Vicious Shivers, Issue 149
Vicious Shivers is the official newsletter for fans of my work. Thank you for subscribing. Please share it with others if you think they might be interested!
The last couple of nights, I’ve been going to bed around 7. Friday night it was because I knew I had to get up at 4 AM on Saturday. Last night it was because I got up at 4 AM on Saturday. Preparation and recovery—the sword and shield of a guy facing the inevitable entropy of getting old.
Because I went to bed so early last night, I’m awake early this morning. I opened up the newsletter thinking I’d already written at least some of it. But noooooooooo. It’s a blank page. I guess I dreamed that I had written anything. My +2 Sword of Preparedness has failed me. I rolled a 1. I fumbled. The blade fell off as I took a swing.
The week has been a good one. Lots of writing. Lots of planning and plotting. I wrote 40 pages of various comics. I also proofed several lettering drafts, tackled a bunch of calls and Zoom meetings, answered interview questions, wrote some television episode overviews, wrote some book introductions, crafted some proposal material for new projects, made some submissions, penned lengthy e-mails to collaborators and my literary agent, posted a Whatnot video, dealt with an internet outage, and figured out some important plans going forward.
Not bad, right?
In the days to come, Cindy is going to start helping me with a lot of the non-writing aspects of writing. She’s going to be something of an assistant, something of a manager. Everything from handling scheduling to chasing invoices to scheduling appearances to keeping me focused on the work that needs to be done next will fall within her domain. It will take a bit to get up and running. Logistics are frustrating when every project, every publisher, and every task comes with its own set of rapidly-mutating rules. We’ll get there, though, and I’m sure it will boost my productivity when it comes to creating.
As the X-Men would say, “Welcome, Cindy! Hope you survive the experience!”
My Monday is already full of phone calls and meetings, but one of those meetings includes Brian Hurtt showing me completed art for our upcoming comic (PROJECT: MATINEE)—art I haven’t seen AT ALL! So, that’s very exciting! I can’t wait to share this one with you! It’s Brian drawing the kind of thing he should be drawing! It’s full of action, humor, monsters, and terrible moments of gory horror.
Speaking of awesome new comics… speaking of monsters… you do not want to miss NIGHT WALKERS from Source Point Press. This is the tale of a vampiric apocalypse that I think will thrill and terrify. The first two issues are available to pre-order! Please let your comic book retailer know you want this! The truth of the comic book game is that pre-order will make or break a book like this. It’s important, folks. A pain, maybe, but important.
If you follow this newsletter, you know that I’ve been struggling when it comes to taking care of my health. Well, this week, I jumped a big hurdle… and came crashing down on the other side. What tripped me up? This monstrosity:
That’s the Matt’s Dilemma from the Broadway Diner in Columbia, Missouri. It hash browns topped with scrambled eggs; then sausage gravy on one side, chili on the other; then cheddar cheese, green peppers, onions, and bacon crumbles. It’s what the diner is famous for! And how could I not try it?
I’ll get back on track tomorrow…
…well, one day…
…well, maybe…
Why was I in Columbia? Why was I up at 4 AM yesterday?
My son, as you know, is a violinist, and he had an audition yesterday for the Missouri All-State Orchestra. We had to hoof it to Columbia for the event. There were so many kids there, and they were all so talented. I’m happy to say that he was accepted into the orchestra. I couldn’t admire this kid’s talent and determination more.
He hates when I say it, but I love you, buddy.
Democritus Brand…
The Kickstarter for DEMOCRITUS BRAND AND THE ENDLESS MACHINE issues 1 through 4 is currently live! We’re halfway through the campaign. We’re in the infamous “dead zone” in terms of funding. Campaigns typically do well the first couple of days and the last couple of days. The middle, well, is a little slow. If you haven’t checked it out yet, now is a great time!
New Comics This Week…
This week, the final issue of SHOCK SHOP hits the stands! My hope is that I’ll be able to do more of these books. I have dozens of ideas for future editions. I’ve been really proud of this series and I hope you like the way it wraps up!
