True Blood News » comic books

Michael McMillian Interview on God Hates Fangs Podcast

AphroditeMF — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:34:57 +0000

This week, God Hates Fangs True Blood Podcast (hosted by my husband and I) were lucky enough to bag an interview with Michael McMillian, the man behind Steve Newlin and co-writer of the True Blood: Tainted Love comics. He gave us the lowdown on Steve Newlin’s return, getting fitted for his fangs, and the future of the True Blood comic series. He confirmed not only that the comics will now be an ongoing monthly series, but also gave us the excellent news that he will be returning to write for them:

“IDW is going to be launching a new ongoing True Blood monthly comic book. So they’re tossing out doing these sets of six issue series, they’re just gonna do an ongoing book, and I’m back on as series regular co-writer.

What we’re gonna do is focus on smaller story arcs, fewer characters at a time, and then we’ll do an issue where it’s just one character.”

I’m sure that fans of the comic books, who were full of praise for the arc that Michael co-wrote, will be delighted to hear this!

Naturally he was tight-lipped about exactly what we can expect in season five, but he did give this intriguing insight:

“It’s gonna be really, really good. The whole season so far has been great. It’s very vampire centred.

I think season five is gonna start paying off the promises of the first four seasons. It’s like, ok, now you know the way the world works, we’ve introduced these separate plotlines, these separate characters, and it’s really starting to come together this season in a big, big way.”

Listen to the entire hour-long interview here, or subscribe on iTunes:

God Hates Fangs Podcast Episode 32: Michael McMillian Interview

Fangirls Speak Out: True Blood Comics – When the hell?!

AphroditeMF — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:44:09 +0000

I’m a big comic book geek, especially when it comes to vampire comics. So when it was announced that IDW, the publishers behind the Spike and Angel series, were going to be releasing a series of True Blood comics, I had a massive nerd-gasm. Fourteen issues in, and this week saw the news that IDW will be making the True Blood comic series an ongoing monthly release from spring 2012. While this comes as welcome news, I can’t help but feel a degree of trepidation.

True Blood Comic issues 1-12

On paper, the True Blood comics sound like they couldn’t possibly fail to live up to awesomeness of the show that inspired them. The first six-issue arc, All Together Now, has a storyline conceived by head honcho Alan Ball and fellow True Blood staff writers Kate Barnow and Elisabeth Finch. The script is co-written by David Tischman, of the excellent Bite Club comics on Vertigo (like True Blood meets The Sopranos!), and illustrated by David Messina, who did a superb job on the Spike and Angel comics. The second arc, Tainted Love, mixed things up a bit by bringing in Michael McMillian, known to fans as the guy who plays vampire-hating preacher Steve Newlin in the show, to co-write the script. He’s no newcomer to the comic world – check out him and Zachary Quinto’s comic Lucid, a crazy mix of Arthurian legend and secret agents! Also new to the team was writer Marc Andreyko, currently helming the Let the Right One In prequel comics, and illustrator Joe Corroney, a celebrated Star Wars artist for LucasArts, who’s also worked on the Spike and Angel comics. Right now we’re mid-way through the third arc, The French Quarter, and the original team are back, with a story that follows on from the cliffhanger in issue six.

Comic Sookie also has numerous three-way fantasies.

The depictions of characters can’t be faulted, the dialogue crackles with lewdness and hilarity that makes it sound like it could have come straight out of the show, and the tone is the perfect blend of sexy and freaky. All Together Now features an ancient swamp monster that traps everyone in Merlotte’s and feeds off of their shame. Tainted Love is about a contaminated batch of TruBlood that sends vampires bat-shit crazy, and The French Quarter is about Sookie, Eric and Bill travelling to New Orleans to investigate a series of vampire slayings. All fun stuff and highly entertaining.

