EXQUISITE CORPSES #8 (tiny onion/image comics)
As the night continues, the body count grows, and the field of killers starts to thin out. However, the horror is at an all-time high and the townspeople are in a complete nightmare scenario. Who will continue to survive and what killer will be the next eliminated?
Exquisite Corpses #8 - Written By Pornsak Pichetshote with James Tynion IV - Art By Adam Gorham with Michael Walsh - Colors By Jordie Bellaire – Letters By Becca Carey - Edited By Steve Foxe, Greg Lockard, and Eric Harburn - Published By Tiny Onion/Image Comics
Credit: Tiny Onion/Image Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
As the night goes on the 13 families get more anxious and nervous about which family’s killer will win them the ultimate power. Meanwhile, the aftermath of the massacre at the bonfire has gotten somehow even more nightmarish. Those who survived are now face to face with the maimed and dangerous Pretty Boy. At the same time Xavi, Jason, and Mike are trying to find Craig in the corn maze, but nothing will prepare them for what they will find. Finally, Laura discovers the mortally wounded Lone Gunmen, who fills her in on what is really happening and urges her to use his mask and take up the Lone Gunmen mantle to save who she can. She turns him down, but vows to bring down the 13, as now the hunted look like they may become the hunters.
WRITING:
What this book lacks in the actual action scenes it more than makes up for with the grizzly reality that surrounds this messed up game. Pornsak Pichetshote does a fantastic job of portraying the fallout of the bonfire massacre and the emotional turmoil that our protagonists face. The grizzly aftermath provides a nightmare scenario, but the real horror is the lengths and means our survivors are now going to. The necessity to fight back and to possibly become as depraved as the killers’ looms over their heads, and their next decisions will really shape what’s next. Couple that with the emotional stress of Laura, who now has the weight of knowing what’s going on, and you get one hell of a thrill ride.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this issue powerfully conveys the depravity and gruesome horror that has overtaken the small town. Adam Gorham excels at illustrating this nightmarish landscape, immersing the reader in the disturbing aftermath that continues to unfold. Each panel is rendered with unsettling detail, leaving little to the imagination while maintaining a palpable sense of desperation and suspense. Jordie Bellaire’s color work sustains the psychedelic atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the series. Her distinctive color schemes reinforce a sense of continuity throughout, ensuring the visual identity remains uniform from issue to issue.
Final Thoughts:
Exquisite Corpses #8 takes the reader on a suspenseful yet nightmarish thrill ride. The gory scenes, mixed with the emotional realizations of our survivors, really drives home how messed up this whole thing is. This issue really ups the stakes and will for sure be a pivotal chapter in this saga moving forward. This series is one of the best series on the shelves today, and if you are not already reading it, you should start now!
FINAL GRADE: 9.8/10
Let me know your thoughts on Exquisite Corpses #8 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
