DC’s groundbreaking mature readers imprint is back in action with a slew of brand-new series. So far, we have gotten the return of The Nice House by the Sea, plus new series Bleeding Hearts, End of Life and The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery, with plenty more on the way. Those books now join the ranks of classic Vertigo comics like Hellblazer, 100 Bullets, Fables, Preacher and The Sandman.
But…and forgive me for pointing this out, all of those titles debuted over twenty years ago. Heck, Hellblazer and Sandman go back to the 1980s! I wasn’t even alive back then, let alone reading Vertigo. So, I thought I’d take this moment to shout out some lesser-known Vertigo titles from the 2010s and all the things I’ve learned from them. If only all my high school teachers were this much fun.
The Apocalypse Sucks, but Cool Outfits are a Must
High Level is a high-octane post-apocalyptic cyberpunk series with a badass female main character and a lovable little kid born into a broken world. Hundreds of years after the world has ended, a war-ridden society has taken its place. People struggle to have access to basic necessities like food, water and shelter due to depleted resources, a corrupt military police and organized crime enthusiasts running amok.
The series follows Thirteen, a self-interested smuggler who lives on the outskirts of society, narrowly avoiding the war. Thirteen is reluctantly tasked with escorting a nine-year-old girl known as Minnow to High Level, the fabled city that is a utopia to the top 1%. Minnow is believed to be the messiah—the one who can save the world. As this unlikely pair faces threats and makes allies, Thirteen's cold demeanor may or may not be melted by Minnow’s pure-of-heart attitude. You will shed some tears. Be warned.
But what I love about this series is that the fashion is impeccable. From moto vests to colorful hair and techno-tattoos, there is a lot to love about the stunning visuals and character designs in High Level. Thirteen may live in a wasteland torn apart by war, but that doesn't mean she can’t look cool as all hell while trying to save the world!
Written by Rob Sheridan (Co-creator of Nine Inch Nail’s Year Zero ARG)
Art by Barnaby Bagenda (The Omega Men), Amancay Nahuelpan (Crush & Lobo) and Omar Francia (Volition)
Doing Satanic Rituals in the Woods with a Goth Girl Never Ends Well
Coffin Hill is perfect for fans of The Craft and Jennifer’s Body. This series follows Eve Coffin, the daughter of one of New England’s richest families—we’re talking old money, old blood, old secrets and old curses. The Coffins are a family of witches.
As a reckless teenager, Eve and her friends performed a life-altering ritual in the nearby woods releasing something evil into the world. Years later, after losing her career and nearly losing her life, Eve returns to Coffin Hill to find several people have gone missing in those very same woods. While facing past mistakes and rehashing old relationships, Eve uses her law enforcement background and witchcraft to try to put an end to the evil that terrorizes Coffin Hill. This is a psychological thriller with gothic elements that is perfect for supernatural enthusiasts.
But do heed the moral of the story: when a cool goth girl with dyed hair (or anyone at all) asks you to make a blood sacrifice in the woods in the middle of the night, the correct response is, “Oh, hell nah!!” Who knows what kind of evil you’ll unleash or what kind of terror you’ll witness? Me? After reading Coffin Hill, I’ll never even touch a Ouija board.
Written by Caitlin Kittredge (Witchblade)
Art by Inaki Miranda (Arcadia, Catwoman), Stephen Sadowski (JSA) and Mark Farmer (The Green Lantern Corps)
Starting Cults and Going to the Moon Isn't All That
Deathbed follows Antonio Luna, the world's greatest adventurer that nobody has heard of because twenty years ago, he disappeared from the public eye. Now ninety-years-old, death is knocking at his door and he is desperate for his story to be told. To that end, he hires Valentine Richards, a failed novelist turned ghost writer for memoirs and biographies.
Antonio takes Valentine on a life-changing adventure across the world and beyond it. Along the way, they face a bloodthirsty cult that worships Antonio, undead mummy assassins and psychedelic jellyfish in a crazed, sometimes raunchy adventure that is balls to the walls insane! (Also, did I mention it’s written by none other than Joshua Williamson? That’s right, the writer of Superman.)
Ultimately, though, this one hits you in the feels as Antonio, who is an ego-centric narcissist, comes to terms with the life he has lived and the legacy he thought he was leaving behind. And Valentine? She’ll walk away from this adventure for the better…that is, if she survives!
While insane and absurd in so many ways, there is a major lesson to be learned while reading Deathbed: there is more to life than the legacy you leave behind. Yes, we all aspire to be worshiped by crazy cults and fly to the moon—okay, well some of us do—but that isn't all life is about. Remember to stop and smell the roses and love your friends and family.
Written by Joshua Williamson (Superman, The Flash)
Art by Riley Rossmo (Martian Manhunter, Wesley Dodds: The Sandman)
Nothing is Guaranteed, Not Even the Laws of Physics
FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics is a four-volume series that asks the question: what happens if the laws of physics change? Between wormholes appearing in random kitchens, sudden and unpredictable gravity failures and dangerous quantum tornadoes threatening the balance of the world we know, people are having to adapt in some truly imaginative ways. The Federal Bureau of Physics (FBP) is a government organization tasked with responding to these disasters, which can strike at any moment.
The series follows Adam Hardy, an agent of the FBP who embarks on a journey of conspiracy, betrayal and the changing political landscape of privatized physics insurance upsetting the status quo. This colorfully cosmic series is a lot of fun—a perfect balance of comedy, science and adventure.
The Laws of Physics have been constant since the creation of our universe, so it's hard to imagine a world where all of that has been thrown out the window. But this is Vertigo, where rules really are always meant to be broken—even rules older than every human on Earth. And as unlikely as it may be that our scientific bedrocks may suddenly and dramatically change…well, at least now I know what to do if it happens. And so will you if you read FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics!
Written by Simon Oliver (The Hellblazer)
Art by Robbi Rodriguez (Goddess Mode)
High Level, Coffin Hill, Deathbed and FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics (as well as The Nice House by the Sea, Bleeding Hearts, End of Life and The Peril of the Brutal Dark) can all be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
