Eisner Award-winning writer Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian, Absolute Green Arrow) and acclaimed artist Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.) are teaming up for Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman. The five-issue series will launch from Image Comics and James Tynion IV’s production house Tiny Onion this November.
The series marks the third and final Exquisite Corpses spin-off miniseries based on the first season of the bestselling horror comic created by Tynion (Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth) and Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin, Universal Monsters: Frankenstein). Pichetshote previously contributed to the first season as one of the “Corpse Crew” writers and will now dig deeper into the history and future of the Lone Gunman killer.
The Survivors Face the Past
Pichetshote and Ponticelli will be joined by Eisner Award-winning colorist Jordie Bellaire (The Nice House, Redlands) and letterer Becca Carey (Radiant Black). The story picks up two years after the events of the first Exquisite Corpsesseason.
Laura and fellow survivors Xavi and Jason have tried to build new lives using her winnings. They have also attempted to distance themselves from the 13 Families and the violence that devastated their hometown.
Their past has not stayed buried. Laura’s victory as the Last Gunman and everything the group did to survive continue to haunt them.
Now, the legacy of the golden mask has returned. Their lives are once again in danger as the series explores the history of the Lone Gunman and sets the stage for what comes next in Exquisite Corpses.
Pichetshote Calls the Series “Season 1.5”
“We’ve been referring to Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman as Season 1.5, bridging the gap between the first Exquisite Corpses season and the upcoming second,” said Pichetshote. “We follow my favorite killer and trace the history of the golden mask as well as one branch of the all-powerful 13 Families. But for new readers, you don’t need to read the main series to enjoy this one. We’ll be exploring one of my favorite horror subgenres: the ultimate ‘Final Girl’ story. What happens after you survive the twelve deadliest slashers of all time, and now are forced to uncover the secret history of the organization behind them and how they’ve shaped the course of America? It’s been fun to take the lessons I’ve learned on the Absolute Green Arrow series to tell a very different story about serial killers and billionaires, one that asks how the victims of their callous actions recover and retaliate.”
The writer’s description positions Lone Gunman as both a continuation and an entry point for new readers. It will connect the first and second seasons while examining the consequences of surviving the deadly game.
Ponticelli Brings a Rougher Visual Style
Ponticelli said the Lone Gunman was already his favorite character in the series before joining the project. The collaboration also reunites him with Pichetshote after their previous work together on Unknown Soldier.
Ponticelli added: “Lone Gunman is my favorite character in the Exquisite Corpses series. When Pornsak proposed that I work with him and Jordie to tell this character’s story, it seemed like an incredible opportunity to me. I’ve known Pornsak since we worked together on Unknown Soldier, and I couldn’t wait to do something together with him. Plus, Jordie’s colors are always so full of expressive power. I’m working to give the story the right visual roughness, using textures and dirty marks. Doing this in collaboration with the Tiny Onion team is wonderful—they’re truly helpful, I’m learning a lot from them. I’m thrilled to be part of this team!”
His approach will emphasize textures and rough marks to give the series a distinct visual identity. Bellaire’s colors will complement that style throughout the five-issue run.
Variant Covers and a Collectible Trading Card
The first issue will feature a main cover by Ponticelli and Bellaire. Several established artists will also contribute variant covers, including Rafael Albuquerque (Absolute Green Arrow, American Vampire), Leandro Fernandez (The Old Guard), Chris Brunner (Loose Ends), and Sebastian Fiumara (Abe Sapien).
Walsh will provide another variant cover tied directly to the larger Exquisite Corpses franchise. His edition will come polybagged with a collectible trading card connected to Exquisite Corpses: The Game, which was recently successfully funded on Kickstarter.
Exquisite Corpses Builds on a Major Debut
Exquisite Corpses became the biggest original IP comic hit of 2025. More than 700,000 issues have been sold to date.
The series also became Tynion’s best debut comic in more than three years. The five-time Eisner Award-winning writer created the project with Walsh and the “Corpse Crew,” a group of 12 creators who contributed to the first season.
A Growing Line of Exquisite Corpses Stories
Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman follows two other spin-off limited series. Exquisite Corpses: Fox Mask Killer by Che Grayson (Absolute Catwoman) and Adam Gorham (The Infernal Hulk) launches in September, while the critically acclaimed Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy by Tyler Boss (You’ll Do Bad Things) and Dylan Burnett (Arcade Kings) launched in July.
Each spin-off runs for five issues. Bellaire colors all three series, while Carey handles lettering across the line.
The franchise will also expand with Exquisite Corpses: Book of the Dead, an anthology one-shot scheduled to arrive before the comic’s second season. A feature film adaptation is also in development from Tiny Onion and Lyrical Media.
Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman #1 will arrive at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 4. The series will continue the first season’s story while revealing more about the golden mask, the Lone Gunman, and the powerful 13 Families behind the deadly game.
