10 Incredible Vertigo Comics That Changed The Entire Industry

The late 1980s were a fantastic period for DC Comics. The popularity of creators like Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and Dave Gibbons encouraged DC to recruit more talent from the UK. This push led to some truly exceptional, more adult-focused comic series, eventually resulting in the creation of the Vertigo imprint in 1993. While Marvel had previously launched a similar mature-readers line called Epic, Vertigo became the most successful. It brought together titles like *Swamp Thing*, *The Sandman*, *Hellblazer*, *Doom Patrol*, *Animal Man*, and *Shade the Changing Man*, offering creators unprecedented freedom to tell the stories they envisioned. This innovative approach was groundbreaking and produced some of the greatest comics ever made.

Vertigo published a huge range of comics, covering genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The imprint became known for its high quality, and many of its titles are considered critically acclaimed. Here are ten of the very best Vertigo comics – excluding its superhero books like *Animal Man*, *Doom Patrol*, *Swamp Thing*, and *Shade the Changing Man* – that truly made an impact on the comic book world.

10) Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery

Vertigo comics represented a high point for the medium, showcasing incredible series by legendary creators. Grant Morrison’s early work on titles like *Animal Man* and *Doom Patrol* was foundational to the Vertigo line. Later, in 1998, Morrison revisited a character originally created for *Doom Patrol* in the series *Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery*, illustrated by Frank Quitely. The story follows Flex Mentallo as he searches for a missing friend, ‘the Fact,’ and gets caught up in a much larger and unexpected mystery.

Wallace Sage is going through a crisis and calls a suicide hotline, leading to a truly bizarre and unexpected journey. The story is loosely based on the author’s own life and explores where creative ideas come from. It’s a very imaginative and unpredictable comic book, and Frank Quitely’s artwork perfectly captures the story’s energy. Many consider *Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery* a hidden treasure and one of the greatest comics published by Vertigo.

9) Transmetropolitan

Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson’s *Transmetropolitan* has a unique backstory. It originally appeared with Helix, a sci-fi line of DC Comics, but *Transmetropolitan* was the only title to succeed and was later moved to Vertigo. The comic centers on Spider Jerusalem, a cynical and self-indulgent journalist who returns to political writing in a bleak, futuristic city. The result is a sharp, darkly humorous satire that revolves around a deeply flawed protagonist. *Transmetropolitan* explores themes of media influence, political corruption, and the frustrations of modern life. If you enjoy analyzing society and politics, you’ll likely find it entertaining.

8) The Sandman

Despite recent controversies surrounding Neil Gaiman, *The Sandman* remains a truly exceptional work. This 76-issue comic series, along with its collected editions and prequel, tells the story of Dream of the Endless and offers an unforgettable reading experience. *The Sandman* quickly became a hugely popular and critically acclaimed title for DC, defining the early style of the Vertigo imprint and earning a dedicated fanbase. Beyond the compelling story, the artwork is stunning, featuring contributions from a remarkable roster of artists including Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, and many others. *The Sandman* is a true Vertigo classic.

7) We3

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s *We3* is a truly exceptional comic. After leaving DC in 1999 and spending several years at Marvel, Morrison returned with three series for Vertigo. While *Vimanarama* and *Sea Guy* are both enjoyable, *We3* stands out as the best. The story centers on Bandit, Tinker, and Pirate – former pets transformed into cybernetically enhanced weapons – as they break free from government control and search for a place to call home. What unfolds is a deeply moving and unforgettable story that has become a fan favorite. A major highlight of the series is Frank Quitely’s artwork, which relies heavily on visual storytelling due to the characters’ limited speech. *We3* delivers everything you’d hope for and more.

6) Y: The Last Man

For much of its run, Vertigo comics always had a few series that every fan considered essential reading. Titles like *The Sandman* and *Preacher* were quickly followed by *Y: The Last Man* in the early 2000s (while *100 Bullets* was well-liked, it wasn’t quite in the same ‘must-read’ category). *Y: The Last Man*, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, tells the story of Yorick and his monkey, Ampersand, who are the last two living mammals after a plague wipes out every other male on Earth. The series follows their journey through this drastically changed world, where new leaders emerge and Yorick finds himself a target. Though the ending isn’t perfect, the series overall is fantastic – a truly captivating story that you’ll want to revisit again and again.

