Issue 198: The Multi-Spired Iceberg

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Big apologies for the late edition. I’ve been overwhelmed—on both the work and personal fronts—for a little while. Not BAD overwhelmed. Really, quite the opposite. But overwhelmed nonetheless. And, so, a late (and somewhat brief) newsletter.

I’m working on a couple of big projects (I’ve mentioned them before) and I can’t divulge too many details just yet. One is a big risk. The other is a big change. They’re both pretty damn exciting, too, and they may change my trajectory as a writer and creator. And those two game-changers are mixed right in with all the other work I have to do on the super cool projects I’m cooking up right now! And there are some REALLY cool projects coming up.

I mean… just a few minutes ago, I was looking at concept art for GATCHAMAN, and it blew me away.

And that’s just one tip on a multi-spired iceberg!

It’s going well, even when balanced with numerous musical events for my son, a lot of house clean up, some adulting, and transforming my studio into a tiki lounge. I need to get a little more traction, knock a few more pages out than I have recently, but I’m not complaining.

One thing I’ve noticed, though, and I’m not sure how to fix it:

I no longer like working at my desk. Emails, social media, whipping up marketing images, and Zoom meetings? Sure! But for pretty much everything else, it’s a no-go. I don’t know what this is all about, really. I’m pretty sure a big part of it has to do with the aforementioned emails, socials, marketing, and Zoom meetings. I’ve started thinking of the desktop as a busy work device and not a writing device.

Of late, most of my real work has been done on an iPad… sitting at the bar… at the coffee shop… in bed at 3 AM… pretty much anywhere EXCEPT my office. Even though an iPad isn’t really ideal, I guess I’m going with the flow.

I’ve been considering trying a “distraction-free” device like a Freewrite, but I haven’t pulled the trigger on it just yet.

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Am I burying the lede here?

Transforming my studio into a tiki lounge?

That’s right.

This week, I celebrate another year on this plane of existence, and I’m turning my studio into a spooky-fun freaky tiki bar to celebrate. I’ll share some pictures next week.

I’m getting older, folks, but I’ll be damned if I’m slowing down.

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I was talking to a few writer friends recently, and they suggested that I should embrace my “horror host vibes” more than I have in the past. I’m not sure what that means, but… OK… I’m gonna give it a try! So, prepare yourselves, kiddies! I think, once it’s all said and done, I’m a little more Garth Marenghi than Cryptkeeper.

I’m pretty sure those “friends” of mine were referring to my talent at jackassery than my skill at hosting horror.

But I’m going for it.

Maybe.

Maybe I should ask my pal Mr. Macabre for some tips.

DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #7

DOUBLE-SIZED 2nd Arc Finale! Twice the story in one issue, concluding the 2nd Arc!

As a would-be hairband rockstar joins the crew, the monster-hunting sales team stumbles onto a town without monsters. It looks like they're in for a well-deserved break. But some evils follow you like a bloodhound. The demonic Snarly Yow is stalking our crew, ready to murder them for their sins. Not everyone will make it out of the second arc alive.

Ah, comics! So… this issue now contains both issues 7 AND 8! That will wrap the series in single issues. Then, the final arc will be released as an original graphic novel!

DEADPOOL: SEVEN SLAUGHTERS

SEVEN KILLS IN SEVEN DAYS! Welcome to a week in the life of Wade Wilson, the best mercenary Marvel’s ever had (just ask him)! From facing off with rival killers to top secret assassinations, DEADPOOL has a lot of work to do in this blood-soaked oversized issue full of fan-favorite creators past and future!

I have a 10-pager in this one that I really like. In a way, it was my way of saying, “Hey! Look at all the cool material you’re missing when I’m not writing Deadpool!”

CYBERPUNK Library Edition

A deluxe hardcover collection of three intense action-packed stories exploring the underbelly of Night City, featuring a cover gallery, expanded sketchbook section, and more!

In Trauma Team, a hundred floors high in a skyscraper occupied by an onslaught of gang members, an EMT assistant is tasked with rescuing the man responsible for her former team’s deaths. Then in You Have My Word, a family is torn apart following an assignment from one of Night City’s most notorious gangs and a grandmother returns to a life she left behind on a mission paved with blood, both old and new. And in Blackout, a braindance technician is overcome with despair. Confronting his role in exploiting others’ pain and suffering, he finds that in darkness comes opportunity.

Written by CD Projekt Red writer and narrative manager Bartosz Sztybor (The Witcher: Fading Memories, The Witcher: Witch’s Lament) and Cullen Bunn (Shock Shop, Harrow County), with art by Miguel Valderrama (Giants), Jesús Hervás (Deluge, Tomorrow), and Roberto Ricci (The Heart of Shadows). This oversized edition collects Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team #1-#4, Cyberpunk 2077: You Have My Word #1-#4, and Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout #1-#4.

This is a really pretty edition, and I think the stories are all great, whether or not you have played the Cyberpunk game!

It’s November, so I’ve started my annual GODZILLA marathon. I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but I simply love watching Godzilla whoop up on other monsters.

I also re-watched THE DOMESTICS, PSYCHO GOREMAN (with a large group of people who had never seen it, which was fun), and PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES (a Thanksgiving must).

I also missed the fact that SURVIVOR was running a new season, and I caught up on all the episodes of season 45 so far!

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.

THE UNKNOWN FUTURE…

• PROJECT: JUMP, a new comic book series in the Beyond Mortal Universe.

• 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.

• GALLERY OF WHISPERS - An RPG project I’ve been quietly developing.

• PROJECT: PREHISTORY - More kaiju craziness

• PROJECT: MEGA-BATTLE - Even More kaiju craziness

• PROJECT: BOT - A sequel to a story of robotic mischief

• PROJECT: WATER HEATER - An apocalyptic horror/fantasy maxi-series

• PROJECT: ARCANA - a dark fantasy series

• PROJECT: MONSTER - a new horror/action/comedy series

• PROJECT: HOAX - a horror limited series

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.