The Best Vertigo Comics for Superhero Fans

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Vertigo Comics was an Imprint of DC Comics that started in 1993. While it shut down in 2020, recent good news confirmed that the Imprint will be coming back to life with the new year. While readers eagerly await new series, now is the perfect time for fans old and new to dive through the back catalog. The best part about Vertigo Comics is that there are easily a dozen series perfect for superhero fans.

Readers can find a wide variety of superheroes in the Vertigo Comics catalog, which makes sense given its connection to DC Comics. There are even several characters that exist between the two publications, allowing for a fair bit of crossover. Beyond that, Vertigo has published some fantastic stories that aren’t directly focused on superheroes but would still appeal to fans of the genre.

10

Transmetropolitan

Transmetropolitan Is a Transhumanist Take On Future America

Transmetropolitan is a mind-bending series with a cyberpunk twist. Set in a heavily dystopian world torn apart by war and worse, Transmetropolitan follows Spider Jerusalem, a gonzo journalist as disillusioned as they come. He’s been forced back into a job he hates, and his venom and frustration makes its way into his reports.

While Transmetropolitan is not a traditional superhero story by any means, it will still satisfy certain cravings. The series tackles its dark setting with a sharp, witty lens, opening the door to social commentary and deeper themes. Spider, a nihilist and natural skeptic, longs for people to step up and defend themselves for once.

9

100 Bullets

100 Bullets Is a Noir Tale About Revenge

Fans of The Punishershould make a point of checking out 100 Bullets, a series that’s as violent and daring as the title implies. Each issue covers a different bullet, which is to say, it tells a different story about revenge. It’s easy to see how readers looking for a more brutal take on the world of heroes and villains may appreciate this twist in storytelling.

100 Bullets is heavily influenced by noir, giving it a distinct tone even as characters blast their way through its pages. The story poses a compelling question: what would a person do if they knew they could get away with anything, even revenge? What follows is a series of violent escapades as the characters act on their deepest desires for vengeance.

8

Scalped

Scalped Is a Crime-Focused Western

Scalped is a modern-day take on a Western with a twist. Set on a reservation in South Dakota, the series leans heavily into crime drama. It follows several characters, including Dash, Gina, and Red Crow, as they navigate a world marked by poverty and crime. Over the course of the series, Scalped shows these characters struggle to preserve their culture in the face of oppression.

While Scalped is far from a traditional superhero story, fans of superhero stories that feel more realistic should give it a try. The series is crafted to make readers stop, think, and strive for better, but it still manages to portray gripping adventures. Scalped is written by Jason Aaron, who has also worked on series like Thor and Wolverine. The characters alone are enough to make the series worth reading, and his writing style really brings them to life.

7

Animal Man

Animal Man Is a Superhero Fighting for Animal Rights

Animal Man is a superhero series that will speak to the hearts of animal lovers around the world. It follows Buddy Baker, who, after an accident on his spaceship, gained the ability to borrow different animals’ attributes. This means he can fly when needed or dig through the toughest dirt. Any animal trait he needs, he can get!

What makes Animal Man remarkable is the depth of commentary it weaves into its pages. While Buddy battles aliens and fights for animal rights, the series raises thought-provoking points and includes commentary on superhero life, such as the struggle to balance identities and the challenges it creates. Animal Man also explores concepts that feel larger than life, such as mysticism, free will, and human consciousness.

6

Astro City

Astro City Shows Superheroes Going About Their Everyday Lives

Astro City is one of many superhero comics, but it approaches the genre a bit differently. The series follows a group of American superheroes, but instead of focusing solely on their costumed exploits, Astro City delves into the more human side heroes, liketheir ordinary alter-egos and how they navigate life within society.

It’s easy to see why Astro City feels like a breath of fresh air in the comic book industry. While other series often chase bigger and more explosive plots, Astro City focuses on making its stories more grounded and human. For instance, the first story in the series follows Samaritanfirst story in the series follows Samaritan as he reflects on what a normal day looks like for him. The series doesn’t limit itself to superheroes, either; sidekicks and even a reformed supervillain get the chance to share their perspectives.

5

The Invisibles

Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles Features an Eclectic Group Fighting Against Interdimensional Alien Gods

The Invisibles is a must-read for comic book fans seeking a different kind of superhero tale. The series follows a misfit group known as The Invisible College as they fight against forces that remain unseen by the rest of humanity. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as a race of interdimensional alien gods has a plan for humanity, and it’s safe to say this plan must be stopped at all costs.

When it comes to portraying magic, time travel, and unique battles, The Invisibles is in a class of its own. The series is a complex, must-read tale that feels even more profound today, three decades after its original publication. It delivers a pop-art-inspired story filled with psychic battles and much more.

4

Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol Features an Unlikely Team of Heroes

When considering Vertigo Comics for superhero fans, Doom Patrol should always be part of the conversation. Originally created under the DC flag before transitioning to Vertigo, Doom Patrol is known for its ensemble of misfits with powers who are forced to work together. The series consistently found ways to subvert reader’s expectations, with each adventure tackling new concerns and challenging perceptions of reality.

Doom Patrol was never a traditional superhero series, even when it first started. Under Rachel Pollack’s guidance and with Vertigo’s newer structure, the series began to explore even more mature themes and concepts. It quickly became a surreal, groundbreaking story worth remembering, eventually inspiring the HBO Max adaptation.

3

Preacher

Preacher Is a Dark Quest for Vengeance

Preacher is an admittedly dark series that doesn’t exactly follow a superhero, and yet it still feels at home for many readers. The series follows Jesse Custer, who was a preacher for a small parish untill the day that parish was destroyed. Jesse was also bestowed with an immense amount of power., so he set off on a quest for answers and vengence.

Readers seeking an extensive series rich in commentary should give Preacher a try. Once finished, they can dive into the AMC adaptation of the comic. The series is ideal for those looking for unique portrayals of angels, demons, and supernatural powers. Best of all, Preacher fearlessly follows Jesse into the darkest corners of humanity, offering morality debates and much more along the way.

2

Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing Is a Classic Series That Tackles Many Important Issues

Saga of the Swamp Thing is perhaps the most iconic story to emerge from Vertigo Comics. Like several other series, Swamp Thing wasn’t created by Vertigo but began under the DC banner before transitioning to the more mature Vertigo line. Under Vertigo’s control, the series had the chance to explore deeper and more complex themes.

Readers seeking a different kind of superhero story should give Swamp Thing a try. The groundbreaking series delivers a rich mix of commentary and social awareness, along with a few shocking twists, and it’s rightfully earned tons of acclaim over the years. There’s a reason this series is considered a foundational read, especially for new comic readers.

1

Hellblazer

Hellblazer Is a Vertigo Staple With Dark Magical Battles Galore

John Constantine: Hellblazer is often regarded as the workhorse of Vertigo Comics. Although the titular character and his series weren’t created by the imprint, Vertigo breathed fresh life into Constantine’s story. Over 300 issues of Hellblazer were published under Vertigo, delving into the strange and dangerous situations a magical user can find himself in—especially one who’s less concerned with moral quandaries.

Constantine is a brilliant yet daring magical user and a grayscale character who gets into all kinds of adventures. Hellblazer is a must-read for those looking for a fantastical series filled with magic, monsters, and mayhem. In other words, it’s perfect for any fantasy horror fan who also enjoys a good superhero arc.

“}]] Vertigo Comics has created countless stories over the years, providing a story for everyone; some series are especially popular with superhero fans.  Read More