New Horror Book Expands Eisner-Winning Comic Franchise Ahead Of Upcoming Movie

Published Nov 8, 2026, 11:01 AM EST

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.

Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses.

They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

An epic Eisner-winning comic book franchise has expanded in a thrilling new way ahead of its upcoming movie adaptation. The most successful comics are attached to Marvel, DC, or one of their imprints. However, occasionally, an independent comic becomes wildly successful. The Walking Dead is the most prominent indie horror title, growing into a bestselling multimedia franchise that keeps growing, but it could be eclipsed soon. Eisner-winning comic franchise Something Is Killing the Children is expected to be the next The Walking Dead.

I’ve been a bit obsessed with the Something Is Killing the Children comics since I discovered them, and I’m not the only one. Co-creator/writer James Tynion IV initially envisioned the story as a five-issue miniseries, but the indie horror series has become a sprawling global phenomenon. Tynion and artist Werther Dell-Edera began the comics with a mysterious woman named Erica Slaughter arriving to investigate the massacre of children in Archer’s Peak, caused by monsters only the kids can see.

Now, the horror comic book series has 51 issues published and a 100-issue commitment, including a direct prequel, one-shots like House of Slaughter, and Fall of the House of Slaughter. The franchise, called the Slaughterverse, is packed with thrilling lore and world-building. Luckily, Something Is Killing the Children has expanded into other media without burning out.

After a multi-studio bidding war, Blumhouse picked up the rights in 2025 for a connected adult animated TV show and a live-action theatrical film. After a year of development, the movie is officially moving forward. The latest addition is the first-ever novel in the Slaughterverse. Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife, co-written by James Tynion IV and Bram Stoker-winning author Kiersten White, is the perfect read ahead of the movie, offering an accessible entry point while expanding the lore in exciting new ways.

Something Is Killing The Children: Hope Is A Knife Is Perfect For Newbies & Fans Alike

Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife tells a completely standalone story set before the Archer’s Peak incident. In the story, Erica Slaughter, a member of a monster-fighting secret society called The Order of St. George, shows up in Badwater, Idaho, where a 12-year-old was brutally murdered to investigate whether a monster is responsible. If so, she needs to find the child whose fears created it so she can help destroy it and save the kid’s life. However, her job is made more difficult by a charismatic doomsday preacher creating town-wide hysteria.

Purchase Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife here.

Hope Is a Knife is a great starter for folks who haven’t started diving into the Slaughterverse. The book doesn’t require any previous knowledge about Erica Slaughter, the world, or the lore. Readers will get a base-level understanding of the Order of St. George and Erica’s involvement. Like every great Something Is Killing the Children story, the fear-based fictional monsters are rooted in very human emotions and real-life monsters.

At the same time, it’s just as great an option for people who know the Slaughterverse. Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife introduces a new type of monster that hasn’t appeared in the comics yet, rooted in the child’s fear. We get to see Erica Slaughter at a younger age, and we get a lot more about her thoughts and how she processes trauma.

Blumhouse’s Something Is Killing The Children Movie Is Finally Moving Forward In 2027

The fact that Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife changed formats and still was fantastic is a great sign for Blumhouse’s upcoming movie. The movie will start production in Spring 2027, with DC director Craig Zobel attached. James Tynion IV is also heavily involved in the adaptations. Tynion’s credited as a creator on both the show and movie, and he’s producing and co-executive producing. This gives him both hands-on creative and logistical roles. He can ensure the lore and world stay consistent and help shape the story.

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Other producers include Jason Blum of Blumhouse, Stephen Christy of BOOM! Studios/Penguin Random House, and the comic book artist Werther Dell’Edera. So far, no streamer has signed on to the upcoming animated TV show adaptation of Something Is Killing the Children. However, there’s reason to believe that James Tynion IV finished the TV bible for the show. In July 2026, he said on a Trinity Comics’ Whatnot stream (via Dread Central) that they wanted to complete it before moving forward with the live-action show. Unless something has changed, that suggests Something Is Killing the Children might be finished with that big step and ready to move forward with the right partner.