The reasoning for the success of the recent Good Omens Kickstarter page isn’t just because of the TV show. Shortly after the release of the much-talked-about second-season finale of Good Omens, it was announced that the original book, authored by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, was being adapted into a graphic novel. 10-minutes later, the Kickstarter campaign for Good Omens shattered records well beyond the original goal.
Needless to say, the Good Omens graphic novel by Gaiman, Pratchett, and Colleen Doran is a runaway hit. It would be easy to assume that the Kickstarter page succeeded because of the show, but the #1 comics campaign in Kickstarter history didn’t blow up based on a show alone. Credit where credit is due: the momentum of the show certainly helped, but the most significant reason has to be the weight that the name Neil Gaiman carries in all kinds of media.
Good Omens Success is Thanks to Neil Gaiman’s Fanbase
Neil Gaiman is a “brand-name” in television, books, and especially comic books. Other than his famous novels — including Gaiman and Pratchett’s Good Omens — Gaiman has built a legendary reputation in the comics industry thanks to works like The Sandman. The Sandman itself is coming off of the heels of a critically-acclaimed television adaptation, as is Gaiman’s other works American Gods and Lucifer. Additionally, Gaiman’s name has been attached to other beloved comics like Marvel 1602, Miracleman, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, and Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
There’s a reason why Neil Gaiman has become a brand-name within the world of pop culture. When people hear that name, they know it’s going to produce satisfying results. Gaiman has arguably the best track record when it comes to positively-received adaptations of his work. Few authors have the same positive track record when it comes to comics and novels being adapted to television. That track record isn’t discussed often enough, but it’s one that comic readers and Gaiman’s overall fanbase are all fully aware of.
Fans Know How Consistent Neil Gaiman is in TV, Movies, and Comics
It doesn’t matter if fans had read the Good Omens book or seen the TV show — or even both. Many of the Kickstarter supporters saw the Neil Gaiman stamp of approval and immediately recognized it as something worth investing in. While a good portion of those supporters likely came from the TV show, to say they were the sole reason for the Kickstarter’s success is to underestimate just how large Gaiman’s fanbase really is, especially in the comics market. Some comic fans simply want more Neil Gaiman in any form. The Good Omens graphic novel, which comes off the heels of the Good Omens TV show, offers the perfect opportunity for fans to support a guaranteed Gaiman success.
