text announces the upcoming Kickstarter launch and invites users to sign up for notifications.
  • A game card featuring a character named Erica Slaughter, with an illustrated art style. The card highlights her abilities and ranks her as S. The background shows dynamic action imagery.
  • A comic-style card featuring a character named Erica Slaughter, depicted with a fierce expression and short blonde hair. The card includes text indicating her rank as 'S' and a game mechanic description stating, 'Whenever a hunter is placed, you may move Erica one panel in any direction.'
  • Cover art for 'Something is Killing the Children' featuring the title prominently displayed in bold text against a speckled background.
  • A promotional image for 'Something is Killing the Children,' featuring bold white text on a black background with a graphic of a sinister face.
  • Cover of the comic book 'Something is Killing the Children' issue #50, featuring a fierce, green-skinned creature lunging towards the viewer, with bold red text highlighting the title.
  • A black background featuring a stylized golden emblem composed of triangular shapes resembling teeth or claws, with the number '50' in the top right corner.

Something is Killing the Children #50 Arrives with Surprise, Exclusive Card teasing a New Trading Card Game

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Fans of Something is Killing the Children are about to get a surprise collectible alongside the series’ landmark 50th issue. The Something is Killing the Children #50 Cover C Blind Bag Variant will include an exclusive Erica Slaughter trading card tied to an upcoming, soon-to-be-announced trading card game for the series.

Details about the trading card game remain under wraps. The card marks the first officially revealed collectible from the forthcoming game, and collectors can get an early glimpse at what’s to come with the Something is Killing the Children #50 Cover C Blind Bag Variant.

Earlier this year, Tiny Onion made a big splash with Exquisite Corpses: The Game, and we’re incredibly excited to continue our pursuits in the tabletop gaming space in partnership with our friends at BOOM!. In Something is Killing the Children, James and Werther have created an immensely rich universe with iconic characters, monsters, and more; it’s been a longtime goal of ours to bring this world to tabletop gaming, and we’re thrilled to share more about our plans very soon!

-Eric Harburn, Director of Narrative & Editor-in-Chief at Tiny Onion

The Something is Killing the Children #50 Cover C Blind Bag Variant celebrates the series’ 50th issue while giving fans something entirely new to discover. This momentous milestone issue for the bestselling horror phenomenon marks the return of beloved protagonist Erica Slaughter to the present day.

After the horrifying events of the Tribulation saga, Erica, completely distraught from her encounter with Cutter and the death of Gabi, is on the run from the Order. In her escape, she turns to a formative place for her: the Valmont Mountain Lodge.

But beyond memories of her past, what and who will Erica find there now awaiting her?

Something is Killing the Children is the acclaimed horror comic series created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, published by BOOM! and distributed by Penguin Random House. Something is Killing the Children #50 Cover C Blind Bag Variant will be available at your local comic shop on October 7, 2026.

  • A black background featuring a stylized yellow graphic design resembling a series of sharp, elongated shapes arranged symmetrically, with the number '50' in the top right corner.
  • A comic panel depicting a person in their bedroom, frustrated, sitting on the edge of a bed. An alarm clock reads 10:20. They are reaching to silence the alarm while expressing annoyance.
  • A comic panel sequence featuring a character wearing a yellow sweater and shorts, interacting with technology in a cozy wooden room. Sounds like 'beep' and 'click' are depicted, suggesting a focus on a computer or device. The character's expressions change as they engage with the computer and respond to various sounds.
  • A comic strip from 'Something is Killing the Children #50', featuring a character in a yellow shirt engaging with a computer and examining various images on the screen.
  • A character with brown hair and blue eyes holds a weapon while standing in a wooden room, looking toward an open door. A white dog with black ears sits nearby, observing the scene. In the foreground, there is an illustration of three children on a piece of paper.
  • A character in a green jacket walks through a dilapidated interior space, navigating past debris and broken furniture, suggesting a sense of mystery and tension.
  • A comic panel illustration featuring a character in a green coat with a backpack walking through an old abandoned building.
  • A vibrant comic book cover featuring a menacing figure with sharp teeth and blood-like colors, juxtaposed with dark, stylized artwork, titled 'Something is Killing the Children #50.'
  • Title card for the comic series 'Something is Killing the Children' featuring a bold, stylized title against a speckled white background, with a graphic element resembling a creature's spine.
  • An illustrated card featuring a character named Erica Slaughter, depicted with a fierce expression and short hair, surrounded by a dynamic background. The card includes game mechanics text stating movement abilities related to a game context.
  • Cover of the comic book 'Something is Killing the Children' issue number 50, featuring an action scene with a character depicted in vibrant colors, symbolizing tension and intrigue.

Swamp Thing is Killing the Children this December!

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In a world where the fears of children manifest into living, breathing monsters, this crossover brings one of horror’s most iconic characters straight into the Slaughterverse!

James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, the superstar team behind the smash hit Something is Killing the Children, push the boundaries for the very first crossover story ever told in the fan-favorite Slaughterverse.

