Meet... The Cull?

Jul 21, 2023

So as we continue this little PR roll-out in advance of The Cull — I thought it’s been so long since we first started talking about this last year, that maybe you guys would enjoy a refresher on the characters — and some of Mattia’s gorgeous process. So I’m pulling that all together for a “Meet The Cull” below.

But FIRST! — I get asked a lot of questions about where to find books and such, what FOC is, and I thought I’d highlight some stuff that might be helpful?

First up. If you don’t have a comic shop you already love, or don’t have one local to you, MIDTOWN COMICS is a great option. I lived for years in NYC and so know it first hand as a brick and mortar shop, but we moved from NYC years ago and I still order from Midtown. At Midtown you can also click to “wishlist” something if they don’t have it in stock, which is helpful to both me and them to signal interest in a title.

But if you prefer something local to you, perhaps try the COMICS SHOP LOCATOR.

I also wanted to shout out a specific Melbourne Australia shop — ALL-STAR COMICS — that between cost and timing (international shipping doesn’t play, yo), I wasn’t able to get a comp package to — but they were terrific and if you’re lucky enough to have them be your local shop — congratulations! — that’s a big win!

We also got our first official review — COMICS CRUSADERS gives THE CULL #1 — 5/5 STARS. Let’s hope we get more of those! ;D

We’ve also been getting these amazing quotes from pros that I’ve been slow rolling out across social media. You’ve already heard from Gail Simone, Matthew Rosenberg, Elena Casagrande, and Tom Taylor.

Today let’s hear from the great CHRIS RAFFERTY:

And how about the great AL EWING:

And the fantastic KELLY SUE DECONNICK too!

We also, in addition to our BKV/Exploding Giraffe endorsement, got a lovely shout out from my favorite* comics Substack that isn’t this one — It’s Chip Zdarsky’s Newsletter, Okay?

While we’re here I want to thank you guys for all being so patient with this PR rollout stuff. Even I get exhausted talking about the book at this point — but with Social Media more broken than ever, it’s harder than ever to launch a book. So your patience (and help in sharing) has been absolutely awesome. So were all the webstore orders I got, btw! You all went crazy — I have so many packages to ship! Thank you! <3

*This is a lie as I actually have three favorite comic Substacks so far and I’m not telling you the other two!

All right. Let’s meet Mattia’s and my Cull babies again. <3 We showed off these sketches and process videos a long ways back, but I’ve added some fun little bio details too.

CLEO WASHINGTON: Cleo was ambitious and charming, everyone’s favorite. And then Jake went missing and the bottom fell out of everything, including Cleo. Her relationship, one of the strongest things in her life, crumbled under the pressure and now what’s left is…unclear.

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Sandwiches if it’s cold, Ramen if it’s hot.

Favorite Movie: ALIEN

Because Cleo wasn’t featured in the original promo page we showed off, Mattia also did this first color illustration for her.

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Cleo.

KAITE CARTER: Bit of an “it” girl, Kaite excels at nearly everything and before “the incident” she and Cleo were one of Black Water High’s “it couples” — Cleo a burgeoning writer, Kaite a burgeoning director, it seemed like a match made. But as things unraveled with Cleo, Kaite’s struggled to deal with her own unraveling.

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Food: Milkshakes

Favorite Movie: MOONLIGHT

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Kaite.

WADE QUAN: Wade is a jack of all trades (and has mastered a few too). Twin sister to Will (6 minutes older!) she’s incredibly bright but mostly more reserved than her friends. If she hadn’t found them, it feels like she’s the kind of person who would have been a loner… and it’s definitely something she worries about. A lot.

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers

Favorite Movie: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Wade.

WILL QUAN: Perhaps because he has surrounded himself with interesting clever girls in his sister and their friends, Will Quan is the most elusive eligible bachelor in town, though he’s mostly unaware of it. Grounded and kind, athletic and sharp-minded, Will is the best of them all, but he’d never agree to that (part of why he’s the best).

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Movie: THE RAID

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Will.

LUX BELL: As Wade says, “Never count out Lux.” Though Lux in some ways appears like the odd man out of her fairly exceptional friends, the truth is Lux can do anything she sets her mind to. Which maybe helps explain why she made friends with some of the best and brightest, knowing it would push her to be better too.

Favorite Color: Gold

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Movie: LOST IN TRANSLATION is what she tells people is her favorite movie, but really it’s STEPBROTHERS.

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Lux.

All right. PRE-ORDER THE CULL #1 at your local comic book shop if you haven’t already and tell literally everyone you know so we can sell so many of these things!

Okay. Back to the writing mines for me. Enjoy your night and if you’re at SDCC, get me something good! ;D

~xo Kelly