Exquisite Corpses (EC) is this year’s breakout indie comic book of 2025; and while it has slashed all of its competition with its storytelling and sales, they’re only just getting started. Co-published by Tiny Onion + Image Comics — and conceived by mastermind co-creators James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh— the series has racked up 1/2 million issues sold-to-date. To build upon this success, they shared details at New York Comic Con (NYCC)about their EC card game, whoseKickstarter launch debuts in spring 2026.The comic series is about America’s twelve wealthiest families playing a sick, twisted game every five years: they each select a deadly serial killer to represent them, drop them into a sleepy town, and fight to the gory and gruesome death. The last one standing lets the representative family gain control of the country. “It’s a serial killer Battle Royale and the game is based off of all these characters and the storyline,” Walsh told me at their NYCCpanel.
From Magic To The Macabre: How EC Can Be Played As A Card Game
World Building Beyond Comic Books
Theduo leveraged Walsh’s work on Magic: The Gathering to create the EC game, and they shared with fans an overview of how to play. “It’s a social strategy card game. You can play as your favorite killer, make alliances based on the characters (per their strengths/weaknesses) and events of the comic—ultimately with the aim of racking up your kill count,” explained Walsh. More detailed instructions can be found via their website.The most salient element to note in all this is the fact that, because of the enduring and universal appeal of the comic, both seasoned tabletop gamers and newbies have been compelled to play. Walsh cites that this phenomenon is due to the deep sense of community they’ve built with fans. “They’ve been so supportive and on this wild-ride with us since the beginning. They feel connected to the EC story and the cards are an extension of this universe which immerses them in the action.” In fact, during the Tiny Onion’s extensive Corpse Crew Tour across America and Canada where the writers and artists greeted the fans and answered questions via intimate panels, one person went as far as to say that EC is
Ahead of theKickstarter launch, fans can start building their deck now, “by collecting the Cover C poly bag editions ofExquisite Corpses”, per the website. Alternatively, a set of 12 cards is available for freehere.
Hinting At Hollywood
The Big Screen Awaits These Serial Killers
What’s next for the Tiny Onion team is entirely speculatory, but my killer instincts and logic would dictate that they’re (clearly) paving the way for Exquisite Corpses to become a streaming show (Netflix, FX, Disney+, etc) or feature film (perhaps with Blumhouse) in the very near future. After all, James Tynion IV has just secured a movie and series adaptation with the aforementioned production company with his other popular comic series, ‘Something Is Killing The Children’.
For now, fans and their (bloody) thirst for all things EC have been quelled with the drop of Volume 1 in trade paperback format and the card game.
- Birthplace
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Height
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James Tynion IV is a comic book writer and not widely known for his height. This information might not be publicly available or verified.
- Location
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Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, New York
- Dates
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October 17-20, 2024
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