Since 1993, Vertigo Comics (an imprint of DC) has be the place to go for epic, strange and wonderful stories which are both fantastic and creative. Known for it’s more mature content, no subject matter is off limits. Below are my top ten favorites.
Transmetropolitan
The main character’s name is Spider Jerusalem, and it’s written by Warren Ellis. That should be enough. But if not, allow me to wax poetic. This cyberpunk dystopian story features iconoclastic journalist Spider in his ongoing battle against politics, corruption and general society. It is Warren Ellis doing what he does best: writing interesting characters in a world from the best of science fiction. Little in the book is normal, which is what makes it so great. Creative, interesting and largely irreverent, Transmetropolitan is not one to miss.
The Losers
The Losers is the purest comic action movie I’ve read. The A-Team cranked up to another level. It’s fast, exciting, violent, and has some very inspired heists with a great crew. The Losers were originally a CIA Ops team before being burned by the enigmatic Max. Now, they are on the run and trying to clear their names. A faithful, but lackluster movie was made, but don’t let that deter you. The Losers is a great ride from beginning to end with great characters, fast shootouts and and a ton of adrenaline.
DMZ
V for Vendetta
American Vampire
Fables
Preacher
In the middle of the desert, the very Texan minister Jesse Custer meets the very Irish vampire Cassidy, and together, along with Jesse’s girlfriend Tulip, start a quest to find God (literally) and hold him accountable for His creation. An incredible tale spanning seventy-five issues, nothing is out of bounds. Religion, morality, familial duties, politics, war, they all get examined under Custer’s microscope. But for me, the reason I love this series is simple: the characters. All three of the main leads, plus the Saint of Killers are beautifully round and dynamic characters that I was truly sad to see go when I finished the series.
Hellblazer
Hellblazer has some of the most unique, strange and simply out-there stories, which is why it is so high up on the list for me. They are few (if any) comics nowadays that push the idea of what can be included in comics. A showcase of the strange, weird and generally messed up with a con-man named John Constantine as your guide. A bastard in the truest sense of the word, he lies, cheats, steals, manipulates his way to his ends. Recently, Constantine has been introduced to DC in Justice League Dark and a new ongoing series, but they fail to capture the magic of Hellblazer. For some truly impressively weird stories, look no further.
Y: The Last Man
Y: The Last Man is a coming of age story that should be mandatory reading for the American Educational system. It focuses on Yorick Brown who finds himself as the last male on the planet. Naturally this will have some changes on Yorick’s life, as well as the future of the planet. Like many great epics, Y isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. The interactions between Yorick and the women he meets on his travels and how those interactions subsequently change him are what the story is about. Growing, living and changing. It’s a heartfelt story with great cast. If you have not read Y: The Last Man, please do yourself a favor and read it. But read it slowly, as you can only read it for the first time once.
Sandman
