The Essential Neil Gaiman Reading List

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Fans of comic books and fantasy novels know there's no way to talk about either genre without mentioning the impact of Neil Gaiman. The British writer began his career in the 1980's, making his name through (surprisingly) writing a biography on Duran Duran before breaking into the comic book industry with Black Orchid and working with DC Comics to reinvent the character The Sandman in 1989.

Spanning 75 issues, The Sandman follows Morpheus (also called Dream), who rules over the land of dreams. He's one of The Endless, a family of beings including Death, Destiny, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction. The series begins with Dream's capture at the hands of a human occultist and subsequently follows Dream's escape, repair of the dream realm, and his conflicts with his siblings and other supernatural beings, like Lucifer. Since its initial publication, the comic book has spawned two successful television shows (including the new Netflix smash hit), and created an entire Sandman universe within DC, separate from the Batman and Superman comics most fans have heard of. But that's only one major success he's known for.

In 1990, Gaiman partnered with famed writer Terry Pratchett for Good Omens, about an angel and demon who reluctantly team up to stop the apocalypse. Not long after, Gaiman began his solo writing career, releasing short story collections and crafting fantasy novels including American Gods and Stardust, plus illustrated and graphic novels such as Coraline.

At a glance, surveying the career of a prolific and celebrated writer can seem overwhelming, but for a first-time reader of Neil Gaiman, it doesn't have to be a difficult endeavor. Here are 10 essential Neil Gaiman novels, comic books, and graphic novels for newcomers and hardcore fans alike.

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

A collaboration between legendary writer Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens follows Aziraphale and Crowley, an Angel and a Demon who decide they quite like England just the way it is and join forces to stop the apocalypse, whatever means necessary.

American Gods: A Novel

Winner of the 2002 Hugo, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Awards, American Gods asks the question: what if gods from various folklore were all real and anthropomorphized? Oh, and what if they were joined by "New Gods,"created in lieu of our contemporary culture, like a god for television or conspiracy theories? Mythology fans will love this one.

Stardust

Gaiman took his shot at a fairytale with Stardust, which tells the story of a young man who promises a woman that he'll bring her a star. But he doesn't quite realize that that very star is in quite high demand. Gaiman's story reads almost like a Tim Burton script—and when you finish, you can check out the 2007 film adaption and see just how different one is from the other.

Neverwhere: A Novel

Originally a television series, Gaiman wrote both the show and the novelization. When a Scottish man helps a mysterious young girl, he finds himself transported to an alternate dimension in London, and has to navigate the strange world to help his new friend and find a way back.

The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1

The first 20 issues of The Sandman series are in this edition and follow Dream's capture, his eventual escape, and return to power. Along the way, he interacts with Lucifer in Hell, the magician Constantine, captures rogue dreams, and defeats Doctor Destiny, a man who uses one of Dream's tools for evil. The issues also includes shorter stories related to The Sandman world, without direct impact on the overall plot. The Sandman is a beautifully illustrated epic which fans can not only read, but now watch as a faithful adaptation on Netflix.

Also see: 10 Best The Sandman Comics to Read

Coraline

It may be for children, but Coraline is still a spooky read, no matter what age you are. When a young girl discovers a small door in her apartment, she enters it, only to find a world where her parents and neighbors are positive and fun. But the more time she spends in the world, the more she learns about the sinister truth behind the place.

Eternals by Neil Gaiman

Not only has Gaiman worked for DC Comics, he's also worked with Marvel. One of his notable contributions was a limited series on Eternals, illustrated by John Romita Jr. In this 2006 run, the Eternals wake up without any memory of their powers or history, and have to remember who they were and what happened to them.

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

Gaiman's second collection of short stories and poems, Smoke and Mirrors presents many of Gaiman's work published prior to 1998, and is perfect for any fan who wants to become familiar with his earlier fiction.

Norse Mythology

For those who want to learn more about Norse mythology without wading into academic or historical text, Gaiman's Norse Mythology is a great place to start. The book retells both well-known and lesser known tales from the Norse gods.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel

Winner of the 2013 British National Book Award, The Ocean at the End of the Lane follows an unnamed narrator who returns to his hometown and begins to recall his past. Readers who want an emotional tale which explores adolescence with elements of fantasy will love this one.

The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction

The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction

Anansi Boys

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