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Exquisite Corpses #1-3
Exquisite Corpses Vol. 1
Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine—this year's unlucky arena—the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night.Experience a comics event like no other from the minds of JAMES TYNION IV (Something is Killing the Children, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH) & MICHAEL WALSH (THE SILVER COIN, UNIVERSAL FRANKENSTEIN), as they lead a group of the most exciting voices in the industry.In this blood-soaked first volume, JAMES & MICHAEL are joined by PORNSAK PICHETSHOTE (THE GOOD ASIAN), MARIANNA IGNAZZI (Catwoman), and VALENTINE DE LANDRO (BITCH PLANET) to collaborate & compete to determine who wins...and who dies.Collects EXQUISITE CORPSES #1-3
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2025
About the author
James Tynion IV
1,683 books2,154 followersPrior 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.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
April 25, 2026
Gory, grotesque, and very Tynion. Welcome to Exquisite Corpses, where an elite group of rich (awful) people hire crazed (and I mean crazy!!) serial killers to take over a town (at Halloween of course) and fight one another for highest kill count, and to be the last one standing. This has all the high stakes you could ever want, along with betrayals, petty feuds, and some amazing ‘regular folks’ characters that I’m desperate to see survive. But let’s face it this is Tynion writing (also writes Something is Killing the Children) and it’s clear the body count will be high so no one should be holding their breathe for anyone to survive.
I was enthralled by this, while also totally disgusted at the ick factor of our serial killers. *shudder*
Perfect for any horror buff, a top choice for spooky season, and a must read for any serial killer obsessed reader. If this were to be a movie or limited series I’m not sure I could watch it… the ick factor is seriously that high. I cannot wait to pass this over to my huge horror obsessed husband who will lap it up with glee (just like some of our serial killers do their victims!).
Just remember it’s all fictional… the characters are not real… but you still may never be the same after diving into the perverted heads of those whom hired these maniacs, and the maniacal killers themselves. Happy hunting.
I was enthralled by this, while also totally disgusted at the ick factor of our serial killers. *shudder*
Perfect for any horror buff, a top choice for spooky season, and a must read for any serial killer obsessed reader. If this were to be a movie or limited series I’m not sure I could watch it… the ick factor is seriously that high. I cannot wait to pass this over to my huge horror obsessed husband who will lap it up with glee (just like some of our serial killers do their victims!).
Just remember it’s all fictional… the characters are not real… but you still may never be the same after diving into the perverted heads of those whom hired these maniacs, and the maniacal killers themselves. Happy hunting.
November 26, 2025
It's Halloween night in Oak Valley, Maine, and shit is about to get real for its inhabitants. See, every year, the 13 super-wealthiest of the super-wealthy families---the deepest of deep states, if you will---in the country pick a community somewhere in the U.S. where each family's hand-picked assassin fights in a kill-a-thon for one night. The last one standing in the morning gets to "steer the wheel" of the country for the next year. The quiet little Maine town is this year's pick.
If you didn't think James Tynion IV could get weirder, darker, or more violent than his string of excellent horror series ("Something is Killing the Children", "The Nice House on the Lake", "The Department of Truth"), think again.
"Exquisite Corpses" is "The Hunger Games" meets "The Purge". A baker's dozen of psychotic killers with strange supervillain names ("Nurse Pete" is just a dude in scrubs whose weapon is a syringe full of acid; one killer is called "The Congregation" and uses a box cutter) try to off each other and as many innocent townies as they can get. A handful of tough townies band together to survive the night.
This is edge-of-the-seat knuckle-biting suspense. It is just begging to be made into a TV show on Shudder.
If you didn't think James Tynion IV could get weirder, darker, or more violent than his string of excellent horror series ("Something is Killing the Children", "The Nice House on the Lake", "The Department of Truth"), think again.
"Exquisite Corpses" is "The Hunger Games" meets "The Purge". A baker's dozen of psychotic killers with strange supervillain names ("Nurse Pete" is just a dude in scrubs whose weapon is a syringe full of acid; one killer is called "The Congregation" and uses a box cutter) try to off each other and as many innocent townies as they can get. A handful of tough townies band together to survive the night.
This is edge-of-the-seat knuckle-biting suspense. It is just begging to be made into a TV show on Shudder.
March 7, 2026
7.5/10
I like the set-up and the premise. I also want to see what kind of role some characters will eventually end up playing. The one let down is the killings. I expected something crazy, flashy, unique but so far they have been a bit anticlimactic.
I like the set-up and the premise. I also want to see what kind of role some characters will eventually end up playing. The one let down is the killings. I expected something crazy, flashy, unique but so far they have been a bit anticlimactic.
November 18, 2025
While it's a downright travesty that this collection encompasses only the first three issues, this is one entertaining slab of violent murderousness. Looking forward to more shenanigans.
February 1, 2026
This is one gruesome game!
September 14, 2025
James Tynion IV is hands down probably my favorite current comic writer. He's absolutely NAILING every series, and Exquisite Corpses Vol. 1 easily went to the top of my list.
