Vlatava is a small eastern European country that fell under the domination of the Soviet Union and was later devastated by The Spectre. The super villain Count Vertigo was the last, surviving descendant of the royal family of Vlatava. His status as a political figure has frequently exploited, though he made little effort to reclaim his throne. The Count's insanity also allowed him to be manipulated easily. All inhabitants of Vlatava, with the exception of Vertigo and the current president, were murdered by The Spectre who believed that Vlatava had degenerated so far that all its inhabitants were doomed to die in wars or starve.