Two siblings who are life-long comics fans find their way to horror comics, in spite of the fears they inspire.

As the terrifying visions from the pages of the comics start to come to life, Erica Slaughter will have to hunt down one of horror’s most recognizable figures—Swamp Thing himself!

Swamp Thing is Killing the Children #1 arrives December 2, 2026.

  • Comic book cover featuring the title 'Swamp Thing is Killing the Children' with a character holding a knife and surrounded by dark, leafy foliage.
  • A digital illustration of a woman with purple skin, surrounded by green vines and leaves, holding a large knife. She has a serene yet powerful expression, with striking orange eyes and is partially submerged in water.
  • A stylized comic book cover featuring a character with blonde hair and a mask, wielding a knife, while a monstrous creature resembling Swamp Thing lurks in the background. The title reads 'Swamp Thing is Killing the Children.'
  • Illustration of a young woman standing in a dense, green environment holding a sword, with large, ominous eyes and the title 'SWAMP THING is KILLING the CHILDREN' in bold text above.
  • Cover of the comic book 'Swamp Thing is Killing the Children', featuring a character with a knife and a dark, green background, emphasizing a horror theme.
  • A stylized female figure with purple skin, adorned with intertwining green vines and leaves. She holds a large sword in one hand, standing in shallow water with a dark green gradient background.
  • A stylized illustration of a woman surrounded by vines and leaves, holding a sword. Her expression is fierce, and she appears partially submerged in dark water.
  • An aerial view of a person with light hair, wearing a black mask and tank top, standing in a green, intricately mowed lawn with circular patterns. They are holding a red lawnmower and a coiled extension cord amidst colorful flower patches.
  • A character wades through murky water in a dark forest, wearing a mask with sharp teeth, while a large, ominous creature looms in the background.
  • A woman with a knife stands on a branch above a large, creature covered in green moss in a swampy setting. The woman is poised in an action stance, while the creature looks up at her, surrounded by dark water and eerie vegetation.
  • A dramatic black and white illustration featuring a menacing figure looming over a cowering character holding a knife, surrounded by chaotic lines and textures that convey a sense of danger.

Preview: Absolute Batman #22

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Absolute Batman #22

(W) Scott Snyder (A) Werther Dell’Edera

THE ORIGIN OF HARLEY QUINN! As the Robins nest in Gotham’s backyard, and Batman faces ultimate defeat, Harley Quinn’s origin is revealed. How does Harley connect with Ark M, and how did the Robins fledge from hatchlings to birds of prey? The call of more than one predator will be answered in this issue.

Absolute Batman #22

Something is Killing the Children returns in April 2025

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As the Slaughterverse enters its sixth year and BOOM! Studios celebrates its 20th Anniversary, a brand new story arc of the Eisner-winning team of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera’s Something is Killing the Children begins with Something is Killing the Children #41.

The dive into Erica’s past continues as we re-enter her younger years being raised and trained in the House of Slaughter. What deadly hunts await her and her mentor, Jessica? And how does Cecilia pose yet another challenge for the young Black Mask?

Something is Killing the Children #41 features main cover art by series co-creator Werther Dell’Edera, and variant covers by acclaimed illustrators Jenny Frison, Miguel Mercado, Anwita Citriya, and Tula Lotay. It comes to shops April 2, 2025.

Preview: Something is Killing the Children #0

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Something is Killing the Children #0

(W) James Tynion IV (A/CA) Werther Dell’Edera
In Shops: Nov 06, 2024
SRP: $4.99

It’s been 5 years since the smash hit Eisner-winning series Something is Killing the Children changed the world of comics; now, 40 issues later, a new chapter from the past is revealed.

Witness this crucial untold story within the vast Slaughterverse, detailing the mission preceding the fateful Archer’s Peak Saga, where the entire story began.

The Eisner and GLAAD award-winning team of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera invite fans into this intimate untold chapter of the monster hunter that sliced her way into the hearts of readers everywhere, along with the celebratory Something Is Killing The Children cover month celebrating the franchise’s 5th anniversary.

Something is Killing the Children #0

Mini Reviews: Dungeons and Dimwits, Something is Killing the Children, and Grommets!

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SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #38

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Dungeons and Dimwits #1 (Dren Productions) – This is a comic by James Mascia and Kodaris about a group of kids who get sucked into the world of Dungeons and Dragons. There are some silly jokes about the player characters fighting enemies way above their level, but the visuals are amateurish with kind of chibi style characters with one single, intense facial expression. Also, not all the jokes land in 2024, especially ones about a cast member always wanting to play a female character, ending up as one, and that being “Ew gross”. I love a good fantasy comedy series, but this doesn’t get the job done despite an insane cliffhanger. Overall: 5.0 Verdict: Pass

