5 Most Underrated Vertigo Comics of All Time

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Vertigo Comics is back! This DC Comics imprint, known for its mature themes and stories that weren’t about superheroes, first launched in 1993 and became hugely influential. It covered genres like horror and fantasy, often tackling social issues and pushing creative boundaries. While it was discontinued in 2020 after a period of declining popularity, Vertigo was relaunched in 2024 and is now thriving with a new lineup of titles. One example is Bleeding Hearts, by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, and Matt Hollingsworth, which is already being reprinted due to high demand, and there’s much more exciting content on the way.

Vertigo is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and it’s a great time to revisit some of its older, lesser-known gems alongside the famous titles like Fables, The Sandman, Hellblazer, and Preacher. These comics might have been overlooked when they were first released, or simply forgotten over time, but they’re still fantastic and worth reading, especially now that Vertigo is making a comeback.

5) Hex Wives

Created by Ben Blacker and illustrated by Mirka Andolfo, Hex Wives was one of the final comics published under Vertigo, and it’s considered a standout title. The story is similar to Stepford Wives, but features witches: a group of powerful women who have been repeatedly reincarnated, brainwashed, and forced to live as quiet, obedient housewives in a 1950s setting by a mysterious organization called the Architects. But when one witch, Isadora, begins to remember her past and reclaim her powers, the balance of power shifts, and the Architects find themselves in danger.

This story is compelling because it shows women reclaiming their power and confronting those who have wronged them. The artwork is beautiful, especially the color palette created by Marissa Louise, and naturally, it features cats – a must for any good witch story! What makes Hex Wives stand out is that it’s a nuanced take on oppression; you’re rooting for the women, but the story isn’t simple. While the series leaves you wanting more, it still provides a satisfying conclusion. It’s truly one of Vertigo’s best, and definitely worth reading if you haven’t already.

4) Faker

Written by Mike Carey and illustrated by Jock, Faker is a fantastic, but often overlooked, science fiction story exploring themes of who we are, how we remember, and the possibility of starting over, all wrapped up in a thrilling conspiracy. The story centers around four college friends – Jessica, Yvonne, Marky, and Sack – whose lives take a strange turn when an ex-girlfriend of Marky’s secretly adds a substance called Angel’s Kiss to their drinks. This isn’t your typical party drug; it’s a cutting-edge way to store information. When a friend named Nick arrives, things get truly bizarre. Soon, the U.S. government becomes involved, and the friends begin to suspect that Nick isn’t what he seems – he might not have a real body at all, but instead be a figment of their collective imagination, brought to life by Angel’s Kiss.

Faker is a captivating and intense story with a lot at stake, but it’s also incredibly moving and heartbreaking. It makes you think about the nature of reality – what’s tangible versus what feels real. Both the story and artwork are unforgettable and will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.

3) The Vinyl Underground

Vertigo is known for its unique take on occult comics, and The Vinyl Underground is a standout example. Created by Si Spencer and Simon Gane, the comic centers around a team of occult detectives operating in London. The group includes DJ Morrison Shepherd, a somewhat famous DJ and the son of a former footballer recently out of prison; Perv, an ex-convict with clairvoyant abilities who experiences crime-solving visions during seizures; Leah King, a morgue assistant who also works as an internet model and adult film performer; and Shepherd’s former girlfriend, Kim “Abi” Abiola, who is described as an exiled African princess whose father is a suspect in the initial case.

Let’s be honest, The Vinyl Underground is a unique and quirky story. It feels like something you’d find in a John Constantine comic, but with an extra dose of strangeness and flair. The city of London is almost a character itself, and overall it’s a really enjoyable read. Although the series was cut short after 12 issues, those 12 issues are definitely worth checking out.

2) Girl

Published in 1996 and created by Peter Milligan with artwork by Duncan Fegredo, Girl is a brief, three-issue comic series that leaves a lasting impression. It centers on Simone, a 15-year-old living in the fictional town of Bollockstown, who is struggling with unhappy home life and feelings of hopelessness. As she contemplates suicide, her life is disrupted by the arrival of Polly, a blonde doppelganger, leading Simone on a bizarre, unpredictable, and perilous adventure – one where she fiercely fights back against those who mistreat her.

Girl is a haunting and dreamlike story that delves into complex issues like growing up and figuring out who you are, as well as the blurry boundary between what’s real and what’s imagined. It also vividly captures the feel of the 1990s, making it a compelling read both for its narrative and as a nostalgic glimpse into the past.

1) iZombie

Before it became a TV show on The CW, iZombie was actually a fantastic comic book published by Vertigo. Created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, the story centers on Gwen Dylan, a gravedigger in Oregon who gains zombie-like qualities after being bitten by a mummy. To stay human, she has to eat a brain each month, but this also gives her glimpses into the memories of the deceased. Adding to the unusual mix, she’s befriended by a ghost from the 1960s and a were-terrier!

The iZombie comic book is noticeably different from the TV show, and it’s fantastic. It’s packed with supernatural fights – zombies included – alongside relatable themes like family, romance, and the constant threat of disaster. It captures the craziness of being in your twenties and is a series worth checking out, even if you were a fan of the TV adaptation.

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2026-02-21 01:14