Exquisite Corpses Volume 2

Exquisite Corpses #4-8

by James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh

"Exquisite Corpses combines the elements of a classic mystery with a to-the-death struggle in the vein of The Purge or Hunger Games." —FORBES

Trick-or-treating. Clocking in for your shift at work. Going to the annual Halloween party down at the Pit. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine, any one of these activities could spell a gruesome death as twelve of the most dangerous killers in the world turn their sleepy little town into the playing field for a game that will decide the fate of the entire country for years to come.

James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth) and Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin, Universal Frankenstein) have assembled some of the most talented creators in the industry to pull off a horror event like no other.

As the body count rises in this second volume, James and Michael are joined by Che Grayson (Dark Good Deeds), Jordie Bellaire (Redlands), Tyler Boss (You’ll Do Bad Things), Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian), Adam Gorham (Hellhunters), Claire Roe (Dark Hollywood Special), and Gavin Fullerton (The Closet) to decide the fates of killers and citizens alike. In the world of Exquisite Corpses, no one is safe.

Collects issues #4-8

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Thriller, Crime

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Scott Rhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never wanted a graphic novel series to be adapted into a Netflix show more than Exquisite Corpses, James Tynion's latest awesome wackadoo defenestration of American culture. My biggest and only complaint is that the series is taking way too long to come out in these compilation volumes. Volume 2 collects issues 4-8.



The plot? A shadow government of the thirteen oldest and wealthiest families (dating back to the original 13 colonies), every five years on a Halloween night, picks a small town somewhere in the United States to play a game. Each family grooms a killer to be dropped into the middle of the town. The winner is the surviving killer who gets the most kills of innocent bystanders as well as the other killers. The winning family gets to make all the important global decisions---what laws to create or destroy, who to go to war with, what new ways to fuck with the lives of the little people (me and you)---for the next five years. Imagine "The Hunger Games" mixed with "The Purge".

Tynion makes it quite clear: we are all just lambs to be slaughtered by the shadow government. And there's nothing we can do about it.

Strange that I find this series so damn fun. What does this say about me?

[Sean Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, the corpses aren't all THAT exquisite.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure violence!

[Chanel Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burn it all down 🔥
4.25

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violent chaos 🔥

[Marybeth · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

"You don't need to know everything to see everything has gone to shit." In a nutshell, this.

But a who's who reminder of at least the 13 & their candidates at the beginning would have been helpful.

"Do you hate this as much as I do?" "Kid, I'm a thousand years old. I have hate in me you couldn't imagine." "I think you underestimate me."

On top of that, there's A LOT happening at once. Intersecting storylines, switching between characters, characters magically ahowing up - it's very confusing. I had to reread a few parts a few times (the corn field maze 5 times alone). Tynion's work rarely has this issue, & to have it so many times in one collection is very odd.

"Well shit fire & save the matches...it's you. My little fox." "I'm not yours. I never was." "& trust me, my heart's still hurtin' over it."

This could have been a perfect volume, if not for the messiness of the execution (ha). The overall story is fantastic, & the end 🤯 I can't wait for Volume 3.

"I always hoped I'd meet a nice girl on the job." "I'm not nice." "I know -- I think it's my favorite thing about you so far."

Currently rooting for the remaining townspeople, the end of the 13, the Fox, & Randy Rabbit. (I can't not root for NJ...& that pat, pat was adorable & he won me over.)

"I'm my father's daughter. & I'll go as far as it takes."

Again, the art is great. Fantastic use of colors. There is the cohesion issue here that added to the confusion I mentioned before.

"Every conflict has it..a point of no return where violence becomes war. & the first stage of war is always the same...Denial...Because war is always something that could never happen here. Because war reveals who we are beneath the skin. That truth we don't want to see...That we're all monsters, just stumbling alone. & that's how we'll die. Alone. Because we are small, & they are big."

[Emily Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this series something completely fresh? No. But it is however a bucket load of fun. I don’t mind seeing concepts that feel familiar as long as I’m seated and gripped, and the execution is top tier.

Exquisite corpses is unhinged, fast paced, and intriguing. It looks at elitism and manipulation of world issues, whilst centring around killer games in a small town.

