Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere (2007) AMZN
from Vertigo, 221 Pages
by Mike Carey (Author), Glenn Fabry (Author), Glenn Fabry (Illustrator, Artist)
This is a comic book version of Neil Gaiman’s novel. I must say that having read this fantasy story that deals with so many colorful characters and interesting places, it makes for a perfect comic adaption. Sure, we can get into the age old discussion of how the book is better than the movie or vice versa, but in this case the illustrations of the world (called Neverwhere, or London below) and it’s people make up for any narrative that is lost from the book. After all, when taking 400 written pages from the novel down to 221 comic pages by adding pictures you are bound to lose some of the story.
As far as that story goes, well it is a wonderful quest story that takes place between the London Above that we all know and love (do we all love it? - personally I’m a big fan) and a magical city called Neverwhere that is below London. The main characters are Door, who can open all types of doors to anywhere, and hailing from London above, Richard Mayhew, who I can best describe as a completely ordinary guy. And then, one day, his life will never be the same. And we get a quest that includes needing to navigate a maze to reach their final destination. But as is the case in many mazes/labyrinths it is guarded by a beast, which may or may not be a minotaur ? What do you think ? Whatever it is, this is not something I would want to meet.
This is an excellent story. Read it as a novel or a comic. The world building and concept are great. I love the idea of a secret city hidden beneath the city we all know above. 8.5/10 !
This story was also made into a television mini-series in 1996 that received ok reviews (7.2 on IMDB) split into six 30 minute episodes. I think it would be a perfect story for an update in the age of streaming. You can currently find the entire series streaming on YouTube. Below is episode 1 to get you started - even the thumbnail looks very 90’s from their hair to his sleeves being super long.. And if anyone from Netflix is reading this….how about an updated mini-series ? Don’t let Appletv+ have another cool Sci-Fi series.
You can also find a BBC Radio dramatization of the book done by a full cast of actors, including Benedict Cumberbatch, and Christopher Lee !! Coming in at just under 4 hours, it would make for an exciting commute.
You may know Neil Gaiman from 6 other adaptions that have made it to our screens:
Coraline (2009), the excellent movie.
The Sandman (2022), based of his most famous comic.
Stardust (2007). A great cast for this fairy tale adventure movie.
Good Omens (2019), which was so good, Amazon kept figuring out ways more seasons !
Lucifer (2016). I think we understand who this is about.
American Gods (2017). Lasted 3 seasons, with the first the best !
Other maze comic reviews you may like reading:
Maze Comic Book Reviews - Theseus And The Minotaur - A review of multiple comic books that each tell the same story. Compares them so you know which is right for you !
Maze Comic Book Reviews - Jim Henson's Labyrinth Comics - Comics based on the famous 80’s movie characters.
Comic Book Reviews: 4 Great Comics with Maze Themes - Pulls together 4 comic titles that I recommend, including one from Jeff Lemire !
