Neil
Gaiman
There's
not enough one can say about Neil. His writing's fantastic and ranges from comic
books to children's stories. Below is a link to his own personal website, where
you'll find just about anything there is, to know about Neil.
Neil Gaiman's
website: http://www.neilgaiman.com
Ancient Tidbits
about Neil:
The Sandman Annotation
Neil Gaiman on DC Comics Online (AOL) on Feb. 23rd 1996
Neil Gaiman's Biography
Neil Gaiman's List of Works
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Biography
of Neil Gaiman
As a child, Gaiman was an avid reader and devoured the works
of: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, Samuel R. Delany, Roger Zelazny,
Harlan Ellison, and Gene Wolfe.
In the early 1980s Gaiman pursued a career in journalism in hopes it would allow him to
make the right connections, with hopes it would aid him in the future. In 1984, Neil
wrote a biography about the band Duran Duran. A bit later, he wrote, Don't
Panic: The Official Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Companion. From there, he
collaborated with Terry Pratchett on the comical novel Good Omens.
After forming a friendship with famed comic book scribe Alan Moore, Gaiman began writing
comics. He wrote two British graphic novels with his long-time friend Dave McKean: Violent
Cases and Signal to Noise. Later he landed a job with DC Comics, producing
his first work, Black Orchid.
Neil's best-known work is the comics series The Sandman, which chronicles the
tale of Morpheus, the personification of Dream. The series began in 1987 and ended in
1996. There were a total of 75 issues of the regular series, which have been
collected into 10 volumes. They are still in print and selling well.
In 1989, Gaiman published The Books of Magic, a four-part mini-series. It
was both mythological and magical, following the adventures of an teenager, who discovers
he's the world's greatest wizard. The miniseries was popular, and sired a continuing
series, written by John Ney Reiber.
In 1997, Neil wrote the BBC dark fantasy television series Neverwhere, which was
later adapted into a novel. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie MirrorMask
and the English language script for the anime movie Princess Mononoke.
Gaiman is a member and supporter of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and participates
actively with fundraisers for the group. Among the materials he has donated to the
worthy cause are: Snow, Glass, Apples and a book called Gods and Tulips.
Several of Gaiman's original works are in various stages of being adapted for film. Gaiman
may direct the film adaptation of Death: The High Cost of Living. Matthew Vaughn
is directing the film adaptation of Stardust and Henry Selick is directing a stop-motion
version of Coraline.
Gaiman is a friend of the science fiction and comic book writer, J. Michael Straczynski,
creator of the television series Babylon 5. Gaiman contributed to the
series by writing the season 5 episode Day of the Dead.
As of 2005, Gaiman has completed a new novel, Anansi Boys. The book deals with a
supporting character in American Gods, who dies at the beginning of the novel and traces
the relationship of his two sons, as they explore their common heritage. It hit the New
York Times bestseller list.
In 2006, Gaiman will return to Marvel Comics to work on a remake of Jack Kirby's the
Eternals.
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Works
by Neil Gaiman
Comics
& graphic novels
* Violent Cases (1987) - Gaiman, Neil; McKean, Dave (ill.) (1987).
Violent Cases, London: Titan. ISBN 1-85-286372-2.
* Black Orchid #1-3 (1988) - Gaiman, Neil; McKean, Dave (ill.) (1988). Black Orchid, New
York: DC Comics. ISSN Unknown.
* Light Brigade-Trident Comics-(1988)
* The Sandman #1-75 (1991-1997) - Ten-volume collection: Gaiman, Neil (1991-1997). The
Sandman, New York, NY : DC Comics. ISBN 1-56-389011-9 (v. 1); 0-93-028959-5 (v. 2);
1-56-389016-X (v. 3); 1-56-389041-0 (v. 4); 1-56-389089-5 (v. 5); 1-56-389105-0 (v. 6);
1-56-389138-7 (v. 7); 1-56-389171-9 (v. 8); 1-56-389205-7 (v. 9); 1-56-389279-0 (v. 10).
