VICIOUS SHIVERS (Weekly newsletter of Cullen Bunn š) - Issue #94
This is the 94th 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!
SCARY PHRASES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
At my age, there are a couple of words that scare the Hell out of me. Those words were spoken to me a few days ago.
āCardiac event.ā
My stress levels have been very high for months now. There are numerous reasons for this, some personal, some work-related, some most likely a sort of PTSD from the pandemic, losing a friend, feeling isolated. That stress has been manifesting most recently as a lack of focus and motivation. My ability to get work done has suffered. No surprise there for those of you whoāve been paying attention to my recent writing output.
A couple of weeks ago, though, something new popped up. I started going numb on my left side, specifically in my fingertips and face. This typically only happened during moments of intense stress. There have been a few of those. My first thought was that I was experiencing some form of panic attack. Iāve had a handful of those over the years and in the lat few months. But I thought it best to give my doctor a call.
During my visit with the doctor, we ran an EKG test, which indicated some irregularities that MIGHT mean Iāve been experiencing some sort of cardiac event.
Thatās fun to hear.
It MIGHT be something else, yes, but now I set down the path of figuring this all out. That means bloodwork and stress tests to start. Then, depending on what we find (or donāt find) more tests.
Soā¦ there are a few changes Iām making in my life, such as:
Exercise - Iāve been doing this anyhow for the past couple of months. Going to the gym. Walking/running. I was just about to the point where I was going to up the intensity level.
Diet - Since the start of the pandemic, Iāve been eating like a monster. I guess I figured, āthe worldās ending, so break out the Pop Tarts!ā I gained more than 20 pounds. So, I need to fix that. Iāve been trying to eat better. I did well 4 out of the past 5 days. The problem for me is Iām a stress eater, but Iām trying to get it under control. Iām also trying to change the intake of red meats, because my cholesterol has been bad for a while.
Medication - For Cholesterol. Iāve been taking it for a few weeks now.
Paying Attention - to my health a little more than I have in the past. You know, monitoring blood pressure (which is running high) and the like.
Clearing Out Nagging Distractions - All those little things Iāve let build up over the months. Small, nagging items on the to-do list that are stressing me out, not because they are, themselves, stressful, but because I keep putting them off.
In addition to my physical health, Iām taking a little better care of my mental health. Iām going to start seeing a therapist. Iām getting medication for depression, wakefulness and focus, and anxiety.
Iām fine. I want to stress (pun intended) that. I have some things I need to do. I have some things I need to change. I have some things Iāll need to address. But Iām all rightā¦ or I will be. I just felt like sharing whatās going on with me. I want others to know that thereās no shame in paying attention to physical and mental health. Everything thatās going on right now absolutely impacts my work and my writing and my interactions with people. Iād like to stay around for a while longer. Historically, I havenāt done well when it comes to taking care of my health. Frankly, Iāll need all the support I can get.
The good news is I have a lot of help and encouragement from Cindy. For some reason, she wants to keep me around. I think thatās a character flaw on her part, but I love her for it.
***
Iām sending this weekās newsletter out a little early. I canāt sleep right now, so why not? In a couple of hours, Iām setting out on a road trip to Lawrence, KS, to sign comics at Chops Comics!
If youāre in the vicinity, I hope youāll stop by for a visit and get some books signed!
***
Speaking of cool eventsā¦ A week from today, Iām spending some time at the Library Center in Springfield, doing a Writerās Workshop for kids. If youāre in Springfield, your kids should join me for that!
Hereās a little more information on the workshop:
Library CenterĀ in the auditorium.Ā 1 p.m. for grades 4-8
Are you an aspiring author? Do you have stories to tell in a comic book format? Join comic and horror author Cullen Bunn to learn tips on getting started, beating writer's block and how to storyboard a comic book.Ā Registration starts September 20; callĀ 417-616-0526.
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Artist Jordi Perez shared this behind-the-scenes look at the cover for SAMURAI, coming from Outland Entertainment. Pretty rad, right?
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It looks like the first three issues of BASILISK are being reprinted into some cool new editions. Check āem out!
***
Next week is going to be a busy one for me. Busy in fun ways!
On Monday, I am corrupting young minds at my sonās school, speaking to students about suspense writing.
On Thursday, Iām doing a horror movie trivia night with friends.
On Friday, Iām watching John Carpenterās THE THING on the big screen!
On Saturday, as mentioned, Iām doing a Writerās Workshop at the Library Center.
