Black Button Eyes

Most of you know Neil Gaiman primarily as the writer of Sandman, but if you've ever read Neverwhere, Stardust, or American Gods, you know he's a great novelist as well as a top-notch comics writer. One of his best works, in my opinion, is a book called Coraline.

Technically, you could call Coraline a children's novel. The main character is a young girl (Coraline, of course) who finds her way into an alternate universe, Alice In Wonderland style. Coraline is darker and more modern than Alice, and very grown-up friendly. If you liked Mirrormask, you'd probably love Coraline. And if you're worried about your friends and coworkers catching you reading a kid's book, we're getting a new softcover printing on Wednesday that has a very cool, discreet black cover.

And yes, there is a movie in the works. And it should be pretty danged awesome; the scenes in the "real world" will be done computer animated, while the "other world" scenes will be stop-motion animation. If that wasn't enough awesome for you, They Might Be Giants are doing the soundtrack. Look for the film next summer.

-Elizabeth