Issue 258: What is... Quill & Codex? What is… Daemonrot?

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Here are a couple of quick glimpses of things that are coming your way soon!

First up… QUILL & CODEX!

If you’ve followed my Patreon, then you’ve seen hints and sneak peeks about this project. QUILL & CODEX is the official Cullen Bunn Role-Playing System, which will be published soon (very soon, if fact) by Outland Entertainment! We wanted to capture the look and feel of the original “white box” Dungeons and Dragons “zine” editions, only with some sharp-as-Hell Nicolas Giacondino art.

And that’s not all!

Below you will find Jeremy D. Mohler’s cover for DAEMONROT. Again, this is something some of my patrons will remember me talking about. A “meatgrinder” dungeon adventure designed for QUILL & CODEX.

I’ve been tinkering with QUILL & CODEX and DAEMONROT for a few years, working on them bit by bit in my spare time, and—would ya look at that—working on something a few minutes at a time eventually yields results!

Did the world need another role-playing system?

Dunno.

I’m not sure we needed any of them.

Need’s got nothing to do with it.

I worked on these books because I loved old school role-playing games, loved “rules light” systems, loved super-dungeons, and loved the zine format. My intent was not to make a lot of money on the game (and you’ll learn more about that when we get closer to launch) but to just HAVE FUN messing around with it.

That always comes across in the work.

Loud and clear.

Anyhow… big, FUN plans ahead for both QUILL & CODEX and DAEMONROT, so keep your eyes peeled for more information on the system coming soon!

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JUMPSCARE #1 came out last week, and I’ve been seeing quite a few reviews popping up. Some comments I’ve read:

“Jumpscare is such a clever fusion of horror, superhero, comedy and drama that all come together with a brilliant fusion that feels remarkably refreshing.” — You Don’t Read Comics.

“Bunn crafts a strange, engaging and entertaining story in this first issue.” — The Superpowered Fancast

“Jumpscare #1 offers the horror film a fresh feel with a furious and funny final girl.” — GWW

“Jumpscare #1 is a solid debut. It’s a fun comic that has a love of horror but also a love of superhero comics.” — Graphic Policy

“Jumpscare is a wonderful blend of the feeling you get from a big-two comic with what you’d expect in a indy comic lending itself to a unique reading experience.” — Capes and Tights

“Bunn develops his characters with ease and with great pacing. Luckert paints a beautiful, blood splattered story over soft pastels and cool greens and blues! It’s an well rounded blast to read from cover to cover!” — Nerd Initiative

“Jumpscare #1, written by Cullen Bunn with art by Danny Luckert, combines superheroic exploits and horror films to create a book that’s a lot more fun than it has any right to be.” — AIPT

Didn’t I tell you this comic was gonna be awesome?

Sometimes, when you’re writing something, you just know it’s gonna be special, and that’s how I felt writing that story.

For me, it’s when I’m having the most fun at work.

There it is again.

I’ve been chasing that feeling more and more in the stuff I’m creating these days.

You can still grab JUMPSCARE’s first issue at your local comic shop.

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And… in the “Things You Might Not Expect From Me” category…

I wrote an OZ graphic novel.

Beginning with THE LOST LANDS, ULTIMATE OZ UNIVERSE is a meticulously researched saga that explores the hidden corners of the continuity established in Baum’s original 14 books—and the dozens of others from his successors. Larry King, a decades-long Oz obsessive, collaborated with Baum historians Jay Duncan, Julie McNulty, and Mike Bujnak to master every intricacy of this beloved world. Together, they ensured that every panel, character, and storyline honor the spirit of OZ while pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling. Blending reverence with innovation, this series offers a fresh, visually striking, and immersive experience for both devoted Oz fans and newcomers alike.

Everything kicks off in November 2025 in the pages of The Lost Lands, a 144-page graphic novel by Cullen Bunn, Larry King, and Mike Deodato Jr.

Not the kind of thing I ever EXPECTED to be working on, but it has been a weird and delightful experience. I don’t know what to tell you. Mike’s designs on this book are… inspired.

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I guess I’m a rambling man right now.

I just got home from LA. Now, I’m heading back out to Seattle for Emerald City Comic Con. I’m sure it’ll be a great trip, but I am exhausted right now. Exhausted and unable to sleep through the night. I’ve made myself a list of places to visit while in Seattle. It’s divided into three categories:

TIKI BARS

OLD FASHIONEDS

BARCADES

That’ll be carved on my tombstone, most likely.

Two COMPLETE COLLECTIONS drop this week!

BONE PARISH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

The complete, definitive collection of the chilling supernatural crime saga of the familial drug empire in New Orleans' seedy underbelly.

"The Ash", which lets you connect to the memories of the dead, is the drug du jour in New Orleans. That's good news for the Winters family, the only ones who know how to produce it, except that it puts them in the crosshairs of much more dangerous criminal syndicates.

Under siege by rivals on all sides and the dark secrets of The Ash itself, can the Winters family survive? And what does survival mean when resurrection is only a hit away?

The complete run of Eisner Award-nominated writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man) and illustrator Jonas Scharf (Basilisk, Dark X-Men)'s critically-acclaimed series blends horror, crime, and family drama, collected in a single volume for the first time!

Collects Bone Parish #1-12.

A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

When Dr. Nicholas Shaw joins a humanitarian medical outfit in Honduras, he hopes to recover from a recent traumatic event and help those in need. However, something sinister has followed Dr. Shaw... something evil that wishes to push his medical skills through a ghastly gauntlet. With bodies piling up, the doctor must battle with his family’s past, medical abominations, and a serial killer on the loose. Can anyone make it out alive?

A Legacy of Violence collects the entire twelve-issue maxi-series by the masters of horror, Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti.

You wanna talk about creating something you love… because you love it? Well, you should definitely check out CTHULHU JUNIOR! The gang at Cthulhu Junior are doing some really fun and (dare I say) cute things with the bloated elder god. It’s a throwback to old school video games and the lighter side of horror. Following their site (they have great blog posts), you can see what they are cooking up in real time. I’m here for it!

Over on Kickstarter, my pal Anton’s campaign for OUTER SEAS: THE BLACK CORAL CITADEL is winding down. I really dig the “hydropunk” aesthetic of the Outer Seas stuff, and I know Anton is pouring his soul into the setting. If you haven’t checked it out, you have about a day left to do so!

Last week, while in a shop in LA, I heard Roxy Music playing. I had forgotten how much I loved that band. So, I rushed out and grabbed a “Best Of” LP set. I’ve been listening to them pretty steadily since.

Finally, I clawed out some time for my son and I to go see THE MONKEY over the weekend. Did I have time for it? No. But I also don’t have time to miss out on doing something fun with my teenage son. And the movie was fun. A lot of fun. It was not what I expected (as I tried to avoid spoilers). I loved the short story upon which it is based. The tone of the movie is quite different, but I really enjoyed it. I KIND OF wanted it to be a even more crazy, but that’s just because I’m twisted that way.

Here’s a quick rundown of convention appearances, signings, and other events. Keep in mind, all appearances are subject to changes and cancellations.

March 6 - 9 - Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle WA

March 21 - 23 - Planet Comicon, Kansas City MO

May 3 - Free Comic Book Day, Krypton Comics, Omaha NE

May 30 - June 1 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO

June 21 - Route 66 Toy and Comic Convention, Lebanon MO

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!