Happy Birthday! Neil Gaiman Turns 56 Years Old Today

Happy birthday, Neil Gaiman! The acclaimed author and comic creator turns 56 today.

Born in November 1960, Gaiman was raised by parents David and Sheila in England alongside his two sisters. The family, who shared Polish-Jewish origins, moved about the country during Gaiman's childhood. To occupy himself, the writer would read stories from authors such as C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll.

However, it was in 1984 that Gaiman got his first real impetus to write professionally after he read Alan Moore's Swamp Thing. The writer said Moore and his work invigorated his creativity pushed him into the world of fiction and journalism.

First, Gaiman entered the world of comics after he befriended Moore. The creator worked on stories like Black Orchid before being asked to re-write an old character called The Sandman. Gaiman reimagined the character as an immortal humanoid embodiment of dreams, and his run on The Sandman last from 1989 to 1996. Gaiman also worked on other popular comics like DC's Secret Origins, Eternals, and several Batman stories.

These days, most people know Gaiman for his literary work in novels like American Gods and Stardust. The author boasts an extensive resume of projects like Anasi Boys, The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, and more. Early next year, Gaiman will publish his next book, Norse Mythology, in February.

In the coming year, fans will be seeing more of Gaiman and his work. STARZ is set to make a live-action adaptation of American Gods with Gaiman's input. Bryan Fuller and Michael Green will act as showrunners on the much-anticipated series.

Happy birthday, Neil!