I love the core idea. Having these twelve rich, wealthy pieces of shit families start a serial killer battle royale in the middle of a small town closed off to the public is absolutely insane but so entertaining. The game, held every five years on Halloween, is a brutal contest for five years of unquestioned power, and the families select an unsuspecting town, like Oak Valley, Maine, to be their bloody arena. Each killer, or "champion," has their own unique weapon and style, making for some very creative and brutal deaths as they try to be the last one standing.
It helps that we have sympathetic characters to root for in this chaos of death and murder. The story introduces us to a diverse cast of townspeople, including a working mother and her son, a young couple, and a pair of EMTs. We're right there with them as they are thrust into a horrifying fight for survival against forces they can't even begin to comprehend, making the terror feel incredibly real.
Basically, this is another fucking win for Tynion. The high-concept premise, the distinct killers, the helpless but resilient townsfolk, and the sinister puppet masters behind it all make for a perfect horror-thriller. It's a bombastic, hyper-violent, and deeply satirical look at the callousness of the ultra-wealthy, and it left me completely hooked. A definite 5 out of 5 for me.
I love the core idea. Having these twelve rich, wealthy pieces of shit families start a serial killer battle royale in the middle of a small town closed off to the public is absolutely insane but so entertaining. The game, held every five years on Halloween, is a brutal contest for five years of unquestioned power, and the families select an unsuspecting town, like Oak Valley, Maine, to be their bloody arena. Each killer, or "champion," has their own unique weapon and style, making for some very creative and brutal deaths as they try to be the last one standing.
It helps that we have sympathetic characters to root for in this chaos of death and murder. The story introduces us to a diverse cast of townspeople, including a working mother and her son, a young couple, and a pair of EMTs. We're right there with them as they are thrust into a horrifying fight for survival against forces they can't even begin to comprehend, making the terror feel incredibly real.
Basically, this is another fucking win for Tynion. The high-concept premise, the distinct killers, the helpless but resilient townsfolk, and the sinister puppet masters behind it all make for a perfect horror-thriller. It's a bombastic, hyper-violent, and deeply satirical look at the callousness of the ultra-wealthy, and it left me completely hooked. A definite 5 out of 5 for me.
January 29, 2026
The premise that everything revolves around is absolutely diabolical. I was expecting a quick read, a slasher horror book from a writer I admire - - - and the return for my time/investment was so much more.
A generational group of elite, entitled wealthy from the original 13 colonies meet every five years to determine who will sit at the head of power. The method: a gladiator-like game of death between hand-picked murderers of various stripes and peculiarities until only one representative remains standing. The site: a small town in Maine that can easily be sealed off, the ruling powers and law enforcement bought off, and the unsuspecting residents unaware that they are in the middle of a blood bath and are likely to become innocent victims.
Volume One collects the first three installments of EXQUISITE CORPSES (five issues released so far), including the double-sized debut story. We meet the contestants, their elite bosses, and several of the residents who will become embroiled in the proceedings. There are power struggles within the wealthy game-masters, including several grudges and counter-maneuvers.
I found the various assailants to be quirky and clever, and we meet a few of them in this volume. However, I remain unsympathetic to them as well as their bosses - so I'm not vested in who lives or dies among them. What saves the book for me are the interesting residents who are stuck in this, especially the innocent EMT tech who encounters one of the killers.
Only 12 of the 13 colonies are represented by a killer, as the elite who won the last Battle Royale (Pennsylvania) has to sit out the present contest. Curiously, the current meeting (always held on Halloween) does not occur in any of the original 13 colonies, but is set in Maine. Maybe the elite wish to spare residents of their corresponding states.
Before Volume One ends, several of the combatants have been eliminated (along with some residents). There is a large cast of characters, and those who have been spotlighted so far are detailed enough to become interesting. I expect as the story moves forward, this is going to become even wilder.
SECOND READING, JANUARY 2026
This is my second reading of this offbeat, diabolical horror/crime mashup. I was prompted to pick it up again (and glad I did) because this is the January selection of the Captain Blue Hen
Book Club. After a second reading, I remain impressed and delighted by the incredible premise and potential of this book. I’m elevating my original rating of Four Stars to FIVE STARS and recommend this to all readers who appreciate this genre.
It’s hard to find any of the 13 elites and 12 killers to empathize with; but there are three non-residents that I root for and hope they survive:
1) Laura, the niece of the absent police chief, an innocent EMT tech who encounters one of the killers in Volume One.
2) Audrey, the single parent mother of a five-year old, who’s struggling to make ends meet and works for a demanding and uncaring boss.
3) Craig, the college-aged friend to all, who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and goes out of his way to help Audrey (crush on an older woman, maybe?) when her work demands get in the way of spending Halloween with her son.
Among the powerful class, I am attracted to two members (but I don’t worry about them. I don’t think author Tynion does either - he hasn’t identified any of them but name, just the states that they represent.
1)The elderly woman from Massachusetts. She seems a bit cynical and somewhat disgusted by her association with the others, and a little ashamed of her family’s history. She seems to be in the game for spite, rather than money or power.
2)The woman from South Carolina, who seems to have the most class and is constantly harassed by New York (the rep that I dislike the most). Her chosen killer is her twin sister, who was tired of watching from the sidelines and has trained for this.
