Vicious Shivers (Cullen Bunn's Official Newsletter), Issue 140
Vicious Shivers is 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!
WELCOME TO ISSUE 140…
Lots of ground to cover in this issue! Lots of new comics! New interviews! New offerings on the web store! New Patreon content! So let's motor!
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Do you feel it? In the air? A shift. A subtle change.
October, my favorite month of the year, is upon us!
I’ll admit, I’m tiptoeing into this month cautiously. It is not hyperbole to say that last October was the worst month of my life. It started out great, and then my world was shattered, almost irrevocably. I have not been “right” since (not that I ever was). Sadness. Anger. Listlessness. It’s all been out of control for a bit. And the shift in weather brings it all to the forefront of my mind. But I’ve been doing the only thing anyone can do in situations such as this. I’m trying.
With that in mind, I’m going to do everything in my power to make this a good spooky season.
On October Eve, Cindy and I went to a Wine and Whiskey Walk. With our wine glasses in hand, we roamed table after table of wines and bourbons and moonshines. Those samples, let me tell you, they sneak up on you! Like ghosts! Like spirits! I think the Pumpkin Spice moonshine was the fan favorite for both of us, but there was an apple crisp whiskey I really enjoyed, too. There were also margaritas made with moonshine. Tasty but potent. Though I am typically opposed to raffles, I entered for some pricey bottles. Sadly, fate did not shine on me. It was a terrific night, though, enjoying the weather and the company of my favorite girl.
Of course, I’ve already embarked on my Halloween horror movie view-a-thon. The movies I’ve watched so far are listed below.
This week (and next) I’m taking my son and a few of his buddies to haunted houses in the area. First up, an outdoor haunted trail and corn maze. Then, a couple of good old standards downtown. I was told recently that I’m too old for haunted houses, to which I say, “You can’t stop me from jamming to my Walkman and skateboarding to a haunted house, bra, and if you try, I’ll spit a wad of Big League Chew in your eye!” Admittedly, most of the friends I used to go to haunted houses with have moved on to other pursuits, but I’m glad my kid is still willing to be seen with me at these types of events.
And, as you might know, last year I discovered a love of horror-themed trivia nights. I’m gearing up to check out a few this month! Last year, our team name was The Last Trivia Table on the Left. This year, we are changing our name to Bride of Dracula 2000. It’s an in-joke, but by October 31, that name will strike fear into the hearts of all trivia attendees. Or maybe not. It’ll be fun either way. The first trivia night has a theme of “paranormal movies” which could go in thousands of directions. Wish me luck!
I’ve already got a new Mrs. Friedly story in the works! That crazy old lady is always up to some Halloween antics!
And I’m offering one helluva deal on variant covers on my web store! This is my first “Bunndle”—a collection of autographed variant covers you can get at a pretty hefty discount! I’m only offering 31 of these, and a few have already sold.
October 2022 Variant Cover Bunndle | Cullen Bunn's Shock Shop — cullenbunn.bigcartel.com Our special for spooky season 2022 is pretty special indeed! Here we have a collection of 6 creator-exclusive variant covers, available exclusively...
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New York Comic Con is coming up fast! I will not be there, but you can still get some pretty cool books. Source Point Press is offering an ash can of my upcoming book NIGHTWALKERS. It’s got a great cover, it’s autographed, and it will be sold out in the blink of an eye!
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If you support me on Patreon, thank you very much! I’ve been posting more content this week, including some complete comic books that haven’t been released yet, scripts, sneak peeks at projects I’m developing, and new chapters of my dark fantasy novel GOBLINVILLE. I’ve been thinking a lot about Patreon. It’s going to be an important part of my writing life, along with the web store and this newsletter. I’m always trying to figure out how to make this career path work, you know?
Cullen Bunn is creating Comic Books, Short Stories, Novels, and More | Patreon — www.patreon.com Become a patron of Cullen Bunn today: Get access to exclusive content and experiences on the world’s largest membership platform for artists and creators.
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This week, I finished up another script for an upcoming project for AWA. I’ve seen the cover for the first issue, and when I asked when I could announce it, I was told “Soon.” It’s a project that’s a little different for me, but I’m working with an amazing artist I’ve liked for a long time.
