Karen Berger, the multiple-Eisner Award winner and one of the founders of DC’s Vertigo imprint, will edit and cultivate a new line of creator-owned comics, Berger Books, at Dark Horse Comics. This was announced today at the ComicsPRO retailer event, coinciding with Berger’s reception of the ComicsPRO Appreciation Award earlier today.
Berger described the announcement as such:
“Dark Horse has been at the frontline of independent, creator-owned comics for decades,” said Berger. “It’s great to be working with a company that has such a rich history of publishing scores of many incredible books by some of the best writers and artists in comics. I’m very fired up about being back in the game in a big way, and to be producing this new line with top, diverse creative talent and exciting, original new voices.”
Berger was involved with the founding of Vertigo in 1993 a line that became known for its dark, mature horror and fantasy titles. Berger, in her time at Vertigo, oversaw the production of so many classics including “Sandman,” “V for Vendetta,” “Preacher,” “Swamp Thing,” “Hellblazer,” “Y: The Last Man,” “Fables,” and “100 Bullets.” Just some of the creators that worked with, and did some of their best work with her, include Grant Morrison, Peter Milligan, Neil Gaiman, Brian K Vaughn, Steve Dillon, Garth Ennis, Brian Azzarello, Bill Willingham, Lilah Sturges, and many others.
Berger announced her departure from Vertigo in December of 2012; according to a New York Times feature on her, the departure was related to the imprint’s lack of attention from DC brass. Since then she’s been editing and consulting in various fields, including, recently, on the Image title “Surgeon X.”
No release date, titles, or creative teams have been announced, but it’s safe to say we can expect great things from the “Mother of ‘The Weird Stuff.’” Check out the full press release below:
MILWAUKIE, Ore., (Feb. 17, 2017)—Karen Berger, the legendary, award-winning comic book editor and founder of DC Comics’ influential imprint Vertigo, will acquire, edit, and oversee Berger Books, a new line of creator-owned comic books and graphic novels to be published by Dark Horse Comics. The announcement of Berger Books was made at ComicsPRO, the comic book industry retailer event, where Berger was named the winner of the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award earlier today.
“Karen is someone I’ve always respected and admired. She’s a visionary thinker and one of the most highly regarded individuals in the comic book industry,” said Dark Horse President and Publisher Mike Richardson. “Her fiercely independent streak and forward-looking storytelling instincts are a perfect match for Dark Horse Comics. We’ll have more news in the near future, but today we’re thrilled to announce that Karen Berger and Berger Books have found the perfect home at Dark Horse Comics.”
“Dark Horse has been at the frontline of independent, creator-owned comics for decades,” said Berger. “It’s great to be working with a company that has such a rich history of publishing scores of many incredible books by some of the best writers and artists in comics. I’m very fired up about being back in the game in a big way, and to be producing this new line with top, diverse creative talent and exciting, original new voices.”
Berger founded Vertigo in 1993 and led the line for twenty years, during which time she oversaw over three hundred properties, including Sandman, V for Vendetta, Preacher, Swamp Thing, Fables, Hellblazer, Y: The Last Man, and 100 Bullets.
“Karen was instrumental in launching the careers of many comic book writers and artists who have gone on to become some of the industry’s biggest stars,” said Richardson. “Karen has a keen ability to nurture creative voices and I’m personally excited to see the names of new talent alongside the names of the best-selling creators who will launch Berger Books.”
As the editor of Berger Books, Berger will continue to work from her home on the East Coast. Berger Books will be branded with both the Berger Books and the Dark Horse Comics logos. Like all Dark Horse books, Berger Books will be distributed by Penguin Random House.
