Xavi and Craig are two teenage characters who live in Somewhere, USA otherwise known as Oak Valley. It’s a non descript small town that could be located in many parts of the United States. Points of interest in Oak Valley include the local hospital, a Pump King gas station, Big Bruce’s Auto Sales, a downtown section with its share of empty buildings, and the “Pit” where high schoolers party. Now Oak Valley may be a small town but it’s large enough to have a really nice area of town, aka The Hill, and much less nice section which is Oak Valley Park where mobile homes are located.
The two boys who are very much in love. Craig is a bit older and very focused on studying. So focused that Xavi kids Craig about being one of the smartest kids. Xavi has more of a care free attitude, hates parties, and loves Halloween and horror movies, especially the “French ones [which] are really messed up.” Craig is very dedicated to making Xavi happy. Craig and his mother live in a trailer in Oak Valley Park while Xavi and his father live in The Hill. Whether Xavi has a mother and siblings is not mentioned in the series. They both love Jason, a young boy perhaps seven or eight years old who lives near Craig. Craig is also a kind person as seen by his offering to watch Jason and to take him trick or treating because it’s Halloween when Jason’s mother is unexpectedly told she needs to work that night at Big Bruce’s Auto Sales. The boys say goodbye as Xavi leaves to volunteer and frighten other teens at the haunted house event.
As the night wears on Xavi and Craig will find themselves and their love for each other tested in ways they never imagined.
As is often the case with any title either written by Tynion himself or produced by the Tiny Onion Studio there is chaos, consequences, and often casualties. Exquisite Corpses series one recently concluded. You’ll want to read the series collected in three volumes to learn more about Xavi and Craig’s fate amidst all the mayhem that befalls the folks in Oak Valley.
The first appearances for Xavi whose last name is unknown and Craig Kidd are in Exquisite Corpses #1. Art by Michael Walsh.
All rights reserved James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh