As far as fantasy is concerned, Neil Gaiman is one of the most popular and prolific authors. Born in the UK in 1960, Gaiman has published multiple novels over the years, as well as graphic novels. His work has served as an inspiration source for many movie and TV adaptations, such asStardust(2007),Coraline(2009), and the TV seriesAmerican GodsorGood Omens.
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The upcoming TV seriesThe Sandmanis easily one of the most anticipated new fantasy series of 2022. But even before it premieres in the first week of August, the fans can pass the time by either re-readingThe Sandmanor taking a look at some other similar comics.
5Lucifer By Mike Carey
Luciferworks as a spin-off series toThe Sandman,but it’s also understandable for those who haven’t readThe Sandman. In the series, Lucifer has abandoned Hell and found a new home in Los Angeles. The comic book series' protagonist isn’t always sympathetic, and he doesn’t think or feel the way humans do, but that only makes him more fascinating.
However, a word of warning is in order -the comic bookLuciferdoesn’t have many things in common with the TV adaptationstarring Tom Ellis, which is much more light-hearted and civil. Both versions have a lot to offer, but each has a different atmosphere. The comic bookLuciferis dark, sometimes humorous, and unpredictable. Meanwhile, his onscreen counterpart plays more on a romantic note, and their differences don’t end there.
4Unwritten By Mike Carey
Mike Carey is a well-known name in the world of comic books, and for a good reason. Carey created multiple intelligent and original pieces of work. The seriesUnwrittenfocuses on Tommy Taylor, a young man who grew up in the shadow of a fictional wizard of the same name that Tommy’s father created and named after his son. Except that things are much more complicated, and in this world, the line between real and fictional blurs.
BothSandmanandThe Unwrittenaddress the topic of storytelling and the strength of stories with which they influence human lives.Unwrittenalsohas a clear connection toHarry Potter, but it makes references to multiple literary works, and it’s impossible to guess who will show up next or how the plot will evolve.
3Fables By Bill Willingham
Speaking of the power of stories,Fablesare another excellent example. Just likeUnwritten, it takes familiar literary characters and puts them in new and surprising situations. More specifically, the series centers on a group of fairytale creatures who left their homes behind andare now living in New York, trying to build new lives and fit in. The downside is that the Evil they ran from is still somewhere out there, and not everybody can mix in with the public. What’s even worse, someone starts killing the fairytale creatures.
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The series' summary might sound familiar, especially to those who have watched the TV showOnce Upon a Timethat’s streaming on Disney+. ButFablescame before the series, and they take the concept even further. Similar toThe Sandman, it mixes everyday reality and creatures and forces that don’t seemingly belong in it. Another similarity is the high level of imaginativeness both series possess.
2The Black Orchid By Neil Gaiman
Even thoughThe Sandmanmight be Neil Gaiman’s most famous comic book work, it isn’t the only one. Gaiman has also written an unusual superhero tale with a strange poetic to it namedThe Black Orchidafter the heroine. The lyrical yet at times brutal story combined with the unique drawing by Dave McKean makes for a memorable reading experience. Unlike other comic book tales,The Black Orchidran for mere three issues, making it easy to finish in a short period of time.
Interestingly enough, Gaiman’s story isn’t the first time the readers get to meet the Black Orchid since she had her comic book premiere in 1973. Back then,she was still a superhero sidekick. However, the Black Orchid is one of the more obscure DC heroes, so reading Gaiman’s graphic novel is a good way how to meet her and get to know more about her powers as well as her life in general.
1Death: The High Cost Of Living By Neil Gaiman
It’s not so unusual for a side, supporting character to become a fan favorite and steal the show for themselves. Other than Lucifer, one of the most prominentThe Sandmancharacters who managed is Death. She even got her own miniseries that’s a must-read for all fans ofThe Sandman. It deals with a thought-provoking topic. Death experiences mortality for a day, and she meets a teenager who’s contemplating committing suicide.
The series has the power to make the readers think about the value of life as well as considerwhat immortality must be likefor Death.The High Cost of Livingisn’t a relaxing read, but despite it - or most likely because of it - it leaves a strong impression as well, which has become typical for Neil Gaiman’s work.
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