The series has been co-plotted by none other than Alan Ball himself. It will be co-written by Angel editor Mariah Huehner and author of previous IDW title Star Trek: Year Four and the upcoming Angel: Barbary Coast mini David Tischman. Keeping with the Angel theme, we'll have artwork from from fan favorite, David Messina who is currently doing the pencil work for Bill Williams' back up Angel story about Eddie Hope. Covers will come from David Messina, Joe Corroney, Andrew Currie, and the absolutely amazing J. Scott Campbell.
I am unbelievably thrilled at this news. True Blood has become a favorite of mine and definitely satisfies some of my old Buffy cravings. Seeing it in comic form is going to be such a treat and it's fantastic to see Alan Ball on board. Here's the official press release via HBO:
Alan Ball’s hit HBO series, the sensually sizzling story of the lives and loves of vampires, mind readers, and all manner of creature, comes to comics with IDW Publishing! This six-issue series kicks off in July, and True Blood fans can pre-order exclusively with HBO.com!EDIT: and here is the press release from IDW:
In this tantalizing series spinning out of the hit show, blood and sex mix on a hot rainy night at Merlotte's, when Sookie and her friends are trapped by a vengeful spirit who feeds on shame. People die and dirty secrets are revealed as Sookie, Bill, Eric, Sam, Tara, Jason, and Lafayette and are all coerced to dig deep and tell painful memories from their past—those things we all have locked within us that we never tell another living soul!
Bon Temps, Louisiana has never been stranger, or more twisted, than in this story co-plotted by TRUE BLOOD series creator Alan Ball, with a script by David Tischman (Bite Club) and Mariah Huehner, featuring lush art by David Messina.
* Bonus inside every issue: an exclusive pullout gatefold poster by David Messina!
San Diego, CA (April 2, 2010) - HBO and IDW Publishing are thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership to produce a multiple, all-new comic book series based on the network's hit show True Blood. Premiering at San Diego Comic-Con in July, this sexy, visually striking comic series will add new and unique layers of supernatural drama to the wildly original Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning television show. Developed closely with the show's Oscar®-winning creator, Alan Ball (HBO's Six Feet Under, American Beauty), IDW's True Blood series are the exclusive, official comics for the show and will be available in both print and digital formats.
"I am very excited to be introducing the True Blood comic book series," stated Ball. "These graphic novels are a great companion to the series and we are pleased that the popularity of the show is allowing it to branch out into different mediums."
The first six-issue True Blood comic series offers the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor and intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for. The plot was developed with Ball, along with series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, and co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner. Beautifully illustrated by top tier artist David Messina, the series captures all the bloody details and sexy reveals of this exciting new adventure. Renowned artist J. Scott Campbell will join Messina in providing covers for each issue.
The comic series will explore the ongoing adventures of telepathic heroine Sookie Stackhouse, her vampire lover Bill Compton, best friend Tara Thornton, enigmatic and ancient vampire sheriff Eric Northman, loyal boss Sam Merlotte, brother Jason Stackhouse, perpetual-virgin vampire Jessica, and the flamboyant cook/drug dealer Lafayette Reynolds.
In the first storyline, Sookie and the rest of Bon Temps find themselves waiting in Merlotte's bar for a strangely portentous raging storm to subside. Soon, they discover they've been trapped by an entity that feeds off of raw emotions and begins killing off the patrons one by one until his hunger is sated.
"True Blood is one of the most exciting dramas on television and has been eagerly anticipated by comics fans for a long time," said IDW CEO, Ted Adams. "We are very excited to bring more of this great entertainment franchise to fans."
True Blood #1 (of 6, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores in July.