5) Hellblazer

I’m bending my own rules a bit here, but that’s okay! Hellblazer follows John Constantine, a British magician who started out as a punk rocker, as he tries to save the world and stay alive. It’s Vertigo’s longest-running series, lasting for 300 issues between 1988 and 2013. Over the years, many incredible writers and artists contributed to the comic, including Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Neil Gaiman, consistently delivering excellent horror stories. I especially enjoy the work of Ennis and Dillon, but you can jump into Hellblazer at almost any point and find something fantastic. While it wasn’t always Vertigo’s most popular title, it’s definitely a legendary one.

4) Kill Your Boyfriend

Published in 1995, *Kill Your Boyfriend*, created by Grant Morrison and Phillip Bond, is a standalone graphic novel often compared to *Natural Born Killers*, but set in England. It follows a British schoolgirl who falls for a rebellious guy, and their relationship quickly spirals into a wild, crime-filled road trip. While it can be difficult to find, *Kill Your Boyfriend* is a rewarding read-it’s a darkly humorous and violent story with a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion.

3) Preacher

After the conclusion of *The Sandman*, fans eagerly anticipated the next major series from the Vertigo imprint. They didn’t have to wait long – *Preacher* quickly became a hit, running from 1995 to 2000. Created by the team behind *Hellblazer*, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, *Preacher* centers on Jesse Custer, a man reluctantly turned preacher due to his eccentric grandmother. His life changes dramatically when he becomes host to Genesis, a powerful entity born from an angel and a demon. This event accidentally leads to the death of his entire congregation, but also grants him ‘The Word,’ a power that allows him to command anyone to do his bidding.

In *Preacher*, Jessie discovers God is afraid of Genesis and has left Heaven, prompting him to embark on a journey to find him. He’s joined by the Irish vampire Cassidy and his former hitwoman girlfriend, Tulip. The comic is a wild road trip across America, confronting the country’s dark side with over-the-top violence, strong language, and surprisingly sharp humor. *Preacher* is known for its outrageous characters and willingness to push boundaries, offering something for every reader. It even subtly challenged harmful ideas about masculinity back in the 1990s. While it’s definitely extreme, the story is ultimately heartfelt, which is what makes it so compelling.

2) Sandman Mystery Theatre

While DC Comics boasts many excellent titles from the 1990s, *Sandman Mystery Theatre*, created by Matt Wagner, Steve Seagle, and Guy Davis, stands out as particularly impressive. Set in 1930s New York City, the series follows Wesley Dodds, the original Sandman, as he investigates murders and develops a romance with Dian Belmont. This comic perfectly captures the feel of classic detective noir, offering engaging characters, intriguing mysteries, and everything fans of the genre could ask for. It even features cameos from other Golden Age DC heroes, hinting at how Dodds would eventually become a member of the Justice Society of America. Recently, DC has re-released the series in convenient compendium editions, making it accessible to a new generation of readers.

1) The Invisibles

In my opinion, *The Invisibles* is the greatest series ever published by Vertigo. It’s writer Grant Morrison’s most ambitious and impressive work, created with a fantastic team of artists including Jill Thompson, Chris Weston, Steve Yeowell, Phil Jimenez, and Frank Quitely. The story centers on a group called The Invisibles-King Mob, Ragged Robin, Boy, and Lord Fanny-and their recruitment of Dane Whitman, a man from Liverpool who is also the current incarnation of the Buddha.

In *The Invisibles*, writer Grant Morrison transforms a character into Jack Frost, revealing a hidden truth: a powerful, otherworldly force called the Outer Church secretly controls everything. These Lovecraftian creatures crave strict order. The comic brilliantly captures the spirit of the 1990s, blending conspiracy theories, magic, intense action, and elements of music, technology, and pop culture into a thrilling and complex story. It’s challenging, but incredibly captivating – once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.

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2025-09-20 19:13