This is a classic graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman, a British author, who also wrote the Sandman series. It was one of the most popular adult-oriented graphic novels in the nineties with 300,000 copies sold and is about the idea of Death being a person, an attractive young woman, who takes a day off and visits with ordinary folk.

I really loved this book. It’s beautifully innocent yet timelessly wise, full of wry observations and gentle hope for life. So I’ve just spent some time tracking down information about it on the net with the naive idea that I’d like to option it some time to make a movie. Buying an option means buying the exclusive right to buy the full intellectual property rights at some time within the specified option period.

Death as a character has always fascinated me. It’s one of the strange themes linking the Tanith Lee books–which I know not everyone likes–and also Terry Pratchett who, conversely, isn’t my cup of tea. At all. Nevertheless, I have a very clear idea of how I’d make The High Cost of Living as a film and it’s one of those things I know I could do better than anyone else.

However, it turns out Warner Brothers already have an option on making it as a feature and Mr Gaiman is writing a script with the idea of directing it himself. There’s a comment on one website I found that he sees it as a 15 minute film. I’d rather it was longer and think it easily could be. I wonder if when Warners’ option expires, if they’re actually doing anything and what NG is thinking of doing with the story.

I have no idea what any of this would cost, of course. Ignorance is bliss.