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This is the 38th issue of Vicious Shivers,
a (mostly) weekly newsletter for fans of my work. It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.
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Self-isolated, yes, but my rage keeps me company.
That’s kinda how it feels right now.
For the next couple of weeks, I’m practicing social distancing as much as possible to keep my family and community a little safer. It’s not difficult. Squish is out of school right now, upcoming conventions have been canceled or postponed, we’re stocked up on supplies and food (last night, I made tacos and margaritas), and I work from home. Besides, I’m way, way behind on work, and it feels another Scriptpocalypse is dawning, so I can use the time to get some extra writing done.
But the rage is real, and I’m not sure where that’s coming from.
For the past three days or so, I’ve found my patience levels... diminished. I’ve found myself getting very angry, very quickly. It's not focused on anyone... except maybe myself. But it’s probably a good thing that I’m not around others, because I seem to have very little tolerance for... anything. My nerves, as they say, are at surface level. I’m not quite Jack Torrence in the Overlook, but I don’t love the way this feels.
Social media may have a lot to do with it, I think. I don’t know if you realize this or not, but there’s a LOT of stupidity being posted online right now. Misinformation and irresponsibility and racism and bile and mean-spirited (and almost always really flat) snark. My pal Brian Hurtt called me the other day to tell me to avoid reading comments on Twitter and Facebook for a bit. “Comments to what?” I asked. “All comments,” he replied. And I wish I had taken his advice. I haven’t been posting much at all lately, so none of this dumbassery has been directed my way, but man-oh-man there is a lot of it out there, flung like monkey shit at anyone who might possibly be listening.
Let me state this clearly.
No one needs the bullshit (or monkey shit) right now.
I know, I know. Some folks have “fresh burns” to serve. Some are unbearably bitter for one damn reason or another. Some never got the attention they needed as kids. Some are sore losers. Some are sore winners.
But lock the nonsense down, just for a little while.
I’ve tried over the past couple of years to follow a “no blocking” policy unless a person was a just a relentless jackass. Now, for the sake of my own sanity, I’m reversing that policy. I will not use “block chains” (because I have no clue how and I don’t have time to learn) but I will block people without hesitation. In the last 24 hours, I’ve blocked several people, most of whom I’ve never interacted with, because I’ve seen them flinging virtual poop at someone else or... and maybe this isn’t fair to the education system... just being stupid.
And I feel better.
Over the next few days, I’ll continue to steer clear of Twitter and Facebook (my most frequent haunts). I’ll be there from time to time. I’ll post occasionally. But I’m gonna try to stay away from things that might fuel this rage-fire within me. Consider it a mental health break. Consider is social media distancing.
In the meanwhile, stay safe out there, friends.
Remember, we’re all in this together, even though we’re apart.
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I have so many projects I WANT to tell you about, but I am--as yet--sworn to secrecy! So, here are a few hints about upcoming work. Let's see if you can guess what I've got cooking!
- I just wrote the final issue of a new creator-owned series. I'm working with an amazing artist on this, someone I've never worked with before. I should say the final issue of the first arc, because this story--assuming readers like it--is big and epic, bridging worlds within worlds.
- For the same publisher, I just finished the second issue of ANOTHER creator-owned series. This one is with an artist I've worked with once before. It's a horror-comedy book that's VERY different from everything else I've done up until this point.
- You all know about SHADOWMAN from Valiant, but I'm also working on another title for them, something that is going to rock your faces off.
- I'm also working on something new for Marvel. I can't tell you what it is, but it is a character I love dearly and have always wanted to write.
- This week, some very exciting Hollywood stuff came together. Assuming the tumultuous state of the world doesn't screw it up, fans of my work are going to be thrilled, I think!
There ya go, so hints! I'll drop more of these clues to upcoming projects as the newsletter rolls along!
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The website for GRAVEYARD SLAUGHTER is now LIVE! If you didn't get a chance to pre-order this amazing collection of horror stories, now is your chance! The original edition, variant covers, sketch covers--they are available to the public now! Head over to https://www.graveyardslaughter.com/ and order some blood-soaked horror!
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In 2020, I have written--
544 pages of comic book scripts.
4 short stories
8 outlines for upcoming comic scripts
10 lettering passes
3 new comic book series proposals
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As of right now, these are the events that I know I’ll be attending in 2020. More will be announced soon! These events are subject to change.
April 4 - Signing at Chops Comics, Lawrence Kansas
May 2 — Free Comic Book Day, Powers Comics, Green Bay WI
July 31 - August 2 — Scares That Care Charity Weekend, Williamsburg VA
October 17 - 18 — Memphis Comic Expo, Memphis TN
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This week I'm...
Reading - LADY BALTIMORE by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, and Bridgit Connell. The first issue doesn’t come out until June, but I got a sneak peek. It’s a lot of supernatural fun wrapped in a globe-hopping 1930s adventure!
Watching - I watched TERRIFIED on Shudder last night. I love movies about supernatural presences and occult investigators in over their heads. This one delivered... and there were so many moments of “creepycool” visuals to freak me out.
Playing - Sadly, no games this week, but I’m hoping my kid and I can play some Elder Sign soon.
Listening To - PENNY DREADFUL: MUSIC FROM THE SHOWTIME ORIGINAL SERIES because I wanted something suitably epic to listen to while working on this a project.
Drinking - Right this moment? Coffee... with some sort of creamer that Kevin Watkins left at my house. It tastes like ice cream, ya’ll. Ice cream! How dare someone make coffee creamer that tastes like ice cream? How dare Kevin leave this for me to consume?
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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 BUNNGALOW - A regular podcast in which my wife Cindy and I talk about comic books, our lives, and just about everything in between.
THIS NEWSLETTER - If you received this e-newsletter via a forward, you can sign up for it yourself at this link. You can also read archived editions here.
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