1899 Creators Adapting The Best Horror Comic For Netflix

The creative team behind 1899 is adapting Something is Killing the Children for Netflix.

By Chad Langen | Updated

something is killing the children
Something is Killing the Children

Baran bo Adar and Jante Friese, the creators behind the acclaimed series 1899, clearly haven’t experienced any career setbacks after their recently canceled Netflix show faced accusations of plagiarism a few months ago. According to CBR, the duo has been tapped to write and direct the upcoming series adaptation of the BOOM! Studios comic book series Something is Killing the Children. The project will reportedly be the first television show from the creative pair under their newly signed multi-year overall deal with Netflix.

James Tynion IV, the co-creator and writer of the ongoing comic book series, expressed his excitement for the forthcoming television adaptation of Something is Killing the Children. He acknowledged that Adar and Friese have developed some of the greatest genre programming in the world. He also added how anxious is to see the protagonist from his comics, Erica Slaughter, come to life onscreen.

something is killing the children

Something is Killing the Children takes place in the town of Archer’s Peak, where the children frequently go missing. Most of the kids never return, but the ones that do have terrible stories to share. They recount the horrific details of their encounters with terrifying creatures that live in the shadows.

The hero of Something is Killing the Children is a mysterious stranger named Erica Slaughter, a woman whose only purpose is killing monsters. She believes the children and investigates the mysterious disappearances.

Initially announced as a five-issue limited series by BOOM! Studios in June 2019, Something is Killing the Children was promoted to ongoing in August of the same year, ahead of the release of its first issue in September. The promotion was a result of overwhelming early support from both fans and retailers. Approximately a year after it debuted, the monthly publication was nominated for Best New Series at the Eisner Awards.

Something is Killing the Children will mark Odar and Friese’s third series for Netflix. In addition to 1899, the pair also created the award-winning show Dark. The mystery series, which stars Louis Hoffman, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, and Paul Lux, premiered in 2017 and concluded in 2020.

Since the project is in the very early stages of development, details for the upcoming television adaptation of Something is Killing the Children are scarce. There’s no word on when filming is set to place, and Netflix has not announced a release window for the show at this time. Regardless, the streamer is undoubtedly looking to fill the void that will be left by Stranger Things when it concludes its fifth and final season in 2024, and Something is Killing the Children sounds like it could be a suitable replacement.

In addition to the upcoming television adaptation that will center around Erica Slaughter, BOOM! Studios is set bringing another one of their comic book series to the big screen. BRZRKR, which follows an immortal warrior known as Berzerker, who fights his way through the ages, is currently in pre-production. John Wick actor Keanu Reeves is attached to star in the upcoming film, with the script being penned by Mattson Tomlin.