DC Comics imprint Vertigo has seemed on the verge of extinction for a while now, but that all changed Thursday night at San Diego Comic-Con.
Despite publishing almost no new titles in 2015, the once-mighty imprint casually announced 12 new series coming this fall.
As DC’s “mature readers” arm, Vertigo published landmark series like Sandman, Y: The Last Man, Constantine, and Preacher. A major forerunner of the current boom in independent comics, Vertigo’s success rapidly dwindled during the economic downturn, which resulted in DC cutting it loose to focus on creator-owned titles—essentially putting it out to pasture, or so it seemed.
Until now, not counting anthologies and various Mad Max tie-ins, Vertigo had announced only one original title this year.
The new slate of series, which Vertigo head Shelly Bond called “groundbreaking,” includes a new version of Lucifer, the popular Sandman spinoff. The series will debut in conjunction with Fox‘s new television adaptation of the same name. Popular young-adult author Holly Black will make her comics writing debut on the series, with Lee Garbett serving as artist.
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DC Entertainment
In another literary surprise, critically acclaimed novelist Lauren Beukes will collaborate with writer Dale Halvorsen on Survivors Club, a subversive take on 1980s horror-movie tropes featuring a tormented group of childhood friends. The artist for the series will be Ryan Kelly.
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Also on the list is Clean Room, from comics legend Gail Simone and artist Jon Davis-Hunt. Clean Room is a horror comic about a dogged journalist and the powerful self-help guru she clashes with—who may be hiding terrifying secrets.
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DC Entertainment
Other titles include Jacked, previously announced under the name “Amped,” from Supernatural creator Eric Kripke and artist John Higgins. Kripke will also be developing Jacked—which follows a man who discovers that his energy pills give him superpowers—for the USA television network.
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Here are the other titles in the Vertigo rollout, in the order of their release dates:
Twilight Children, writing by Gilbert Hernandez, art by Darwyn Cooke
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Unfollow, writing by Rob Williams, art by Mike Dowling
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Slash and Burn, by Si Spencer, Max Dunbar, and Ande Parks
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Red Thorn, writing by David Baillie, art by Meghan Hetrick
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Sheriff of Baghdad, writing by Tom King, art by Mitch Gerads
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New Romance, writing by Peter Milligan, art by Brett Parson
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Last Gang in Town, writing by Simon Oliver, art by Rufus Dayglo
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The fall slate will also include the ongoing series American Vampire, Astro City and Suiciders.
“This is a groundbreaking rollout for Vertigo and all 12 new titles represent the imprint at its core: smart and irreverent stories that will take you someplace stranger,” Bond said in a press release. “I can’t be more excited about the diversity of projects and creative teams we have lined up, from Vertigo veterans to a powerhouse of new voices and rising art stars.”
The comics community seemed overwhelmingly surprised and pleased by the announcement, especially considering how many people had previously written off Vertigo as a dying company.
ohh my god i actually want to buy some of these vertigo comics
— charlotte (@tambourine) July 10, 2015
OMFG this is amazing news! So excited! Thank you @vertigo_comics !!! 😈😆😀😍 https://t.co/NumwnANXQr
— Elyairis Art (@Elyairis) July 10, 2015
@DojoDaniel126 idk I’m surprised to see that they’re still trying. With Image taking so much market share you’d think Vertigo would be dead.
— Michael Lane (@mikelaneisme) July 10, 2015
Our comics awakening happened with VERTIGO’s titles, so kicked to hear them make this comeback! https://t.co/UdCgSruO9D
— kokaachi (@studiokokaachi) July 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/Jody_Houser/status/619345758848856064
Amid the celebration, one fan pointed out that Vertigo’s sudden renaissance is just part of an overwhelming expansion for the industry as a whole. This fall will see more new titles from more creators, read by more people, than at any previous point in the industry’s history.
https://twitter.com/elliotblake/status/619351337533214720
Photo courtesy DC Entertainment
