BOOM! Studios has unveiled artist Alvaro Martañez Bueno’s variant cover for Swamp Thing Is Killing the Children #1, an upcoming crossover one-shot scheduled for release on December 2. The issue will mark the first time Something Is Killing the Children has crossed over with another comic book universe.
The story is written by James Tynion IV, with art by Werther Dell’Edera and colors by Miguel Muerto. The issue will also feature a main cover by Dell’Edera and variant covers from several artists, including Jenny Frison, Tyler Boss, Martín Morazzo, Francis Manapul, Hayden Sherman, Gabriele Dell’Otto, Riley Rossmo, Martin Simmonds and Christian Ward.
According to BOOM! Studios’ synopsis, the crossover takes place in a world where children’s fears become living monsters. Two siblings who are longtime comics fans encounter terrifying visions that begin emerging from the pages of horror comics. Erica Slaughter must then track down one of horror’s most recognizable figures: Swamp Thing.
Tynion has explained that this version of Swamp Thing is not the Alec Holland familiar to readers. The story centers on two brothers: an older sibling who loves horror comics and displays a large Swamp Thing poster in his room, and a younger brother who prefers superhero comics but fears the horror stories. That fear takes the shape of something familiar, drawing Erica Slaughter into the conflict.
Although the character may not appear physically as readers expect, Tynion has said that the essence of the true Alec Holland will be present in the crossover.
Something Is Killing the Children debuted in 2019 and has also been slated for a live-action feature film from Blumhouse Productions and an adult animated streaming series. Craig Zobel was announced as the director of the feature film during New York Comic Con.
The franchise also expanded in October with Something Is Killing the Children: Hope Is a Knife, a prequel novel written by Kiersten White and James Tynion IV. The story follows Erica Slaughter as she investigates the disappearance of a child in the town of Badwater.
The original BOOM! Studios comic is also available through WEBTOON after joining the platform’s digital catalog in October. Swamp Thing Is Killing the Children #1 goes on sale on December 2.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.