Image Comics’ Exquisite Corpses #13 – The Bloody Season One Finale
The wait is finally over for fans of premium comic horror. Today, we are shining our spotlight on the absolute climax of one of the biggest independent horror hits of the decade. If you are looking to discover your next read with our Comic Book of the Day spot, there is no better choice than the grand finale of James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh’s bloody slasher epic.
Exquisite Corpses #13 hits the shelves on May 27, 2026, marking the highly anticipated conclusion to the first season of this breakout horror phenomenon. Since the triple-sized debut issue dropped, this series has kept readers on the edge of their seats with its relentless pace, sudden twists, and brutal killer-vs-killer dynamic.
The creative team behind this final chapter represents some of the best minds in horror comics:
- Writer: James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth)
- Artist: Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin, Universal Monsters: Frankenstein)
- Colorist: Jordie Bellaire (Redlands)
- Letterer: Becca Carey
Motherly Rage and the Final Duel
The premise of Exquisite Corpses has been simple but terrifying: every five years, the wealthiest, most powerful families in the United States drop twelve of the world’s deadliest assassins into a small, isolated town. The game is a winner-takes-all deathmatch to determine who will rule the country from the shadows for the next five years. This year, the unlucky arena was Oak Valley, Maine.
As dawn finally breaks over the blood-soaked streets, only two of the primary killers remain. However, the true wild card of the game has turned out to be Audrey, a local mother who will stop at nothing to save her young son, Jason.
In the preview pages for the finale, we see Audrey’s desperate struggle reach its boiling point.
During this tense confrontation, she is urged to put her weapon down. Instead, she refuses to back down, declaring that she won’t let anyone take her son.
The tension escalates dramatically in the next panel sequence.
Audrey wields her sword with lethal intent. Her desperate goal is simple: escape this corrupt town and secure a safe life for her child, even if she has to execute every monster in her path. This raw, emotional battle highlights the human cost of the wealthy elite’s sick game.
The Rules of the Wealthy Elite
Meanwhile, the puppet masters of this dark tournament are watching from their secure, high-tech galleries.
The rules of the competition are heavily discussed as the wealthy handlers argue about the nature of victory. They ask a fundamental question: does the killer win the game, or does the weapon itself win?
The history of the game runs deep, involving strategizing families, custom-drawn cards, and tactical maneuvers. The wealthy families place massive side bets on how many local townspeople get caught in the crossfire.
The observers emphasize that it is not just Audrey’s life on the line. The stakes of this final duel will shape the next five years of political dominance across the entire nation.
The physical clash between Audrey and her assassin target is brought to life. Michael Walsh’s distinctive art style, combined with Jordie Bellaire’s cold, striking color palette, captures every desperate swing and evasion. It is a masterfully paced fight that delivers a satisfying payoff to months of build-up.
Collector Guide and Variant Covers
For serious collectors, Exquisite Corpses #13 is a must-buy issue with an incredible lineup of variant covers. To help you track your collection, use our reference table below to choose your favorite covers before heading to the shop:
| Cover Designation | Artist | Style & Key Features | Target Collector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cover (Cover A) | Michael Walsh | Striking, clean pencils and character design by the series co-creator. | Core readers, series purists, and completionists. |
| Variant Cover B | Álvaro Martínez Bueno | Gorgeous, abstract grid-style layout showcasing multiple key character perspectives. | Art enthusiasts looking for a highly stylized, modern aesthetic. |
| Variant Cover C | Michael Walsh | Collectible card-themed variant showcasing retro tabletop gaming elements. | Card game enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors. |
| Variant Cover D | Caspar Wijngaard | Visually mesmerizing, conceptual face-art composed entirely of gun themes. | Collectors of striking, abstract, and high-concept cover art. |
Below, you can preview the stunning artwork for each of these options:
Standard Cover A by Michael Walsh
Variant Cover B by Álvaro Martínez Bueno
Variant Cover C by Michael Walsh
Variant Cover D by Caspar Wijngaard
If you want to keep up with the biggest weekly drops and secure these stunning covers, make sure to check out our latest New Comics list. To find out how previous historic comic book runs built their industry-defining legacies, you can see what happened in history on This Day In Comics as well.
📢 Join the Conversation
Who do you think will emerge as the final survivor in the bloody climax of Exquisite Corpses? Are you excited for the upcoming spinoff series like Rascal Randy? Let us know on X/Twitter and tag us @comicbookaddt!
Follow our community for more updates:
- Instagram: Follow us @comicbookaddicts
- Tumblr: Read more on our Tumblr
- Pinterest: Check out our boards
- Facebook: Join the group
