As Exquisite Corpses nears its finale, it’s abundantly clear that more characters are going to drop like flies at an exponential rate. That includes in Exquisite Corpses #10, out this week, as the killer bracket nears the top two and civilians, and those who work to keep the games alive, die off. While more deaths are a certainty, the larger picture is still very much up in the air as to who will rule America.
Exquisite Corpses #10 opens with the Groundskeeper now positioned in a bell tower within town. It’s made clear that the fires he and his team created have corralled the people in the town itself, while ensuring nobody can escape. The games that determine who rules America can never be revealed to the outside world. Little does he know, one of the remaining killers is receiving radio updates from a higher-up in the super-rich viewing party. Deals are being made, further complicating the games.
From the opening, written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Michael Walsh, the story shifts to the main story by writer Jordie Bellaire and artist Marianna Ignazzi. Contrary to many of the previous issues, a lot of different characters are checked in on, starting with Recluse, who has trapped a civilian. One of the most dangerous killers out there, a conflict almost immediately arises with the Fox Mask Killer, kicking off a direct confrontation.
The Groundskeeper has been one of the most chilling characters in the series.
Credit: Image
From there, civilian Laura directly confronts the Groundskeeper, getting even more information since she gathered key details in the last issue. A meatier scene regarding plot progression and info, it’s nice to see Laura float to the top as a main figure in the narrative. Other characters, like Mike, Xavi, and Rascal Randy, make a little more progress in their journeys. These check-ins allow for the story to progress ever so slightly, although at this stage, it’s more like they are chess pieces than bona fide survivors making key choices.
With all that going on, this chapter unfortunately falls a bit flat. The opening and closing are quite strong, especially with Walsh’s strong art headlining key moments, but the main story feels lackluster in the art department. The clash between Recluse and Fox Mask Killer is clunky, with the action looking awkward and hard to follow. In one moment, for instance, blood appears to be dripping from the civilian onto Recluse’s head, and yet Recluse and Fox Mask Killer were just diving down a hill. A moment later, Recluse is on top of Fox Mask Killer, choking her, then on the very next page, somehow Fox Mask Killer is on top of Recluse, biting a chunk out of her neck. When did they flip positions? There are other awkward moments, sometimes due to backgrounds being flat colors, that don’t carry the weight of their scenes. It’s not all bad, though. By contrast, Laura’s confrontation with the Gamemaster is well blocked and dramatic, and the Rascal Randy’s kill is fairly well done.
Exquisite Corpses #10 pushes the endgame closer, stacking the board with betrayals, shifting alliances, and mounting casualties. Laura’s confrontation with the Gamemaster adds meaningful intrigue, and the framing device surrounding the elite power brokers remains compelling. However, uneven visual execution and awkwardly staged action blunt the impact of what should be explosive confrontations. With the finale looming, the series still holds plenty of promise, but this chapter feels more like a setup than a knockout punch.
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