* Miracleman #17-24 - Reprinted as: Gaiman, Neil; Buckingham, Mark (ill.); Truman, Wayne
(let.) (1992). Miracleman Book 4: The Golden Age, Forestville, Calif. : Eclipse Books.
ISBN 1-56-060168-X (pbk.); 1-56-060169-8 (Hardcover).
* Books of Magic #1-4 (1991) - Reprinted as: Gaiman, Neil, et. al. (1993). Books of Magic,
New York: DC Comics. ISBN 1-56-389082-8.
* Being an Account of the Life and Death of the Emperor Heliogabolus (1991) (a
self-illustrated 14-page 24-hour comic published in Cerebus #147) - Also republished in
McCloud, Scott (ed.) (2004). 24 Hour Comics, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: About Comics. ISBN
0-97-163384-3 (pbk.).
* Signal to Noise (Dark Horse Comics, 1992) - Gaiman, Neil and McKean, Dave (1992). Signal
to Noise, London: VG Graphics. ISBN 0-57-505140-X (hardcover); 0-57-505284-8 (pbk).
* Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3 (with Chris Bachalo) - Gaiman, Neil, et. al. (1994).
Death: The High Cost of Living, New York: DC Comics. ISBN 1-56-389132-8; 1-56-389133-6
(pbk.).
* The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch - Gaiman, Neil and McKean, Dave
(1994). The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch, New York: Vertigo/DC Comics.
ISBN 1-56-389181-6.
* The Last Temptation - Gaiman, Neil; Zuli, Michael, and Cooper, Alice (1994). The Last
Temptation, New York: Marvel Comics. ISBN 1-56-971455-X.
o storyline based on Alice Cooper's album The Last Temptation, co-plotted and written by
Mr Gaiman and Alice Cooper
* Angela #1-3 - Gaiman, Neil and Capullo, Greg (1994/1995). Angela, Anaheim, CA: Image
Comics. ISBN 1-88-727909-1.
* Death: The Time Of Your Life #1-3 (with Chris Bachalo) - Gaiman, Neil et. al. (1997).
Death: The Time of Your Life, New York: DC Comics. ISBN 1-56-389319-3; 1-56-389333-9
(trade pbk.).
* Stardust (Being A Romance Within The Realm of Faerie) #1-4 - Gaiman, Neil and Vess,
Charles (1997-1998). Stardust (Being a Romance Within the Realm of Faerie), New York:
Vertigo/DC Comics. ISBN 1-56-389431-9; 1-56-389470-X (pbk.).
* Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days (collection of early work with various artists) - Gaiman,
Neil and Wagner, Matt (1999). Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days, New York: Vertigo/DC Comics.
ISBN 1-56-389517-X.
* Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame (previously unpublished script with
various artists) - Gaiman, Neil et. al. (2000). Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the
Green Flame, New York: DC Comics. ISBN Unknown.
* Harlequin Valentine - Gaiman, Neil and Bolton, John (2001). Harlequin Valentine,
Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics. ISBN 1-56-971620-X.
* Murder Mysteries - Russell, P. Craig and Gaiman, Neil (2002). Neil Gaiman's Murder
Mysteries, Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics. ISBN 1-56-971634-X.
* Marvel 1602 #1-8 - Gaiman, Neil and Kubert, Andy (2003). Marvel 1602, New York: Marvel
Comics. ISBN 0-78-511070-4.
* Endless Nights - Gaiman, Neil; Klein, Todd; and Fabry, Glenn (2003). Endless Nights, New
York: Vertigo Comics. ISBN 1-40-120089-3 ; 1-40-120113-X (pbk.).
Prose
(includes works consisting of illustrated text as opposed to comic-book form)
* Duran Duran: The Book - Gaiman, Neil and Teasdale, Mike (1984). Duran Duran: The First
Four Years of the Fab Five, New York: Proteus. ISBN 0-86-276260-X (hbk.); 0-86-276259-6
(pbk.).
