Beyond the Beano

I’ve been wondering what this Golden Compass soon-to-be–movie was that’s been inspiring all the memes. Rather bafflingly it turns out to be the American title for the first book in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. While it’s almost understandable why publishers with a low opinion of the American audience’s erudition might have changed the title of the first Harry Potter book from The Philosopher’s to The Sorcerer’s Stone how on earth is The Golden Compass less obscure or off-putting than Northern Lights?

It’s tempting to re-read the book but reading is so hard on the eyes these days. Really ought to suck it up and test for a new prescription or, segue alert, try sticking to comic books. Since, on the strength of the second Buffy S8 instalment, I went and ordered the Astonishing X-Men trades.

( comicy spoilers )