Origin
Vanessa appears in issue seven of the Drawn & Quarterly comic book series, Optic Nerve.
Creation
Vanessa was created by Adrian Tomine.
Character Evolution
Vanessa is a young, attractive girl who works part time at a greetings card outlet. She is pursued romantically by three different characters – Whit, Carlos and Neil. While in a relationship with Whit, Vanessa meets Carlos while out with a friend, and the two begin sleeping together. Vanessa does not feel bad about this – in fact, she explains to one of her friends that life is like a salad bar, that no one person is perfect and so a girl must mix and match when it comes to choosing lovers. She tells the same friend that she does not consider Carlos to be boyfriend material as he is too self obsessed, and that Whit seems like a decent person who knows how to treat her.
Although she is not initially aware of it, Neil has a dangerous obsession with her, and regularly finds reasons to visit her at work. It is Neil who reveals her affair to Whit, leading to a brutal, unexpected attack which leaves Carlos hosptalised. Vanessa goes to see him, intending to apologise, but he breaks up with her.
Major Story Arcs
Vanessa does not appear in any major story arcs.
Powers And Abilities
Vanessa is a human character with no special powers or abilities.