Something is Killing the Children #38 (BOOM! Studios) – This arc of Something is Killing the Children, “Road Stories”, has featured standalone stories from Erica Slaughter’s past, and issue 38 is no exception. Erica is passed out in a kid’s treehouse for most of the issue, and James Tynion and Werther Dell’Edera create suspense by keeping you in the dark if the monster is still around. SiKtC #38 provides an outsider’s view on Erica and her work with a few creepy moments from the plush she carries around. The last third of the issue start to show that she’s beginning to care about the people who she saves from monsters instead of getting the job done like when she helps even out the kids’ older sister’s hair after they made a mess of it with scissors. “Road Stories” has definitely been a “breather arc” after the intense New Mexico storyline, but SiKtC continues to be a solid, character driven horror book. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Grommets #2 (Image) – From the first page of a bedroom plastered with punk rock and Marvel Comics posters, Rick Remender, Brian Posehn, and Brett Parson continue to bathe in (occasionally gory) nostalgia in Grommets #2. Rick and Brian skate or die throughout Sacramento, actually meet some girls, and savor some Imperial phase Taco Bell. (Pre-Chihuahua/Enchirito era.) in the latest installment of this slice of life series. The scripting and dialogue feels like two buddies hanging out and trying to bust each other’s chops with Rick and Brian not being at a stage in their friendship where they can bare their souls about the deeper things in life. (Plus they’re teenage boys living in Reagan’s America.) The Jens (Badass female skaters) are a great addition to the supporting cast, especially Jen 2, who is ACAB personified. Grommets #2 is funny, scary, and even triumphant once Rick gets more confident at skating and continues to nail how epic every day as a kid used to feel. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Preview: Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

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Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

(W) Roberto Recchioni (A) Werther Dell’Edera, Gigi Cavenago
In Shops: May 14, 2024
SRP: $4.99

Merciless Christopher Killex is back from the grave and starts to fill Gotham City’s streets with blood and horror! Dylan Dog and Batman are faced with an unsolvable dilemma: whether to accept the help of The Joker, who could prove to be a key ally in catching the serial killer. But can they really trust him?

Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

Preview: Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

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Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

(W) Roberto Recchioni (A) Werther Dell’Edera, Gigi Cavenago
In Shops: May 14, 2024
SRP: $4.99

Merciless Christopher Killex is back from the grave and starts to fill Gotham City’s streets with blood and horror! Dylan Dog and Batman are faced with an unsolvable dilemma: whether to accept the help of The Joker, who could prove to be a key ally in catching the serial killer. But can they really trust him?

Batman/Dylan Dog #3 (of 3)

Batman/Dylan Dog #1 delivers a flashy start with some style

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Batman/Dylan Dog #1

Batman and Dylan Dog cross paths as two of their lethal nemeses, The Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime of Gotham City, and Professor Xabaras, have an unknown history! Batman/Dylan Dog #1 has Joker traveling to London to seal a hellish pact with Dylan Dog’s nemesis, the Mephistophelian Xabaras!

Written by Roberto Recchioni, Batman/Dylan Dog #1 features a European adventure as Batman heads to London chasing the Joker. Dylan Dog isn’t the most well known character and for me, this was an introduction. I know of the name, but that’s about it. So, it was interesting to read the comic to see how easy it is to figure out Batman’s latest team up. And thankfully, Batman/Dylan Dog #1 does an excellent job of welcoming new readers unfamiliar with the Nightmare Investigator.

To me, Dylan Dog is John Constantine without the magic. Recchioni presents a character who is charming and full of style but a massive whiff of bullshit is underneath it all. Broke, who knows where the next dollars are coming from, and a reputation that seems to be shaky, we get a protagonist who feels very pulp overall bringing Batman back to his adventure roots.

Batman/Dylan Dog #1 definitely has that roots feel. There’s a sense of old reels that you might watch before a film, with a story involving zombies and a sense of B-Movie fun about it all. The comic does a solid job in every aspect of the story, weaving in Dylan Dog and Batman’s worlds, introducing characters, setting up personality conflict, and delivering action. There’s just a lot of fun within the comic and that extends to the art.

Gigi Cavenago and Werther Dell’Edera team for the art with color by Gigi Cavenago and Giovanna Niro and lettering by Pat Brosseau. The comic looks fantastic and perfectly matches the tone of the writing. Everyone looks great and the comic has a style that feels like a blend of European comics and a traditional Batman comic. The Joker especially looks fantastic and the tone of the visuals just nails the pulp aspect of it. The comic is beautiful from the design of the characters to the colors, it’s just great overall and a visual treat.

Batman/Dylan Dog #1 is a hell of a start. The comic delivers two characters in Dylan Dog and Batman/Bruce Wayne that are so perfect together in a story that makes sense and doesn’t feel forced. It has a look and flair that is a throwback to pulp adventures and Batman team-ups of the 90s. It’s a fun comic that even readers unfamiliar with Dylan Dog can enjoy. A solid debut that has us already wanting more of this new dynamic duo.

Story: Roberto Recchioni Art: Gigi Cavenago, Werther Dell’Edera
Color: Gigi Cavenago, Giovanna Niro Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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