Comics
WonderCon 2010: Alan Ball Talks ‘TrueBlood’ Comic From IDW
As our continuous WonderCon coverage rages on (though news seems to be trickling down the line much slower than in most years) we set our sights on IDW Publishing’s much talked about “TRUEBLOOD” comic mini due out this July. The 6 issue mini that will be based off of the ubber popular Charlaine Harris novels following Sookie Stackhouse, Bill, and all the other usual suspects has been highly successful making the transition from book to film, and the creators hope to experience more of the same in the illustrated medium. Inside you can watch a short clip of series producer Alan Ball talking about the series. Read on for the skinny.
Here Is The Press Release Straight From IDW’s Website…
“Exclusive Comics Based on HBO Hit Television Series Bring New Excitement & Drama to the Sultry World of Bon Temps for “Trubies” and Collectors
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.”
And Here Is A Message From Series Producer Alan Ball Thanks To DreadCentral.com…
True Blood – A Message from Alan Ball: Comic Book Series
“TRUEBLOOD” Issue #1 Of Six Drops This July From IDW Publishing! (MSRP-$3.99)
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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