Issue 173: …And I Will Go to Texas
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And… just like that… Scriptpocalypse is over.
I decided to end it a couple of days early. It doesn’t mean I’m not writing scripts. Quite the contrary. It just means that I have some non-script writing that needs to be more of a focus.
How did I do?
I can’t say I ONLY focused on scripts during the events. I wrote some short stories, novel chapters, proposals, and other materials. So, in some ways it was not a complete success, script-wise.
But over the course of 18 days, I completed a grand total of 241 pages of comic book scripts.
That’s not too shabby.
For now… we have lots of cool things to cover, so let’s motor!
How about some news from the BEYOND MORTAL Universe?
I’ve been promising some updates about this book for a while. We ran the Kickstarter for the first part of the series, with plans to return for Parts 2 and 3. What you may not realize is… we’re already done with Parts 2 and 3! We decided to forego Kickstarter for the additional volumes, and we’re bringing you the entire epic in one volume! That’s 138 pages of comic! It’s the introduction of a whole new superhero/horror universe, something Danny and I have big plans to expand upon!
Here’s the announcement article from Dread Central!
Check out the cover!
There’s much more planned for BEYOND MORTAL. Danny and I already have another exciting character/pitch that we’re trying to get across the finish line and I just sent him another character/concept I’m very excited about.
If that doesn’t satisfy your horror-meets-hero needs, you’re still in luck!
DEATH OF THE VENOMVERSE is coming in August!
It was also just announced that I’ll be writing a story of Liliana and Sorin in a MAGIC: THE GATHERING one-shot titled NOTORIOUS (cue Duran Duran).
I’m thrilled that I get to play in the MAGIC: THE GATHERING universe, even if it’s just for a one shot. And a story about a vampire and a necromancer? That’s right up my alley, right?
I vividly remember the first time I played the game. It was around the time the Unlimited set came out, and some co-workers and I begged the Manager at the Waldenbooks where we worked to order the game. It was a smash success, of course, and we were the first Waldenbooks to carry the cards. I’ve talked about it many times, but it’s a prime example of trusting employees to curate bookstore offerings. Our Waldenbooks was Number 1 (by FAR) in role-playing games, horror, and science fiction, because they trusted us to stock material that excited customers. The higher ups at Waldenbooks took us out a few times to pick our brains on how to replicate this success, but they never really took our advice.
MAGIC: THE GATHERING: NOTORIOUS was formerly listed as PROJECT: CARD.
And… on a publishing front… Massive Publishing has announced three new imprints, including
Overlook will focus on horror and will be helmed by writer Cullen Bunn and Hustle & Heart Films CEO Heath Amodio. The imprint will feature work by film and TV writers as well as comics creators.
Here are a few more details on Massive Publishing.
A new Kickstarter is going to be launching soon. This one is for an anthology titled THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UNCANNY. It’s a weird western collection edited by Jonathan Maberry. My story, “The Disobedient Devil Dust-Up at Copper Junction,” appears in the book. You can follow the campaign here.
Ever wonder what horror movie franchises I’d like to expand upon in comic book form? I’ve published a countdown of my Top Ten over on my website!
Horror Movie Comic Dream Projects (Part 1)
Horror Movie Comic Dream Projects (Part 2)
The famous quote from Davy Crockett was, “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.”
Why so damn angry, King of the Wild Frontier?
I won’t tell you to go to Hell, but I AM going to Texas.
This week, I’m heading out with some friends to attend Texas Frightmare Weekend! I’m going to this convention purely for fun. I’m not setting up. I’m not selling books. I’m just going to spend time with friends and remind myself of some of the things I love! I’m going to stand in lines. I’m going to get books and posters signed. I’m going to shop. I’m going to eat tacos and steak and bbq. I’m gonna sample margaritas and old fashioneds.
If you’re attending the convention and you see me roaming around, please say hello!
I’ll post some updates from the show and some pictures in the next newsletter!
As you know, I maintain a Patreon page where I post writing advice, essays, work updates, serialized novels, short stories and comics. Support levels range from access to content to big ol’ boxes of comics to regular Zoom meetings. Patrons often get PDFs of comics that have yet to be published. I use the funds generated from Patreon to fund new creator-owned comics (and sometimes to keep the lights on).
Recent posts include:
What Might Have Been - BAD PRIESTS, Part 2 - Character designs from Bad Priests.
What Might Have Been - BAD PRIESTS, Part 1 - A look at a horror/action comic that ALMOST came together.
NIGHTMARE FUEL, Part 2 - The next chapter of my serialized horror novel
Work Update: Scriptpocalypse 1 - 18 - I’ll just link to one of them, but I’ve been posting very detailed daily breakdowns of what I’ve accomplished during Scriptpocalypse.
BLOODBORNE: THE LADY OF THE LANTERNS TPB
BASED ON THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED GOTHIC GAMING HIT, BLOODBORNE!
