When you heard the news a little over a month ago that the "Harper Connelly" novels of "True Blood" author Charlaine Harris would be adapted into comics at Dynamite, perhaps like us you wondered, why not True Blood comics? Today we learned the answer: "True Blood" comics are on the way from IDW Publishing through a partnership with HBO, coming out in July just in time for San Diego Comic-Con.

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 [HBO series creator Alan] 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...

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.

While the press release doesn't specify exactly when the comics will take place -- aside from following the cast's "continuing adventures" -- Bill's ward, the young vampire Jessica, will be involved, placing the time frame during at least Season 2 if not later. The PR says the comic "will add new and unique layers" to the HBO show.

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