* Ghastly Beyond Belief: The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book of Quotations - Gaiman, Neil
and Newman, Kim (1985). Ghastly Beyond Belief, London: Arrow. ISBN 0-09-936830-7 (pbk.).
* Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Companion (A guide to Douglas
Adams' 'trilogy') - Gaiman, Neil (1988). Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhikers Guide to
the Galaxy Companion, New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0-67-166426-3 (pbk.).
* Good Omens - Gaiman, Neil and Pratchett, Terry (1990). Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate
Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, New York: Workman Pub.. ISBN 0-89-480853-2.
* Angels and Visitations (a collection of short stories) - Gaiman, Neil et. al. (1993).
Angels and Visitations: a miscellany, Minneapolis, Minn.: DreamHaven. ISBN 0-96-309442-4
(trade) 0-96-309443-2 (limited).
* Now we are Sick - Gaiman, Neil; Jones, Stephen; and Smith, Andrew (eds.) (1994). Now We
Are Sick: An Anthology of Nasty Verse, Minneapolis, Minn.: DreamHaven. ISBN 0-96-309444-0.
o Anthology of Nasty Verse with poems by Alan Moore, Ramsey Campbell, Gene Wolfe, R.A.
Lafferty, Terry Pratchett, Brian Aldiss, Kim Newman, Diana Wynne Jones, etc.
* SimCity 2000 (1995). Gaiman wrote the text under the description of the library under
the button "Ruminate". (The basic idea came across in the first story in The
Sandman: Worlds' End.)
* Neverwhere (1996, 1997 US) - American edition: Gaiman, Neil (1997). Neverwhere, New
York: Avon Books. ISBN 0-38-097363-4.
* On Cats and Dogs: Two Tales (1997) (chapbook containing two short stories)
* Smoke and Mirrors (a collection of short stories) - Gaiman, Neil (1998). Smoke and
Mirrors, New York: Avon Books. ISBN 0-38-097364-2.
* The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (a children's book) - Gaiman, Neil and McKean
(ill.) (1998). The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, Clarkston, GA: White Wolf Pub..
ISBN 1-56-504199-2 (pbk.).
* Stardust - Gaiman, Neil (1999). Stardust, New York: Spike. ISBN 0-38-097728-1.
* Sandman: The Dream Hunters - Gaiman, Neil and Amano, Yoshitaka (ill.) (1999). The
Sandman: The Dream Hunters, New York: DC Comics. HC ISBN 1-56389-573-0, SC ISBN
1-56389-629-X.
* American Gods - Gaiman, Neil (2001). American Gods, New York: W. Morrow. ISBN
0-38-097365-0 (alk. paper).
* Murder Mysteries: A Play for Voices (Biting Dog Press) (2001) (Limited edition script
for the voice play with illustrations by George Walker)
* Melinda (Hill House Publishers) (2003/04) (Limited edition "sketch" story.
Only 1500 were ever printed, with 400 going to the author, and 100 to the illustrator.
Illustrations by Dagmara Matuszak.)
* Adventures in the Dream Trade (a miscellany) - Gaiman, Neil (2002). Adventures in the
Dream Trade, Framingham, MA: NESFA Press. ISBN 1-88-677837-X (trade); 1-88-677838-8
(boxed).
* Snow, Glass, Apples: A Play for Voices (Biting Dog Press) (2002) (Limited edition script
for the voice play with illustrations by George Walker)
* A Walking Tour of the Shambles - Gaiman, Neil and Wolfe, Gene (2002). A Walking Tour of
the Shambles, Woodstock, Ill.: American Fantasy. ISBN 0-96-103526-9 (pbk.).