I will say there is a whole lot to the plot and that’s why I marked it down slightly. We’re following a lot of killers which means short bursts of story from each which sometimes doesn’t feel completely cohesive.

However, I bloody love every character in this. Everyone is unique and well crafted, and their quirks leave me intrigued by each storyline. Volume two only expanded upon this, and I can’t wait for three for that reason. Here we started to get more of a glimpse into the fox killer especially, someone who I need to know more about ASAP.

Rep// MLM characters, hinted at sapphic characters (assuming this might be explored more later on.)


TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.






TW// eye gore, gore, gun violence, murder, bodies, fire, burns, explosions, decapitation/limb removal, ableist r-slur, mass murder, elitism, blood. (This is a pretty gruesome comic, and there are a fair few heavy triggers. It is slasher leaning.)

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this volume. A bunch of killers begin picking off one another, even the hot big titty fox girl goes head to head with another. I also love the crazy chick (Well all crazy, but the harley quinn like crazy) and her moves in the game by the end.

The whole thing wraps up with a chaotic finale featuring some incredibly nasty kills at the end. They really do not hold back, orchestrating these savage showdowns that end up leaving multiple major killers permanently out of the picture. By thinning the herd like that, the book proves nobody has plot armor here. It’s a super gritty, but also over the top fun, it's the type of horror I love!

[Raul Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the art and the coloring is very pretty, but there’s only so much you do with this premise. Was it fun? Yes, but it’s nothing you haven’t already seen. I’m sad that the boyfriend died, the final speech with the paramedic needed more set up, and I don’t understand how her embracing her army training correlates to her being her “father’s daughter”. Also, I don’t understand why, out of all the books he’s written, James Tynion decides this is the universe that deserves spin-offs, video games, and shows.

[Jorge Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets better and better as the story unfolds.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always forget this part. The chaos when the little people start to realize there's no way out. All the roads are shut, and they're in terrible danger. It's strange being worried for their safety. One of the killers, I mean. It's never felt real before.

I am quickly becoming a serious fan of James Tynion IV whose work never disappoints, whether it be Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1, The Nice House on the Lake: the Deluxe Edition, W0Rldtr33 Vol. 1, or Nightmare Country, Vol. 1.

This new series is another cracker. It is once again horror but this time it is a bloodthirsty thriller that brings to mind the Purge series of films.

The true rulers of the world gather every 5 years to determine who gets control for the next cycle. Each selects a brutal killer who will be their mascot. A small remote town is chosen to be the battle ground and all hell breaks loose. Last killer standing takes the prize but the families also place side bets on the highest kill counts, who will die first, and civilian casualties.

The first volume was totally brutal and this is no different. The killers continue to face off whilst the majority of the townsfolk remain unaware of the events unfolding. However a few have encountered the mercenaries and survived and are not seeking out loved ones and an escape from the town.

The volume builds to a crescendo of violence and gore, with a small glimmer of hope for those who wish the live through the night.

As with the first volume, 5 stars.

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.6 (biblio)

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as single issues

[Lindsey Lawntea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book and I still feel like this moves very quickly, but still entertaining. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one too. This series is so cool. The art draws you in, but the story keeps me hooked!


5 out of 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Josh]

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.

Full review at No Flying No Tights: https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...

[A Fan of Comics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quicker than the first.

This volume is just carnage. The killers have started the game and we lose a few really fast. I think they’ll have an annual that with flush some of these out but if you were expecting backgrounds on everyone, this isn’t it. I also hope we get more into the family drama soon. Everyone is acting catty but without any history, it feels kinda empty. These issue flew by and left me wanting more, but not in a good way. Like everything already feels familiar, I’m craving something new/different. Art is great and I love the colors. Again, nothing new is here, it’s just all well done.

