Neil Gaiman

Writers usually make terrible rock stars. Part of it is image related: Writers tend to look like, well, dorks. Glasses are requisite from the long hours spent on the computer. A bit of pudge can be expected since fast typing isn't exactly an aerobic activity. Even the groupies tend to look well-educated and smart, which isn't doesn't scream good, hedonistic times.

But then there are writers like Neil Gaiman. He wears a lot of black. He's English. He looks good in a leather jacket. Most important? The man has chops. Not in the Neil Young sense, but as in writing chops, and since he writes science fiction, fantasy and graphic comics, that means his groupies actually look far more interesting than the normal messenger bag-and-ironic-T-shirt contingent one might find waiting patiently for Michael Chabon's signature at this week's Vegas Valley Book Festival. There's a good chance someone will have a 16-sided dice with them and will know how to use it.

Initially best known for his groundbreaking comic The Sandman, Gaiman is now more than just a writer, he's an industry. His novels American Gods and Anansi Boys, both considered fantasy, landed him wide-acclaim from the literary set as well, including a spot atop the New York Times bestseller list for Anansi Boys. His screenplay for Beowulf, the innovative motion-capture film from 2007, helped propel the film to an opening weekend take of over $27 million and a No. 1 spot across the nation. He's won so many awards for his books and stories -- including multiple Hugos and Bram Stoker awards -- it's almost presupposed that if he's nominated for something, all of the writers in the category might as well save on the tuxedo rental and stay home. Hell, the man once wrote a book about Duran Duran and though we haven't read it, we're willing to bet it's probably a lot better than Duran Duran ever was (Seven & The Ragged Tiger excluded).

But more than that, Gaiman lights up in front of an audience, his readings more performance art than stodgy literary affair. He's funny, personable and the consummate showman ... plus, he's perhaps the finest living practitioner in the genre.

TOD GOLDBERG