IDW Publishing has quite the Summer line-up to role out this year, and leading the pack is the adaptation on HBO’s Award Winning drama “TRUEBLOOD”, based upon the “SOOKIE STACKHOUSE” novels from Charlaine Harris. The series isn’t due to begin until July 21st, but inside you can read the first 6 pages and get a look at all 4 covers for the issue. Read on for the skinny. Following the creation of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed from legendary monsters to fellow citizens overnight. Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is a telepath and waitress at Merlotte’s in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, owned by Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), a shapeshifter—though this secret is kept hidden. One night, Sookie meets Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a handsome 173-year-old vampire who has returned to Bon Temps following the death of his last remaining relative. As she cannot hear his thoughts, she finds it easy to be in his company and, over the first season, the two become romantically involved.

WRITTEN BY: Alan Ball, David Tischman, and Mariah Huehner
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: David Messina
COVERS BY: J. Scott Campbell, Joe Corroney, Andrew Currie, and David Messina

“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, in a story co-plotted by TRUE BLOOD series creator Alan Ball, with a script by David Tischman (Bite Club) and Mariah Huehner, and lush art by David Messina (Star Trek: Countdown). First Issue special: an exclusive pullout gatefold poster by David Messina!”

“TRUEBLOOD” Issue #1 Drops On July 21st From IDW Publishing! (MSRP-$3.99)