SHOCK SHOP #4
Cullen Bunn (Harrow County), Danny Luckert (Regression), and Leila Leiz (The Last Book You'll Ever Read) present a brand-new horror anthology flipbook 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 terrifying anthology from horror maestro Cullen Bunn concludes with plenty of blood, beasts, and bodies that's sure to want you to read this with the lights on!
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 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.
RED ZONE - An action/comedy thrill-ride. unlike anything else I’ve ever written.
BLOODBLADE - An action/horror story of destiny and demonic blood
PROJECT: BOT - A sequel to a story of robotic mischief.
PROJECT: MASK - A horror OGN where reality and surreality clash in a murderous way.
PROJECT: WATER HEATER - An apocalyptic horror/fantasy maxi-series.
PROJECT: DUNGEON - A new licensed horror comic series
PROJECT: GHOST - A horror maxi-series exploring a side of horror you might not expect
PROJECT: CONVOY - A horror/thriller I’m co-writing
PROJECT: MATINEE - A horror limited series I’m working on with one of my best friends and long-standing collaborator
PROJECT: SWORD - A horror prose anthology I’m editing
PROJECT: V - A return to a fan-favorite character I haven't written in quite a while.
PROJECT: PREHISTORY - More kaiju craziness.
PROJECT: MEGA-BATTLE - Even More kaiju craziness.
PROJECT: LAST - A horror prose anthology I’m editing.
PROJECT: RUSH - A horror prose anthology I’m editing.
PROJECT: GALLERY - An RPG project I’ve been quietly developing.
PROJECT: CARD - A magical one-shot.
Work Update…
So far this year, I wrote:
1635 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)
8 short stories (13 in 2021)
0 novellas (0 in 2021)
8 two-sentence horror stories (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)
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
JULY 7 - 9, 2023 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO
Weekly Obsessions…
As you know, I’m in the middle of a wave of nostalgia for all things I remember from my childhood! This week, I grabbed a couple of items I’ve been wanting to reacquire for a long time.
These are adventure game boxed sets from Heritage Models (who, back in the day, put out my favorite D&D miniatures). These sets were really my introduction to role-playing games (along with my friend Vardell bringing his older brother’s copy of TOMB OF HORRORS to school). Each set had miniatures, paints, a six-sided die, and rules for a solo game adventure. And I loved them. They are hard to find these days. A few years ago, I grabbed a copy of THE WIZARD’S BANE. A few months back, I stumbled onto a copy of THE WOMAN WARRIOR. And, recently I found THE CLERIC’S QUEST and THE FIGHTER’S FURY. I think that wraps up the collection! Just looking at these reminds me of the wonder and joy of when I was a kid.
And the nostalgia doesn’t end there! Just take a look at this place!
That’s the Antiquarium in Jefferson City. It’s a maze of books and comics and statues and toys. It used to be my comic shop when I lived in Jefferson City… almost 30 years ago. It’s under new ownership these days, but it still feels the same! I stopped in there… briefly… on the way back from Columbia. I picked up a limited edition of Poppy Z. Brite’s ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT as well as a handful of old D&D and White Wolf supplements. I need to make plans for a more lengthy trip, because I think I could be there for a while if I wanted.
I must admit, I haven’t been reading much in the past week. Shame on me. Trying to forge ahead on THE SCARLET GOSPELS, and I’m close to wrapping it up.
I’ve still been watching DR. WHO. I’m on Capaldi’s last season, I believe. And I started watching WEDNESDAY. I… like the series. Jenna Ortega is amazing as Wednesday. I was a little put off by the Harry Potter quality of the show. I’ve always thought the fun of THE ADDAMS FAMILY was that they were the weirdos in a “normal” world. When everyone is strange and unusual, you miss some of that. But… and this is important… this isn’t THE ADDAMS FAMILY. I have to remind myself of that, and I’ll definitely be finishing the series.
Now ask me how many times I watched NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION this week.
Where to Find Me Online…
THE SHOCK SHOP - My online store, where you can find exclusive covers you can only get directly from me!
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.