Issue 277: Dead(y) or Not
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As I write this, it is Sunday night. I started feeling a little sick about 30 minutes ago—a sore throat coming on. Hopefully, it’s just allergies, because if it’s not… and I wake up tomorrow with a screaming sore throat, fever, chills, whatever… it won’t matter. I’ll still have to work my ass off, sick or not. That’s the way it goes sometimes when you’re a freelancer. It’s definitely the way it’s going for me this week.
Sick or not…
…weary or not…
…overwhelmed or not…
…dead or not…
…I don’t get a day off.
Not this week.
Of late, I’ve had numerous scripts to write, outlines to put together, pitches to send out, comic book edits, novel edits, interviews (to promote upcoming work) aplenty, interviews (for Cullenoscopy episodes), Kickstarter launches, and much more.
I’m (actively) writing two comics with a third (I think) about to fire up. These are books that have not been announced yet. They likely won’t be announced for some time. They are exciting, though. You’re gonna love ‘em.
(I say “actively writing” because even after I finish the main scripts for a series, there are still art reviews and lettering revisions and editing passes and solicits to deal with on a book.)
I’m also working on a project with a friend of mine. This isn’t a comic. It’s something much, much bigger and crazier. It’s one of those projects that’s. so big it seems unattainable. But we’re gonna try!
For Outland Entertainment, I’m tinkering with a solo RPG and working on a few Quill & Codex adventures/supplements. My pal JimmyZ is also working on some for me, so I’m keeping an eye on that.
I’ve changed my website completely. I’m assessing this new author-friendly platform. So far, I’d say it’s clean and easy to use. It has a few bugs for someone with a catalogue has large as mine, but they’ve been working with me to tweak that.
On top of all that, there’s some personal stuff smacking me around a bit right now.
So… lots going on… and lots of things to keep me distracted.
That distraction has derailed some of the work I wanted to be tackling.
Tomorrow, I take back my focus.
An update!
It was allergies!
Life certainly is a roller coaster, ain’t it?
The Kickstarter for I’ll Kill You Last is currently underway!
Anthologies can be tough to fund, especially when you want to pay the authors a decent rate. This one is a lot of fun, though, and I hope you’ll consider backing it.
I’ve been running little interviews from our authors in the updates, and they’re pretty interesting.
Speaking of Outland, the second issue of Outland Worlds, our digital magazine is now available and, as always, it is completely free.
In this issue, you'll find:
A Pilgrim Archives Short Story
An Interview with V.L. Barcyz
An Outer Seas Short Story
A Fox and Willow Short Story
A Spell Name Generator for Quill & Codex and Other RPGs
And a New NPC to Use in Your Games
And, in case you missed out on the first issue, you can grab that, too! Also free.
Next week, Cindy and I will be heading to San Diego to attend Comic Con! This will be the first time I’ve attended the convention in several years, and I’m really looking forward to it. It is going to be a busy trip. It’s work for me. But fun work. I have an initial look at my schedule for the event. There will definitely be more signings scheduled (almost all of them at the Ignition Press Room), so please keep an eye on next week’s newsletter for the final schedule!
THURSDAY
11 - 12 Oni Press: The Loudest Thing in Color
For nearly 30 years, Oni Press has been publishing groundbreaking comic and graphic novels for readers of all ages. Now, coming off the heels of the publisher's most successful year of all time with the bestselling launches of EC Comics, Adventure Time, and Biker Mice from Mars, a star-studded cast of Oni's upstart creators past, present, and future surveil the eye-popping slate that will make 2025 even bigger still. Featuring creators Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt (The Sixth Gun), Melissa Flores (Biker Mice from Mars), Daniel Kibblesmith (Rick and Morty vs. The Universe), LySandra Vuong (Covenant), and Ben H. Winters (Benjamin), alongside publisher Hunter Gorinson, editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn, and senior editor Bess Pallares. Room 28DE.
12:30 - 1:30 Loudest Thing in Color Signing
At the Oni Press Booth 1829
FRIDAY
TBD
SATURDAY
11:00-12:00 Curious Haunts X The Cullenoscopy LIVE!
