Simple Vertigo U question...

[Krys Nyteshade]

Is the Vertigo Universe part of the main DCU? I know that some JLA folks popped up in the first ark of Sandman, but that was still in the formation stage of Vertigo, right? So I was just wondering if The Vertigo universe technically is part of the DCU. The story I'm writing wouldn't make much sense if it wasn't. (Yes, I know. They don't take unsolicited scripts, but it's good writing practice...)

Thanks for the help. Maybe we need a Vertigo FAQ in the DC FAQ fourm?

[rfahey]

I think the simple answer is that certain Vertigo characters are part of the DC universe when DC wants them to be, but not otherwise. Generally the characters keep separate from one another, and the stories of certain titles, such as Testament, simply can't be reconciled with anything going on in the mainstream DC universe. Moreover, it's unclear what Vertigo characters share a universe with one another. It's therefore best to view Vertigo stories as occurring in their own self-contained worlds.

[Krys Nyteshade]

Ok, but if I wanted to have a story about a bunch of Meta's who pretty much just bummed around in Punk clubs and whatnot, while still cracking jokes on Superman and etc, that'd be doable too, right? Really, it doesn't matter, I guess, because I'm just doing it to try to figure out how to make a script go from an idea to a page by page breakdown, but if Possible I'd like to try to keep it close to right...

Thanks, by the way.

[Cash Lone]

Vertigo/DC relations are shifty and difficult to nail down - but Rfahey pretty much has it correct.

When Vertigo started books like Hellblazer, Sandman, Swampthing were firmly established in the DCU. But as time has marched on - Vertigo characters rarely appear in the DCU (sandman, swampy have as doom patrol).

[Expletive Deleted]

If it's explicitly superhero based, it's probably not Vertigo.

The DCU does occasionally do "Mature Readers" stuff, though.

[Krys Nyteshade]

It's not superhero based, really. They're metas, but they're basically "Fuck that super hero thing, I'm going to the Misfits show in Keystone City, man". I'm sure it's a concept that's been done to death, but the whole kind of counter-culture thing seemed interesting, so I figured why not.

[Lightbend]

Generally, the books are self contained with occasional bleed over. For example, during the Beast with No Name arc in Hellblazer, Lucifer and Mazikeen made a brief, uncredited cameo.

[filthysize]

There is no Vertigo Universe.

[JTLauder]

Filthy says it best--there is no "Vertigo Universe" in the same sense of the DC Universe where all the characters exist in the same world. The Vertigo line of books can be varied and each having their own "universe".

Description of the Vertigo line from the DC Comics site:

"Vertigo was created as a venue for material of a more mature and sophisticated nature that did not fit easily with the traditionally superhero-dominated mainstream comics."

"Vertigo was launched in 1993 as a venue for titles that push the boundaries of traditional comics. Aimed at the mature, literate reader, titles from Vertigo are created for adults and are labeled appropriately. Vertigo's monthly publications and numerous graphic novels provide serious, innovative fiction told in compelling visuals..."

"The SANDMAN comic book series served as the prototype for the Vertigo line..."

"Vertigo titles explore a variety of different genres."

[i_mmmchocolate]

Filthy is right. If there were a 'Vertigo Universe' then Lucifer, Preacher, Fables, etc would be connected in some way. They exist independently from one and other.

[FanboyStranger]

Filthy is right. If there were a 'Vertigo Universe' then Lucifer, Preacher, Fables, etc would be connected in some way. They exist independently from one and other.

Well, you're dealing in apples and oranges there. Preacher, Fables, Invisibles, etc. are all creator owned books, and exist in the universe that their creators want them to. Sandman, Lucifer, Hellblazer, the various Books of Magic titles, Swamp Thing do technically exist within the same universe, but continuity is not as tight as within the DCU proper. In theory, all these characters are part of the DCU, but in practice, the books they appear in generally have little connection to the DC Universe besides the occasional cameo. The Vertigo M.O. since Shade, the Changing Man has been that the story comes first, and let the fans work out how it fits into continuity if they so desire.

[MarkSullivan]

Well, you're dealing in apples and oranges there. Preacher, Fables, Invisibles, etc. are all creator owned books, and exist in the universe that their creators want them to. Sandman, Lucifer, Hellblazer, the various Books of Magic titles, Swamp Thing do technically exist within the same universe, but continuity is not as tight as within the DCU proper. In theory, all these characters are part of the DCU, but in practice, the books they appear in generally have little connection to the DC Universe besides the occasional cameo. The Vertigo M.O. since Shade, the Changing Man has been that the story comes first, and let the fans work out how it fits into continuity if they so desire.

Exactly right. I think the key phrase here is "in theory," because in practice there never has been much emphasis on the shared elements, and what little there was has all but disappeared. I don't think there ever was an intent to establish a "Vertigo universe."