The wisdom of Jason Stackhouse

So what’s my beef? Here’s the thing – at no point is it explained when ANY of these shenanigans are supposed to take place in relation to the show! Sookie and Bill are all loved up in the first story, Eric has short hair, and Jessica is living with Bill, so this has to be in the same timeframe as season two, but we the eagle-eyed viewers can’t help but think “hold your horses, how did they all find the time to fight the swamp demon thingy in between all the orgies, cannibalism, and road trip to Dallas?” The same thing goes for Tainted Love – Sookie and Bill have split up, Jessica and Hoyt are together, and Jessica specifically refers to the scene towards the end of season three in which Bill teaches her some vampire ninja skills. It’s as if the events of this arc take place during the year that passes between seasons three and four, except Sookie isn’t in fairyland, and Tara isn’t a lesbian cagefighter.

Comic Pam's snark is intact.

Of course, it’s highly possible that Michael McMillian and Marc Andreyko weren’t aware that Sookie was going to take an extended vacation away from Bon Temps, but the show has made things incredibly difficult for the poor comic book writers, you see! Near enough every episode of True Blood ends with a cliffhanger, which immediately leads into the next episode, aside from the “two weeks later” at the end of season one, and the aforementioned year that Sookie vanishes for at the start of season four.

I demand more 19th Century Bill!

Comparing this situation to that of another famous vampire TV show being adapted to comic form, I’m a big fan of the Buffyverse comics and graphic novels. There are literally HUNDREDS of the things – many of them set within the seven seasons that the show ran for, and the four seasons that spin-off Angel ran for, which is possible since the “monster of the week” structure means that events in the comics can occur in between episodes of the show. As well as that, the Buffy/Angel/Spike/Faith comics feature many events that take place prior to the start of the show – something that works particularly well when it comes to vampire characters that are centuries old.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the immortal! And that’s where the True Blood comics have been most successful so far. It’s difficult for the reader to fully engage with the events in the comics that supposedly take place in the present timeframe of the show, thus making it less credible that the comics are part of the True Blood “canon”, and reducing them to fan fiction with incredibly high quality and production values (or perhaps an exercise in multiverse storytelling). But the flashback sequences in the comics are much easier to relate to as having a feasible connection to the characters from the show, and giving insight into their motivations. For example, we learn through the comics how Bill was manipulated by Lorena in his first year as a vampire, how Jessica’s relationship with her ultra-strict parents led to her being kidnapped by vampires and taken to Bill’s trial, and how Lafayette’s crazy mother reacted to the discovery that he was gay. More interesting still is the sequence in which we see Eric in Inquisition-era Spain – tying the comic series nicely to the events of season four.

Bearing this in mind, I think that the writers behind the comics should play to their strengths and focus more on flashback material, as opposed to attempting the impossible task of setting events around what takes place in the show. Of course, the alternative route would be to do what the Game of Thrones comics do, which is to ignore the show completely and present a verbatim graphic re-telling of the novels on which the TV adaptation is based. Imagine! Sookie and Tara doing a slutty dance to Love is a Battlefield, Queen Sophie-Anne losing her legs, Eric wearing pink PVC! However, since True Blood has become soooo far removed from the source material, I reckon that would alienate a large proportion of the TV audience. I’m also guessing that most of the Southern Vampire Mysteries hardcore fans aren’t really comic book readers. Still, since Charlaine Harris has recently become involved in the comic world, it’s not a far-fetched idea.

Naked Eric battles the Spanish Inquisition

But I can’t help but remember with fondness the one-shot of Spike and Drusilla causing mayhem at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, and think of how much better the True Blood comics would be if the writers would just bite the bullet and accept that it’s essential for them to move away from attempting to write an ensemble piece in the same style as the show. Characters need to be separated into their own storylines, perhaps with each comic containing two plots that develop simultaneously, in different time periods – think the first arc of Stephen King’s American Vampire comics. One storyline could take place in Bon Temps, and the other could concern any of the vampire characters doing… well, pretty much anything! How about Lorena and Bill in the Wild West? Or Eric and Godric hanging out with Shakespeare in Tudor London? Or Pam going to Woodstock? Hell, what about Franklin actually being Jack the Ripper?! This new approach, and a continuing dialogue with the show’s creators to ensure continuity between the two mediums, will ensure that the comics become an essential part of the True Blood universe that could even outlive the show. After all, despite Buffy’s series finale coming at the end of season seven, the comics have continued the mythology, and are currently on season nine. While actors eventually get too old to play immortals, their illustrated counterparts never age!