I had a bunch of meetings and phone calls. For one of those meetings, I had to drive a couple of hours. The results of the discussion are still TBD. The phone calls were discussions of marketing plans, brainstorming new story concepts, and getting editorial feedback on the initial outline for a big comic coming next year.
Today, I’ll wrap up the script for another issue of DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT.
I think I’m supposed to have a phone call about another project today, but it’s early, my day planner is nowhere in sight, and I can’t for the life of me remember what I’m supposed to be talking about.
This week, I need to get a ton of scripts written. And another GOBLINVILLE chapter! I also have a bunch of pitches and proposals and outlines that need to be figured out. And, of course, there’s more phone calls and Zoom meetings than any three people could handle on their best day.
But you know what Anthrax says.
INTERVIEWS…
This week, we start off with a new installment of the Harrow County Observer!
The Harrow County Observer: “Tales from Harrow County: Lost Ones” – Multiversity Comics — www.multiversitycomics.com The Harrow County Observer discusses “Tales from Harrow County: Lost Ones” with Cullen Bunn, Emily Schnall, and Tyler Crook.
And I spoke with Masterpiece Games about my involvement in the upcoming Harrow County game!
An Interview With: Cullen Bunn — www.masterpiecegames.co.uk Comic Book Writer extraordinaire and creator of the Harrow County series, soon to be brought to the tabletop via Off The Page Games Following on from our last interview with Jay Cormier, we were so fascinated with the story behind Off The Page Games, we wanted to know what the other side of their projects were like. We reached out to Cullen, who was incredibly kind to answer a few questions around what collaboration looks like as the owner of the comic series being adapted to a boardgame. Harrow
NEW COMICS THIS WEEK...
Do I know how to celebrate the first New Comic Book Day of October or do I know how to kick off the first New Comic Book Day of October? Four books are hitting shelves this week--a new hardcover collection (which, as you know sell fast and then become very expensive), the second issue of SHOCK SHOP, the final issue of BASILISK (if you can believe that), and the first issue of A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE. You can get them wherever you buy your comics!
TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY LIBRARY EDITION
Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook’s Eisner Award–nominated horror fantasy is given a closer look, with two complete series illustrated by Naomi Franquiz and Emily Schnall in a deluxe, oversized hardcover format.
Collects volumes one and two of Tales from Harrow County in a deluxe, hardcover, and oversized format with a new cover by Tyler Crook, sketchbook material, and more!
SHOCK SHOP #2
Cullen Bunn (Harrow County), Danny Luckert (Regression), and Leila Leiz (The Last Book You'll Ever Read) present a brand-new horror anthology flip comic taking place in a haunted comic book shop with a twisted retailer filled with tales of terror sure to leave you with the lights on. Welcome to the SHOCK SHOP!
The terror continues in these two tales about plagued families. In the first story woodland monsters go on the attack against a camping couple and in story two mischievous creatures terrify a man from inside his own home.
Here’s a preview of the issue…
Exclusive Preview of Cullen Bunn's SHOCK SHOP #2 - Daily Dead — dailydead.com Just in time for the Halloween season, Shock Shop #2 arrives on October 5th with two new tales of terror! As a special treat for Daily Dead readers, we have an exclusive preview you won't want to miss! "Cullen Bunn (Harrow County), Danny Luckert (Regression) and Leila Leiz (The Last Book You'll Ever Read) present […]
BASILISK #12
This is it--not only the final confrontation between Hannah and Vanessa, but the Chimera's origins revealed!
But who will make it out alive, and more importantly, what kind of monster will they become?
Here’s a preview of the issue…
Horrifying origins will be revealed in 'Basilisk' #12 out October 5th • AIPT — aiptcomics.com Unleashing an epic tale of vengeance and survival as a monstrous threat ravages the countryside and the only ones who can stop it are mortal enemies.
A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE #1
A Legacy of Violence, by masters of horror Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti, with letters by Rus Wooton, follows Dr. Nick Shaw; an honest doctor just trying to help people. But one day, when a patient gets out of control, Nick suddenly begins recalling past memories he had kept hidden away. That's when he decides to join Doctors Without Borders and heads straight for Central America. But his past still comes calling. With a serial killer on the loose in the small town of Disante, Honduras, Nick's flashbacks begin to intensify-and become clearer. Was Nick meant to go to Honduras? Is this all part of the killer's plan? Find out what Nick has been repressing all these years and why.