* Coraline (2002) - Gaiman, Neil and McKean, Dave (ill.) (2002). Coraline, New York:
HarperCollins. ISBN 0-38-097778-8; 0-06-623744-0 (lib. bdg.).
* The Wolves in the Walls - Gaiman, Neil and McKean, Dave (ill.) (2003). The Wolves in the
Walls, New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-38-097827-X; 0-06-053087-1 (lib. bdg.). Illustrated
children's book.
* Little Lit: It Was a Dark and Silly Night (with Gahan Wilson), compilation of stories by
various writers and artists, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly) - Spiegelman,
Art and Mouly, Françoise (2001). Little Lit: Stange Stories for Strange Kids, New York:
Joanna Cotler Books. ISBN 0-06-028626-1.
* Anansi Boys - Gaiman, Neil (2005). Anansi Boys, New York: HarperCollins. ISBN
006051518X;. A novel featuring the son of the spider god Anansi, who only finds out about
his father's true nature after the latter's death. Moreover, not only is the protagonist
quite chagrined to find out he didn't inherit of his father's powers, but his heretofore
unknown brother did. Tangentially related to American Gods. This novel debuted at Number 1
on the New York Times hardback fiction bestseller list.
Audio
*
Warning Contains Language (stories read by Gaiman, music by McKean) - Gaiman, Neil (1995).
Warning: Contains Language [sound recording], DreamHaven Inc.. ISBN 0-96-309447-5.
* Signal to Noise (2000) (audio drama with full cast and music)
* American Gods (read by George Guidall) - Gaiman, Neil and Guidall, George, voice (2001).
American Gods [sound recording], Prince Frederick, Md.: Recorded Books. ISBN
0-78-879473-6.
* Coraline (2002) (US ed. read by Gaiman, UK ed. by Dawn French) - American edition:
Gaiman, Neil (2002). Coraline [sound recording], New York: Harper Children's Audio. ISBN
0-06-051048-X.
* Two Plays for Voices (Snow, Glass, Apples and Murder Mysteries with full cast &
music) - Gaiman, Neil and voice cast (2002). Two Plays for Voices [sound recording], New
York: Harper Audio. ISBN 0-06-001256-0.
o Featuring the voices of Bebe Neuwirth, Martin Carey, Brian Dennehy, and Anne Bobby.
* Telling Tales (2003) (Neil tells us stories: A Writer's Prayer; Harlequin Valentine;
Boys and Girls Together; The Wedding Present, and In The End. Percussion by Robin Adnan
Anders)
* Speaking in Tongues (2005) (contains "Daughter of Owls,"
"Instructions," "The Price," "The Sea Change," and "The
Case in the Case of the Disappearance of Miss Finch."
* Mr Gaiman's song-writing and collaboration is also featured on:
o Alice Cooper's The Last Temptation
o The Flash Girls' The Return of Pansy Smith & Violet Jones, Maurice & I and Play
Each Morning Wild Queen
o Folk UnderGround's Buried Things and Get Y'er Hands Off Me Booty!
o Lorraine-a-Malena's Mirror, Mirror
o One Ring Zero's As Smart As We Are
o The Mirrormask soundtrack "If I Apologised"
* Gaiman has also been mentioned in albums by Tori Amos
(Citation information taken from WorldCat.)
Awards
World Fantasy Award for short fiction in 1991 for the Sandman issue, A Midsummer
Night's Dream. (Due to a subsequent rules change disqualifying comics for that
category, Gaiman is the only writer to win that award for a comics script.)
Received the 2002 Hugo Award for outstanding novel for American Gods, which also
won the 2002 Nebula Award.
In 2003, Coraline won the Hugo best novella award.
In 2004, A Study in Emerald won another Hugo.
In addition, he has won 13 Eisner Awards for his comics work, two Nebula Awards and three
World Horror Awards.
Stardust won the Mythopoeic Award.
Won the Comics' Buyer's Guide Award for Favorite Writer in 1992 and 1993, and received
nominations in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
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