[Janessa Paun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great volume. I really liked getting to see the fight between South Carolina and the fox; there was clearly so much history between the two of them, and I am chomping at the bit to discover what that is. This volume also hit me in the feels so much harder than the first one. I mean, how could one not get emotional when discovering Craig’s body right alongside Xavi? I do truly enjoy the fact that this book is just taking people out left and right; it makes it feel more real, but I was rooting for them to reunite and protect Jason together so hard. I also was just not expecting the Massachusetts killer to be taken out at all, and that shock definitely threw me for a bit . This is a story where you only know to expect death and pain and not much else, which is what makes it such an engaging read.
Favorite quotes:
“‘I never needed to kill you, C.’
‘You’re already dead inside.’
‘And you? You’re such a sad little fox. You need me.’
‘No. I needed my daughter. And you took her from me.’”

“Kid, I’m a thousand years old. I have hate in me you couldn’t imagine.’”

“‘It’s strange being worried for their safety. One of the killers, I mean. It’s never felt real before.’
‘I’m sure it feels plenty real on the playing field. And realer every minute.’”

“‘You idiot! I’m sitting here bleeding to death, and it’s your driving that’s going to kill me.’”

“‘Your boss. The way he went…I’m sorry that happened to him.’
‘Oh… I’m not.’”

“‘A point of no return. When violence becomes war.
And the first stage of war is always the same…
..denial.
Because war is always something that could never happen here.
Because war reveals who we are beneath the skin.
That truth we don’t want to see…
That we’re all monsters, just stumbling alone.
And that’s how we’ll die. Alone. Because we are small, and they are big.’”

[Shivesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Tynion IV continues to do what he does best here, and Volume 2 is proof that he’s firing on all cylinders even while navigating the traditionally tricky middle stretch of a longer narrative. Most stories sag in the second act — the doldrums are real, and even great writers struggle to maintain momentum when you’re past the hook but not yet at the payoff. Tynion largely sidesteps that trap entirely.

What keeps this volume alive is sheer relentless energy. This is a high-octane, violent, genuinely psychopathic thriller, and Tynion may be operating at the very top of his game within this genre. The action sequences are top-notch — brutal, grotesque in their slightly sadistic edge, and clearly born from a twisted creative mind working at full tilt. There’s a gleeful darkness running through this book that keeps you turning pages even when things get uncomfortable. Especially when things get uncomfortable.

That said, it’s not a perfect volume, and honesty demands acknowledging where it stumbles. The pacing is uneven in places — not fatally so, but noticeable enough to pull you out of the flow. More problematic is the sheer volume of characters. There are simply too many people moving through this story at once, and keeping them straight becomes work at times. In a thriller this kinetic, confusion is the enemy, and there are moments where the character sprawl costs the narrative some of its punch.

These are real issues, but they don’t sink the book. The ambition here is undeniable, and the execution is more right than wrong. Tynion is clearly building toward something, and I’m along for the ride.

[jdvm_92 · Rating 4 out of 5]

🫂 Gracias, @norma_editorial por el envío del ejemplar.

🕛 Me esperaba mucha más chicha en esta entrega y, de hecho, ha tenido incluso más de la que pensaba.

🩸 Desde el minuto uno tenemos muertes violentas y perturbadoras, mucha acción y a los asesinos zurrándose sin parar. Además, las subtramas paralelas con el resto de personajes del pueblo y con las familias también van saliendo poco a poco.

🏃🏼‍♂️ Como parte negativa, me da la sensación de que todo pasa demasiado rápido y de que, a pesar de que explícitamente se indica que "lo están acelerando", esta parte battle royale se siente ya casi en el clímax. Entiendo que después o bien siguen con otro arco, o me da que puede tener un final demasiado precipitado, pero veremos, esto es solo la sensación que me va dejando.

🔥 Hemos tenido explosiones, fuegote, desmembramientos, ahogamientos, disparos, katanazos, trampas... en fin. Mención especial al Gamer Kid y a Rascal Randy, que se han aplicado bastante.

✒️ También ha habido girito que no me veía yo venir, y me ha parecido bastante positivo y que puede dar lugar a que tengamos una subtrama bastante potente. Veremos.

⌛ En definitiva, si te gustan las historias cargadas de acción, los battle royale y el gore, este cómic es para ti.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty compelling story about serial killers descending on a town to compete in a hunger games style competition run by the rich elite.

Some quibbles: I had a hard time remembering some of the characters from the first volume. Since they are killing them off at a good clip, could be a problem long term if some characters don't start standing out.

