Issue 330: The Return
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San Diego Comic Con - The Return | Store Appearance and Fundraising Event | Save the Date | Alone Against… The Deathlords of Daemonrot | New Books | Events
This issue, as you might have noticed, was a little late. That’s because I was enjoying the last days of San Diego Comic Con, preparing for the return trip, and actually making the return trip. I’m now home, drinking coffee and Diet Coke to stay awake, and recalibrating my thoughts for the days ahead. SDCC is nothing if not exhausting, but I can’t afford a ton of downtime. I’ll take it “a little” easy today, but the fields of valor await.
I was trying to think of how many times I’ve attended SDCC. I believe the first was right around the time The Damned had been released in trade paperback and The Sixth Gun was being created but had not been released yet. That puts it around 2007. Looking back, it seems I’ve been to the convention 18 times. Every time I’ve gone has been a little different. I always tell myself that this is the SDCC during which I’m going to relax, but it never seems to work out that way! There are so many meetings and interviews and panels and signings to attend, I’m always on the go.
This year, I spent almost all of my con at the Ignition Pavilion, which was a pretty magical place. Right across from the convention center, it was set up as a celebration of the first year of Ignition Press. There, I had my own table where I was signing books. I also did a number of signings in the front room, sort of like a welcoming committee. And I did a number of interviews that I’m sure will be posted and shareable soon! I have an idea of how many people came through the door at the pavilion, but I’ll let the folks at Ignition share those details.
Ignition released the Cold Open issue of my new comic Cult-de-Sac at SDCC. The Cold Opens are exclusive to Ignition, so if you missed the book at the con, you will be able to get them directly from the publisher. I feel like everyone I talked to really dug the premise of the comic. Here’s the simple pitch I used (over and over and over again) at the table:
Cult-de-Sac is the story of a family who has found their dream home in a quiet little neighborhood. But they quickly come to believe that their Homeowners Association is a demon-worshipping cult. Spoiler alert: they’re right.
It’s always important, while sitting at a convention table, to have a quick-and-easy pitch ready.
Cindy and I had some nice dinners and drinks in the evenings, and we got to hang out with some great friends. Spending time with cool folks (especially my wife) is often my favorite part of the trip each year.
I didn’t take a lot of photos this trip, but I did snap some shots at a couple of amazing dining and drinking experiences.
First up was Quixote, a unique Mexican restaurant in a decommissioned Catholic church. Talk about atmosphere!
A few nights later, we hit Youngblood, a hidden speakeasy where the bartenders curate and create the drinks you’re served over three courses.
I highly recommend these spots when you’re in San Diego!
One bit of advice that came to me this weekend, one thought that I’d share with anyone who was attending SDCC for the first time, is this:
Be open to just letting the convention happen.
I know there are goals to be achieved, exclusives to be found, panels to attend. Sometimes, though, the best elements of the convention just happen to you while you’re not searching for them.
I was asked, as always, a lot about my creative output. A couple of folks even pointed out that when it comes to the number of unique original creator-owned series, I’ve created more than any other writer. I haven’t done the research to verify that. It doesn’t seem necessary. But how is it that I create so many stories?
Five pages at a time.
Five pages, at least, every day.
A love of the game.
A knowledge that one day, inevitably, I’ll be finished.
And a heartbreaking desire to tell as many stories as possible before that happens.
There it is. That’s my secret. I don’t encourage anyone else to try to follow my work schedule. That way leads to madness. But I do encourage everyone to find the secret that will lead to their own best productivity.
That leads me back to the here and now.
I’m home.
I’m gathering my energy.
I’m preparing.
You see, for me, SDCC is a con of significant ups and downs. The show has a way of beating me down and making me feel very insignificant. I mean, I’m surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people. That is sure to make you feel small. Add in the fact that many of those folks are creators who have such exciting projects in the works. It doesn’t fuel my sails as suck the air out of my lungs. It’s still a motivating convention. The best conventions are. But not in the same way as those other conventions.
