Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary blog to the ODPH Podcast. For this edition, we’re checking in on the current saga involving Aaron Slaughter within the pages of House of Slaughter #3. The Something Is Killing the Children spinoff by James Tynion, Tate Brombal, Chris Shehan, Miquel Muerto & Andworld Design for Boom Studios has been very good with a unique story featuring one of SiKtC more populare characters kicking the book off.

Aaron Slaughter, the main character of this HoS story, is assigned a mission to eliminate Jace, his former lover and roommate. Readers are treated to some flashback sequences showcasing Aarons past while diving into more recent moments. Let’s not waste anymore time & jump into this issue, shall we?

House Of Slaughter #3 - On Sale December 22nd
Creative: James Tynion, Tate Brombal, Chris Shehan, Miquel Muerto & Andworld Design
Credit: BOOM! Studios

*** POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING ***

This issue kicks off where a monster is attacking a family camping . The creative team wastes no time speeding things up with this issue. Aaron & Jace come into play as they try stopping the monster from doing more damage & death. The book changes pace back fifteen years to see Aaron & Jace taking some time away from the school to go on a bit of a sight-seeing/training adventure. It gives more layers to the tragic end coming to their story. Once the moment jumps back to current times, readers see how some feelings never stopped for those two characters & what lies ahead for them as well.

Tynion & Brombal deliver on another strong piece of storytelling with this issue. At the heart & soul of this book is Aaron’s tragic end to his relationship with Jace. Seeing the initial beginnings of their relationship is only going to hit readers harder at the conclusion of this arc. Pacing and set-up is extremely done. For being a “book about monsters”, readers are treated to some excellent background layers to the main characters.

The art is solid for this issue as well. The main monster attacking the family is everything you want to establish why the monster hunters are the only ones to handle these threats. Shehan also handles the intimate moments of their relationship extremely well. It shows a different side to Aaron that will only impact the ending of his story more for the readers when they arrive at its’ ending.

Overall, House of Slaughter #3 delivers on emotional moments more than just monster hunting (and that’s definitely not a bad thing). Tynion & Brombal deep dive into the relationship between Aaron & Jace that Shehan’s illustrations only drive home those emotions even more. Make sure to get a copy of House Of Slaughter #3 at your LCS this week!

Hit me up on Twitter & let me know what you think of House Of Slaughter #3. As always, thanks for reading.

HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #3 (BOOM! STUDIOS)

Ken M