You can buy True Blood Vol. 1: All Together Now Comic Book Collection (Hardcover) at HBO Store by clicking the image below:

Cover Images courtesy of truebloodcomics.com

True Blood, Vol. 2: Tainted Love

jody — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:27:06 +0000

I know we are all a little sad that the 9-month wait to watch new episodes of our beloved show True Blood has begun, but fret not Truebies! You can still get your True Blood fix by checking out our site for up-to-date information on your favorite True Blood actors and also what they’ve got for sale over at the HBO Store.

We will be featuring items that are of particular interest and hope you will enjoy. First up, the hardcover edition of Tainted Love. The book sells for $24.99, and you can buy it here.

I have been getting all of the comic books and so far the Tainted Love series has been my favorite. The illustrations are top-notch and the story was funnier and co-written by Michael McMillian (Steve Newlin). So if you haven’t purchased the individual comic books, you can get them all in this handy hardcover.

True Blood, Vol. 2: Tainted Love

Marc Andreyko, Michael McMillian (w) • Joe Corroney (a) • J. Scott Campbell (c)

Hoyt, the human boyfriend of Jessica, tries to do a good deed… and it doesn’t go unpunished! Hoyt notices that Jessica has been staring at a poster for a local prom night, which leads him to romantically scheme to throw a surprise one for her at Merlotte’s (with the help of friends Sookie, Sam and Tara). Unfortunately, things go awry when Jessica drinks a bit too much of the punch, which just happens to be part of a tainted batch of Tru Blood! Now out of control on a rampage into the night, Hoyt, Bill and Jason do their best to help their friend. Meanwhile, Sookie and Lafayette try to help Jessica a little differently, by seeking out Eric, and the local sheriff! It’s a thrill ride beyond compare as they fight to bring Jessica back to the safety of Bon Temps stretches dangerously close to dawn.

160 Pages

New True Blood Comic Heads to The Vieux Carré

ZZ — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:23:14 +0000

Click to enlarge

MTV has revealed that the new, six-issue series hits shelves in August and will follow Sookie and vampire Eric Northman as they travel to New Orleans in order to track down a killer whom Eric and his maker, Godric, thought they killed centuries ago.

“True Blood: The French Quarter” will bring back “All Together Now” writers Mariah Huehner and David Tischman, as well as artist David Messina, who will be joined by Claudia Balboni on the series. Messina and Correney will provide cover art for the series.

Cover by Joe Corroney.

Source

Michael McMillian Ecstatic @ Advance Release Party for Lucid

Lividity — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:38:39 +0000

OMG buy this comic book and make him even happier!

Michael McMillian looks way happy to be at the Golden Apple Comics advance release party for his Lucid hardback comic yesterday (May 18, 2011) in Los Angeles. The guy looking all, “What the hell?” at Michael is Shawn Depasquale who did the lettering for the book.

source

Sam Trammell to Attend Fan Expo Canada

krystal_skyi — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:18:38 +0000

Fan Expo Canada began with the launch of the Canadian National Comic Book Expo in 1995 with only five guests and since then, it’s ballooned to thousands of people going every year. The Fan Expo Canada is one of the largest in Canada and they will be celebrating their 17th year in 2011. Our favorite Shape-shifter, Sam Trammell will be attending and we hope that our neighbors to the north get to visit him along with the long list of other stars. Check out who’s going to be there.

The Expo will take place for 4 big days! On August 25-28 2011 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Check site for times and more info.

Sci-Fi Guest: Sam Trammell

Sam Merlotte — TRUE BLOOD

Sam Trammell is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Sam Merlotte in the HBO vampire series, True Blood, which saw him nominated for a 2009 Scream Award for “Breakout Performance – Male.

Sam Trammell was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. When he was a child, his family moved to Charleston, West Virginia. Trammell graduated from George Washington High School. He furthered his studies at Brown University and the University of Paris.