NEW VARIANT COVERS NOW AVAILABLE…
As mentioned above, there are new variant covers available ON MY SITE, and I hope you'll check them out! I am offering up "Bunndles" (See what I did there?) of my variants at a big discount!
I am only offering 31 of the October 2022 Variant Bunndles, and they will only be available during the month of October!
Here's some handy-dandy links to the most recent offerings!
October 2022 Variant Cover Bunndle | Cullen Bunn's Shock Shop — cullenbunn.bigcartel.com Our special for spooky season 2022 is pretty special indeed! Here we have a collection of 6 creator-exclusive variant covers, available exclusively...
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #1 - Creator Exclusive Cover (Danny Luckert Variant) | Cullen Bunn's Shock Shop — cullenbunn.bigcartel.com This is a LIMITED EDITION This is a LIMITED EDITION variant cover for DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #1! This variant is only available directly from...
THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SALEM - Creator Exclusive Variant (Danny Luckert Cover) | Cullen Bunn's Shock Shop — cullenbunn.bigcartel.com This is a LIMITED EDITION This is a LIMITED EDITION variant cover for THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SALEM #1! This variant is only available directly...
A FOULNESS IN THE WALLS - Creator Exclusive Cover (Sami Kivela Variant) | Cullen Bunn's Shock Shop — cullenbunn.bigcartel.com This is a LIMITED EDITION This is a LIMITED EDITION variant cover for A FOULNESS IN THE WALLS! This variant is only available directly from Cullen...
WEEKLY OBSESSIONS…
With Halloween rapidly approaching, I’m entrenching with horror movies aplenty. There’s little rhyme or reason to my viewing choices. It’s whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. So far, I’ve watched the following (in this order):
Phantasm 2
Hellraiser
My Best Friend’s Exorcism
Crawl
Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
Of these, only My Best Friend’s Exorcism was new for me. I enjoyed it. It’s a fun horror/comedy tale set in the 80s. Definitely worth a watch.
What’s next? I’m not sure. I’m considering a complete Halloween series re-watch, but I also know I should brush up on some “paranormal” movies in preparation for this week’s trivia.
Reading-wise, I’m finishing up MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW by Stephen Graham Jones, which is a terrific slasher novel AND an exploration/history of the slasher film genre.
EVENTS…
Keep in mind, these days, "finalized" doesn't mean as much as it once did. All events are subject to change.1
FEBRUARY 4, 2023 - ArtCon, Neosho, MO
MARCH 17 - 19, 2023 - Planet Comicon, Kansas City MO
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.
A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE - A horror maxi-series about a mysterious town and mysterious experiments that have played out there.
THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SALEM - A one shot following Sabrina’s mischievous cat on a wild adventure.
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT - A horror/comedy series about a door-to-door sales team that moonlights as monster hunters.
A FOULNESS IN THE WALLS - A horror one-shot about loss and grief and guilt.
NIGHTWALKERS - A survival horror series that sets up a whole world of apocalyptic nightmares.
A sequel to a story of robotic mischief.
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 new licensed horror comic series
Another new licensed horror comic series
A horror maxi-series exploring a side of horror you might not expect
A horror/thriller I’m co-writing
A horror limited series I’m working on with one of my best friends and long-standing collaborator
An action/horror story of destiny and demonic blood
A horror prose anthology I’m editing
A return to a fan-favorite character I haven't written in quite a while.
More kaiju craziness.
WORK UPDATE…
So far this year, I wrote:
1391 pages of comic book scripts (938 in 2021)
0 feature length screenplay (1 in 2021)
1 half-hour comedy pilot (0 in 2021)
1 short film script (0 in 2021)
6 short stories (13 in 2021)
0 novellas (0 in 2021)
29 new comic book series proposals (25 in 2021)
0 podcast proposals (5 in 2021)
1 essay (0 in 2021)
1 foreword for upcoming graphic novels (0 in 2021)
1 television series proposal (0 in 2021)
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
TIKTOK - A fun spot for quick videos about writing, comics, and collecting
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.
THE BUNNGALOW - Cindy and I talk about life, hot button topics, pop culture, being married to a comic book writer and EVERYTHING in between.