Back in 2019, DC Comics made headlines by announcing the formal closure of its legendary creator-owned label, Vertigo. This decision, which took effect as part of an internal restructuring initiative at the publishing giant, marked the end of an era that had nurtured some of the boldest, most sophisticated, and artistically daring works in comic book history. Vertigo had long been synonymous with narrative experimentation, mature themes, and creative independence, and its discontinuation was perceived as the symbolic fading of a certain creative ethos within the mainstream comic industry.
However, the story of Vertigo did not conclude there. In the following years, whispers began to circulate throughout the comics community about its possible resurrection. Those rumors materialized when, in the previous year, DC officially confirmed that Vertigo would indeed return, reimagined for a new generation of readers and storytellers. That promise took tangible form at this year’s New York Comic Con, where DC revealed detailed plans for the label’s relaunch. The company outlined not only its general vision for the revived imprint but also the first slate of titles that would herald Vertigo’s rebirth.
Beginning in 2026, readers will once again see the Vertigo emblem adorn the covers of original, boundary-pushing works from some of the most respected and inventive creators in the Western comics landscape. The revival will feature a roster of titles that span genres—from supernatural noir to psychological thrillers, dystopian science fiction, and modern horror—each infused with the daring spirit that once defined Vertigo’s legacy.
Among the initial offerings is *Bleeding Hearts* by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, and Matt Hollingsworth. This series centers on Poke, a zombie who unexpectedly discovers his heart has begun to beat again, confronting the existential dread and fragile humanity that follow such an impossible event. Following it is *End of Life*, written by Kyle Starks with art by Steve Pugh and colors by Chris O’Halloran, which tells the somber yet intense story of a once-feared hitman returning to his quiet Midwestern hometown to care for his dying father, blending noir crime motifs with emotional introspection.
*Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy*, created by Ram V and Mike Perkins, transports readers to the secretive world of magical espionage in the United Kingdom, where wizard spies wage clandestine battles of sorcery amid an occult version of a global cold war. Meanwhile, *The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery*—by Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips—presents an atmospheric detective thriller that interweaves elements of fascism, mysticism, and the pursuit of a lost artifact possessing unimaginable power, all within a grimly noir setting.
Longtime fans will recognize *100 Bullets: The US of Anger* as the next evolution of DC Vertigo’s cornerstone series, reuniting writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso. This latest chapter revisits the violent, morally ambiguous world of *100 Bullets*, chronicling the brutal return of the character Lono to the American landscape. Other new titles also push psychological and conceptual boundaries. *Fanatic*, from Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer, explores obsession in the modern age through the story of a woman whose fixation on a beloved comic book leads her to target its creator. *A Walking Shadow*, written by Simon Spurrier with art by Aaron Campbell, traps eight strangers aboard a mysterious boat deep in the woods; none can recall who they are or how they arrived there, setting the stage for a chilling psychological puzzle.
In *The Crying Doll*, the Eisner Award–winning duo Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell deliver what has been described as a “Jekyll-and-Hyde–style thriller,” focused on a young woman torn between protecting her best friend and facing the horrifying suspicion that this same friend may secretly be a murderer. Finally, *Necretaceous*, by Tom Taylor and Darick Robertson, hurls readers across time and space: a group of scientists, desperate to halt a rapidly spreading zombie virus, travel back sixty-six million years to the Cretaceous Period, confronting prehistoric dangers while humanity’s future hangs in the balance.
The relaunch of Vertigo will unfold gradually throughout 2026, allowing each series to debut with care and impact. *Bleeding Hearts* will serve as the starting point, launching on February 11, followed by *End of Life* on February 18 and *The Peril of the Brutal Dark* on February 25. Additional series are scheduled to release in the ensuing months, continuing into late 2026, ensuring a steady stream of new and stylistically diverse works under the revitalized imprint. DC has also provided a preview of the forthcoming cover art for all listed titles, showcasing the visual creativity and tonal range that define this ambitious revival.
As Vertigo rises once more, the imprint not only reclaims its place in DC’s publishing lineup but also reasserts its role as a space where creators can tell stories unafraid of complexity, discomfort, or experimentation. Its return stands as both a tribute to its storied past and a bold step toward the future of adult-oriented graphic storytelling within the ever-evolving comics medium.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/dc-vertigo-is-finally-coming-back-to-life-in-2026-2000671537
