TRUE BLOOD

Thanks to a scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have come out of the coffin, progressing from bloodsucking monsters to fanged citizens with rights overnight.

America is up in arms, with religious leaders and political figures either publicly vilifying or welcoming their nocturnal friends with open arms.

A brief shot of a gossip magazine during one scene reads 'Angelina adopts vampire child' and there's even a themed nightclub and vampiric haunt called Fangtasia, selling souvenir T-shirts.

But the Golden Globe-winning first series, released today as a DVD and Blu-Ray box set, is no Twilight.

With nudity, sex and swearing galore, True Blood makes Buffy The Vampire Slayer look like pre-school fodder.

Set in the small Louisiana town of Bontemps, the locals are small-minded caricatures - many of whom don't take kindly to a vampire moving into their neighbourhood.

Mind-reading waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) strikes up a frowned-upon relationship with 173-year-old Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and the plot gets darker as they become more deeply involved.

There is intelligent social commentary at work here, with youngsters experimenting with 'V' - illegal vampire blood traded on the black market - and even turning to crime to get their next fix.

And racial segregation is still a real issue, with red necks targeting African Americans, as well as sending lynch mobs in pursuit of vampires.

It boasts a fast-paced plot with plenty of twists and a strong cast - but you'll need a strong stomach.

VERDICT 4/5