Have no fear fans of HBO’s vampire drama True Blood, the network won’t make you wait for a new season of the show without giving you something to occupy your time. In fact, HBO and our friends at IDW are going to be releasing a True Blood graphic novel to do just that.

The graphic novel, called True Blood, Vol.1: All Together Now, is a hard cover compilation of all six issues from the first comic book series. The graphic novel will feature a new cover and bonus content including sketches and a cover gallery.

In case you’re not familiar with the current comic, it debuted in July and was an instant hit, selling out the first two issues and going into multiple printings. With four issues released (and two more to go)…it has become the best selling title for IDW Publishing in their history. Nice.

The book will be released on February 8, 2011 and retail for $24.99. Be sure to check it out as its a great way to experience the comic without having to try and follow individual issues.

It looks like at least one new cast member has already gotten a big benefit from the recent announcement of True Blood’s renewal for a fourth season. According to Deadline, everyone’s favorite new werewolf Alcide — aka actor Joe Manganiello — has been given the word he will become a show regular for the new season.

Originally only supposed to appear in a handful of episodes this season, the actor supposedly so impressed the show’s producers and was embraced by True Blood fans that his role was expanded. Obviously, this is something I’m sure the actor is thrilled about.

With some original cast members supposedly being killed this season, it makes sense that the show’s producers will need fresh, um, blood to fill in. With all the hype these days surrounding vampires and werewolves it makes sense that this character would get the nod.

Who knows, maybe the show is setting up some kind of super love triangle (Or love square?) between Sookie, Bill, Eric and Alcide? If done right, that could prove very interesting indeed.

Maybe we will get some more news during True Blood‘s panel at Comic-Con? If so, we’ll be sure to bring it to you.

With only two episodes aired for season three so far, HBO has already given the green light for a fourth season of Alan Ball’s vampire series True Blood. The announcement, given by HBO’s programing president Michael Lombardo, will give the series a new season of twelve episodes and follow the continuing adventures of your favorite residents of Bon Temps, LA.

The series, based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charliane Harris and featuring Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgard, had a very successful premiere episode and scored a 38% ratings increase over last year’s season two opener. Obviously, this was enough to convince HBO to give the show another season.

“The new season of True Blood is off to a terrific start, as enthusiasm for this unique show continues to build among both subscribers and critics,” noted Lombardo.

This is great news for fans of the show (like me) and with the series going into some new and interesting directions so far this year, I can’t wait to see where it all ends up. The series will begin production of new episodes early next year in Los Angeles, with a season four debut set for summer 2011.

Sure, it’s great fun to watch your favorite shows on TV and experience them as a viewer. But what if you could actually participate in one of these shows instead of just watch?

Well, that’s possible now, especially if one of your favorite shows happens to be HBO’s True Blood. What am I talking about? The good folks at Charitybuzz, in conjunction with the show, are auctioning off a featured walk-on role in the series to the highest bidder.

As if that wasn’t enough already, proceeds from the auction will benefit GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Bidding is open through June 2 at Charitybuzz, which is one of the leading destinations for online charity auctions.

To get in on the action, head on over to the website for the auction and start bidding. True Blood Season 3 starts June 13th on HBO, so you better hurry.

For more on Charitybuzz and their other great auctions, which include meeting the cast of Entourage, hanging out with Chevy Chase on the set of Community and lunch with the cast of Mad Men, check out their site.

It’s been many longs months without being able to see the further adventures of our favorite show about vampires, voodoo and crazy accents. Fortunately, HBO’s hit series True Blood is about to return to the small screen and I, for one, couldn’t be happier about it.

During the time leading up to the season premiere, we’ve had some stuff to share with you about the new season including news on the minisodes of the series and a trailer. Now, we’ve got a new trailer to bring you today and this one proves to be even better than the last. This time around we get more details on the fates and new predicaments of our favorite residents of Bon Temps, LA.

Judging from this new trailer, things are going to be getting even more serious, and more sexy, once the new season kicks off. And I thought things were pretty serious and sexy last season.

Don’t worry, you’ll only have to wait until June 13th for new episodes. Until then, check out the brand new trailer after the jump.

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Apparently it’s True Blood day here at The Flickcast because we’ve got not one but two stories about HBO’s awesome vampire show for you today. Earlier, we brought you news of the new “mini” episodes of the show which have begun airing online in support of its return next month for season three.

Now, and this is almost more exciting, we’ve finally got a full blown trailer for the new season to share with you as well. In this brand new trailer, we get a look at all our favorite True Blood characters including Sooke, Bill, Eric, Lafayette, Jason and Sam as they start to experience what season three in Bon Temps has in store for them. Plus, it seems Sookie has a new friend, things are getting a bit more violent and we might even see some werewolf activity this season.

Interesting indeed. Can’t wait. Fortunately, don’t have to wait very long as True Blood returns June 13th on HBO. Until then, check out the full trailer after the jump.

