The endgame is near as the penultimate issue of Exquisite Corpses is out this week! Two killers remain, and whoever is the last man standing, their backer runs America for five years. Meanwhile, only a few remaining civilians have any understanding of what is happening, and with a slasher series nearing the end, there are at least a few more twists to be had.
Back in the driver’s seat are James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh for Exquisite Corpses #12, and it’s a mighty fine ride. Not only is the fight choreography great, but the gore is as intense as ever, and the stakes haven’t been higher. The complexities of the super-rich watching in their safe room also feature a major turning point, further complicating their role from onlookers to active players. More or less.
The best element of this issue is the fight between Pretty Boy and Fox Mask Killer. The two have taken lives before, but they have damaged and beaten themselves; the fight feels more fair than ever before. One armed with an ax, and the other a katana, the two go all out punching, flipping, and tossing beer bottles to gain an edge. Walsh has you on the edge of your seat with every move, with smart choices like fingers getting lopped off in close-up, making it tricky to know who is getting hurt in some panels, upping the anticipation. The interplay of flat color backgrounds with detailed environments makes the layouts pop, and the use of red is quite striking, employed in a few different ways.
Final showdown, people!
Credit: Image
The fight is also intense thanks to smart cutaways to the super-rich watching on TV, and bystanders witnessing a battle for the ages in the street. As the fight nears its end, a striking use of red translucency over a town backdrop adds an ominous atmosphere. Jordie Bellaire’s colors are striking in so many ways that it’s hard to count.
As the fight rages, the machinations of the super-rich continue. A scene involving contact with a civilian adds reprieve from the action, as well as the start of a clever last-ditch attempt for a win. Throwing in the striking killer-themed intro from a video game, the big twists are exciting and striking. One of the final two killers does feel like a bit of a stretch. How a normal person goes from vengeful mother to ferocious killer is anyone’s guess.
If the issue sounds a bit thin, that’s because it is when it leans so much into the fight sequence. That isn’t to say the fight sequence is limiting; it’s excellently done and shows this horror is more action than scares in the best way. It’s just that when you put this issue down, you’ll realize not a lot happened in this issue before the finale kicks into gear next issue.
Exquisite Corpses #12 delivers a brutal, high-stakes showdown that leans hard into action and spectacle as the finale approaches. The central fight is thrilling from start to finish, with sharp choreography and inventive visual storytelling that keeps every blow feeling consequential. The shifting role of the wealthy observers adds intrigue, even as the issue prioritizes momentum over deeper narrative development. The result is a gripping penultimate chapter that sacrifices some substance for intensity, but still leaves you eager to see how it all ends.
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