And, so, I’ve got some work to do.
I need to make some changes (as I’ve been discussing in recent issues). I need to buckle down and recapture my writing mojo. I need to remind the world of who I am and what I do. More importantly…
…I need to remind myself of who I am and what I do.
On Saturday, August 15th, I’ll be signing at Distant Planet Comics and Collectibles from 12 - 4! This is all part of an amazing event the store is hosting to benefit The Midnight Lantern Foundation!
From August 8th to August 21, Distant Planet will be having a sale to benefit the foundation. They’ll have 50 cent back issues! Two dollar collected editions! And many other items and surprises!
I’ll be signing on the 15th! Bring your books for me to sign! Buy some cheap comics! Shop around a cool-as-Hell store! I can’t wait to see folks there!
Here’s a little more information on the event!
The Sale - https://www.facebook.com/share/1EtoX71Ja3/
The Signing on the 15th - https://facebook.com/events/s/cullen-bunn-the-midnight-lante/1351404919879537/
Speaking of The Midnight Lantern Foundation, mark your calendars if you live near Springfield MO. On Friday, November 13, we are hosting a huge celebration and fundraising event. Here are some initial details, but we are adding more and more excitement with every passing day!
Join us for a Friday the 13th celebration benefiting The Midnight Lantern Foundation, a Springfield-based nonprofit dedicated to bringing horror, fantasy, and sci-fi books, comics, games, toys, and imagination to children and families in need. The evening will feature music, raffles, silent auctions, donation opportunities, and fun, with all proceeds supporting the Foundation’s charitable programs. We will be hosting a toy drive, accepting new, unwrapped toys and games for our holiday efforts. The all-ages event will be held at the Where House Bar (2463 W. Sunshine St. #120, Springfield, MO, 65807) from 7 - 11.
Stay tuned!
More to come!
Alone Against… the Deathlords of Daemonrot is a meatgrinder dark fantasy solo adventure in the tradition of the Lone Wolf and Fighting Fantasy books. The Kickstarter campaign is now live!
This game involves decision-making, dice rolling, collecting treasure, avoiding curses, and battling monsters in a quest to survive a deadly, terrifying dungeon!
One of the things I’m most excited about is the pledge levels. Even this basic element of the Kickstarter backing system is a CHOICE that you’re making. When you pledge your support, you’ll be voting on the next chapter in the series. Will you be delving into the Lich Warrens? Exploring the Silent Crypt? Braving the Troll Hive? You decide and that’s where we’re heading next!
The adventure itself is dark, vicious, and full of horrors. You’ll love it.
I’m sorry to say that I’m still running behind on the next Deepest Catacombs. Frankly, it slipped my mind again as the week continued to get away from me.
If you want to catch up on the FIRST arc of Deepest Catacombs comics, you can do so HERE!
If you want to catch up on the SECOND arc of Deepest Catacombs, you can do so HERE!
Here’s a quick rundown of upcoming convention appearances, signings, and other events. Keep in mind, all appearances are subject to changes and cancellations.
August 15, 2026 - Store Signing, Distant Planet Comics and Collectibles, Columbia MO.
August 26, 2026 - Store Signing, Bonesy Jonesy, Jonesboro AR
September 11 - 13 - Rose City Comic Con, Portland OR
September 24 - 26, 2026 - FanX Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City UT.
October 7, 2026 - Store Signing TBA
October 10 - 11, 2026 - Nightmare Weekend, Raleigh, NC
October 23 - 25, 2026 - GalaxyCon St. Louis, St. Louis MO
November 13, 2026 - The Midnight Lantern Celebration and Fundraising Event
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!
"Cult-de-Sac is the story of a family who has found their dream home in a quiet little neighborhood. But they quickly come to believe that their Homeowners Association is a demon-worshipping cult. Spoiler alert: they’re right."
A great blurb!
I played “Money for Nothing” in my head as I read this. You got this.