Among the killers, I wish them all to lose. If I have to root for any of them, I’d pick The Fox Mask Killer (New York) because they look cool and I expect a prominent role (based on the cover spotlight). My second choice would be the Lone Gunman (Massachusetts) not because of his background (pretty awful history) but because he’s the pick of the elderly woman.
A generational group of elite, entitled wealthy from the original 13 colonies meet every five years to determine who will sit at the head of power. The method: a gladiator-like game of death between hand-picked murderers of various stripes and peculiarities until only one representative remains standing. The site: a small town in Maine that can easily be sealed off, the ruling powers and law enforcement bought off, and the unsuspecting residents unaware that they are in the middle of a blood bath and are likely to become innocent victims.
Volume One collects the first three installments of EXQUISITE CORPSES (five issues released so far), including the double-sized debut story. We meet the contestants, their elite bosses, and several of the residents who will become embroiled in the proceedings. There are power struggles within the wealthy game-masters, including several grudges and counter-maneuvers.
I found the various assailants to be quirky and clever, and we meet a few of them in this volume. However, I remain unsympathetic to them as well as their bosses - so I'm not vested in who lives or dies among them. What saves the book for me are the interesting residents who are stuck in this, especially the innocent EMT tech who encounters one of the killers.
Only 12 of the 13 colonies are represented by a killer, as the elite who won the last Battle Royale (Pennsylvania) has to sit out the present contest. Curiously, the current meeting (always held on Halloween) does not occur in any of the original 13 colonies, but is set in Maine. Maybe the elite wish to spare residents of their corresponding states.
Before Volume One ends, several of the combatants have been eliminated (along with some residents). There is a large cast of characters, and those who have been spotlighted so far are detailed enough to become interesting. I expect as the story moves forward, this is going to become even wilder.
SECOND READING, JANUARY 2026
This is my second reading of this offbeat, diabolical horror/crime mashup. I was prompted to pick it up again (and glad I did) because this is the January selection of the Captain Blue Hen
Book Club. After a second reading, I remain impressed and delighted by the incredible premise and potential of this book. I’m elevating my original rating of Four Stars to FIVE STARS and recommend this to all readers who appreciate this genre.
It’s hard to find any of the 13 elites and 12 killers to empathize with; but there are three non-residents that I root for and hope they survive:
1) Laura, the niece of the absent police chief, an innocent EMT tech who encounters one of the killers in Volume One.
2) Audrey, the single parent mother of a five-year old, who’s struggling to make ends meet and works for a demanding and uncaring boss.
3) Craig, the college-aged friend to all, who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and goes out of his way to help Audrey (crush on an older woman, maybe?) when her work demands get in the way of spending Halloween with her son.
Among the powerful class, I am attracted to two members (but I don’t worry about them. I don’t think author Tynion does either - he hasn’t identified any of them but name, just the states that they represent.
1)The elderly woman from Massachusetts. She seems a bit cynical and somewhat disgusted by her association with the others, and a little ashamed of her family’s history. She seems to be in the game for spite, rather than money or power.
2)The woman from South Carolina, who seems to have the most class and is constantly harassed by New York (the rep that I dislike the most). Her chosen killer is her twin sister, who was tired of watching from the sidelines and has trained for this.
Among the killers, I wish them all to lose. If I have to root for any of them, I’d pick The Fox Mask Killer (New York) because they look cool and I expect a prominent role (based on the cover spotlight). My second choice would be the Lone Gunman (Massachusetts) not because of his background (pretty awful history) but because he’s the pick of the elderly woman.
June 22, 2026
On Halloween, the sheriff of a small town called Oak Valley gets $10 million, passports, and everything he needs to start a new life from some ominous, shady-looking guy called the groundskeeper and leaves town, dropping a letter for his niece. A rich-looking old lady visits a huge badass-looking former vet, and explains to him how the world is actually run behind the scenes:
Every 5 years, the 13 richest families in America play a game where they get dangerous killers to represent them, select a town and cut it off from the rest of the world, have their killers wield a specific weapon, and have all 12 killers fight to the death on Halloween until only one remains. Whoever’s killer is left standing gets to rule America behind the scenes with seemingly unlimited power
The Groundskeeper contacts and streams live drone footage of Oak Valley to some fancy guy called the game master, who starts welcoming the participating families representing various American states. In the town, we’re introduced to some gay teenagers who are helping a busy neighbor watch her kid on Halloween while she works. The rich old lady hires the badass former vet to represent her family and promises to get him back in the forces if he wins, along with a shit load of money
We see a bunch of the families and their killers appear, including the winner of the last game, who can’t participate in the current one, and the South Carolina family whose head systematically destroyed the life of “one of the most dangerous people on earth” after she refused to be their killer for the last game. For the current game, the South Carolina family head then proceeds to intensively train for years and enter the current game unaware that the person whose life she destroyed is now also participating, representing another family.
All players arrive in the town, and the game starts. We see the Sheriff's paramedic niece, who reads the letter he left her telling her to leave the town, but she doesn’t. Since some of the crazier families also side bet on whose killer can kill the most people, their players start killing civilians. The winner of the last game informs the rich old lady representing Massachusetts that she made a deal with the other families involving a $5B reward for whoever can take out her badass vet killer.
