What to read before Book of Cutter (The Slaughterverse)
(Article & Video) Sami DeMonster’s unofficial reading guide to prep for Book of Cutter.
Book of Cutter is finally here! After months of impatience and excitement, the newest and final one-shot “Book of” comic, as I call it, has arrived. This is part of the Slaughterverse which is the universe of Something is Killing the Children, an ongoing horror series published by BOOM! Studios co-created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera.
If you’re not reading Something Is Killing the children, this is your sign to start right now! And yes, it is going to be a Netflix series. Here is the elevator pitch: monsters are real, only kids can see them, and kids actually manifest them by believing in scary stories. The Order of St. George is a monster hunting organization that kills witnesses to protect the secret that monsters are real. So something is killing the children, that thing is monsters and monster hunters. The main character Erica Slaughter is a lone hunter who constantly rebels against the order to save as many lives as she can. There is an alluring sorting system which is signified with “masks”. This series is steeped in lore and has created numerous compelling and in-depth characters. Something is Killing the Children reads like a thrilling and binge-worthy TV show.
Book of Cutter is the third and final one-shot Book of comic in the Slaughterverse. In order there is: Book of Slaughter, Book of Butcher, and now Book of Cutter. This combines a standard comic format with in-universe history book pages expanding the potent and rich lore of the continuously expanding Slaughterverse. This follows Maxine Slaughter’s story, a character introduced in Something is Killing the Children, as she retrains and transitions from a white mask to a black mask. As Maxine trains at the House of Butcher and now the House of Cutter she meets new characters, witnesses the culture and politics of these respective houses, and learns about their history. So we, as the readers, do too. This is essentially a Maxine Slaughter centered limited spin-off series.
This is the first time we get to see the inside of the House of Cutter. It’s most notable member we have met is the infamous Charlotte Cutter. An unhinged character with psychopathic tendencies sent after and defeated by Erica Slaughter. Of course fans have eagerly been awaiting seeing the house that created her. Book of Cutter, unlike the other Book of comics, has introduced journal entries to this oversized one-shot issue. Book of Cutter also reveals the name and mask design of another house located in Paris, France.
If you’re as excited as me and need to catch up, here is your unofficial reading guide!
Something is Killing the Children Volumes 1-7
Of course you’ll have to start with the main story in the Slaughterverse: Something is Killing the Children. We are introduced to this world through the eyes of Erica Slaughter. To fully understand Book of Cutter, read volumes 1-7. Volume 7 is the conclusion to the Charlotte Cutter storyline. The outcome and fates of Erica Slaughter and Charlotte Cutter are referenced and integral to Book of Cutter.
Volume 8 and what will become Volume 9 are prequel stories, though I recommend them in general, you don’t need to binge them for Book of Cutter.
House of Slaughter Volumes 1 & 5
After reading Something is Killing the Children Volumes 1 & 2 you can and should begin reading the spin-off House of Slaughter. The events that take place in Something is Killing the Children Volume 2 involving Aaron Slaughter are consequential to volume 1 of House of Slaughter. This series is an anthology format focusing on different characters within the House of Slaughter.
To have all the context you need for Book of Cutter you should read Jace Boucher’s storyline which is found in House of Slaughter volumes 1 & 5. Volume 5 directly continues and concludes Jace Boucher’s story from volume 1. Book of Butcher most notably references events going on with Jace Boutcher. Reading these volumes will help you understand some of the politics and motivations of the leaders in the Book of comics.
Book of Slaughter & Book of Butcher
After you read Something is Killing the Children volumes 1-7 and House of Slaughter volumes 1 & 5, you can move on to the Book of comics. This is where Maxine’s journey to retrain truly begins.
Start with Book of Slaughter, then Book of Butcher, and finally Book of Cutter.
The Book of comics follow Maxine’s journey as she is chosen by her mentor and fellow white mask, Cecilia, to retrain and become the House of Slaughter’s newest black mask. You’ll learn when reading Something is Killing the Children and Book of Slaughter why there is a shortage of black masks at the House of Slaughter. This is Maxine Slaughter’s comic.
The Book of comics have set up a lot for the future of Maxine, as well as the individual houses and the Order as a whole. It also explores the past and current politics of the Order, specifically and involving the two American Houses and their European competitor, the House of Cutter. The Book of comics expands the lore and world-building of the Slaughterverse brilliantly. The addition of journal entries in Book of Cutter has added even more depth to this universe. This was a well-crafted conclusion to the Book of one-shot comics.
The creative team
Let’s talk about the creative team behind Book of Cutter. This is written by the co-creator and writer of the main series Something is Killing the Children—the brilliant
Department of Truth, Nice House on the Lake.) Check out his production house Tiny Onion here on Substack.The art for Book of Cutter is by the co-creator and main artist of Something is Killing the Children—the incredible Werther Dell-Edera (Loveless, Green Lantern: Dark). He is joined by Slaughterverse alumni Antonio Fuso (Book of Slaughter, Stargazer) and Letizia Cadonici (House of Slaughter, The Neighbors). With colors by the main artists of Something is Killing the Children,
(The Oddly pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos).Lettered by AndWorld Design, a design lettering studio pumping out some of the best lettering in the industry. I first discovered AndWorld Design in The Many Deaths of Laila Starr.
The lore and diary entries in Book of Cutter are written by Slaughterverse alumnus
(Green Lantern: Dark). He also works with James Tynion IV for another Tiny Onion series The Oddly pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos. These entries are accompanied by art from Werther Dell’ Edera, Chris Shehan, and Letizia Cadonici.
It was soooo good. So much lore packed in book of cutter. I can't wait to read HOS 30 and see what happens with Edwin, Bait, and Nolan!