This is the second series from publisher IDW based on HBO’s hit TV show, True Blood. The story mainly follows the vampire Jessica as she leads her life as the newest Vampire in Bon Temps. Although the issue mainly follows Jessica that does not mean that the story lacks the appearances of any of the other True Blood favorites. In the issue, Jessica’s boyfriend Hoyt is trying to alleviate the initial difficultly of Jessica being a vampire by throwing her a prom at the local restaurant Merlots, but this isn’t the true story of the issue, there is an underlying problem that is sweeping across the south concerning vampires.
Marc Andrayko and Michael McMillian do the writing in the issue, which is probably the only good part of the issue. These two do a great job at character interaction in the story, taking the way the characters act and speak right from the TV show. Also, the initial story that they have created for this series is very cleaver, and is probably better than the whole story that took place in season three of the show.
The thing that really hurt the issue is the art. The art of Joe Corroney is overly shiny. The backgrounds of the pages look great, but it is the characters themselves that look as though they are covered in Crisco every second of the day. Also, the characters are very flat, and almost all of the faces look the same, and if it wasn’t for features such as hairstyles, or distinctive eyes, or the fact that most of these characters are notable from the show, I believe that all of the characters look the same.
True Blood: Tainted Love is a comic that is solely for a fan of the show. The story does not cater to new readers at all. If someone has not seen the show before, they will be lost since the basis for all of the character interactions comes directly from the show, and if I remember correctly, it was like that in the first True Blood series as well. My final verdict is the same as the last True Blood comic I reviewed; if you’re a fan of the show and you’re looking for more story with the shows main characters, pick up the book you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve never seen the show before and you’re looking to get into the story, this is the wrong place to start.
5 out of 10
"True Blood: Tainted Love is a comic that is solely for a fan of the show. The story does not cater to new readers at all"
ReplyDeleteHey Chris, do you think that someone who has never seen the show WOULD pick this book up?
I understand that the book should maybe try to get someone INTO the show. But I don't know if that is the job of the writers to do.
Some times comics are used as advertising, but I think this comic is used to hold over fans of the show while they wait for a new season.
Plus I think the art was pretty good. ha ha.
Your thoughts?
I thought the art was AWFUL. The whole time I was reading the comic I thought so.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though if someone who has never seen the show picked up it up to see if they can try to get into would just be completely lost. I've seen the show, and the story can be pretty complex and the comic just does not give enough background story for a possible new fan to get into the story, nor do I think that with a story like True Blood it is POSSIBLE to give enough background to get into the story.
Also, this story is taking place going into the newest season of the show I believe; because it was never made clear as to where these comics stories fit in.
And you're right, the comic is purely to hold over fans till the next season, but its really detrimental to ostracize new readers with information they wont be able to get into and understand.