The rumors about Vertigo’s revamp in 2015 may be starting to come with fruition, first with the attachment of Jamie S. Rich to the editorial staff, then to the recent news out of Emerald City Comic Con.

According to Vertigo, Asher Powell and Janet K Lee were stand-outs during the portfolio review and pitch sessions that they have become famous for.  People probably remember Janet K Lee from her work on The Return of the Dapper Man, which she took home an Eisner Award for.  Both are going to be doing work for the new “sound” themed incarnation of Vertigo Quarterly, with Lee doing Vertigo Quarterly SFX: Slam issue out July 1st.  Later this year Powell will be drawing a story in Vertigo Quarterly SFX: Krak.

What caught even more attention was the new art and series that stunned many panelgoers.  The panel, which was moderated by Vertigo Executive Editor Shelly Bond and Bill Willingham had comic stars Kurt Busiek, Time Seeley, Gail Simone, Amy Chu, Marley Zarcone, and Jeremy Haun.

Gail Simone and Johnathan Davies Hunt are making huge waves with the announcement of their new Vertigo series Clean Room.  This will be a “psychological horror” piece that looks at a cult leader and his followers.  This is a theme that has huge legs for the imprint, especially with what has been in the news lately.

Current series like Effigy from Tim Seeley, Wolf Moon, Astro City, Sandman: Overture, Strange Sports Stories, Fables: The Wolf Among Us, and the upcoming Mad Max art book and Fables #150 were also discussed.  Art shown were from books being released currently.