I'm so thrilled to bring comic book and horror fans The Murk, which is really just one small part of a much, much bigger superhero/horror (super-horror?) initiative.
Artist Danny Luckert and I have been releasing these short comic introductions (which are not excerpts from upcoming comics but are, instead, brand new stories) to spread the word about the Beyond Mortal universe. This is a new superhero universe with bloodcurdling horror baked right into the DNA. As a horror guy, it's the kind of story I tried to make happen with traditional superhero publishers for a long time. Of course, the characters in those universes are far, far too precious to really put through the meat-grinder in a meaningful way.
Note to self: Meaningful Meat-Grinder is kind of a terrific name.
So, I decided to create my own world, my own universe, my own cadre of superheroes and supervillains.And then I threw my own pantheon of cosmic nightmare gods into the mix.
We launch everything with Beyond Mortal, an original graphic novel I've shorthand described as “The Avengers or the Justice League against the Cthulhu Mythos.” That story of cosmic heroes and cosmic horror will set up the world for dozens and dozens of tales to come.
The next book is Jumpscare. This book introduces our titular character, a horror movie fanatic who finds she has the power (among other abilities) to conjure any weapon from any horror movie into reality. She uses this ability to become a… super-slasher? And then… The Murk, who we're introducing in this short.
The Murk presents the answer to a simple question. “What if Swamp Thing was the Lex Luthor of this particular world?” That idea blew the doors of expectation right off their hinges and created a character the likes of which no one has ever seen! And this is just the beginning.
If you like comic book heroes (or hate them)… If you like horror… Beyond Mortal is going to be right up your alley. The first original graphic novel comes out from Dark Horse in July. Then, early next year, Jumpscare will spring onto the scene. Then, The Murk splashes into the universe. From there, it just gets bigger, more exciting, more fun, and more terrifying.
This is some of the most fun I've ever had writing comics, and I can't wait for you to read these stories!
Cullen Bunn
(The Meaningful Meat-Grinder)
And now, enjoy The Murk.
Here are some reactions from early readers, featuring some familiar names with excellent taste.
“BEYOND MORTAL is an extremely fun and graphic thrill ride that any comic book lover or horror enthusiast will simply devour. It's got it all! A great story with exciting fresh characters, this can truly be the start of something special!.” —Michael Leavy
Fuzz on the Lens Productions (Producer of Terrifier Franchise / Director of STREAM)“With its own original characters and a story that bleeds off of the pages with true dread, horrific monstrosities, and actual stakes – BEYOND MORTAL has delivered the dark new superhero world that I've been waiting for.”—Adam Green
Writer/Director HATCHET, FROZEN, DIGGING UP THE MARROW“Only Cullen Bunn could create a cosmic Brady Bunch of abominations this ass-kicking. BEYOND MORTAL heralds the battle between eldritch and spandex, old gods and new superheroes.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Ghost Eaters, What Kind of Mother
“BEYOND MORTAL almost killed me! A beautiful display of storytelling!”
–Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia/Blacula/Nita Hawes)“Horror, heroism and high art — BEYOND MORTAL is bursting at the seams with awesomeness!”—Patton Oswalt
“Oh, wow. I haven't enjoyed a superhero story like this since Jack Kirby and the early Marvel stories. It's golden.” —Joe Lansdale
Author of SUGAR ON THE BONES, BUBBA HOTEP, MUCHO MOJO, THE BOTTOMS“This grabs you by the face, pulls you screaming into the story, and doesn't let you go until the last page. I won't say it's pleasant—there's teeth and gore, death and worse—but I can say your heart will beat a little harder. A lot harder, really.” —Stephen Graham Jones
Author, My Heart is a Chainsaw, The Only Good Indians
For more Cullenn Bunn, visit his official page and keep an eye out for Beyond Mortal from Dark Horse Comics hitting comic shop shelves on July 24.
