There’s something… troubling happening in New Orleans, and one person is determined to find out just what it is, in the latest spin-off from Boom! Studios’ hit horror property Something Is Killing The Children. What better way to celebrate the end of 2023 by picking up the Book of Butcher, after all?

Released this December, Book of Butcher #1 is a one-shot from the creative team of SIKTC creators James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, alongside colorist Miquel Muerto ), letterer AndWorld Design, and a line-up that Boom! is describing as “special guests”: Tate Brombal, Antonio Fuso, Chris Shehan, and Letizia Cadonici. The book will set up the fifth anniversary of the main SIKTC title, as well as plot lines for the spin-off House of Slaughter series.

“It’s wild to think we are cresting five years of Something Is Killing The Children,” Boom! Executive editor Eric Harburn said in a statement. “We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of this compelling world built by James, Werther, Miquel, AndWorld, and the rest of our Slaughterverse team – don’t miss out on this milestone chapter that will set the course for the next five years!”

The one-off issue leads into the fifth anniversary of the horror property and brings back Maxine Slaughter as she continues to explore the world she’s been born into even as she moves from being a White Mask to a Black Mask. But what can House Boucher teach her about herself in the process…?

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue the story of Maxine Slaughter, who will continue to grow into one of the most crucial characters in the Slaughterverse, while we continue to unpack and reveal more of this phenomenal world.” said Tynion in an additional statement from the creators. That’s a world that is “still growing,” added Dell’Edera, who teased, “Maxine will show you the darkest corners.”

The issue follows up on — and builds out mythology introduced in — last year’s Book of Slaughter one-shot, and will be available December 27 with covers from Dan Mora, Werther Dell’Edera, DANI and others. You can see those three artists’ covers in the gallery below.

James Tynion? Oh, that’s right: the best comics writer in modern times, at least according to Eisner Award voters.