Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Cover Artist: Michael Walsh
After an issue where everything finally began to converge, Exquisite Corpses #12 takes that momentum and sharpens it into something far more direct and far more intense. The sprawling chaos that defined the series for so long is stripped away, leaving something much more focused and much more dangerous. The scattered killers, the desperate civilians, and the detached elite all collapse inward toward a single, unavoidable outcome.
The reason this shift works so effectively is how intentional it feels. This isn’t the story simplifying itself because it’s run out of ideas. It narrows its lens because it knows exactly where it needs to go. With only one issue remaining, the series fully commits to its endgame, trading breadth for impact in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
That decision gives the issue a different kind of weight than what came before. The broader system that has defined so much of the series is still present, but it fades into the background. What matters now is the result—who survives, who breaks, and who ultimately takes control of what remains.
When the Game Becomes a Fight
The central confrontation between Pretty Boy and the Fox Mask Killer dominates the issue, and it absolutely delivers on every level. This is the collision the series has been building toward, and it lands with a level of intensity that justifies the long setup.
What stands out about the fight is how grounded it feels despite its brutality. Both killers have been shaped by everything that came before this moment. They aren’t fresh, unstoppable forces entering the arena at full strength. They’re damaged, worn down, and operating on instinct just as much as skill. That wear and tear shows in every movement, giving the fight a sense of unpredictability that keeps it engaging from start to finish.
The choreography is exceptional. Every exchange feels purposeful, with neither character ever fully taking control for long. Weapons change hands, the environment becomes part of the fight, and the pacing constantly shifts to keep the tension high. There’s a clear understanding of how to escalate without losing clarity, which isn’t always easy in sequences this chaotic.
The violence is also handled with precision. It’s graphic, but it never feels excessive or distracting. The gore reinforces the stakes rather than overwhelming them, making each hit feel consequential. Small visual choices, like obscuring exactly who is being injured in certain moments, add another layer of tension by forcing the reader to stay engaged and interpret what’s happening in real time.
This isn’t just a fight meant to shock. It’s a fight meant to conclude something, and that sense of finality is present in every panel.
Payoff in the Chaos
While the fight provides the spectacle, the emotional core of the issue comes from how it pays off long-running character arcs. Audrey’s transformation into New York’s Killer is the most striking example of this.
Her descent has been building for several issues, and this moment feels like the inevitable result of everything she’s endured. It doesn’t come across as a sudden shift or a forced twist. Instead, it feels like the only direction her story could’ve gone. That inevitability is what makes it so effective.
At the same time, there’s something deeply unsettling about how complete that transformation is. The grief, anger, and desperation that once defined her are still present, but they’ve been reshaped into something far more dangerous. This isn’t just a character breaking. It’s a character redefining herself within the rules of the game.
That shift carries additional weight when viewed through Jason’s perspective. Watching his mom fully lose herself adds a level of emotional tension that cuts through the violence. It grounds the spectacle in something personal, reminding the reader that the consequences of this game extend far beyond the immediate conflict.
Laura’s evolution is just as important, even if it’s quieter by comparison. Her decision to step into Massachusetts’ role and don the golden mask reinforces one of the series’ core ideas: power isn’t stable. It moves, it changes hands, and it often lands on people who aren’t fully prepared to carry it.
These moments of transformation give the issue a sense of progression that balances out its heavy focus on action. Even as the story narrows, the characters continue to evolve in meaningful ways.
The Ones Still Standing
As the issue focuses more tightly on its central conflict, some characters naturally fall into more supporting roles, and this is where one of the few minor issues becomes noticeable. Xavi, who played such a crucial role in the previous chapter, is still present but no longer drives the narrative in the same way.
His primary function here is to protect Jason, which is thematically consistent and still important to the story. However, compared to the agency he demonstrated previously, his role feels more reactive. It doesn’t disrupt the issue, but it does stand out given how significant he was just one chapter earlier.
Even so, the issue makes good use of smaller character moments to maintain emotional continuity. Pretty Boy’s brief acknowledgment of Mike’s death is one of those moments. It’s quick, almost understated, but it carries weight because of what came before. Their earlier interactions gave that connection meaning, and this moment reinforces that even within all the violence, there are still traces of something human.
These quieter beats help keep the story grounded, even as the larger narrative becomes more focused and intense.
A Story That Chooses Impact
As a penultimate chapter, Exquisite Corpses #12 makes a very clear choice in how it approaches its narrative. Rather than trying to advance every remaining thread equally, it prioritizes impact. It focuses on delivering a central moment that defines the endgame and builds everything around that.
That decision largely works in the issue’s favor. The fight between Pretty Boy and the Fox Mask Killer is strong enough to carry the weight of the chapter, and the character payoffs surrounding it give that spectacle additional meaning.
At the same time, this approach does result in a slightly narrower scope. Compared to the previous issue, which balanced multiple threads and perspectives, this one feels more contained. Certain elements, particularly the machinations of the elite, are present but not as fully explored.
That isn’t necessarily a flaw, especially given the structure of the story. With one issue remaining, there’s still space for those threads to be resolved. However, it does create a sense that this chapter is more about setting the stage for the finale than delivering a complete experience on its own.
Even with that limitation, the focus never feels misplaced. The issue knows exactly what it wants to accomplish and commits to it fully.
Visuals That Elevate Everything
The artwork in this issue is phenomenal and plays a crucial role in its overall effectiveness. The fight choreography is clear and dynamic, allowing the action to remain readable even at its most chaotic.
What stands out most is the use of color. The application of red is particularly striking, not just as a representation of blood, but as a way to shape the tone and atmosphere of the entire issue. It creates a sense of intensity that permeates every scene, making the environment feel as dangerous as the characters within it.
The contrast between detailed environments and flatter color backgrounds helps guide the reader’s focus without sacrificing visual complexity. It ensures that key moments stand out while still maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
There are also strong choices in perspective and panel composition. Close-up shots emphasize the brutality of individual moments, while wider panels capture the scale of the conflict. This balance keeps the pacing visually engaging and prevents the action from feeling repetitive.
This is an issue where the art doesn’t just support the story—it actively enhances it, elevating the material to a level that might not have been possible through writing alone.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Exquisite Corpses #12 is a phenomenal penultimate chapter that delivers exactly what it needs to. It narrows the focus, pays off major character arcs, and presents one of the most intense and well-“executed” action sequences of the series so far.
The fight between Pretty Boy and the Fox Mask Killer is the clear highlight, combining tension, brutality, and momentum in a way that never lets up. Audrey’s transformation and Laura’s new role add emotional and thematic depth that prevent the issue from feeling like pure spectacle.
There are minor drawbacks, particularly in how some characters are pushed into the background and how certain threads are held back for the finale. However, these issues are small in comparison to what the chapter accomplishes overall.
With everything now in place, the final issue has the potential to deliver both a satisfying conclusion and a meaningful payoff to everything that’s come before. The groundwork’s been laid, and the expectations are high.
Rating: 9.5/10
A brutal, high-impact chapter that fully commits to its endgame, delivering spectacle, character payoff, and tension in equal measure while setting the stage for a finale that now feels impossible to ignore.