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This is the 41st issue of Vicious Shivers,
a (mostly) weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Alright then. Truth! That's it, truth. When a man lies he murders some part of world. You should know that.
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I haven’t released a newsletter in a couple of weeks. I just haven’t had it in me. Two weeks ago, I received the call that one of my best friends—Kevin Watkins—was gone. He was taken from this world suddenly. Kevin and a group of pals had been exchanging text messages the day before and then... he was just not with us any more.
It still feels very unreal to me. I still expect a call from Kevin at any time. We were talking a few times a day. At the end of my last phone call with him, he had said, “Well, that’s it for today, but expect me to check in by phone pretty often.” And I do. I expect him to check in.
Kevin was the guy who always had your back. You know how people say that a true friend will help you find a place to hide the bodies of your victims? Kevin would help you hide the body, take you out for a drink after to calm your nerves, encourage you to write a story about the event, and get everyone in the bar to cheer the idea on. He would do anything for a friend. Hell, he would almost do anything for complete strangers. Everyone else came first for Kevin. He made everyone he knew—and he seemed to know everyone—feel like the most important person around. He was an endless source of support and positivity.
Hell... he was always the first person to read this newsletter. A new edition would come out and he’d call me to tell me what he thought.
Kevin loved horror and was a great writer himself, one of the co-creators of GRAVEYARD SLAUGHTER. Honestly, he’s more than a co-creator. That project was HIS. It wouldn’t exist in any form without him. His family, friends, and the rest of the team all agree that Kevin would have wanted that project to continue in some fashion. To honor him, we’re working on the second volume, which will include some of the last comic stories he wrote.
No one is gonna live up to Kevin’s levels of “super-rad” but I think the world would be a helluva place if we all tried a little. I know I’m going to do my best to be just a little more like Kevin in the days to come.
I miss you, my friend.
I always will.
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I’m still having a rough time getting my feet under me and getting work done. I’ve read plenty of articles that say it’s all right to be unproductive during these times of self isolation, that you should forgive yourself if you don’t get anything accomplished. And they are absolutely right. There is no shame in laying on the couch all day watching TV, not right now. If that’s what gets you through the next couple of months, do it and do it proudly! But the luster of vegging out is starting to wear off for me.
So here are some of the things I’ve been doing (admittedly in short bursts).
I’m working on two prose novellas, one for a publisher, one for myself. I’m not sure how I plan on releasing the one that is not currently attached to a publisher, but I’ve got a little time befor eI need to make that decision. The novella I’m writing for a publisher is horror/thriller. The other is a dark fantasy.
Brian Hurtt and I started developing a new creator-owned project that we’re going to be delivering to you very, very soon. I won’t say much about it now, but it’s going to be a fun adventure comic. I think we’re going to start sending out teasers this week.
Next week will be more of the same. I also think I’m gonna spend some time weeding the garden and pruning rose bushes... because right now my landscaping looks like some sort of crazy Cthulhu monster.
It’s a crazy stressful time right now. Do the things that make you happy. Or at least do the things that keep you distracted.
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I’ve received a lot of messages recently about how readers can best support me in this time of uncertainty. It’s true. A lot of publishers have paused production of comics. The vast majority of my paid writing work is on hold. I think it will return. I hope it will return. But I can’t be certain of that. And your support means the world. I know that many other people are facing some harsh realities right now and aren’t able to spend any money on anything that’s non-essential. Here are a few ways you can help me out right now, whether you’ve got money to spend or not.
- Support my Patreon. I am thinking that it will not be long before this becomes a primary source of income for me. I’ve been adding more and more content to the site—stories, old pitches from the archive, free comics, video updates—even at the lowest level of support. And I’ve added some new support levels, including monthly video conferences. Check it out if you haven’t yet. Even if you can’t support the Patreon, tell others about it!
- Order my books (from your local comic book shop, online, or digitally)
- Talk about my comics online. If you have a favorite, tell Others to check it out. Tell your friends about the books you love!
- Reach out on social media and say hello!
I appreciate each and every one of you, and I feel like we’re all in each other’s corners right now.
Thank you!
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...SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK SHOP as much as you’re able.
Running a comic book store can be difficult, even in the best of times. Right now, shops are taking a hit. The absolute last thing I want to see—as a reader, a fan, and a creator—is for comic book stores to disappear. It is vital that we all work together to support comic book stores as much as possible and help them get through the coming weeks. When comic book stores suffer, so does the comic book industry. A lot of stores are offering new services during this time of isolation and social-distancing. Some things you can do to help...
- Inquiring about curbside pickup.
- Inquiring about mail order or delivery options.
- Purchasing any books that are in your pull box.
- Purchasing gift cards/gift certificates for upcoming birthdays, events, and holidays.
- Following your local comic shop on social media for updates on: curtailed hours of operation, events, special accommodations, and cleaning policy.
- Tagging your local comic shop on social media & posting photos of the comics you’ve purchased to read during self-quarantine and social distancing.
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I've started posting many free comics and books online. I'm using my Patreon page to house these comics, but they are currently free to the public! I know that times are tough right now, and having something to read can help take the edge off. I hope you enjoy the books. So far, I've posted:
HELLBREAK, Volume 1 - The complete first arc of mercenaries rescuing lost souls from Hell.
HELHEIM, Volume 1 - The complete first series of Viking/Horror action!
CROOKED HILLS, Book 1 - The complete middle reader horror novel. Give it to your kids to read. Read it with them. Read it yourself.
DEATH FOLLOWS, Chapter 1 - The first chapter of this terrifying comic from Dark Horse.
HARROW COUNTY, Issue 1 - The complete first issue of the fan-favorite series.
In addition, publishers have started posting free comics, too! For instance...
ROKU, Issue 1 - From Valiant! High octane super-spay action with telekinetic hair!
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I've been posting quite a bit of content for Patreon supporters. These days, Patreon support is so important to me. Thank you if you've been throwing a little support my way!
From the Archives - Morbius the Living Vampire
From the Archives - Dead Acres
From the Archives - U.S. Ace
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A new episode of the podcast I record with my lovely wife has been posted! This time around, we talk about love, life, and comics during quarantine life! It's a fun little recording. I hope you'll give it a listen!
Wu Tang Is For the Children (Kevin Watkins Forever)
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Missouri Swagger is back! And it is new and improved! Kyle Strahm has joined Dennis Hopeless and myself to discuss comics, movies, books, games, conventions, hairstyles, and whatever else we feel like! We have a bunch of episodes on YouTube. Check them out and subscribe to the channel! Here's the latest:
Flames and Werewolf Erotica
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In 2020, I have written--
618 pages of comic book scripts.
5 short stories
10 new comic book series proposals
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This week I'm...
Reading - THE WITCHER series and a bunch of DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS sourcebooks.
Watching - ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (which I already want to watch again), DRACULA (on Netflix), DREAMSCAPE, and CURSED FILMS.
Playing - I started an online DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS game with some friends. Honestly, I wasn’t happy with how it went at all, but I guess I’ll try to keep it going.
Listening To - R.E.M. and Michael Stipe.
Drinking - Besides soda? Not a lot.
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As of right now, these are the events that I know I’ll be attending in 2020. Obviously, these are in a state of flux. Several events and conventions have been postponed or cancelled. I’ll keep this list updated as best I can. As things change and events get re-scheduled, they’ll be listed here!
July 31 - August 2 — Scares That Care Charity Weekend, Williamsburg VA
October 17 - 18 — Memphis Comic Expo, Memphis TN
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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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