The sheriff's niece is almost killed by a psycho doctor themed killer, but her already dying colleague kills the doctor beforehand, and the kid the teens are watching befriends another kid, unaware he’s some psycho gamer kid themed killer. I enjoyed this quite a lot and quickly found my self invested in the story, characters, and setting, which is no shock at all cause Tynion does his best work on dark horror shit like this and he’s really good at what he does. The art is also pretty great, with the coloring standing out the most to me.
Every 5 years, the 13 richest families in America play a game where they get dangerous killers to represent them, select a town and cut it off from the rest of the world, have their killers wield a specific weapon, and have all 12 killers fight to the death on Halloween until only one remains. Whoever’s killer is left standing gets to rule America behind the scenes with seemingly unlimited power
The Groundskeeper contacts and streams live drone footage of Oak Valley to some fancy guy called the game master, who starts welcoming the participating families representing various American states. In the town, we’re introduced to some gay teenagers who are helping a busy neighbor watch her kid on Halloween while she works. The rich old lady hires the badass former vet to represent her family and promises to get him back in the forces if he wins, along with a shit load of money
We see a bunch of the families and their killers appear, including the winner of the last game, who can’t participate in the current one, and the South Carolina family whose head systematically destroyed the life of “one of the most dangerous people on earth” after she refused to be their killer for the last game. For the current game, the South Carolina family head then proceeds to intensively train for years and enter the current game unaware that the person whose life she destroyed is now also participating, representing another family.
All players arrive in the town, and the game starts. We see the Sheriff's paramedic niece, who reads the letter he left her telling her to leave the town, but she doesn’t. Since some of the crazier families also side bet on whose killer can kill the most people, their players start killing civilians. The winner of the last game informs the rich old lady representing Massachusetts that she made a deal with the other families involving a $5B reward for whoever can take out her badass vet killer.
The sheriff's niece is almost killed by a psycho doctor themed killer, but her already dying colleague kills the doctor beforehand, and the kid the teens are watching befriends another kid, unaware he’s some psycho gamer kid themed killer. I enjoyed this quite a lot and quickly found my self invested in the story, characters, and setting, which is no shock at all cause Tynion does his best work on dark horror shit like this and he’s really good at what he does. The art is also pretty great, with the coloring standing out the most to me.
February 14, 2026
This takes The Purge and gives an edgier, sharper, and far more political edge to it. The first volume introduces all the deadly killers and the innocent citizens that will go through one of the scariest night of their life. The event does begin in this volume with a couple of deaths, but things are only just beginning as all the backstabbing and trickery will surely be unveiled in the next volume.
June 14, 2026
Exquisite Corpses, criado - com participação – por James Tynion IV, é um quadrinho que irá trabalhar política, terror, conflitos sociais e ação, com uma ambientação pautada em um torneio Battle Royale, que ocorre em uma noite de halloween.
Nesse sentido, temos um universo em que os ricos – bilionários – de 13 famílias comandam a geopolítica mundial, tanto em sentido econômico quanto organizacional. Assim, para alternarem na governança, tendo em vista que uma dessas 13 sempre detém uma proporção maior de poder, eles realizam um jogo de battle Royale a cada 5 anos, em que escolhem uma pessoa para representa-los nesse jogo – sendo possível qualquer pessoa de acordo com o desejo da familia– e determinam qual arma esse individuo irá utilizar. Com isso pronto, eles enviam cada um dos 13 representantes para uma cidade pequena do interior, em que eles bloqueiam toda comunicação (física e digital) com o mundo exterior, até que o jogo termine, tendo apenas 1 sobrevivente.
Com isso estabelecido no primeiro capítulo – o maior e mais denso desse volume – podemos refletir acerca do poder econômico dessas famílias, que são um reflexo do mundo hodierno, em que a própria politica mundial está atrelada ao capital. Quem faz política, é quem tem dinheiro. Outro ponto, é a respeito das pessoas de cidades do interior, que sofrem sendo um “parque de diversões” dos ricos, até mesmo como um experimento para os bilionários.
Outra critica que pode ser feita a partir dessa história, é o poder do capital em detrimento do indivíduo, pois, as familias, ao buscarem seus representantes, sempre buscam figuras que possuem alguma habilidade com armas, e/ou são assassinos, e/ou possuem um passado nefasto. Assim, oferecem “limpar a ficha”, um recomeço, uma nova vida para essas pessoas, mostrando o poder e a influencia de uma pessoa detentora de capital sob a outra.
Com tudo isso apresentado no primeiro capítulo, os próximos dois, focam em mostrar esses representantes das famílias já na cidade de Oak Valley, tendo encontros com a população local, bem como, proporcionando combates com outros representantes.
Se tratando das figuras escolhidas pelos ricos, não temos muitas informações sobre eles, apenas seus nomes, armas que utilizam e uma breve apresentação por seus contratantes. Porém, é valido destacar que os designs desses indivíduos são bem bacanas, com uma fantasia única para cada.
