Official Press Release

HBO® and IDW Publishing Announce
Second Printing for
True Blood® Comic Book Series

Comics Based on HBO Hit Television Series Sells Out

Second Printing Available in Stores on August 25th

San Diego, CA (August 18, 2010) – HBO and IDW Publishing are excited to announce that True Blood #1 has sold out! The first issue of this sexy, visually striking comic series launched with huge success at San Diego Comic-Con and comic retailers throughout North America and kicks off the first-ever comic book series based on the hit HBO series True Blood. To meet the continued demand, IDW and HBO are rushing a second printing to stores for a release date of August 25th.

Developed with the show’s Oscar®-and Emmy®-winning creator, Alan Ball (HBO’s Six Feet Under, American Beauty), IDW’s True Blood series is the exclusive, official show comic, adding new and unique layers of supernatural drama to the wildly original Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning television show.

True Blood #1 boasted a print run of over 53,000 copies, sold through comic stores and other outlets, and offering multiple covers. IDW and Diamond Comic Distributors also offered exclusive versions of the first issue at San Diego Comic Con, all of which were sold out by the end of the show. The second installment of the series will release on August 18th.

“The passion fans have for True Blood has elevated the series to new heights and it continues to grow as the story unfolds,” states James Costos, VP Global Licensing and Retailing. “With the sell-out success of the comic’s first printing, it is clear that there is an insatiable thirst for different iterations of the television series, and we’re excited to expand the impact of the comic series and get it into even more hands with this second printing.”

Beginning with issue #1, the True Blood comic series offers the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor, intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for. In this comic book series, Sookie and many other Bon Temps locals 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.

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 artists J. Scott Campbell, Joe Corroney, and Andrew Currie join Messina in providing covers for the first issue.

The True Blood comics 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 Lafayette Reynolds.

True Blood #1 (of 6, 2nd printing, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores on August 25th. Diamond order code JUN10 8172.

True Blood #2 (of 6, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores on August 18th. Diamond order code JUN10 0313.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail awards official HBO licenses throughout the world for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines which are inspired by the television broadcaster’s award-winning programs.

© 2010 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

Official Press Release

Comics Based on HBO Hit Television Series Bring New Excitement & Drama
to the Sultry World of Bon Temps for “Trubies” and Collectors

Exclusive editions available at San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego, CA (July 21, 2010) – HBO and IDW Publishing are proud to announce the launch of the first-ever comic book series based on the network’s hit show True Blood.  Available today at San Diego Comic-Con and comic retailers throughout North America, 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. Two exclusive versions of True Blood #1 will be available at San Diego Comic-Con, each with a different cover. Fans can find a special David Messina wrap-around cover at the IDW booth #2643. Select comic retailers throughout the convention will offer a second exclusive cover, featuring a monochromatic version of Joe Corroney’s cover.

Developed with the show’s Oscar®-and Emmy®-winning creator, Alan Ball (HBO’s Six Feet Under, American Beauty), IDW’s True Blood series is the exclusive, official show comics.

“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.”

Beginning with issue #1, the True Blood comic series offers the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor, intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for.  In this comic book series, Sookie and many other Bon Temps locals 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.

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 artists J. Scott Campbell, Joe Corroney, and Andrew Currie join Messina in providing covers for the first issue.

The True Blood comics 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 Lafayette Reynolds.

True Blood #1 (of 6, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) is now available in stores.

True Blood #1, SDCC exclusive (32 pages, full color, $5) will be available at the IDW booth #2643.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail awards official HBO licenses throughout the world for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines which are inspired by the television broadcaster’s award-winning programs.

© 2010 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

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