Sam Trammell has worked in theater, on-Broadway, off-Broadway, film and television. He is an accomplished New York stage actor whose credits include a Tony nominated performance in “Ah, Wilderness!” at Lincoln Center. Off-Broadway, he starred in “Dealer’s Choice (play)”, “My Night With Reg”, “If Memory Serves”, “Ancestral Voices”, and most recently, “Kit Marlowe” at the Joseph Papp Public Theater, where he received outstanding reviews. Trammell’s big break came when he landed the role of “Sam Merlotte” on HBO series True Blood.

source: Fan Expo Canada

True Blood Twitter Talk

jody — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:08:46 +0000

Listen Up! The True Blood boys are talking!

Denis O’Hare has confirmed (via Twitter) that he will be in Clint Eastwood’s new movie “J. Edgar” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. According to IMDb.com, there will be another True Blood alumnus in the movie, Stephen Root, who played Eddie in Season 1. ZZ and I were lucky enough to see some of the filming of J. Edgar while we were on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour earlier this month.

Logo TV tweeted today that Joe Manganiello will make a specal appearance at the “NewNowNextAwards” 2011 . The show tapes in front of a live audience at the legendary Avalon in Hollywood on Thursday, April 7^th with a telecast premiere on Monday, April 11^th at 10/9C on Logo. Check it out at the source.

Michael McMillian (Rev. Steve Newlin) reminds us that the new issue of Tainted Love #2 - the True Blood comic book that he co-wrote – is out in comic book stores today. If you aren’t following him, you should be. This guy is a riot. My favorite recent tweet of his (from yesterday), “Thank you, Donut-Muffin, for being there when I needed you the most.” Follow him @McMillzz.

Another funny guy on Twitter, Marshall Allman (Tommy Merlotte) offered a little True Blood Season 4 Spoiler yesterday, “sam and tommy merlotte at the hospital today. who and what for?” – Oh Marshall, you are making us crazy!

Video: The Buzz on True Blood Comic Book

jody — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:55:56 +0000

HBO aired a new video on The Buzz with Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley and Deborah Ann Woll. They were at a Barnes and Noble in Los Angeles last week to sign copies of the new hard-cover comic book compilation named “True Blood Volume 1: All Together Now” that contains all six of the comics from the first series. The video looks like it contains some behind-the-scenes filming of season 4, so check it out!

True Blood Comic Book Compilation Makes Best Seller List

Lividity — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:37:48 +0000

The True Blood hard cover comic book compilation, “All Together Now,” which comprises all six issues of the first series has made the sixth spot on the New York Times best seller list.

“To have our first comic compilation debut at number six on the best-seller list is amazing,” said James Costos, HBO’s VP of licensing and retail. “It is a true testament to the quality of the product and reach of the True Blood brand.”

The series was co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner in collaboration with creator Alan Ball and screenwriters Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow. Artwork was provided by David Messina, J. Scott Campbell and Joe Corroney.

source

Michael McMillian & Marc Andreyko on True Blood Comics

Lividity — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:49:58 +0000

Oh my, I think I read about something like this in fanfiction once...

The second series of the True Blood comic book is currently being written by Marc Andreyko and Michael (Newlin!) McMillian, with Joe Corroney doing the illustrations. The folks over at CBR.com had the chance to interview McMillian and Andreyko recently and discussed the origins of the tainted Tru:Blood idea, Rev. Newlin and how sex is features in the comic books.

Andreyko told CBR that the story of “True Blood: Tainted” was inspired by the Tylenol poisonings in and around Chicago in 1982, when a still-unknown culprit added cyanide to Extra Strength Tylenol capsules, resulting in seven deaths. “Michael and I were coming up with stories to pitch, and the concept of someone poisoning Tru Blood was something that really intrigued us,” Andreyko said. “I mean, who would do that? Angry vampires? Vampire haters? Was it personal? Like any good mystery, there are dozens of feasible suspects.”

As to the nature of the “bad Blood,” McMillian told CBR, “It basically causes vampires that drink it to go into a feral bloodlust. They are conscious, but their moral center is completely vanished and they go wild. It basically acts as Vampire PCP.” Andreyko suggested there’s a special degree of nastiness inherent in such a potion. “When you see the art, you’ll understand,” he said.

Read the whole thing at CBR