A respeito da população de Oak Valley, acompanhamos também a historia por meio do ponto de vista de alguma delas, sendo uma enfermeira/paramédica chamada Laura, que aparentemente tinha relação com o xerife da cidade – que inclusive a abandonou depois de ter vendido a cidade para o jogo. Temos também um casal de namorados que estavam planejando sair para pedir doces ou travessuras e a mãe de um deles, que trabalha para um homem influente da cidade. Por fim, também acompanhamos o Mike, um homem que trabalha em uma conveniência e é obcecado por teorias da conspiração.
Além disso, no que tange os ricos, não temos a apresentação dos seus nomes pessoais, apenas seus sobrenomes e a relação entre eles, que aparenta ser bem conflituosa, marcada por inimizade, conflito e interesses.
Ademais, o quadrinho não se destaca dentre as obras do Tynion, sendo uma história que possui uma premissa interessante, desenhos bons, desenvolvimento ok, mas peca em desenvolver personagens e inovar na hora de contar a história sobre esse mundo. Com a enxurrada de battle royales que existem, esse poderia se destacar com o universo criado, mas não se aprofunda nas críticas que são expostas, sendo apenas um elemento que justifica a ação do torneio.
Nesse sentido, temos um universo em que os ricos – bilionários – de 13 famílias comandam a geopolítica mundial, tanto em sentido econômico quanto organizacional. Assim, para alternarem na governança, tendo em vista que uma dessas 13 sempre detém uma proporção maior de poder, eles realizam um jogo de battle Royale a cada 5 anos, em que escolhem uma pessoa para representa-los nesse jogo – sendo possível qualquer pessoa de acordo com o desejo da familia– e determinam qual arma esse individuo irá utilizar. Com isso pronto, eles enviam cada um dos 13 representantes para uma cidade pequena do interior, em que eles bloqueiam toda comunicação (física e digital) com o mundo exterior, até que o jogo termine, tendo apenas 1 sobrevivente.
Com isso estabelecido no primeiro capítulo – o maior e mais denso desse volume – podemos refletir acerca do poder econômico dessas famílias, que são um reflexo do mundo hodierno, em que a própria politica mundial está atrelada ao capital. Quem faz política, é quem tem dinheiro. Outro ponto, é a respeito das pessoas de cidades do interior, que sofrem sendo um “parque de diversões” dos ricos, até mesmo como um experimento para os bilionários.
Outra critica que pode ser feita a partir dessa história, é o poder do capital em detrimento do indivíduo, pois, as familias, ao buscarem seus representantes, sempre buscam figuras que possuem alguma habilidade com armas, e/ou são assassinos, e/ou possuem um passado nefasto. Assim, oferecem “limpar a ficha”, um recomeço, uma nova vida para essas pessoas, mostrando o poder e a influencia de uma pessoa detentora de capital sob a outra.
Com tudo isso apresentado no primeiro capítulo, os próximos dois, focam em mostrar esses representantes das famílias já na cidade de Oak Valley, tendo encontros com a população local, bem como, proporcionando combates com outros representantes.
Se tratando das figuras escolhidas pelos ricos, não temos muitas informações sobre eles, apenas seus nomes, armas que utilizam e uma breve apresentação por seus contratantes. Porém, é valido destacar que os designs desses indivíduos são bem bacanas, com uma fantasia única para cada.
A respeito da população de Oak Valley, acompanhamos também a historia por meio do ponto de vista de alguma delas, sendo uma enfermeira/paramédica chamada Laura, que aparentemente tinha relação com o xerife da cidade – que inclusive a abandonou depois de ter vendido a cidade para o jogo. Temos também um casal de namorados que estavam planejando sair para pedir doces ou travessuras e a mãe de um deles, que trabalha para um homem influente da cidade. Por fim, também acompanhamos o Mike, um homem que trabalha em uma conveniência e é obcecado por teorias da conspiração.
Além disso, no que tange os ricos, não temos a apresentação dos seus nomes pessoais, apenas seus sobrenomes e a relação entre eles, que aparenta ser bem conflituosa, marcada por inimizade, conflito e interesses.
Ademais, o quadrinho não se destaca dentre as obras do Tynion, sendo uma história que possui uma premissa interessante, desenhos bons, desenvolvimento ok, mas peca em desenvolver personagens e inovar na hora de contar a história sobre esse mundo. Com a enxurrada de battle royales que existem, esse poderia se destacar com o universo criado, mas não se aprofunda nas críticas que são expostas, sendo apenas um elemento que justifica a ação do torneio.
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September 13, 2025Gruesome. Dramatic. Utterly wild. And just the beginning. I need more.
Full review on: https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...
Full review on: https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...
December 18, 2025
James Tynion IV continues to show that he is at the top of his game when it comes to writing horror comics. After reading all of Something is Killing the Children and loving every minute of it, I did not think it would be possible for a second series to hold up to such a high standard consistently, but I think this series really does. Exquisite Corpses is like Squid Game meets The Purge meets Hunger Games. Essentially 12 killers are dropped in a small town on Halloween, and the last man standing wins and this whole show is put on for the entertainment of the richest families in America. I found all three issues of this collection very entertaining, with good action between the insane characters keeping me turning the pages while the larger plot develops slowly each issue. My favorite killers were Nurse Pete because nurses behaving badly will always have a special place in my heart, and The Congregation who I found to be legit terrifying and original idea for a serial killer and how they display their "trophies". I'm immediately adding this title to my list of things I'll read as soon as they come out along with Something is Killing the Children and Nice House by the Lake.
