‘Something Is Killing the Children’ Creator Updates Blumhouse Film and Series Plans
LONDON — October 8, 2026 — James Tynion IV, co-creator of the horror comic Something Is Killing the Children, says he is now much more directly involved as Blumhouse develops a live-action film and adult animated series based on the franchise.
The comments arrive as the Slaughterverse widens across media, with a prequel novel due Oct. 13 and Blumhouse building both a film and a series. They signal that the property’s screen future is still active.
“…they are not afraid of stories that put children in peril,” said James Tynion IV, describing Blumhouse.
TL;DR
- Tynion says he is far more involved in the Blumhouse adaptations than in earlier screen talks.
- Blumhouse is developing a live-action film and an adult animated series at the same time.
- A prequel novel, Hope Is a Knife, publishes in the UK on Oct. 13 at £20 in hardback.
Tynion Describes Deeper Involvement
Tynion’s remarks were reported by Entertainment Weekly in a feature on the Slaughterverse’s growth into books and screens. He said his role in the new adaptation work is bigger than before, though he cannot yet explain how.
Tynion added that Blumhouse founder Jason Blum has been a strong supporter of the series. He said heroine Erica Slaughter has the potential to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Film and Series Move Together
BOOM! Studios announced in October 2025 that Blumhouse had secured film and television rights. The plan covers a live-action feature and an adult animated series.
Tynion will adapt and executive produce the animated series, with co-creator Werther Dell’Edera serving as co-executive producer. Tynion said at the time the comic “changed my life and career forever.”
The announcement gave no release date for either project.
Screenplay Reportedly Finished, Pitch Pending
In July, a completed screenplay for the live-action film was disclosed, according to HorrorFuel, which cited Dread Central’s coverage of a Trinity Comics stream. Tynion said the team would hold off pitching until the animated show’s series bible is locked.
The goal is to sell the film and series together, Tynion said. If a studio wants only the film, the team would shop the series elsewhere.
Slaughterverse Keeps Expanding
Hope Is a Knife, co-written by Tynion and horror novelist Kiersten White, is the first full-length novel in the universe. It follows Erica Slaughter to Badwater, Idaho, before the events of the comic’s first issue.
The comic itself continues, with Issue 49 on shelves and a milestone 50th issue planned for later this year. BOOM! has committed to at least 100 issues.
UK Release Details for Fans
Hope Is a Knife reaches UK shelves on Oct. 13 from Penguin’s Del Rey imprint, according to Penguin’s UK listing. The hardback is priced at £20.
Ebook and audio download editions are also listed for UK readers.
More Comic Adaptations in Motion
Comic-to-screen deals are multiplying across the industry. Netflix has greenlit a fantasy series based on a Vault Comics title.
Elsewhere, Glenn Danzig is set to direct a film adaptation of his own comic book Hellmask. For more book-to-screen horror, see our report on the casting for A Head Full of Ghosts.
This article was human-curated and verified for accuracy by Elena Vane after an initial AI-assisted draft.
Elena Vane is an award-winning comics historian and pop culture journalist. Specializing in the DC/Marvel universes and independent graphic novels, Elena has been documenting the rise of cosplay culture for over a decade . She is a frequent panelist at New York Comic Con and provides in-depth biographies of industry pioneers. Elena’s expertise ensures that every comic-related update is factually grounded and community-focused .
