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KarenBerger80s
Karen Berger
Birth Date February 26, 1958
Works Wonder Woman v2
Karen Berger WW v2 2 p23
Comic Book Staff WW v2 8 20

Art imitates life as Diana and Myndi Mayer pose with the creative team of a new Wonder Woman comic book. From Wonder Woman #8.


Karen Berger served as an editor on Wonder Woman v2 for the entirety of George Pérez's run on the title.

I never really read comic books as a kid. Sure, I did make my way to Joe's Candy Store around the corner from my house every couple of weeks to buy an issue or two of Archie and his gang, and I do confess to reading "Love" comics when they were passed around my bunk on warm, summer nights at sleep-away camp, and maybe once or twice I might have read an old SUPERBOY or Spider-Man comic that my older brother had long since abandoned in his bookcase; but for all intents and purposes, my childhood comic book reading experiences were pretty un­memorable and limited, and virtually stopped after that innocent summer in Bunk 10.

Cut to about seven years later. One of my good friends, a budding writer, was beginning to submit story ideas and sample scripts to DC's mystery/horror titles. I remember going into a comic shop on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn with him, looking at all these weird comics in plastic bags on dusty shelves, and feeling absolutely befuddled by the whole experience. And, when I was shown The Buyer's Guide, and The Comic Reader, I was totally amazed that people actually read, reviewed, and collected comics. It was like an alien culture revealed to me; something that was very hard for me to relate to at the time.

Jump ahead another seven years to the present day: I've been working at DC for seven years (there's that number again), and have seen what I hope is the beginning of a new trend: comic book publishers producing more female-oriented magazines. Granted, we've all got a very long way to go, and I'm well aware that you can count such titles on just one hand; but considering the overwhelming majority of comics geared to and read by males, I'd like to be optimistic and think that the AMETHYSTs, ANGEL LOVEs, and Mistys' of this world are encouraging signs of things to come.

That brings, me to the new WONDER WOMAN — a comic I feel serves as a great role model to young women, but also contains many elements that appeal to males as well. WONDER WOMAN crosses the gender line.

Steeped in Greek mythology, abounding with with powerful, wise, and ruthless gods and goddesses, it's a comic whose star is a heroic, sensitive woman, set on a mission of dire importance in today's world. This is Wonder Woman's first time away from an extremely sheltered home, and although she bravely faces epic struggles and dark, unspeakable challenges, I can't help but wonder how difficult and harrowing it must be for her at times. Perhaps it's that inner strength in the face of adversity that appeals to me, or maybe it's the sensitivity with which she handles new people and new situations; or perhaps it's the universal approach and tone of the book that transcends the gap between the sexes. Come to think of it, it's probably all of the above.

We're having a great time producing this comic, and we hope that you're catching some of that special energy. For this Wonder Woman is truly special. And thinking back, if this comic were passed around my bunk 15 years ago, I might've looked at comics differently. I can only hope that in the here and now, a young woman's interest will be sparked by the new Wonder Woman, and that she'll pass it on to her boyfriend. Now, wouldn't that be a change!

On that note, I'll take my leave for this month. I'd like to personally thank all of you for reading and supporting this book. I hope that you'll drop us a line or three — not only with your comments on the stories, but also your thoughts on what types of comics might bridge the gap between male and female readers. So, until next month's epic battle against Ares' monstrous sons, take care everyone! See you soon—
—Karen [Berger], Wonder Woman v2 #2 p23

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