We’re going live for the first time with a horror podcast crossover event from two of the most prolific horror comic writers. Join hosts Cullen Bunn(The Cullenoscopy) and Jeremy Haun (Curious Haunts) as these two longtime friends rave, compare hot takes, and dive deep into their favorite aspects of the horror genre, cocktails, and much more! Plus find out some of the truly spooky goodness the pair have in store for you with new comics publisher, Ignition Press! With special surprise guests and a free gift for attending! Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
1:00 - 2:00 Signing at Oni Press
At the Oni Press Booth 1829
SUNDAY
11:00-12:00 Doing Comics Differently w. Ignition Press
Ignite your imagination and unlock your favorite new comic series! Fan favorite storytellers Jeremy Haun (The Beauty, The Red Mother), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man), Leah Williams (Power Girl, X-Factor), Stephanie Williams (Wonder Woman, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), and Tim Seeley (Revival, Hack/Slash) reveal details about their upcoming series from Ignition Press and why working with the upstart publisher really is “doing comics differently!” Plus be the first to learn about what Ignition Press has planned and receive a free gift for attending. Moderated by Ignition Press publisher Filip Sablik and editor-in-chief Jamie S. Rich. Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
As long-time readers know, I keep a box full of index cards near my desk. Every day, I try to write at least one new idea on an index card and tuck it into the box. Some of the ideas are short. Some are a little more detailed. Some are simply titles. Some are dumb… but even dumb ideas can yield gold. At one point, I shared some of those ideas as writing prompts, and I want to start doing that again.
Today’s is inspired by (1) the week ahead and (2) I’ll Kill You Last.
If you’re a fan of 80s action movies, you’ll remember this bit.
But what if the quote was, “I’ll get all the death I need when I sleep”?
Also, the title of this week’s newsletter, “Dead(y) or Not”, might make a good title for a tale of childhood games gone murderously wrong.
Have at it!
Today on the Cullenoscopy, I speak briefly with my pal Josh Roberts about his fears of vampires, slashers, and aliens… as well as the comfort of ghostly breakfast cereals.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!
AGENT VENOM OMNIBUS
A new heroic era for Venom begins as Spider-Man friend and Army veteran Flash Thompson bonds with the symbiote for exploits that span the globe — and the entire universe!
Spider-Man's biggest fan meets his deadliest foe! The wall-crawler's heroism inspired Flash Thompson to join the Army, where he became an accomplished soldier. Though he lost his legs in combat, the government has offered Flash a chance to serve his country in a shocking new way: bonded with the Venom symbiote that used to be Spidey's black costume — and then his bitter enemy! As Agent Venom, Flash is the government's most lethal operative – but how long can he keep control of his volatile other? It won't be easy, particularly when facing the likes of Jack O'Lantern, Crime-Master, Daimon Hellstrom and Carnage! And when a portal to the underworld opens in the middle of Las Vegas, Venom must join Red Hulk, Ghost Rider and X-23 in an unlikely alliance fighting to prevent all Hell from being unleashed! Seeking a new start in Philadelphia, Flash only succeeds in sharing his infernal problems with a new symbiote host – and before long, it's time for an even more dramatic relocation: to outer space! And if he thinks returning to Earth will offer some respite, he didn't count on Civil War II breaking out! Get ready for Venom vs. Spider-Man like you've never seen before!
Collecting Amazing Spider-Man (1999) 654 (B story), 654.1; Venom (2011) 1-42, 13.1-13.4, 27.1; Venom: Space Knight (2015) 1-13; Minimum Carnage: Alpha (2012) 1; Scarlet Spider (2012) 10-11; Minimum Carnage: Omega (2012) #1.
Also known as… DAMN, I wrote some fun Venom stories!
As I write this, I have just finished up playing a little Dungeons and Dragons for the night. My group—which consists of a couple of friends I’ve had since middle school, one I’ve had for 25 years or so, and a couple who’ve come into my life more recently—is going through the classic Against the Giants campaign. Tonight, they’re in a city, though, and this city is plagued by a slasher-like serial killer. They’re battling the killer on a fog-shrouded street while I play music from the Halloween score. Fun, spooky times.
This week, I’ve been catching up on Andor, which I’m watching with my kid. I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about the show, but I’ve only started watching the first season. I’ve been enjoying it thus far. It’s a completely different feel from all the other Star Wars stuff thus far… but you probably knew that.
The family went to the movies to watch Superman over the weekend. Recent Superman movies have been considered too dark, but I don’t think anyone will be able to say that about this movie. Other movies go out of their way to make their superhero stories seem realistic, but this movie is full of weird comic book dumbassery… and it works. I liked the movie up until the last 20 seconds. At that point, I loved it.
The summer of epic fantasy continues! So far, I’ve read:
The Knight of Swords
The Queen of Swords
The King of Swords
Nine Princes in Amber
Here’s a quick rundown of convention appearances, signings, and other events. Keep in mind, all appearances are subject to changes and cancellations.
July 24 - July 27, 2025 - San Diego Comic Con, San Diego CA
May 29 - June 1, 2026 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO
LINKTREE - Links! Links! Links! This will get you everywhere worth visiting!
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!
I really dig the new website
Awesomeness Cullen