Enter the city of Yharnam through the eyes of its citizens, when new hunters take to the streets to fight against the cruel and unusual epidemic that has gripped the city. In the black of the night, families and faith will be tested…
Collects #1-4 of Bloodborne: Lady of the Lanterns, plus, FCBD strip!
NIGHTWALKERS #5
Seren is lost in a world overrun by the ravenous nightwalkers.
But she is not alone.
Are the other survivors she finds in the wilderness content to be prey for the beast?
Or will they fight for their lives?
I watched the first episode of Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, and I really enjoyed it. I like documentaries exploring different places, cultures, and lifestyles. Wrap that in a pretty package about pursuing the secrets of happiness, and you’ve hooked me.
Beyond that, my time has really been consumed with Scriptpocalypse.
Here is a quick and dirty list of upcoming projects. In most cases, I’m only listing projects that are definitely on the schedule with a published. Oftentimes, I will not be able to share much information, but I can at least tease the future! Everything here is, of course, subject to change.
MAY 2023
NIGHT WALKERS #5
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #6
JUNE 2023
LAMENTATION #2
GHOSTLORE #2
SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS
RAZE
REANIMATOR: THE ETERNAL LIE, Part 2
JULY 2023
LAMENTATION #3
GHOSTLORE #3
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #7
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT TPB
AUGUST 2023
DEATH OF THE VENOMVERSE 1 - 5 (weekly)
GHOSTLORE #4
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #8
DISPLACEMENT - a horror novella
MAGIC: THE GATHERING - Notorious
SEPTEMBER 2023
OCTOBER 2023
REGRESSION: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
NOVEMBER 2023
LAMENTATION TPB
PROJECT: MATINEE #1
DECEMBER 2023
PROJECT: MATINEE #2
JANUARY 2024
BEYOND MORTAL Trade Paperback
THE UNKNOWN FUTURE…
PROJECT: HEX, a supernatural/horror thriller.
PROJECT: HORROR, a licensed horror comic.
I’LL KILL YOU LAST - An 80s action/horror fiction anthology I’m editing.
PROJECT: GALLERY - An RPG project I’ve been quietly developing.
PROJECT: PREHISTORY - More kaiju craziness
PROJECT: MEGA-BATTLE - Even More kaiju craziness
PROJECT: SURGEON - a very dark horror tale
PROJECT: BOT - A sequel to a story of robotic mischief
PROJECT: WATER HEATER - An apocalyptic horror/fantasy maxi-series
PROJECT: RUSH - A horror prose anthology I’m editing
COPYCAT - A new limited series from Todd Garner, Heath Amodio, and myself.
BLOODBLADE - An action/horror story of destiny and demonic blood
PROJECT: DUNGEON - A new licensed horror comic series
PROJECT: CONVOY - A horror/thriller I’m co-writing
PROJECT: ARCANA - a dark fantasy series
PROJECT: MONSTER - a new horror/action/comedy series
PROJECT: HOAX - a horror limited series
825 pages of comic book scripts (1710 in 2022)
0 feature length screenplay (0 in 2022)
0 half-hour comedy pilot (1 in 2022)
0 short film script (1 in 2022)
0 short stories (9 in 2022)
0 novellas (0 in 2022)
10 two-sentence horror stories (10 in 2022)
0 new comic book series proposals (29 in 2022)
0 podcast proposals (0 in 2022)
0 essays (0 in 2022)
1 foreword for upcoming graphic novels (0 in 2022)
0 television series proposal (0 in 2022)
Keep in mind, these days, "finalized" doesn't mean as much as it once did. All events are subject to change.
I added a couple of store appearances/signings to the list this week! One in Jonesboro, AR, one in Columbia, MO! More to come soon!
MAY 26 - 28 - Texas Frightmare Weekend, Irving TX
JUNE 16 - 18, 2023 - Heroes Convention, Charlotte NC
JUNE 24, 2023 - Route 66 Toy and Comic Convention, Lebanon MO
JULY 7 - 9, 2023 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO
AUGUST 5 - 6, 2023 - Fountain City Con, New Century KS
AUGUST 19, 2023 - Signing at Distant Planet Comics, Columbia MO
SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 - Signing at B&B Collections, Jonesboro AR
SEPTEMBER 16 - 17, 2023 - Extremicon, St. Roberts MO
SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1 - Cowtown Comic Convention, Fort Worth TX
THE SHOCK SHOP - My online store, where you can find exclusive covers you can only get directly from me!
TWITTER - This is the best place to interact with me online. My handle is @cullenbunn
TIKTOK - A fun spot for quick videos about writing, comics, and collecting
PATREON - Here, I post a serialized novel, a serialized comic book, short stories, and other cool materials.
THE CULLEN BUNN DISCORD SERVER - A place for fans to hang out and talk about comics, books, movies, games, collecting, and whatever else strikes their fancy.
THE BUNNGALOW - Cindy and I talk about life, hot button topics, pop culture, being married to a comic book writer and EVERYTHING in between.
Congratulations on Overlook!
Hope you enjoy the con! And maybe some much deserved R&R