Neil Gaiman is an unquestionable genius when it comes to the art of storytelling. From Coraline to American Gods, the man has proven time and time again how much a pen can do in the hands of a true master. But while his books and novels have been adapted dozens of times over, his comics have been missing out.
From DC to Vertigo and even Marvel Comics, the author has penned incredible feats, tales, and even a handful of characters completely his own. With comic book movies becoming so popular, there are plenty of his that need a spot on the big screen.
Harlequin Valentine
Not Harley Quinn, but Harlequin is the star of this Neil Gaiman one-shot that gives new meaning to the term "romantic comedy." The titular character is an embodiment of the comedic persona from Renaissance theatre, complete with a mask and motley attire.
And when the colorful clown falls in love with the no-nonsense Missy, madcap hijinx ensue in this tale of hearts, humor, and harlequins. It's an unconventional romance that only the great Gaiman could invent.
A Study in Emerald
Sometimes the author does his best work when he toys with existing narratives. In this case, Gaiman takes the immortal Sherlock Holmes and drops him in the twisted world of H.P. Lovecraft with A Study in Emerald.
Simply put, the story is essentially Holmes vs. Cthulhu, but with Gaiman's own recipe of weirdness. With an evil cult, possessions, and soul-sucking entities that the human mind can't possibly comprehend, Mr. Holmes certainly has his work cut out for him.
The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch
If fans want weird, there are few stories by Gaiman that fit that description better than The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch. A victorian puppet show, a murderous jester, a hunchbacked uncle, and a mysterious puppeteer that might be the devil himself?
That certainly sounds fair game for the prolific writer. If the plot doesn't get the fans' attention, the nightmarish art style will. Although it's currently without a screen adaptation, there is a BBC radio performance that is certainly chilling.
The DC Universe by Neil Gaiman
Gaiman has worked with Sherlock Holmes, he's worked with Doctor Who, he's worked with a whole slew of characters from Grimm's Fairytales, but what about the famous faces of the Justice League?
The DC Universe by Neil Gaiman is exactly what the title would suggest, a series of stories set in the realms of DC comics featuring the likes of Batman, Blue Beetle, the Green Lantern, and more. How has this not at least been a mini-series?
Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader
It's been said that if fans want the perfect Batman movie, Tim Burton needs to be in the director's chair. If that's the case, there are few writers out there who would complement his style better than Neil Gaiman.
Need proof? Take a look at this anthology of stories featuring Gotham's Dark Knight. As Batman lies in a coffin in Crime Alley, reflections of his feats come flooding back in a collection of Neil Gaiman narratives. Definitely a must-read for Bat-fans.
Eternals
Fans of the MCU have wanted an Eternals film for some time now. And with an adaptation on the horizon, there's no better writer for the screenplay than Gaiman. Inspired by Jack Kirby's original series, Gaiman lends his pen to this 2006 adaptation of Marvel's collection of immortals.
Gaiman's origins story for the celestial beings gives new life to the '70s original series, but with a deeper, cosmic flavor that only the author could recreate.
Death Series
Neil Gaiman certainly spends a lot of time in the afterlife, doesn't he? With works like Lucifer and Good Omens, it seems his most lively works concern the afterlife. Of course, there's no more prominent fixture in Gaiman's hereafter than Death.
Fans of Gaiman's Sandman series will recognize this gorgeous goth of the great beyond instantly. Being the fan-favorite she is, it was only a matter of time before she got her own spinoff series.
Hellblazer (Various Issues)
With the petition to bring back Constantine for either a show, a movie, or a Keanu Reeves sequel, Neil Gaiman should definitely be on board for whatever incarnation of the working-class warlock comes next.
Having written a few of the character's most well-known issues, including the Hellblazer graphic novel, bringing to life one of Gaiman's adventures with Constantine should be a no-brainer. At that point, Keanu Reeves reprising his role would just be the icing on the cake.
Marvel: 1602
DC has their Elseworlds, but so does Marvel. Where Batman has his Gotham by Gaslight, the Avengers have this graphic novel courtesy of Neil Gaiman, Marvel 1602.
The work is essentially a journey through the late Renaissance with Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and even the Fantastic Four, each with a distinctly period-related reimagining. As strange as it seems, it works. Sir Nicholas Fury definitely has a certain ring to it, doesn't it?
The Sandman Series
If there's one comic book that has been desperate for a proper screen adaptation for years, it's Neil Gaiman's Sandman. There isn't a fan of the author's work who doesn't know about Dream/Morpheus and his adventures through the multiverse.
God of sleep, lord of dreams, whatever moniker he chooses to go by, the Sandman is as marvelous and mysterious as heroes come. He's an enigma wrapped in a cloak, and one character hopefully getting a series soon.
