EXQUISITE CORPSES: RASCAL RANDY #1 (TINY ONION/IMAGE COMICS)

Exquisite Corpses took the comics world by storm over the last year. Nominated for an Eisner Award, a successful Kickstarter campaign for a game, and finishing off the first season strong, heading into season two. But before we get to that next season, it’s time to find out the origin of one of the most popular killers, Rascal Randy.

Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 - Written By Tyler Boss – Art By Dylan Burnett - 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:

Lilly has just moved to the sleepy town of Aurora Springs, NY with her father who is now stationed there for the Navy. Her mother was murdered years before, so it’s just her and her dad. She got a job at the local roller rink. However, when she arrived for her first day, she witnessed the bullying of a young boy, Eli. Eli is a diabetic, so Lily had to help him get help from his great aunt Aliza. Hanging out with them she finds out that Eli’s great grandfather created, and later his mother revived the character of Rascal Randy. A once iconic animated character that tragically faded away. Little do they know, across town Rascal Randy is getting a new beginning.

WRITING:

This first issue of Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy gives readers just enough backstory to understand why this corner of the universe matters, while still leaving plenty of unanswered questions lurking in the shadows. Tyler Boss does a strong job of building mystery around Aurora Springs, making the sleepy town feel quiet on the surface but unsettling underneath. The opening does not rush straight into the horror or the larger mythology. Instead, it takes time to establish Lilly’s new life, her grief, and the distance between her and her father. That strained father-daughter dynamic helps explain why Lilly keeps people at arm’s length and why she feels like someone trying to figure out where she belongs.

That makes Lilly’s connection with Eli and his great aunt Aliza stand out even more. Their scenes give the issue a warmer, more personal center, showing Lilly slowly opening up around people who also seem tied to pain, history, and forgotten pieces of the town. Boss makes those relationships feel important without spelling out exactly where they are headed, which gives the issue a nice sense of emotional setup. Speaking of things that will surely become more important, the history of Rascal Randy is one of the most intriguing parts of the issue. Eli’s brief explanation of the character’s creation, disappearance, and revival feels intentionally incomplete, like the reader is only hearing the first layer of a much darker story. That restraint works in the book’s favor because it builds anticipation instead of giving everything away too early. Boss balances the quieter character work with the promise of the violent, unpredictable Rascal Randy that fans of Exquisite Corpses already know, making this first issue feel like both an origin story and the beginning of something much bigger.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this first issue captures the familiar look and energy of Exquisite Corpses, while also making it clear that Rascal Randy has its own visual personality. Dylan Burnett pays homage to the original series in the moments that lean into violence, tension, and horror, but he also brings a slightly different rhythm to the quieter parts of Lilly’s story. The roller rink, the small-town streets, and the character-focused scenes all have a homely quality that makes Aurora Springs feel like a real place instead of just a backdrop for the chaos to come. Burnett’s character work is especially strong because the expressions and body language help sell the emotional beats, whether Lilly is trying to keep her guard up, Eli is dealing with the fallout of being bullied, or Aliza is carrying the weight of the town’s strange history.

The color palette is also very close to the palette of the original series, which helps this spinoff immediately feel connected to the larger Exquisite Corpses universe. That makes sense, since Jordie Bellaire returns as colorist and brings that same sharp sense of mood and atmosphere to this issue. The colors help separate the more grounded character moments from the more intense and disturbing scenes, giving the book a nice visual balance between coming-of-age drama and horror setup. The brighter, more nostalgic touches around Rascal Randy’s animated history contrast nicely with the darker, more dangerous energy surrounding what the character has now become. That contrast makes the issue feel playful and creepy at the same time, which is exactly the kind of tone this story needs. As a whole, the art team does a fantastic job of reminding readers that this is connected to a successful series, while also giving the spinoff enough style and identity to stand confidently on its own.

check out my review of exquisite corpses #13

Final Thoughts:

Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 is an awesome kickoff for the first spinoff tale from the world of Exquisite Corpses. The creative team does an amazing job of making a spinoff but making it unique as well. The story doesn’t reveal too much, but just enough to bring you back for more. I’m a huge fan of Exquisite Corpses and am beyond stoked that we are getting more of this universe. Even better, this first issue delivers on its promise instead of feeling like a quick cash-in. Make sure to run down to your Local Comic Shop and grab your copy, a collectors copy, a copy for your friends, and one for your mailman. While you are there, also make sure to add it to your Pull List so you don’t miss a single issue.

FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10

Let me know your thoughts on Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!