Image Comics’ Exquisite Corpses Comic Sells Out Instantly, Igniting Urgent Second Printing
A jolt of excitement has electrified the comic book world this week! The eagerly awaited horror series, the Exquisite Corpses comic, achieved a stunning complete sell-out at the distributor level on its debut, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. This overwhelming demand has prompted publisher Image Comics to authorize an immediate second printing of its inaugural issue. This swift action highlights the intense anticipation for this new project co-created by James Tynion IV (renowned for The Deviant and The Department of Truth) and Michael Walsh (celebrated for Universal Monsters: Frankenstein and The Silver Coin), along with their formidable “Corpse Crew” of creative talents. For enthusiasts of chilling tales and the artistry of comic covers, this series has immediately marked itself as an essential acquisition. We at The Comic Book Addicts are keenly following this groundbreaking series as it unfolds.
Exquisite Corpses Comic: Phenomenal Demand Necessitates Swift Second Edition
The news that the Exquisite Corpses comic #1 was entirely sold out on its release day sent ripples of excitement across the comics landscape. This serves as a powerful testament to the creative forces involved and the clear hunger among readers for inventive, high-tension horror.
James Tynion IV expressed his gratitude for the incredible reception: “The support we’ve seen from retailers and readers on Exquisite Corpses is just staggering. I couldn’t be more grateful, or more excited about what comes next.”
Michael Walsh, his co-creator, shared similar sentiments: “I’m elated that Exquisite Corpses will be going to a second printing and getting into as many hands as possible. It’s a huge project and we’ve got big plans. The game is just beginning.”
This outstanding early success, applauded by fellow comic aficionados, strongly suggests Exquisite Corpses is destined to be a significant series. The quick move to a second printing ensures that a broader audience can embark on this terrifying journey from the very start. Moreover, the team is making sure this new printing offers something extra.
What Is the Lethal Allure of the Exquisite Corpses Comic?
So, what exactly is this Exquisite Corpses comic that has everyone captivated? The premise is darkly compelling: every five years, on Halloween, America’s most affluent families participate in a grisly game. They select twelve of the world’s deadliest individuals and set them loose in a small, unassuming town. The sole mission for these killers: be the last one alive. For the inhabitants of Oak Valley, Maine—this year’s ill-fated arena—the goal is far more fundamental, yet infinitely more terrifying: simply survive the night.
While this chilling concept is undeniably gripping, the creative process underpinning the comic is equally fascinating. Exquisite Corpses was born from a dynamic writers’ room approach, helmed by Tynion IV and Walsh. This “Corpse Crew” is a star-studded lineup of comics professionals, including Adam Gorham (Penciler/Inker, Hellhunters), Becca Carey (Letterer, Absolute Wonder Woman), Che Grayson (Writer, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds), Claire Roe (Artist, Dark Spaces: The Hollywood Special), Gavin Fullerton (Artist, The Closet), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist, Redlands), Marianna Ignazzi (Artist, Catwoman), Pornsak Pichetshote (Writer, The Good Asian), Tyler Boss (Artist/Letterer, You’ll Do Bad Things), and Valentine De Landro (Artist, Bitch Planet). Each creator contributes their unique expertise—be it writing, penciling, inking, coloring, or lettering—to forge a rich and varied series under the editorial stewardship of Image Comics.
Each installment of the series will naturally evolve from the one before it, emulating the classic ‘exquisite corpse’ parlor game. This involves a sequential handover of creative duties, allowing the story to develop through an innovative blend of teamwork and competitive flair. This method guarantees an unpredictable and deeply engaging reading experience. The initial “season” is plotted for 13 issues, but the intricate world Tynion IV and Walsh are crafting is designed for further expansion with more narratives. Adding to the launch fervor, a Halloween-themed celebration is planned for this Friday at Revenge Of, initiating the Corpse Tour ’25.
The upcoming second printing of Exquisite Corpses #1 is set to offer more than just additional copies. It will be available in two distinct versions. Cover A will feature a new wraparound illustration by Michael Walsh. Cover B will be a polybagged edition, boasting a secret new cover by Walsh and an exclusive collectible trading card, which is part of a larger companion trading card game. The debut issue itself is a substantial triple-length feature, containing 60 pages of story. Both second printing variants are scheduled to arrive in comic book stores on Wednesday, June 18, with a Final Order Cutoff (FOC) deadline for retailers on May 26. The polybagged Cover B, complete with its exclusive game card, will be priced at $6.99.
Retailers should use the following Lunar Codes for their orders:
- Cover A by Michael Walsh – Lunar Code 0325IM885
- Cover B by Walsh (polybagged with special game card) – Lunar Code 0325IM886
The horror unfolds further with Exquisite Corpses #2, also set for release on Wednesday, June 18 (FOC May 26). This issue will present several variant covers for collectors:
- Cover A by Walsh – Lunar Code 0425IM328
- Cover B by Marianna Ignazzi – Lunar Code 0425IM329
- Cover C by Walsh (polybagged with Killer card) – Lunar Code 0425IM330
- Cover D “stealth variant” by [to be revealed] – Lunar Code 0425IM331
- Cover E 1:25 copy incentive by Riley Rossmo – Lunar Code 0425IM332
- Cover F 1:50 copy incentive by Martin Simmonds – Lunar Code 0425IM333
Looking even further, Exquisite Corpses #3 will land in comic shops on Wednesday, July 23 (FOC June 30), also accompanied by a variety of covers:
- Cover A by Walsh – Lunar Code 0525IM344
- Cover B by Valentine De Landro – Lunar Code 0525IM345
- Cover C by Walsh (polybagged with Killer card) – Lunar Code 0525IM346
- Cover D “stealth variant” by [to be revealed] – Lunar Code 0525IM347
- Cover E 1:25 copy incentive by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz – Lunar Code 0525IM348
- Cover F 1:50 copy incentive by Joshua Hixson – Lunar Code 0525IM349
For readers who prefer digital comics, Exquisite Corpses will also be available on numerous digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
The immediate sell-out and rapid call for a second printing of the Exquisite Corpses comic signals the arrival of a major new horror sensation from the esteemed publisher, Image Comics. For more on titles from this publisher, be sure to check out our extensive Image Comics coverage. With a top-tier creative team, an inventive collaborative narrative style, and a chillingly attractive premise, this series is shaping up to be an unmissable event for horror aficionados and comic collectors. The inclusion of collectible trading cards adds another layer of engagement for its rapidly growing fanbase.
Happy Hunting! Are you ready to join this deadly game? Share your thoughts and theories with us over on our Twitter page!
