Exquisite Corpses, Vol. 2

by | Jun 1, 2026

The killers are back and they’re bloodier than ever.

Exquisite Corpses Vol. 2 picks up right where the first volume left off—with the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine fighting for survival against a cabal of thirteen powerful families and the menagerie of violent murderers they have gathered to compete in a “game” that has already left a trail of bodies behind. From Image Comics and helmed by James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh, this new volume yet again offers up an incredibly talented roster of writers and artists for these next five issues of carnage and survival.

With Tynion as co-writer, each issue of the series maintains a consistent voice and tone, while the other writers—Che Grayson, Jordie Bellaire, Tyler Boss, Michael Walsh, and Pornsak Pichetshote—have the chance to shift focus among people on all sides of the conflict—townsfolk, killers, and the families behind it all. It’s a stacked roster of comics creatives, all coming together to tell a story that steps on the gas from page one. The pace in this volume is as quick as ever as the young people of Oak Valley gather for a party, unaware that they are creating a possible killing ground. The unhinged killers, each with their own vivid personalities and approaches to violence, crash onto and off of the page with the same chaos they have introduced to the quiet town, battling each other and anyone unlucky enough to get in their way. But the story continues to find its quieter moments as well. Not all the killers are bloodthirsty. The infighting of the rich families leisurely watching the night unfolds in layered questions of morality and power. And the town survivors must decide for themselves if they will hold onto hope or give into darker impulses as they struggle to save their loved ones.

For a story of nonstop action, Tynion and the others never forget that the humanity of the characters gives the rest meaning. The writers give the story space to breathe and allow vivid emotion amidst gripping pacing and an unfolding sequence of reversals and revelations. There are compelling personalities on all sides, and even as the bodies continue to fall, it’s hard to look away from the spectacle. Perhaps that is its own sort of commentary on the whole ordeal.

The art remains excellent throughout the volume. Claire Roe, Gavin Fullerton, and Adam Gorham join Michael Walsh deploying a relatively muted color palate across the grittier scenes, bringing realism to the visuals that helps ground the bold premise of the series. At the same time, the artists shift the major colors across characters and sequences, capturing mood and stylizing action to dramatic effect. There’s just something about a morally ambiguous woman in a fox mask flying across the page with a katana that captures the attention. The art is equally effective when two trained killers in masks are participating in a dance of death in a quiet graveyard—and when grief and horror settle in as the survivors realize the increasing cost of the nightmare that has settled over them. There’s a striking cinematic quality to the entire series, and with Walsh and Tynion both as co-creators, it’s an excellent example of artistic vision brought to life.

Fair warning to potential purchasers and readers, Exquisite Corpses earns its mature rating with graphic violence and injury and strong language throughout. The visuals never revel in the violence quite as much as the killers do, but the series never shies away from it either. Hands are removed, eyes come out, and character good and bad, young and old, are caught in the crossfire. For those who can stomach the violence and occasional sadism however, Exquisite Corpses sits comfortably in the evil rich people genre that has been popular these last few years—including films like Ready or Not and The Menu as well as comics such as Sarah Gailey’s Eat the Rich. Mix all that with a serial killer battle royale, and there’s plenty here for older readers to enjoy. Be sure to track down volume one first, but this is an action horror series well worth your time.

There’s still hours to go until dawn for the citizens of Oak Valley, and with the series still ongoing, I suspect the worst is yet to come. I, for one, will be back to see what happens.

Exquisite Corpses, Vol. 2
By James Tynion IV
Art by Michael Walsh
Image, 2026
ISBN: 9781534334687

Company Age Rating: M

NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Creator Representation:  Gay,
Character Representation: Black, Queer,

Exquisite Corpses, Vol. 01

by | Sep 9, 2025

Gruesome. Dramatic. Utterly wild. And just the beginning. I need more.

James Tynion IV is among the most exciting writers working in comics today. For Exquisite Corpses from Image Comics, he partners with Michael Walsh along with other artists and writers to deliver the first volume in a blood soaked battle royale conducted by the thirteen richest families in America who wield unchecked power from the shadows. To keep the peace between their factions, every five years these families select champions and unleash them within an unsuspecting small town on Halloween night. The last killer standing will claim a reward and another five years of unquestioned power for the family who sponsored them. The other killers will be dead. As for the town—well, it doesn’t look promising. This time, the killers have landed in Oak Valley.

Tynion has already built a reputation for layered, unflinching horror. What helps set his work apart is the thematic depth and character development that emerges amidst the carnage and action and intriguing stories he continues to build. As quickly as the body count starts to rise at the hands of mercenaries and flashy murders alike—we also meet the inhabitants of Oak Valley. A young couple. A young boy and his mother. A gas station attendant. Two EMTs unaware of the horrors that await them in the night. Tynion and the other writers (including Walsh and the acclaimed Pornsak Pichetshote), build a tapestry of character on all sides—townsfolk, ruling families, and the killers themselves. Even among the families and the killers, the story doesn’t shape the characters with only broad strokes. We get glimpses into rivalries, old resentments, and heartfelt loyalty among the shadowy rulers. Among the killers themselves—some are out for blood alone, but others have more complex reasons for stepping onto the killing floor. No side is entirely villainous. No side is only sympathetic. Some of these folks are larger than life while others are just trying to get by. It is these few, the desperate and the hopeful, that take the story beyond an action set-piece and into something that is crafted with flair—but also perhaps more relevant to today than some of us might care to notice.

Walsh’s art also maintains a gritty feel across each issue, blending shadowed realism with flashes of vibrant color. Along with Marianna Ignazzi and Valentine De Landro, the creative team build a small town that feels lived in and real, tucked in some quiet corner of the northeast where—unfortunately for them—help will likely not be arriving in time. This stylized realism balances well with the neons and blood spatter that explode across the page, especially in the presence of the eccentric killers. The visuals create a world of real places and people, telling story through costumes and expressions as much as the written narrative. Visually, the book is a delight—and as the chaos begins to unfurl, this unsuspecting town is only just starting to take notice.

Exquisite Corpses earns a solid mature rating with somewhat graphic violence and some language. It’s a story aimed at adults, though not out of reach of older teens who can handle the content. My only notable complaint about the book is that, at 3 issues, it was over far too quickly. There’s plenty more story to come, and this volume would sit happily in any collection with a focus on horror and crime-thrillers. Fans of titles like The Hunger Games, Battle Royale, and Alice in Borderland as well as Tynion’s other horror titles are sure to find plenty to enjoy within these pages. I highly recommend this one for anyone willing to take a step into the dark, and I look forward to the next installment.

Exquisite Corpses  Vol. 01
By James Tynion IV
Art by  Michael Walsh
Image, 2025
ISBN: 9781534331044

NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Creator Representation:  Canadian,  Gay,
Character Representation: Black, Gay,