Some logic problems long term: if you gather a bunch of serial killers for a dangerous game on a regular basis where they kill each other off, how would restock? Is there a huge supply of serial killers out there to draw from?
Probably thinking about this too much, but it did make me wonder.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to see a volume of entirely different writing teams contributing to the series, which makes the differences between the different voices far more apparent. Every time I feel like I get a bead on how the series is progressing, there are some slight shifts that allows the series to be fresh. I don't think it works all the time, though, with certain issues feeling like they have more of an overarching theme or focus than others. I am enjoying myself though, and hesitantly curious to see how the final volume pulls everything together.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is an absolute blast. The stories are sharp, atmospheric, and packed with that perfect mix of everyday small-town life and sudden, gruesome horror. Oak Valley feels lived-in and genuinely unsettling, and the writing across the different creators keeps everything cohesive while still letting each tale have its own flavor.
Great story through and through — clever setups, strong character moments, and payoffs that stick with you. The art and coloring only make it better. Highly recommended if you like smart, creepy anthology-style comics. Can’t wait for more.

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

Maybe not as good as the first volume, since that one pretty much laid all the cards on the table, but still mighty fun, and thought provoking.

It doesn't matter if you don't have the most original idea in the world, as you know how to execute it well, and Tynion sure knows how to do it.

Non-stop action and a plot that keeps moving at a fast pace. Sure, not any major shocks or revelations, but still darn enjoyable and pretty on point in its vailed social critique.

'You think... internet's made people smarter?'

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. I get turned off of storylines when they switch up the artist for one I don't enjoy as much. Like, story is king and writing it integral but when the art takes a turn, I check out a bit. Some of the collection issues here and penciled and/or inked by different folk and it took me out. I really liked the art of Michael Walsh in Volume 1. It's more than a minor nitpick but it's not a dealbreaker. The plot keeps going in an interesting way and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out in vol 3.

[Kekscrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol 2. hat die Ausgaben 4–8 im Gepäck und bringt noch mal ordentlich mehr Tempo in die Geschichte. Das Spiel der Reichen wird immer enger für die Stadtbewohner und auch die Killer geraten immer weiter aneinander. Auch versteckt sich in dem Volume die eine oder andere Überraschung im Gemetzel, was noch mal mehr Spannung in die Geschichte bringt. Das führt umso mehr dazu, dass man spekuliert, wie das Ganze ausgehen wird.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are finally heating up, as we get bodies dropping. Both bystanders and contestants alike. Some I'm happy are already out, some I'm disappointed. Don't love the fill in art in the middle of the volume, but the coloring throughout really kept the identity. A lot of these kills are on my shortlist of ways I absolutely would not want to go. Real curious how this...."game" ends, and if anyone that isn't one of the killers makes it.

[Dallas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUGE fan of the direction this story is going!

The G4mer Kid story has consistently sat with me very uncomfortably since reading it. I feel haunted by the idea of one messed up kid corrupting the other. Especially how it was portrayed here!

The focus on the townsfolk pays off immensely in this volume as the story reveals its true intention and direction, as if the amazing hook from the first volume wasn't enough already!

It's sad, it's fun, it's truly horrific!

[Mazie Macfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite Corpses continues to be completely unhinged in the best possible way. I love that this series commits to the chaos!

This premise alone is enough to hook me. Every five years, the world's most powerful families gather to decide who will rule the next cycle. Each family selects a killer to represent them, and an unsuspecting small town becomes the battleground. The last killer standing wins, while the elites place bets on everything from kill counts to civilian casualties.

The violence is nuts but I keep coming back for the characters. Every killer feels distinct, memorable, and interesting in their own way. Volume two expands on several of their stories, and I found myself even more invested than I was in the first installment!! I need to know more!

This series is fast-paced, violent, and ridiculously entertaining while still managing to say something about elitism, power, and the people who treat humans like pieces on a game board. I flew through this volume and immediately wanted the next one.

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read these in issue format 4-8, which is probably better honestly. The story is not original or interesting so far. Basically it’s a bunch of rich people killing poor people for entertainment. Kinda sounds like normal life.

2.9 ✨