September 8, 2025
A CAN'T MISS BATTLE TO THE DEATH!
James Tynion IV teams up with an amazing creative team to deliver one of the most jaw-dropping exciting stories that I have read this year! Exquisite Corpses starts with a theme that I think Tynion enjoys exploring: a hidden cabal pulling the strings of our country. Exquisitie Corpses introduces us to the ruling families of the United States, 13 states, each with a stake in controlling the world. However, the terms and conditions require the families to use the darkest killers alive to battle it out to determine which family will get to rule.
The introduction of these characters within this story plays out like the Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter games. You get an introduction to their selected weapon and then the flashy art of the killer. This was genuinely one of my favorite components of this story. It was written in such an exhilarating way. It's also built upon stereotypes that translate into memorable fighter details. From this introduction, readers are also introduced to the environment for this epic battle to play out. A small town in the middle of nowhere will be hosting this battle to the death. There are casualties and destruction that gave me chills (AND THIS IS ONLY VOLUME 1!). There are so many things to enjoy in this first volume and there is so much to anticipate. You do not want to miss this story, and I'll be following closely for more released updates!
James Tynion IV teams up with an amazing creative team to deliver one of the most jaw-dropping exciting stories that I have read this year! Exquisite Corpses starts with a theme that I think Tynion enjoys exploring: a hidden cabal pulling the strings of our country. Exquisitie Corpses introduces us to the ruling families of the United States, 13 states, each with a stake in controlling the world. However, the terms and conditions require the families to use the darkest killers alive to battle it out to determine which family will get to rule.
The introduction of these characters within this story plays out like the Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter games. You get an introduction to their selected weapon and then the flashy art of the killer. This was genuinely one of my favorite components of this story. It was written in such an exhilarating way. It's also built upon stereotypes that translate into memorable fighter details. From this introduction, readers are also introduced to the environment for this epic battle to play out. A small town in the middle of nowhere will be hosting this battle to the death. There are casualties and destruction that gave me chills (AND THIS IS ONLY VOLUME 1!). There are so many things to enjoy in this first volume and there is so much to anticipate. You do not want to miss this story, and I'll be following closely for more released updates!
October 5, 2025
This was a quick and entertaining horror/thriller read! It took a bit for me to get interested in the book as during the beginning it talks about politics and conspiracy theory stuff which I’m not to fond of but once the wealthy families are introduced and the games are explained it caught my attention. Some of my favorite bits of this story is when the killers are introduced, I thought it was unique and intriguing when their characters were introduced. The pop up introduction art for them during those scenes are my absolute favorite, the art is so eye catching and it really made these characters stick out in my mind. We don’t get too much information regarding the killers but I feel that the basic information that was given about them did its job, all of these killers have such a great air of mystery about them and I can’t wait to see more of them in upcoming volumes. This book is giving good slasher vibes and it has me hooked, the ending for this one is a bit of a cliff hanger but it has me excited to see what’s coming next. If your looking for a quick read with some gory kills, wealthy family drama, and intriguing characters I’d recommend looking into this series! The ending art of the killers was a perfect touch, the artist done a beautiful job on them, and I loved being able to see the killers up close. Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary early release review copy of the book.
October 6, 2025
This genuinely devoured.
After hearing about the premise for this I picked it up fairly fast. Usually I adore James Tynion’s stuff so I’ve been hyped for this one for a while and luckily it didn’t let me down.
It’s bloody, fun, and fast paced but also still has an intriguing edge with its commentary on politics and class divides within society.
I really enjoyed how unique all the central characters are but what really gripped me was the hyper colour art for each killers entry into the world.
Think The Purge meets Squid Games, in a small, remote American town.
Rep// MLM / Achillian MCs.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// murder, bodies, a fair bit of gore, knife wounds, guns, gun violence, blood, class divides, corruption, elitism, fire/arson, acid burns, eye horror.
After hearing about the premise for this I picked it up fairly fast. Usually I adore James Tynion’s stuff so I’ve been hyped for this one for a while and luckily it didn’t let me down.
It’s bloody, fun, and fast paced but also still has an intriguing edge with its commentary on politics and class divides within society.
I really enjoyed how unique all the central characters are but what really gripped me was the hyper colour art for each killers entry into the world.
Think The Purge meets Squid Games, in a small, remote American town.
Rep// MLM / Achillian MCs.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// murder, bodies, a fair bit of gore, knife wounds, guns, gun violence, blood, class divides, corruption, elitism, fire/arson, acid burns, eye horror.
January 23, 2026
Exquisite Corpses uses a super overdone concept, but with James Tynion IV at the helm, it's at least a high-quality rendition of the concept. The gist: a cabal of super-rich who control America battle via proxies for who gets to be the latest kingpin/queenpin. The proxies are all various degrees of serial killer/super villain, and the chosen battlefield is small town America.
