Count Vertigo (Werner Zytle) is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists Trevor Von Eeden and Vince Colletta, the character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #251 (1978). In the DC Universe, Count Vertigo is the last descendant of the royal family that ruled the small eastern European country of Vlatava, which was taken over by the Soviet Union and later devastated by the Spectre. The character serves as an enemy of the superheroes Black Canary, Batman and later Green Arrow.
Two incarnations of Count Vertigo, Cecil Adams and Werner Zytle, appear in Arrow, portrayed by Seth Gabel and Peter Stormare, respectively. Additionally, Michael York, Greg Ellis, and Steve Blum have voiced Vertigo in animation.
Publication history
Count Vertigo was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists Trevor Von Eeden and Vince Colletta, and first appeared in World's Finest Comics #251 (1978). Vertigo's costume was designed by Von Eeden, with the patterning of his cape being a tribute to Steve Ditko's distinctively arcane artwork. Due to having a hereditary inner ear defect that affected his balance, Vertigo had a small electronic device implanted in his right temple to compensate. Tinkering with the device, Vertigo learned he was able to affect other people's balance as well, distorting their perceptions and inducing vertigo. Donning a costume and taking the name "Count Vertigo", he embarked on a life of crime. This would bring him into conflict with the heroes Green Arrow and Black Canary.
Vertigo later joins the Suicide Squad in exchange for a shortened prison sentence, and it is revealed that he has bipolar disorder. After the Suicide Squad disbands, Vertigo is captured by rebels from Vlatava, who intend to use his powers to overthrow the Vlatavan government.
Vertigo attends rehab and expunges the chemicals that had been pumped into his body by both Ivy and the rebels, unwittingly curing him of the disorder that had plagued him for so long. Vertigo is unable to cope and approaches Deadshot, one of his teammates, hoping that he will be willing to kill him. The running subplot would ultimately culminate in the last pages of the first volume of Suicide Squad, in which Deadshot and Vertigo stood across one another, Deadshot ready to kill him. Vertigo realizes that this was ultimately an indirect suicide, and that would ruin his chances for the afterlife. Deciding for now that he would deal with the disease that now indirectly plagued him, he abandons the duel.
Vertigo later returns to Vlatava to ensure that he would once more become its rightful ruler. While his forces are at war with the government's army, the Spectre appears and is horrified by the slaughter. In a fit of rage, the Spectre deems Vlatava and its inhabitants to be full of sin and decides to cleanse it, sparing only Vertigo and Vlatava's president.
Working for the American government for a while, Count Vertigo eventually sought out his old enemy Green Arrow. Vertigo decided to leave his vendetta behind and focus on more positive prospects, getting his life back on track. He later appears as a member of the new Injustice Society.
Vertigo appears in the revamped Checkmate title as part of its regular cast as the White Queen's Knight under White Queen Amanda Waller. Vertigo later appears as a member of Richard Dragon's Longbow Hunters.
Powers and abilities
Count Vertigo is trained in classical martial combat and the sports of boxing, fencing, and equestrianism. He has also been trained in judo and karate.
His "Vertigo Effect" has long since been internalized through circumstances that have not yet been revealed. He uses his power to disrupt his enemies' balance. In hand-to-hand and melee combat, Vertigo uses his power to disorient his opponents. He also uses the Vertigo Effect to disrupt the aim of gunmen, snipers and the like. The exact range of the power is unrevealed, seeing as how on one mission, guards watching him in action on camera were also affected by his power. This ability is also capable of disrupting guidance systems on missiles, vehicles, and detection systems. Vertigo also wears magnetic boots with which he can walk walls or ceilings. In later appearances, he gains the ability of flight.
Other versions
An alternate universe version of Count Vertigo appears in the Flashpoint tie-in Deadman and the Flying Graysons. This version lost his family during the Amazon-Atlantean war. He attempts to retrieve Doctor Fate's helmet before being killed in battle and giving the helmet to Dick Grayson.
In other media
Television
thumb|200px|right|Vertigo as he appears in Batman: The Animated Series.
200px|thumb|right|Count Vertigo as he appears in The Batman.
- Count Vertigo, referred to simply as Vertigo, appears in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Off Balance", voiced by Michael York. This version is a German leading member of the Society of Shadows whose "Vertigo Effect" is derived from an eyepatch, which Batman theorizes to be radioactive. After being defeated by Batman and Talia al Ghul, Vertigo is presumed dead.
- Count Vertigo appears in The Batman episode "Vertigo", voiced by Greg Ellis.
- Count Vertigo appears in DC Showcase: Green Arrow, voiced by Steve Blum.
- Count Vertigo appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Steve Blum.
Miscellaneous
The Arrow incarnation of Werner Zytle appears in the non-canonical tie-in comic Arrow: Season 2.5.