There’s a lot of hype surrounding Exquisite Corpses #1, a new series from two of the best in horror comics: James Tynion IV (The Nice House by the Lake) and Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin). Not only that, but it’s launching with a 60-page first issue with an ambitious plan that involves multiple creators and a card game. For those reasons alone, the series is worth being on anyone’s radar who adores comics and storytelling, especially since its first issue tees up a blend of horror and action in small-town America. The first issue, out in comic shops on May 14th, accomplishes all that and more in ways we haven’t seen since Squid Game took the world by storm.
One of the reasons this first issue is so entertaining is that it feels familiar, yet it has a new slant on so many good projects that came before it. The story is like a combination of The Purge and The Most Dangerous Game, with a bit of Battle Royale and The Hunger Games thrown in. It’s a bit political to get you thinking, features some highly trained and/or demented fighters of different skill sets for the fans of Street Fighter, and it’s all for the entertainment of the uber-rich. I think we can all agree there’s a singular enemy to hate above all else, even with homicidal maniacs partaking in the games.
The story unfolds in a way that has you wondering how it all works. That keeps you on your toes as you piece together who the characters are, what they’re doing, and what it all means. Frankly, Tynion and Walsh do a great job keeping you interested because you’re in the dark. But of course, that’s not how you sell somebody on a story, however well told it may be.
So, in that case, here goes. The premise is simple enough: Every five years on Halloween, America’s wealthiest families host a deadly competition. Twelve of the most lethal killers in the world, hired by these families, are unleashed on a small town with one simple objective: be the last one standing. In some cases, getting a higher kill count can count for something, which is where the residents of Oak Valley, Maine—the unfortunate setting for this year’s game. The goal is even simpler for them: survive until morning.
Like a good puzzle, you discover elements that repeat and are highly entertaining. The reveals of the killers are particularly enjoyable. Walsh and color artist Jordie Bellaire make their reveals splashy in an entertaining way, though we get a little bit of character work prior that balances things out. It’s a nice blend of adding a bit of mystery and character detail while reminding us this is partly for entertainment for those watching. Without those splashy reveals, the fact that this is being recorded might not be apparent.
A muted color palette helps ground the scenes in the town and outdoors, enhancing the splashiness. Thanks to this choice, blood and violence is extra exciting.
This story isn’t just about the super rich and the killers but also a few select townsfolk. The creative team does a good job giving a handful of characters some breathing room and personality. You probably know somebody a lot like them, and they don’t deserve what’s about to befall them. By the end of the first issue, you’ll be rooting for some or pondering how others may survive at all.
Letters by Becca Carey are steady, with good emphasis where needed. There are a decent amount of word balloon tails that go into the gutters toward someone off-panel, but I was never confused as to who was talking.
This series launches with a thrilling and brutal first issue, setting the stage for a gripping horror event filled with high-stakes action and social satire. While it leans on familiar survival-movie tropes, the execution and creative talent behind it make for a compelling, must-read debut. It promises a blood-soaked spectacle that’s as ruthless as it is riveting. Once collected, it’s clear it’ll be yet another must-buy from Walsh and Tynion.
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