Over the course of this first volume, we meet a few cabal members, a few fighters, and a few regular Joes, caught up in the murderous mess. It's fun and fast-moving, but again, I've read this plot a dozen times before, at least half of those from Scott Snyder. That said, I'm still on board for more - you kind of have to be since this volume is really just setup.
Over the course of this first volume, we meet a few cabal members, a few fighters, and a few regular Joes, caught up in the murderous mess. It's fun and fast-moving, but again, I've read this plot a dozen times before, at least half of those from Scott Snyder. That said, I'm still on board for more - you kind of have to be since this volume is really just setup.
January 14, 2026
this is Fireeeeee 🔥,,,,,,am genuinely Scared every time the killers interact with the citizens,,,shiii so eerie 😂 Absolute masterpiece
Read
September 17, 2025Exquisite Corpses in the sense that there are exotic killers dropping plenty of bodies on behalf of the impossibly wealthy, but also as in the old party game, with Tynion and Walsh kicking off the story and then handing off each subsequent issue to a new creative team... except that each time they remain involved and credited too, which would seem to undermine the whole idea, especially when even the Big Two have done comics which fully commit to this idea, each writer and artist leaving a tangle for the next guys to get out of. As for the story laid on top of that: every five years, the 13 richest families who've really ruled America since 1776 seal off one small town, send their champions in to fuck each other (and, according to taste, maybe the townsfolk too) up, and the winner is in charge for the next five years. And, sure, some thought has clearly been put into making the killers toyetic, in a gruesome sort of way, but that just means it feels like a waste when they start dropping early. Beyond which, the pitch is basically Black Monday Murders meets Nailbiter, with maybe a pinch of Lazarus, and it's not as if any of those were staggeringly original in the first place. Plus, all of it is looking almost seductive now compared to actual America, whose not so secret rulers have none of the panache displayed here, and aren't so restrained as to confine the action to a single town. There are a lot of people I usually rate working on Exquisite Corpses, but for me it's not clicking, though I would probably read another volume just to check the sweet queer lad and the dog are OK.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
January 19, 2026
The ultra-rich play a game for power in an unsuspecting town. It’s hard to read comics by JT4 because everything else just pales in comparison, he’s one of the greatest comic writers of all time. His work just flows, the characters feel real and the stories are always interesting. He’s an absolute master, everything he has written has been more than good to read. I should’ve said hi when I saw him at C2E2!
September 28, 2025
Fast-paced and entertaining, Exquisite Corpses is similar to many other Battle Royale-style plots. It is as if The Hunger Games met Death Race combined with The Purge, with gruesome battles to the death, sponsored by the rich and powerful. Of course, it's a thrilling ride for the reader.
But in this first volume, there was a substantial lack of underlying storytelling. Key character development is focused on side-characters who are stuck within the town. Only one of the 'fighters' is touched on in any detail, and it was more shallow world-building than anything else.
Of course, I am still interested in following the series. The art style and character design are fun, and as I said, the whole thing is damn entertaining. But I really hope future volumes give the story a bit more depth than what has been done before.
Trigger warnings:
But in this first volume, there was a substantial lack of underlying storytelling. Key character development is focused on side-characters who are stuck within the town. Only one of the 'fighters' is touched on in any detail, and it was more shallow world-building than anything else.
Of course, I am still interested in following the series. The art style and character design are fun, and as I said, the whole thing is damn entertaining. But I really hope future volumes give the story a bit more depth than what has been done before.
Trigger warnings:
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the review copy. This does not impact my opinions whatsoever.
October 25, 2025
Is this my usual genre or art style? Absolutely not. But did I enjoy it? Surprisingly, yes! It’s gory, brutal, and unapologetically messy but the story pulled me in. The concept that twelve states secretly control the U.S. and hold a bloody contest every five years to decide who truly rules from the shadows is interesting.
I didn’t necessarily find myself invested in the contestants, but more so the townspeople that were getting murdered or narrowly escaping death.
If you’re into gritty, politically charged graphic novels with a dark edge, I’d recommend Exquisite Corpses.
Thank you Image Comics for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I didn’t necessarily find myself invested in the contestants, but more so the townspeople that were getting murdered or narrowly escaping death.
If you’re into gritty, politically charged graphic novels with a dark edge, I’d recommend Exquisite Corpses.
Thank you Image Comics for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Image comics for this book! Loved this one. James Tynion IV is quickly becoming a favourite of mine and this one didn’t miss. The artwork is great, super intriguing storyline and I loved how the killers were introduced. Can’t wait for volume 2!!
January 25, 2026
Considering the whole rich-people-forcing-other-people-to-kill-each-other-for-entertainment premise has been done to death at this point, I'm happy to say this take on that premise seems to be one of the better ones.
For starters, I actually have no clue who is going to win this competition. In so many other of these competition stories, the main character is the winner. If you are only following one character's perspective, they kinda have to survive to the end of the story. But this story is told from many perspectives, so there's no telling who could die at any given moment. The stakes feel much higher as a result.
