Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer in a scene from True Blood.

Last night, I watched the premiere of Alan Ball's (Six Feet Under, American Beauty, upcoming Towelhead) new HBO drama True Blood.  If the first episode is any indicator, we're going to see lots and lots of teeth-bearing vampire sex.  Ball is clearly interested in vamping up (sorry) the whole dirty-sexy-dangerous aspect of the vampire/mortal dynamic. While erotica has always been a staple surrounding vampires in pop culture, the depiction of graphic sex usually takes a back seat to the spookiness, violence, or (as in the case of Buffy), ass-kicking.  The sexual aspect is subtext, implicit in the act of vampirism, but rarely materializing because the vampire is often "satisfied" first.  The more graphic deptictions of vampire sex are the purview of B-movies and adult entertainment.

With True Blood and the censor-taunting HBO, vampires in pop culture just got a little freakier. 

I know the dust bunnies have been building around Culture Lust.  I've been mad busy coordinating the coverage for our Comic-Con blog. Check it out - I'm so proud of the work we've done so far, with few resources and a lot of enthusiasm.  We'll be covering all four days of the convention with video, photography, blogging, and tweeting.  Our team includes smart people tasked with finding out the latest in video games, tv, film, collectibles, graphic novels and comics. 

I'm trying to get an interview with Michael C. Hall, aka Dexter, and I'll be going to the Dexter panel.  I'm also planning on going to the HBO panel for Alan Ball's new drama True Blood, The Black Panel, and the steampunk gathering (fascinated!).  Jeff Soto will be signing copies of his latest Murphy designed art book on Saturday so I hope to see him as well.  I love his work.  Of course, I plan to take a lot of photos of the costumes and crowd - always a treat.  So, the dust bunnies may accumulate as I spend time working on the Comic-Con blog.  Follow me over there - you'll have a blast.

My friend Ed (thanks!) sent me this the other day... "in the spirit of Comic-Con."  It's a real Craigs List ad... hilarious!  I assume I have some proper nemeses in my readership who could use $350.

Nemesis required. 6-month project with possibilty to extend

Date: 2008-05-07, 2:49PM PDT

I've been trying to think of ways to spice up my life. I'm 35 years old, happily married with two kids and I have a good job in insurance. But somethings missing. I feel like I'm old before my time. I need to inject some excitement into my daily routine through my arm before its too late. I need a challenge, something to get the adrenaline pumping again. An addiction would be nice, but, in short, I need a nemesis. I'm willing to pay $350 up front for you services as an arch enemy over the next six months. Nothing crazy. Steal my parking space, knock my coffee over, trip me when Im running to catch the BART and occasionaly whisper in my ear, "Ahha, we meet again". That kind of thing. Just keep me on my toes. Complacency will be the death of me. You need to have an evil streak and be blessed with innate guile and cunning. You should also be adept at inconsicuous pursuit. Evil laugh preferred. Send me a photo and a brief explanation why you would be a good nemesis.

British accent preferred.

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: $350 up front