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While most of us were under the impression that we had to wait until Sunday, June 13th for new episodes of True Blood, Vampire Christmas comes a little bit early, in the form of some great “mine” True Blood episodes.

Much like Rescue Me has done in the past, True Blood is releasing a series of original “mini” episodes that have some great content with some of our favorite characters from the show including Sookie (Anna Paquin), Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll), and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård).

Of the three episodes already released, we seem to get one of each: a character study, some amazing Mamet-style dialog, and a great comedic bit. The first, in which Eric and Pam audition for a brand new dancer at the Fangtasia, happens to be the comedic one.

After that, the minisode with Jessica and the third with Sookie, Lafayette, and Tara take place just before the second season’s cliffhanger ending, but still add to the intensity of show’s drama.

Check out the first three minisodes after the jump, and keep an eye out for new minisodes leading up to the season 3 premiere of True Blood June 13th on HBO.

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Variety is reporting that HBO’s popular undead gothic series True Blood will return for a twelve episode third season on June 13. The return of the series shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as the series drew more than 12 million viewers per episode last season. The season two finale alone drew a record 5.1 million viewers, making it the cabler’s most watched contemporary show.

Fans should be prepared to expect some new faces around Bon Temps, as  Alfre Woodard and Kevin Alejandro (Southland) have both signed on for the season. Michelle Forbes, who played Maryann Forrester, Bon Temp’s seductive and deadly maenad, will not be returning for another season (which isn’t too surprising if you paid attention during season two’s finale).

Based on the hit series of novels from Charlaine Harris,  True Blood stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Sam Trammell.

It takes a lot to be a horror fan. We suffer indignities that other film fans wouldn’t dream of. Genre films are seldom screened for press, leading to frantic scrambling to get a seat at a midnight showing so that we can have that review up and ready for you, dear readers, on opening day. Regular critics scoff at our genre, and often can’t be bothered with it at all. So it rests upon those of us who are true lovers of the genre to keep you abreast of the happenings in horror-land.

Adding to my general frustration with the powers that be is the mishandling of three recent films in particular.  All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Trick ‘r Treat, and Paranormal Activity have all gotten a rotten distribution deal in one way or another. I  asked Scott Weinberg, Managing Editor of Cinematical and Editor of Horror Squad if he was surprised that all three of these got shelved after they received good festival buzz. ”Annoyed, yes. Surprised, no. Every distributor seems to want a ‘break-out’ horror flick, but few know what to do with it once they get one,” he said

So here is the rundown on these three films.

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Trick ‘r Treat is yet another horror film that has been severely mishandled over the last few years. A few other notables are Paranormal Activity (finally out in theaters) and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (collecting dust on  a shelf somewhere). Trick ‘r Treat was shown at a few genre film festivals last year and a few this year as well. It was received by the audiences with giddy, glowing praise, and was  heralded an instant Halloween classic.

Then it sat on a shelf with no release date.  Fortunately, Warner Brothers threw us horror buffs a bone and released it last week on DVD.  It promptly sold out, which demonstrated the pent up demand to see this movie.

Admittedly, it has been over-hyped a bit. It is not among the best horror movies ever made, but it is really fun. It actually celebrates the traditions of Halloween, and is unique in that respect. In the town where the story takes place, candy still needs to be carefully checked for razors and poison, and you don’t disregard the rules of Halloween. Namely, never blow out the candle in a jack-o-lantern, lest bad things happen.

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Here’s a list of some of the new movie and TV shows coming to DVD and Blu-ray this week that we’re looking forward to seeing. Also, there’s some classic, and not-so-classic, movies hitting Blu-ray for the first time this week as well.

Of all the new releases, we’re particularly interested in the Blu-ray versions of movies and TV shows like Trick ‘r Treat (pictured above with Anna Paquin), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Chinatown, Bones Season 4 and the complete Stargate: Atlantis series.

Check them out.

Movies

Anvil: The Story of Anvil ~ Robb Reiner  (DVD)

Assassination of a High School President ~ Kathryn Morris, Michael Rapaport, Bruce Willis (DVD and Blu-ray)

Chinatown ~ Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston (DVD)

Contact ~ Jodie Foster (Blu-ray)

Dance Flick ~ Damon Wayans (DVD and Blu-ray)

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Trick ‘r Treat is a movie that has had a seemingly endless road from production to release. Originally slated to hit theaters back in October of 2007, the studio decided to push the film’s release back. Several bumps and unsuccessful screenings later, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures finally decided the film would do best as a DVD release this October.

No word on whether or no the film itself was changed at all in the two years, but True Blood fans will get star Anna Paquin in the film before she went all Southern Blond. Also starring in the film is Brian Cox, Leslie Bibb, and Dylan Baker. The film was written and directed by X2 and Superman Returns scribe Michael Dougherty.

Check out the new trailer after the jump, pick up the exclusive Trick ‘r Treat graphic novel from DC Comics Entertainment next month, and grab the DVD just in time for Halloween on October 6th.

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