"30 Days of Night: Blood Trails"

I talked today with Steve Niles, writer of “30 Days of Night” and its spinoffs. The original comic-book miniseries has been made into a movie set for release Oct. 19; Niles shares screenwriting credit. Leading up to the movie is “30 Days of Night: Blood Trails,” an online miniseries appearing now on FEARnet.com. It’s unfolding with mini-episodes over seven weeks, and Niles is serving as creative consultant.

“Blood Trails” is based on the New Orleans storyline from the original “30 Days of Night.” That storyline is missing from the movie, which keeps the action confined to Alaska. Other than that, though, the movie is quite faithful to the comic, Niles said.

The vampires in “30 Days of Night” are not sexy or silly. They’re just scary. And they’re apparently not interested in making more vampires. “These guys, once they drain you of your blood, they pop your head off so you can’t become a vampire,” Niles said.