Creator of the Month: Cullen Bunn

The idea behind AWA is that by putting creators first, we all benefit. Our tagline says it all: “Where the best creators do their best work, for you.” We think the quality of our original stories backs that up, and our fans, critics, and the industry seem to agree with us.

Our “Creator of the Month” program lets us spotlight a different writer, artist, colorist, letterer or more each month, allowing you to get a glimpse into what makes them tick. (What’s more, you may ask? As you may know, AWA is venturing into film and TV, so you may just see a director or other movie auteur show up on these pages over time, too!)

Creator of the Month – March
Cullen Bunn
Writer
Red Zone

Follow Cullen on Social:
Instagram: @cullenbunn
Twitter: @cullenbunn
Facebook: Cullen Bunn

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
I went back and forth on this one, but I think the only correct answer is Godzilla.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
If I trace it back to the beginning, to the moment I absolutely fell in love with the idea of telling stories and building worlds, I’d have to say Bill Mantlo. He took these toys… before toys had elaborate backstories baked into their DNA and created vast universes. MICRONAUTS was the comic that made me want to make comics.

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
My dad, who everyone (including his kids) called simply Bunn. He was a storyteller, a charmer, a gambler, a fighter when he needed to be. He always stood up for what he believed in, and people loved him for it. He was not without flaws, but I hope he knew how much I admired him.

Do you have a favorite panel/art from an AWA series you’ve worked on?
There’s a moment in RED ZONE when Nikita emerges in all his exo-suit glory, and Mike Deodato Jr. just threw everything he could into that panel. It’s wild. It’s badass. And it’s absurd—this old, withered man in this menacing robotic suit. It was perfect!

What do you want fans to know about you?
I write a lot. I’m always working. And I’m not trying to glorify overworking. It’s not for everyone. But I’m not happy—at all—if I’m not creating, writing, planning, working.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain?
Anti-hero. I want to be the guy who is willing to do bad things for the right reason.

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
Probably MICRONAUTS.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
Horror, of course!

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
If I was invisible, no one could see me make a fool of myself trying to learn to fly.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
In the 80s, I watched RED DAWN, like, a thousand times. I think I’m ready.

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
I often put on a playlist or soundtrack of inspirational music while working on scripts, but I also forget to put music on quite a bit and just write in silence.

What is your favorite song?
Toss up. “The Highwayman” by the Highwaymen or maybe “Pancho and Lefty” by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.

What is the best advice you ever got?
Refuse to be done. Not sure who told me that. But I like it.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
I have cats and dogs… which means I don’t like either. I’m kidding! I’m kidding! I’m probably more of a dog person, but I like both animals.

Where is your happy place?
A dark and quiet bar where I can have a glass of bourbon and catch up on emails.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. I mean, if you love something, don’t feel guilty about it. Claim it! But… in the spirit of the question, I really like fast food, ordered to-go, eaten in my car in the parking lot.

If you were stranded in an elevator with any 3 people, real or fictional, living or dead, who would you pick?
I can’t even think of one person, real or fiction or otherwise, who would tolerate me in an elevator for more than a few minutes.

What is your favorite burger?
Once, while driving from North Carolina to Missouri in the dead of an ice-cold winter night, I stopped at a drive-thru and ordered a couple of burgers. I don’t even remember the restaurant, but the burgers were cheap and piping hot and delightful.

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
I’m not a pizza guy, but—man—I love a bacon cheeseburger pizza… with pickles and mustard sauce.