But I think what really makes this story stand out compared to others with the same premise is that this competition takes place in a town full of innocent bystanders who will inevitably get caught in the crossfire. I already love some of the civilian characters that have been introduced so far, and I know that this series will probably make me so sad when some of the characters probably end up dying in the near future. I am so not prepared for what this series might have in store. I hope to continue it soon.
For starters, I actually have no clue who is going to win this competition. In so many other of these competition stories, the main character is the winner. If you are only following one character's perspective, they kinda have to survive to the end of the story. But this story is told from many perspectives, so there's no telling who could die at any given moment. The stakes feel much higher as a result.
But I think what really makes this story stand out compared to others with the same premise is that this competition takes place in a town full of innocent bystanders who will inevitably get caught in the crossfire. I already love some of the civilian characters that have been introduced so far, and I know that this series will probably make me so sad when some of the characters probably end up dying in the near future. I am so not prepared for what this series might have in store. I hope to continue it soon.
January 28, 2026
Imagine “The Hunt,” “Cabin in the Woods,” and “Ready or Not” was morphed together, and the result was this story. Every 5 years on Halloween night, 13 of the wealthiest families that represent the 13 original colonies hire the most psychotic killer to help them win a game. The grand prize is to rule America. Issue 1 hit it out of the park with so many exciting characters from the conspiracy theorist gas station worker to the woman representing Massachusetts. This is definitely a story that is best read as a volume as I kept on flipping back to issue 1 to help me put the puzzle pieces together. Can’t wait to see how Hollywood is going to make this story come to life!
June 24, 2026
Lovedddd thatttt
January 27, 2026
pec pec pec
jocs de la fam x la purga yehawww
jocs de la fam x la purga yehawww
September 5, 2025
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
The blurb wasn't lying. This is literally the demon child that would be created if Hunger Games and The Purge could have a baby. It was super fun to read. For such a short volume, there are a TON of characters to keep track of. But each one is introduced in a way that's compelling enough to get you invested without being overwhelmed by just how much is going on. This is a super violent story, but the art wasn't overly gory. It's pretty much what I would expect from a horror story. I need the next installment immediately. I want ot know how it all ends!
The blurb wasn't lying. This is literally the demon child that would be created if Hunger Games and The Purge could have a baby. It was super fun to read. For such a short volume, there are a TON of characters to keep track of. But each one is introduced in a way that's compelling enough to get you invested without being overwhelmed by just how much is going on. This is a super violent story, but the art wasn't overly gory. It's pretty much what I would expect from a horror story. I need the next installment immediately. I want ot know how it all ends!
November 3, 2025
This was a blast and a fun take on the slasher vs slasher genre. James Tynion IV is easily one of my favorite graphic novel writers out there amd this book helps cement that. I'm excited for the next volume.
May 31, 2026
I struggled about giving this two or three stars. Sometimes, as I write, I talk myself into a new score. What's good? The art captures the mood. These aren't the best artists, but the focus is on some pretty awful people. The protagonists are flawed, but you can root for them. Unfortunately, because of the format of the release, we don't get very much story here.
This is yet another cynical story about rich people murdering poor people. And so far, there is nothing that is creatively different about this story. It's not different from the Hunger Games, or Battle Royale, or even The Purge sequels. It's another story about rich people toying with poor people in the worst possible way. I truly don't believe in a shadow government. I think the government we see in front of our eyes is awful enough to commit its own damned atrocities.
But is there anything creative about the idea of rich people murdering poor people? The only faintly creative idea is that a Black family is one of the 13 richest families in America. Which is ludicrous. Not that we haven't done the work to earn it. But that work was monetized for Other people. And don't fool yourself. That didn't end with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. So the creative angle is a ridiculous one, unless this plays into the story later. Maybe it's Chekov's gun?
Other than Hunger Games, everyone of those stories leans into violence and gore. Cool. How much can we take? The collection is so short that we aren't remotely hopeful when this ends. I will have to read at least two more of these in order to learn the full story. If they show up at the library, I will probably check them out. Or if my brother has them on his shelf, I may borrow them. I guess these books are why people like superheroes. Because when we go to sleep, we want to believe that something protects us through the night.
This is yet another cynical story about rich people murdering poor people. And so far, there is nothing that is creatively different about this story. It's not different from the Hunger Games, or Battle Royale, or even The Purge sequels. It's another story about rich people toying with poor people in the worst possible way. I truly don't believe in a shadow government. I think the government we see in front of our eyes is awful enough to commit its own damned atrocities.
But is there anything creative about the idea of rich people murdering poor people? The only faintly creative idea is that a Black family is one of the 13 richest families in America. Which is ludicrous. Not that we haven't done the work to earn it. But that work was monetized for Other people. And don't fool yourself. That didn't end with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. So the creative angle is a ridiculous one, unless this plays into the story later. Maybe it's Chekov's gun?
Other than Hunger Games, everyone of those stories leans into violence and gore. Cool. How much can we take? The collection is so short that we aren't remotely hopeful when this ends. I will have to read at least two more of these in order to learn the full story. If they show up at the library, I will probably check them out. Or if my brother has them on his shelf, I may borrow them. I guess these books are why people like superheroes. Because when we go to sleep, we want to believe that something protects us through the night.
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