As the third season of the popular HBO television series True Blood fast approaches, just about everyone has heard of the name “Sookie Stackhouse”. Based on a series of novels written by Charlene Harris, the HBO series takes many liberties with the original material and this July the Sookie universe will expand yet again as we see the launch of a 6 issue comic book series from IDW Publishing.

cover art by J.Scott Campbell

It’s obvious from the cover , featuring art by J.Scott Campbell, that there is some attempt at capturing the sex appeal and mortal danger depicted in the television series. The interior art is done by David Messina, and each 32 page issue boasts a pull out gatefold poster of his work. Messina is the artist on the IDW comic series, Angel, so he’s no stranger to vampires or TV actor likenesses.

The story, developed by Alan Ball and series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, centers on Sookie, Bill, Eric, Sam, Lafayette, Tara, and Jason dishing the dirt to one another as they are trapped by a tormented spirit. The press release states: “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!”

Being a fan of the HBO show and novels, I am looking forward to seeing the interior art and reading the story myself. I’m happy to see that gay character, Lafayette Reynolds, is included in the bunch. I wonder what sort of dirty laundry will be aired? More importantly: can Eric Northman actually feel shame?

Read the official HBO press release online, and pre-order the comic if you want to secure a copy today.