Salon has a nice appreciation of Neil Gaiman. I took a similar journey into Gaiman's work as Laura Miller: American Gods, Coraline, then the Sandman series. If you haven't been convinced by everyone attesting to the fact that you shouldn't be put off by the fact that they're comics, let me be the latest to try: they are one of the most impressive, engrossing pieces of storytelling you are likely to come across in any genre.