Vertigo was an imprint of DC Comics and home to many distinguished graphic novels that were meant for a more mature audience. The creative freedom allowed writers to tell stories across different genres that didn’t really fall into the realm of superheroes and featured violence, profanity and mature themes. From The Sandman to 100 Bullets, here are the must-read DC Vertigo comics that you shouldn’t miss out on.
One of the best dark fantasy graphic novels of all time, The Sandman follows the titular character through the world of dreams and nightmares, his disappearance for 70 years and the eventual return. The Sandman has been appreciated throughout the years for Neil Gaiman’s style of storytelling that weaved mythology, history and horror together, setting the bar high for other graphic novels.
100 Bullets is based on the concept of revenge and revolves around Agent Graves who offers a chance to people to exact revenge on wrong-doers. The agent offers the means and opportunity to a victim and assures that the crime won’t be traced back to them. However, there’s a much bigger conspiracy in place that has its roots set back in 16th century Europe. As the series progresses, you witness how the dots connect and in the backdrop of a world ruled by a clandestine organization.
A dark, crime noir book, Scalped tells the tale of one Dashiell Badhorse as he comes to terms with his identity as a Native American and an FBI agent looking to arrest the most powerful man in the Prarie Rose Reservation. Equal parts crime thriller and action, Scalped is a gritty and unrelenting book that features beautiful art by R.M Guera and an incredible story by Jason Aaron.
Jesse Custer, a preacher in a Texas town is possessed with Genesis, an unnatural entity born out of an angel and a demon that grants him unlimited power, rivalling even God. In a bid to find God, who he learns, has left heaven ever since Genesis came into existence takes him on a journey throughout the United States with his girlfriend and a vampire as they come across many enemies and hurdles in an attempt to find God.