Vicious Shivers (Cullen Bunn's Official Newsletter), Issue 104
This is the 104th issue of Vicious Shivers, a (mostly) weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Thank you for subscribing. Please share it with others if you think they might be interested!
I’m discovering something about myself as a writer. I hate sitting in front of the computer. I hate writing there. I always have, I guess. Back in the day, I much preferred writing everything by hand, then transcribing it. I still do all my outlining by hand, for sure, and some writing, though not as much. These days, I do most of my work on my iPad, using Notes and Microsoft Word primarily. Yes, there are times when I need to do a bit on the the ol’ desktop, but I never feel as motivated. Work goes much, MUCH more smoothly on the iPad.
I write on the couch, in bed in the morning before I get up (read: before the dogs force me to get up), at the local bar. Yesterday, I wrote 5 comic script pages while sitting in my car in a snowy parking lot, waiting for my kid to get done with violin rehearsal. The words just come more easily when I’m not at the desk these days. I’m sure I’ve said elsewhere that this might be a holdover from my college days, when I had to get work done wherever I was at the moment.
I would love to find a new laptop computer, but I’m going to need something that runs as smoothly and as fast as my iPad. I’m spoiled with it in terms of speed, but I know I’m missing out on some increased functionality. It’s going to take a bit for me to actually buy one, though. I’m going to be very picky. The last one I bought I ended up never using because the keyboard was very uncomfortable when used for more than an hour or so. Or maybe the iPad remains my primary tool. I dunno.
Either way, I think I’m going to keep the idea of being a much more mobile writer in mind going forward.
***
My friends at Vault Comics released a number of teaser images this week. They are hinting at the creators for a bunch of their 2022 books. The lineup looks pretty amazing to me. Among the images, this could be found:
I can’t tell you much about this one. I’m sworn to secrecy. But, yes, I’m doing a new series with Vault this year. I can tell you that it is a deeply personal comic book for me, and it is going to be a helluva lot of fun. Just thinking about some of the scenes I get to write for this thing puts a big ol’ smile on my face.
***
In addition to writing, this week has been one of plotting and planning and scheming. Brian Hurtt and I are trying to put something big together. It could be awesome if we can make it happen. We’ve been talking things out a bit over the last week. Hustle and Heart’s Heath Amodio (co-writer of THE HEATHENS) and I have been talking about some new projects… and new types of projects. And Kyle Strahm, Dennis Hopeless, and Anton Kromoff got together to lay the groundwork for some awesomeness in the new year.
As Kyle said…
COMICS OUT THIS WEEK...
A big week for Cullen Bunn books! I hope you'll pick all these up come Wednesday!
THE LAST BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ #5
As the Wilding continues to change the world, enemies close in on Olivia and Conner. Given sanctuary by believers who hang on her every word, Olivia gets a glimpse of what humanity is truly becoming. Her fans, though, might prove every bit as dangerous as the people who want her dead.
SHADOWMAN #5
Terror takes over the Valiant Universe.
The critically-acclaimed series returns as master of horror Cullen Bunn unleashes a twisted tale for Shadowman and Deadside... Featuring haunting artwork by rising star Pedro Andreo!
THE HEATHENS #3
The Heathens threaten to return to their villainous ways, destroying any chance to kill the Ripper and force him back to hell in the process.
INTERVIEWS…
Shadowman Creators Chat Book's Return and the Deadside War — comicbook.com A seismic shift to the Valiant Universe is coming. By this time next week, Jack Boniface will have returned after a brief hiatus within the pages of Shadowman #5. Horror mastermind Cullen Bunn is returning to the series with artist Pedro Andreo (Bloodshot), and ComicBook.com has the inside scoop [...]
THIS WEEK’S OBSESSIONS...
I’ve been a bit all over the place this week.
Reading-wise, I’ve been digging into the Oxrun Station novels by the great Charles L. Grant. Grant had such a vivid, poetic writing style, and I’m hoping to absorb some of that in the reading. Not that I want to copy his style in my own prose. But a little never hurt.
My son and I started back on GAME OF THRONES, knocking out a couple of episodes. We also watched a couple of movies. Not sure if you’re interested in this sort of thing, but here are all the movies I’ve watched so far this year, whether my kid watched them with me or not. Those marked with * are repeat viewings.
Possum
Uncle Peckerhead
The Green Slime*
Dr. Who and the Daleks
The Suicide Squad*
Antlers
Black Widow
Battle Angel Alita*
Also, for me… PEACEMAKER, PEACEMAKER, PEACEMAKER. I can’t tell you how much I loved the first three episodes of this show. Funny, crude, action-packed, heartfelt. It’s terrific all the way around, and it has one of the best opening credits scenes around. I’ve watched all three episodes a couple of times already.
EVENTS…
Here are the events I have finalized for the coming days. Keep in mind, these days, "finalized" doesn't mean as much as it once did. All events are subject to change.
APRIL 22 - 24, 2022 - Planet Comicon, Kansas City
WORK UPDATE…
So far this year, I wrote:
103 pages of comic book scripts (938 in 2021)
0 feature length screenplay (1 in 2021)
0 short stories (13 in 2021)
0 novellas (0 in 2021)
1 new comic book series proposals (25 in 2021)
0 podcast proposals (5 in 2021)
0 forewords for upcoming graphic novels (0 in 2021)
0 television series proposals (0 in 2021)
THINGS TO COME...
Here is a quick and dirty list of upcoming projects. In most cases, I'm only listing projects that are definitely on the schedule with a published. Oftentimes, I will not be able to share much information, but I can at least tease the future! Everything here is, of course, subject to change.
February 2, 2022 - MANOR BLACK: FIRE IN THE BLOOD, a return to the world of magicians and wild magic.
March 2022 - GODZILLA VS. THE MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, a big crossover comic that no one will be expecting but that makes complete sense.
A sequel to a story about dreams and loss and adventure.
A sequel to a story of robotic mischief.
A sequel to THE GHOUL NEXT DOOR.
A horror maxi-series about a mysterious town and mysterious experiments that have played out there.
A horror OGN where reality and surreality clash in a murderous way.
An action/comedy thrill-ride. unlike anything else I've ever written.
An apocalyptic horror/fantasy maxi-series.
A horror one-shot about loss and grief and guilt.
A new action/horror series I can’t tell you much about just yet.
FINAL THOUGHTS…
Here’s hoping the next week is a good one for you. Stress levels are high for everyone right now. We’re all dealing with a lot. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.
See ya next time!
WHERE TO FIND ME ONLINE...
WEBSITE - If you haven’t been there lately, you should check it out. I’ve started posting a lot more content and news on the site.
TWITTER - This is the best place to interact with me online. My handle is @cullenbunn
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.