Vicious Shivers (Cullen Bunn's Official Newsletter), Issue 119

For the last couple of years, pretty much since I got so sick after the last C2E2 I attended, I’ve been battling this weird brain fog. It is so bad at times, I don’t want to get out of bed and I definitely don’t want to do anything. Sometimes, I go down to my office and just… sit in front of my desk, doing nothing. We all have mornings like that, yes, but I have been having weeks and even months like that. I have bursts of creativity and productivity, but the fall from those moments has been devastating. I have written about this lack of energy and motivation before, thinking it is just some sort of exhaustion or burnout or malaise or vague disinterest. I’m starting to worry it is more than that, though. The last couple of weeks have been bad in that regard.

So, a couple of days ago, I started drinking an Early Bird Morning Cocktail. It’s full of vitamins and superfoods and dying universes or something. I mix a powder in water in a shaker, put it on my nightstand before bed, then drink it first thing in the morning. The idea is it gives you a big boost to get moving and feel energized.

I’ve only been drinking it for a couple of days, so I’m not ready to give it a full endorsement just yet, but it has definitely helped me get working in the mornings. I’ve never been a big morning coffee drinker, and I’m not drinking anywhere near as many caffeinated beverages as I was, so maybe this is what I need.

A full report next time.

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I’m going to need that energy.

I have so many new projects I want to get to. Tons of prose work, as I’ve been discussing of late. I just want to get back into that realm in a bigger way. I have loads of short stories and novellas and novels in the works right now.

Comic work, too, of course, both new and old. Last week, while standing at my table at Planet Comicon, I looked out across my books and felt a strange sense of… dissatisfaction. There are so, so many books I’m proud of, but there are so many others that I didn’t get to finish, didn’t get to finish in the way I wanted, or didn’t get to tell in the way I wanted because of some sort of interference or derailment. No more. I’ve got tales to tell, and I’m going to make it happen.

Role-playing and board games? You know it! The manuscript for my first RPG supplement is written and turned in. I’ve got more to come. Lots more. Some of it pretty epic in scope. Board games? You know the Harrow County game is in the works, but you may not know that JimmyZ and I have been working on a different board game that is pretty close to ready.

Film and TV are also on the slate. Heath Amodio and I have Hustle and Heart Productions, and we’re always working on something new. I have a pilot script I’m writing “on spec” at the moment. I’m always pitching and proposing other projects.

I have control of the empire.

I just need to remember that.

And I need to fight like Hell to maintain that control.

***

Today, I’ve got a lot on my plate writing-wise.

I am sending off a new comic book proposal. There has been a bit of back-and-forth with my editor on this one, all moving the initial idea in a really cool direction, I think. The final version has to be turned in before tomorrow, and I’m hoping we can get this one across the finish line. It’s a big one and I really love how it has all come together.

I’m also finishing a comic script. I’m behind on it, which I hate, but I should be able to wrap it today so I can focus on finishing other projects I’m behind on throughout the rest of the week.

And I have the aforementioned pilot script that needs to be finished so I can send it off to my co-writer for a polish before we start taking it out!

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As you may remember, a while back I decided to focus a bit on my health and weight loss. There have been ups and downs. So far, I’ve cut down on my sodium intake a great deal. I’m trying to keep up with medication and vitamins. And I’ve been watching what I eat. Maybe not the last week or so, but I’m trying. I’ve lost about 11 pounds. My goal is to lose another 17 pounds. I’d like to do it by mid-June. That’s a lot of weight in a short amount of time. It likely won’t happen, but I’m trying to challenge myself a bit. So, starting this week, it is back to a more aggressive diet and exercise routine. Wish me luck!

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I’m pretty sure I haven’t shared the commissions I got in my D&D Monster Manual sketchbook at Planet Comicon. Here are new additions by Shannon Potratz, Chris Schweizer, Jacob Fleming, Scott Drummond, and Ross Taylor. I’m excited to get a few more sketches in the book at upcoming conventions. I may even go ahead and start a second sketchbook, this one based on the Fiend Folio.

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Here’s a look at the covers for my upcoming Bloodborne series, which is officially titled BLODBORNE: LADY OF THE LANTERNS.

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Artist Danny Luckert (who is currently working on a top secret new project with me) sent me this awesome Shadowman piece this week, and I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you!

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And… in the “What’s This?” Department — Check out this tweet from Pop Films. What is SWUMPWATER? Whatever it is, the Pop Films team is digging into it! I think there will be many, many more hints about it coming up in the next few weeks.

Saturday, May 7th is Free Comic Book Day, and I have a comic coming out as part of the event!

Exclusive lead-in to an epic new series, launching May 2022! Enter the city of Yharnam through the eyes of its citizens, when new hunters take to the streets to fight against the cruel and unusual epidemic that has gripped the city. In the black of night, families and faith will be tested… Based on the critically-acclaimed Bloodbourne video game!

Exclusive Original Material

Rating: Teen (or Teen+)

I publish quite a bit of behind-the-scenes material, serialized comics, short stories, scripts, and much more on Patreon. I try to post at least five new items every week. I use money generated from Patreon to fund the creation of new material. I hope you’ll consider checking it out.

The current Patreon Index can be found here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/64469540

Patron-only posts from the past week include:

A couple of new conventions to add to the list!

First up, I’m returning to HeroesCon for their 40th convention! How is it that I’m older than this staple of my childhood?

Next up, I’m so thrilled that I’ll be attending Scares That Care Weekend in Williamsburg, VA! I don’t think I’ve been “officially” announced yet, but I asked if I could tell you, and they gave me the go-ahead.

Here are the events I have finalized for the coming days. Keep in mind, these days, “finalized” doesn’t mean as much as it once did. All events are subject to change.

MAY 7, 2022 - Free Comic Book Day at the Little Shop of Comics, Cuba MO

JUNE, 17 - 19, 2022 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO

JUNE 24 - 26, 2022 - HeroesCon, Charlotte NC

JULY 29 - 31, 2022 - Scares That Care, Willamsburg, VA

SEPTEMBER 24 - 25, 2022 - Memphis Comic Expo, Memphis TN

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.

So far this year, I wrote:

The next couple of months are going to be crazy for me. Lots of work to do. A few doctor’s appointments. School winding down for my kid. Houseguests on the way. Conventions. Weight to lose. Will it be fun? I certainly hope so. Otherwise, what’s the point?

If you enjoy reading about all the nonsense I’m up to, I hope you’ll consider throwing some support toward my Patreon. I post something almost every day, and all the funds earned on that platform go directly into funding more and more comic book work!

If you want to keep the conversation going throughout the week, follow me on Twitter or join my Discord server! Thanks for joining me!

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 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.