Issue 264: Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle!
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I’ve been saying for a while now that I needed a new hobby, one that isn’t connected to writing or storytelling or comics, one that could occupy my mind during preciously scarce off hours.
Well, I think I might have found that hobby.
A few days ago, I drove out of state to pick up the Flash Gordon pinball machine from 1980.
The machine is in working order, but it definitely needs a little TLC. Lots of general cleanup. Lights need to be upgraded and replaced. Some sensors might need upgrades. Some wires might need to be jiggled. The squawk box needs an overhaul so the machine plays a but more music. The cabinet, faded to a weird pink/tan color, needs to repainted.
And I’m excited to try my hand at all of it! I had some friends who “know people” who do pinball rehab, and they offered to call them up for me. But I’d rather dive in and make the repairs and upgrades myself. I have no idea what I’m doing, but why let that stop me?
I love the look of old pinball machines. I love the back glass artwork. I love the glow in a dimly lit room. Is this game a quarter-muncher? You better believe it! The path between the main bumpers is wide, and the outlands are murderous. With the machine flickering in a corner of my studio, though, I am immediately catapulted back to my favorite childhood arcades (Take 10 and Space Odyssey in Goldsboro, NC).
And, of course, I love the 80s Flash Gordon flick. The brightness. The color. The set designs. The SFX. The over-the-top acting. The cheesiness. The intentional ridiculousness of it all. When I went to see the movie back in 1980, it intertwined itself with my DNA.
By the way, the house from which I dragged this behemoth of wood, glass, steel, and circuitry was a veritable museum of curiosity! It was filled with skeletal remains and fossilized creatures and Fiji mermaids and autographed records and high-dollar antiques and a plethora of other cool nonsense. I managed to snap a few pics of this strange collection before leaving.
The fourth episode of Jeremy Haun’s CURIOUS HAUNTS is now available for your viewing pleasure. I pop up a few times in this episode, adventuring around LA in search of the strange and unusual.
It was during the filming of this episode that the “Big Scary Project” was finalized. I have been working on the project for a little while, but the final pieces of the puzzle fell together while Jeremy and I were having drinks at that tiki bar.
So… I’ve been teasing this idea for a little while… but maybe it is time to finally reveal a little more about the “Big Scary Project”.
The premise is simple. I’m starting my own regular video podcast. It will be an examination of everything I love about the horror genre. As I have it planned right now, each episode will have a guest co-host. We’ll be chatting about various horror topics. In addition, each episode will feature my own musings on horror and dark fantasy. The show will be light and conversational and fun. I’m not going to take it too seriously, as the title of the project reveals.
Prepare yourselves… for THE CULLENOSCOPY: A DEEP EXAMINATION OF HORROR!
Stay tuned.
There’s much more to come.
Pinball renovation and video podcast production! Two areas I know absolutely nothing about! Let’s be honest, though. That’s pretty much how I’ve lived my life. When I became a career counselor… when I managed a company’s IT… when I took over a marketing department… when I started writing comics… when I continued writing comics—I did not know what I was doing. Nor have I ever learned. Fake it til you make it, baby, and keep faking it for as long as is needed!
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. This week, the discussion has focused on THE SIXTH GUN: SONS OF THE GUN.
Two series come to an end (Or DO they!?!) this week.
THE HEXILES #6
In order to break the curse that looms over them to escape the demons that torment them, The Hexiles must use all of the demonic gifts they possess. For at least one of the children of Jamison Kreel, their plan calls for the ultimate sacrifice.
ARKHAM HORROR: THE TERROR AT THE END OF TIME #4
Teetering on the brink of insanity and marooned on the Stairway of Time, Joe and Jenny must learn how to control the hourglass and take hold of their fates... or be lost forever. Meanwhile, Abigail Olmstead is determined to sacrifice Izzie Barnes to Dezmaethragel — the Feaster — and take command of the sands of time. It's a clash between chaos and control in the thrilling climax to this mind-bending mystery!
Pinball machines have been taking up most of my free time.
That said, my pal Tim shared this slice of musical awesomeness with me.
I feel like I should maybe start a new section of the newsletter. “What Made Me Cry This Week.” Last time around, it was SURVIVOR. This week, it was a clip from the KELLY CLARKSON SHOW with Jack Black and one of his fans. AND I’ve been rewatching THE OFFICE. Finished it up this week, and the last episode always makes me blubber like a baby.
On the Kickstarter front… Jimmy Gaspero is running a really cool Kickstarter called MADE IN DELCO. Jimmy says:
“Made in Delco is a 60 page comic anthology of 10 stories I've written, spanning multiple genres and featuring stories that have been published in incredible anthologies like Bi Visibility and From the Static, as well as stories that have yet to see print. Although these stories have wildly different settings, I think they embody the spirit and attitude of Delco. I was tired of waiting for the right anthology to come along to submit these comics to, so I thought I'd put together my own.”
That’s determination and drive!
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!
Now I’m gonna have to start calling you The Pinball Wizard.
CULLENOSCOPY is coming! 👨⚕️💀