Issue 263: We Just Like to Dance in Our Goatskin Pants… Around This Ancient Ruin
Nightmare Fuel 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!
On Sunday, a friend and I went to a local brewhouse/bar to relax and have a couple of beers. We had a terrific time. At some point, though, our bartender sauntered over with a quizzical look on her face.
“Can I ask you guys something?” she said. “What is the difference between a mortician and a coroner?”
I feel like we answered the question pretty well. She seemed satisfied, thanked us, and turned to attend other customers.
“Woah, woah, woah!” I said, ignoring the question of WHY she was asking the question in general in order to better something much more important to me. “Real quick. Why did you ask us that question?”
“Well,” she said, “you guys just seemed like the type who would know about things like that.”
And that, my friends, is branding.
This newsletter is late, which also seems “on brand” of late, and I’m sorry about that. I’ve been dealing with scripts that are due, novel edits that are due, signing events, preparation for “the big scary project”, and other nonsense. That’s nothing new, I guess. But I’ve just been too weary to address the newsletter when I should.
A day or two late is all right, though. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Sometimes, you know, you gotta shake it up.
And this, my friends, is as should be…
On Saturday, I took a trip to Columbia, MO, to sign books at one of my favorite area shops—Distant Planet Comics & Collectibles. My pal Tim was a great sport and went with me. As we pulled up to the store, we saw the reserved spot, and we both did “Hell, yeah!” fist bumps.
The signing… and the “Cupcakes with Cullen” event immediately following were a blast!
In that last picture you’ll notice the exact moment I said, “Woah! Woah! Woah!” and immediately crushed the hopes and dreams of other creators.
Over on Cullen Bunn’s Monster Club, a group of readers have formed a book club for THE SIXTH GUN. If you’re a fan of the title, you should check that out and join in the conversation. It’s been fun for me and has reminded me of some elements of the story that I had forgotten. They’ve been discussing the third arc most recently.
The BIG SCARY PROJECT is still underway. I lied, though, when I said I’d be ready to reveal more details in this newsletter. The next time around. I promise. Maybe.
My current workload involves a major focus on edits for my upcoming novel BONES OF OUR STARS, BLOOD OF OUR WORLD. Along with those edits, I’ve been working on scripts for a project (maybe more than one) with Ignition Press. I cannot wait to share this stuff with you, because the art has been rolling in… and it looks stellar!
JUMPSCARE #2
Horror fan turned vigilante Jumpscare can conjure any gore-soaked weapon from any gore-soaked movie she's watched. Using this power, she's become a force for good in Empire City... and the world's most popular superhero! Even with all her powers, though, she may not be able to save her estranged sister from the clutches of mobster turned monster — Grindhouse! Especially with a band of eldritch zealots called the Dismal Concordat standing in her way!
VENOM WAR: DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE TPB
Deadpool and Wolverine slash their way into VENOM WAR!
The only thing more dangerous than Logan would be Logan bonded to a mindless symbiote hungry for flesh! As Zombiotes spread across NYC, transforming everyone in their path into uncontrollable killing machines, Wolverine’s only hope to save lives and avoid infection lies in returning to a dark chapter from his past. Meanwhile, the Merc with a Mouth bites off more than he can chew in a horde full of ravening Zombiotes! Who’s left out there willing to lend Wade Wilson a hand? Plus: You can’t have a symbiote war without Carnage — and the psychotic serial killer has plans of his own. Could they involve the new deadly-to-symbiotes weapon he recently discovered? Carnage takes on a new host and breaks into the K-project to uncover its horrible applications. But when everything goes sideways, he’s saved by an unlikely ally!
As has been the case for the last several weeks, I’ve had very little time for the simple pleasures. I have finally caught up on the latest season of SURVIVOR. I think this is the best season I’ve watched in recent years. I’m not ashamed to admit that I might have cried a little during one of the episodes.
I also discovered an artist who is new to me that I really like.
And… after I bought an LP of the record… my pal Greg reminded me of this piece of solid gold.
While I was in Columbia, I did take a bit of time to visit the Wizards & Witches Arcade in the the appropriately named Arcade District.
I played a bunch of games. Highlights included my precious Darius Burst, Captain America and the Avengers, Dragon’s Lair II, and Godzilla pinball. I did figure out that when the day comes to buy a Godzilla machine, I don’t think I’ll be satisfied with the base version.
I made a big purchase this week, but I don’t to share it until I have it in hand. It’s one of those things that will illicit responses such as “What the Hell are you thinking?”
Here’s a quick rundown of convention appearances, signings, and other events. Keep in mind, all appearances are subject to changes and cancellations.
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!
Coroners explain how dead people died; Morticians prepare them to be buried.
You and Seeley are doing comics everywhere all the time and I don’t know how you do it!