Issue 200: The End of Vicious Shivers?!?

Vicious Shivers is the official newsletter for fans of my work. Thank you for subscribing. Please share it with others if you think they might be interested!

To all things… an ending!

And a beginning?

Two hundred issues of Vicious Shivers… and however many issues of this newsletter before it launched under that title. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

The title, you may be interested to know, comes from an anthology I edited decades ago when I was running Undaunted Press. It was, I believe, the last release from that publishing outfit. The experience of putting that book out was not a pleasant one, but I always liked that title.

Over that last few years, throughout multiple platforms, this newsletter has changed from being something I grudgingly felt like I needed to do into something I look forward to each and every week. Sometimes, it’s been a rambling mess. Sometimes it’s been goofy. Sometimes it’s been bitter. And oftentimes it serves as a kind of therapy session for me.

I’m thankful to have had Vicious Shivers.

But it’s over now.

I think it’s been pretty clear that the next 16 months will represent some significant changes in my professional and personal life. It’s a new era. Yes, yes. The last few years have been rife with changes, but this is something different. I feel that once I embark upon this path, succeed or fail, there’s no going back. I’m obfuscating (Thanks, Vampire: the Masquerade!) some of what’s to come. It’s a necessity at this point. Suffice it to say, it’s going to be a very busy time for me, and I’ll share news when I can.

But… where will I share news if I’m ending Vicious Shivers?

Well, we all know energy can’t be destroyed, but it can be transformed.

And, so, since everything is changing for me, since there’s a new direction and a new path I’ll be treading, this newsletter will be changing a bit, too.

So long, Vicious Shivers.

Rise…

Starting next issue… this publication becomes Nightmare Fuel. I’ll still be publishing on the some (roughly) weekly schedule. It will still be free content. It will still cover all the nonsense I’ve been writing about in the last few years. But there’s going to be some new content, too, and the focus will most certainly reflect this new era in my life and work. More than anything, the changes just reflect this feeling… this energy building around me… that everything is about mutate.

I think you’re gonna dig it.

And I’m really glad you’re along for the ride.

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It wouldn’t be a 200th issue without something cool to announce, now would it?

And so… It gives me great pride to announce the return of DEEPEST CATACOMBS!

In 2020, I released DEEPEST CATACOMBS, a serialized comic inspired by vintage advertisements for the DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS role-playing game. The story, told in 25 single-page installments, featured a different artist on every page. It was released for free for fans of comics, fantasy, and role-playing games.

Since that time, I’ve been working on a new edition. A new issue, if you will. I loved the world, the characters, and the nostalgia too much to let it go. It’s been a labor of love, so it’s taken some time, but a new 22-page comic is set for release soon!

The new story features returning characters—Randall, Annalynn, Kezira, Chops, and Fingerbones—delving into a frozen, haunted castle filled with wyverns, draugr, ghosts, dragons, and vampires. For this one, I’ve drawn some inspiration from olf D&D modules such as CASTLE AMBER and RAVENLOFT.

As with the previous edition, I’ll be posting these pages on my Patreon page. Patreon supporters will have early access to the pages (as well as exclusive access to behind-the-scenes information, scripts, and RPG content) but the pages will then be released for free to the reading public.

I think the first installment will be published by the time the next issue of the newsletter comes out!

Readers who need to catch up on the first run of DEEPEST CATACOMBS can read all the installments (again, for free) HERE.

And then… THEN, dear readers… enjoy the first page of the new installment!

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The good folks at Off The Page Games sent me an update on the HARROW COUNTY board game, which should be shipping to backers soon. They also sent this unboxing video of the amazing satchel edition of the game!

BLOODBORNE: THE BLEAK DOMINION #3

CELEBRATED HORROR COMICS WRITER CULLEN BUNN AND FAN-FAVORITE ARTIST PIOTR KOWALSKI TEAM UP ONCE MORE!

In the plagued city of Yharnam, hunters Gretchen and Abraham search for their missing protégé. Under the blood moon, a scourge of beasts stalk the streets, and a new threat lurks around every corner.

I really, really love that cover! It’s hard to believe the third issue of this book is already out. I would love to do more in the world of BLOODBORNE. Here’s hoping that’s in the cards!

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 MYSTERIOUS FUTURE…

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

• PROJECT: HEX - a supernatural/horror thriller.

• PROJECT: HORROR- a licensed horror miniseries.

• PROJECT: GARDEN - a horror novella.

• PROJECT: NINE - a horror one-shot.

• PROJECT: CURSE - a horror one-shot.

• PROJECT: ED - a licensed horror miniseries.

• PROJECT: AUTUMN - a horror/fantasy miniseries.

• PROJECT: YELLOW - a book I don’t think readers will expect from me.

• THE SIXTH GUN NEW SERIES - awwww, yeah!

• 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.

• THE FARAWAY - a dark fantasy series.

• CULLEN’S TRIPLE THREAT OF TERROR - three gruesome one-shots.

• DEEPEST CATACOMBS - A return to the world of the RPG that never was.

• 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

I’ve been in a MOOD of late. I guess it happens every year around this time. I’ve really been wanting to re-watch old anime—RANMA 1/2, THE SLAYERS, and GASARAKI in particular. I’ve pulled all of those out, but haven’t popped them on just yet. I’ve also been in the mood to re-watch old DR. WHO and SHERLOCK HOLMES. And BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Reading-wise, I’m almost done with THE ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE and I love it.

In terms of gaming, I picked up MORK BORG and some of the zine supplements recently, and I’m obsessed. It’s the best presentation I’ve ever seen in a role-playing game. It really stirs the imagination. The lore of the world is doom metal dark, which is just right. The rules are quick and easy and don’t hold the game up at all. Seriously considering running a few one-night MORK BORG adventures. But, even if I don’t, the books have invigorated me in terms of what games could be. Haven’t been this excited since the old days of Pagan Publishing’s THE UNSPEAKABLE OATH.

On Thanksgiving, I had the chance to play the holiday expansion of BETRAYAL AT THE HOUSE ON THE HILL, and it was fun. I still think the new edition plays a little too fast for my liking, but it’s hard to deny the fun and playability.

THE SHOCK SHOP - My online store, where you can find exclusive covers you can only get directly from me!

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.

MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE - Listen. You should always shop at your local comic and bookstore first, but if they don’t carry the books you want, you might be able to get them here. And, if nothing else, leave some reviews of the books you love!