The Problem With DC Shutting Down Vertigo Rumors

I’m Steve Gustafson and thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to check out 411mania’s Comic Book Review Roundtable, every Thursday! Read up on the best reviews and let us know what you’re reading as well. Click to read the latest Comic Book Review Roundtable! Heroes in Crisis #9, Batman: Last Knight On Earth #1, and more!

Now, on with the show!

Last week we discussed our Must Read Thanos Stories. Here’s what some of you had to say:

Hench4Life: “Spider-Man (vol 1) #17

a one-issue story featuring the death of Spider-Man. Thanos taunts him in Death’s realm as useless and ineffective, eventually showing him that a young girl Spidey died trying to save was entering Death’s realm. Spider-Man, enraged, takes on Thanos with such determination … he impresses Death enough that She returns Spider-Man and the girl to the land of the living.”

Shadow: “Thanos Quest truly tells you why he is held so high as a villain, he’s a Mad Titan fir sure but his mind is still his greatest weapon. No Black Order, just a purple man and his ship. I love the segment against the Champion and the Gardener”

Drew Dang: “I’d like to recommend the book, Thanos Rising, based on MCU Thanos. It was supposed to be canon, but changed likely due to the Eternals movie possibly exploring Titan’s past. It still reads like MCU Thanos and it’s a joy to see his combination of compassion and ruthlessness as he rises to power.

Also Silver Surfer #50. Takes place right before Infinity Gauntlet, and even though it’s not all about Thanos, it’s a very fun read.”

Acolyte Of Glorious La Parka~: “5. The Captain Marvel storyline (I admit I haven’t read this, but I saw pieces of it in the early ’90’s when they were doing Infinity Gauntlet)

4. The Death of Captain Marvel (had a bit part in that)

3. The original Magus storyline (the one where he had the big afro)

2. Thanos Quest

1. Infinity Gauntlet

Infinity War, Infinity Crusade, and most of the Thanos stuff following were Shite.”

Captain Mcgloo: “The Dan Jurgens Thor run had a really great Thor vs Thanos story.”

rf: “Thanos Quest and Infinity Gauntlet for me”

To read all of last week’s comments go HERE! As always, thanks for the input!

This week we discuss…

The Problem With DC Shutting Down Vertigo Rumors

This week we take a break from straight comic book topics to pull back the lens a little and talk about the good, bad, and ugly of comic book rumors and how they impact the industry.

Prime example is Bleeding Cool reporting that they had a “number of sources” come to them with the tip that DC Comics was planning to shutter its Vertigo imprint.

Predictably this was a shock to many, no more so than many of the creative teams that just had their projects greenlit for Vertigo. Bleeding Cool went on to say that there are plans for a big launch of new books for San Diego Comic Con that involve a new Vertigo type of imprint but no details beyond that.

With Vertigo gone, people are losing contracts, having their titles released back to them, or moved to the DC side of things. While they said the creative teams are being informed, no one has come forward yet to confirm the rumor.

And there’s the rub. Until DC makes the announcement, this is all unsubstantiated rumors. Vertigo may very well be closing their doors but by reporting the rumor, all it does is cause confusion, and some heartache, for fans and those involved in the imprint.

I’ll be the first to admit that reporting rumors is something I’ve done a number of times in the past. It’s become a staple of internet writing. People respond to it. Personally, I enjoy casting and project rumors. Doing a little fantasy directing is fun and usually leads to an entertaining comment section.

But what about a rumor like this one about Vertigo? Does it do more harm than good?

Vertigo’s golden age is well behind us but it still has the potential to give readers a different take, one that’s sorely needed in the industry. I’m hoping this rumor isn’t fully realized and it comes out that they’re revitalizing things for the imprint.

What if it’s completely false? That’s happened in the past and while readers have come to accept it, it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. But there’s always a new rumor to take its place and things remain consistent in its cycle.

We’ll find out soon enough. Maybe by the time you read this. Or maybe not. We’ll probably be distracted by the next hearsay from “unnamed sources”.

That’s all the time I have. Check out our Comic Book Reviews tomorrow and see you next week!