Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH Podcast! For this entry, we’re at the conclusion of Edwin Slaughter’s story in the pages of the Something Is Killing The Children spinoff by Boom Studios. House of Slaughter # 10 by James Tynion, Sam Johns, Letizia Cadonici, Francesco Segala, Andworld Design and Werther Dell’edera has been quite the journey of a scarlet mask and their view of a horrible crime. Coming off the heels of an incredible first story, this latest story arc has gone into a very different direction. Let’s not wait one more minute and see how this captivating story concludes, shall we?

House of Slaughter # 10 - On Sale October 26th
Creative: James Tynion, Sam Johns, Letizia Cadonici, Francesco Segala, Andworld Design and Werther Dell’edera
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The story of Edwin Slaughter has been a fascinating tale to say the least. Edwin isn’t a hunter for the Order of St. George, but he has a unique skill set that he’s been challenged to examine a situation of dead bodies washing up to shore on a camping site in Lake Michigan. After combing the area, Edwin has been perceiving this case with a new way of thinking. His actions have led him to sea with his brush, Hermes. On this quest, the memories of his mother’s passing come back to the forefront. There is much he (along with the readers) have had to process. Unfortunately, time is not on their side as the true reason for the mystery has been revealed.

This issue opens up with some of the boys camp telling “Ghost Stories” when one brings up Edwin’s tale. Their depiction of Edwin is that he was a weird loner that stood out. Edwin’s tale goes to the boat with Hermes now with a new form. The children are recapping the stories they have with Edwin on the boat and now seeing that it’s a DRAGON that has been behind these bodies washing up to shore. How does Edwin handle this situation. The manner is something that isn’t completely out of character. Edwin does things differently than anyone else. The overall resolution will leave readers very satisfied as the story plays into its strengths. Plus , NO ONE is ready for the final image to wrap up this tale.

Tynion and Johns close this chapter with a vision that I wasn’t expecting them to go with. telling Edwin’s stories through the eyes of the cap-goers was a great trick to use. Edwin Slaughter has been a complicated character to say the least. The closing chapter doesn’t disappoint with Edwin’s uncanny traits being what solves this mystery. The pacing builds towards the big moments exceptionally well. Tying up all the loose ends worked with leaving some things open for interpretation. The story overall was something and really popped out from just a normal mystery. There’s one scene that I can imagine will be getting questioned for all the right reasons, but the team closed the story out on a high note.

Cadonici closes out this chapter with some fantastic visuals. seeing the monsters brought to life had the big impact needed to blow off the tension built. The kids sitting around the campfire and their mannerisms was a great take. Their interpretation of events came across strong and even took the high drama closing to another level. The third act of this issue concluded things properly. The emotional told taken on all involved was there. The final image will have people talking and ends things as the way it needed to: a different perspective that hasn’t been shown thru anyone else’s eyes quite like Edwin’s.

Final Point: House Of Slaughter’s second story hits the finish line with a satisfying conclusion. Tynion, Johns, Cadonici and the team take some chances with how the issue is set up but pays off big. The creativity shown here caps off a different look and feel to a story that was anything but ordinary. Don’t miss picking up this book from the local comic shop this week!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of House Of Slaughter #10. Thanks for reading.

HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #10 (BOOM STUDIOS)

Ken M