And Iām going to try to get some writing done, play some games, and watch some spoooooooky movies (as youāll see below) between all that.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
Take care of yourself.
My Halloween Viewing List
Every year, I plan all the movies Iām going to be watching. Hereās the list for 2021. I donāt know if these will be watched in this order, and there will most certainly be additions to the list. This also doesnāt include all the horror TV shows Iāll be watching. Most of these, yes, are movies Iāve seen before, but a few are new.
1.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Haunt
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Hell Fest
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Dead and Buried
4.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Halloween (78)
5.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Halloween (2018)
6.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Halloween Kills
7.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Trick ār Treat
8.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The Thing (big screen)
9.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The Howling (big screen)
10.Ā Ā Evil Dead (2013)
11.Ā Ā Crawl
12.Ā Ā Reanimator
13.Ā Ā Bride of Reanimator
14.Ā Ā Beyond Reanimator
15.Ā Ā Bettlejuice
16.Ā Ā Lamb
17.Ā Ā Bubba Hotep
18.Ā Ā Dog Soldiers
19.Ā Ā An American Werewolf in London
20.Ā Ā Night of the Demon
21.Ā Ā Tales of Halloween
22.Ā Ā Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
23.Ā Ā The Blair Witch Project
24.Ā Ā House on Haunted Hill (1999)
25.Ā Ā A Nightmare on Elm Street
26.Ā Ā Cabin in the Woods
27.Ā Ā Fear Street: 1994
28.Ā Ā Fear Street: 1978
29.Ā Ā Fear Street: 1666
30.Ā Ā Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
31.Ā Ā V/H/S 94
INTERVIEWS
Heath Amodio and I spent some time with the folks from The Comic Conspiracy this week. It was a fun conversation. Give it a listen.
The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 518 - Comic Conspiracy Podcast ā comicconspiracypodcast.com This week, we're joined by Heath Amodio and Cullen Bunn to talk about their upcoming comic The Heathens from Aftershock Comics, Hustle & Heart Films, and lots more! Starring Ryan Higgins, Brock Sager, Charlie West, and special guests Heath Amodio and Cullen Bunn.
NEW BOOKS THIS WEEK
Hereās a rundown of some new books you KNOW you want to pick up this week!
THE LAST BOOK YOUāLL EVER READ #3
The tour for Olivia's controversial SATYR travels into strange territories, as the highway cuts through a countryside that becomes more primal, more violent, and more dangerous with every turn. There are those who don't want Olivia's message to get out, those who are less than human, and some who are willing to murder to ensure silence.
LUCKY DEVIL #3
After an exorcism gone wrong, down-on-his-luck schlub Stanley finds he's retained all of the demon's supernatural powers and positions himself as the leader of an insane worldwide cult--only to find himself pissing off the demons of hell who are hot on his heels for revenge.
THINGS TO COME
Here is a quick and dirty list of upcoming projects. In most cases, Iām 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.
NOVEMBER 3, 2021 - HEATHENS, a story of historyās worst anti-heroes chasing historyās worst āmonstersā
DRAGONRING -Ā aĀ new endeavor involving an indie comic that Iāve loved since I was a kid. A new shared universe that I have a stake in.
A 20-page horror one-shot inspired by one of Grimmās fairy tales will appear in GRIMM TALES FROM THE CAVE.
A horror maxi-series about a mysterious town and mysterious experiments that have played out there.Ā
A return to a world of magicians and family intrigue.Ā
A horror OGN where reality and surreality clash in a murderous way.
WORK UPDATE
This year, I wroteā
643 pages of comic book scripts (1468 in 2020)
1 feature length screenplay (0 in 2020)
9 short storiesĀ (15 in 2020)
0Ā novellas (2 in 2020)
23 new comic book series proposals (13 in 2020)
5 podcast proposals (0 in 2020)
0 forewordsĀ for upcoming graphic novels (2 in 2020)
0 television series proposals (5 in 2020)
WHERE TO FIND ME ONLINE
WEBSITEĀ -Ā If you havenāt been there lately, you should check it out. Iāve started posting a lot more content and news on the site.
TWITTERĀ - This is the best place to interact with me online. My handle is @cullenbunn
PATREONĀ - Here, I post a serialized novel, a serialized comic book, short stories, and other cool materials.
THE CULLEN BUNN DISCORD SERVERĀ - A place for fans to hang out and talk about comics, books, movies, games, collecting, and whatever else strikes their fancy.