BRENDA STARR
Brenda Starr is a comic strip about a glamorous, adventurous reporter. Created
by Dale Messick for the Chicago Tribune syndicate, it initially encountered
resistance from Tribune editor Joseph Medill Patterson because its creator and
main character were both women. Although set in Chicago, in its early years it
was the only syndicate strip not to appear in the Tribune itself. The strip was
relegated to a supplement, but quickly worked its way into the Sunday paper. A
daily strip was added in 1945.
The strip debuted on June 30, 1940, syndicated by the Chicago Tribune Syndicate.
Messick retired in 1980, succeeded only by women, first by Ramona Fradon. When
Ramona Fradon retired in 1995, she was followed by Linda Sutter, and June
Brigman.
Brenda has always been a modern woman, noted for her exotic adventures and
steamy romances. Messick and the other artists concentrated on keeping Brenda
contemporary in clothing and hairstyles. Before Messick retired, Starr finally
married the mysterious Basil St. John, whose eyepatch and black orchid serum
have been a regular plot element. Basil has been missing in recent years as
Brenda continues her many adventures.
The strip's current writer is Mary Schmich, who is herself a Chicago reporter
and columnist at the Tribune. The strip often lampoons newspapers, with
inexperienced reporters and corporate newspaper owners frequent targets, and it
is a favorite of people working in the newspaper industry, particularly
reporters.
Brenda Starr is a comic strip about a glamorous, adventurous reporter. Created
by Dale Messick for the Chicago Tribune syndicate, it initially encountered
resistance from Tribune editor Joseph Medill Patterson because its creator and
main character were both women. Although set in Chicago, in its early years it
was the only syndicate strip not to appear in the Tribune itself. The strip was
relegated to a supplement, but quickly worked its way into the Sunday paper. A
daily strip was added in 1945.
The strip debuted on June 30, 1940, syndicated by the Chicago Tribune Syndicate.
Messick retired in 1980, succeeded only by women, first by Ramona Fradon. When
Ramona Fradon retired in 1995, she was followed by Linda Sutter, and June
Brigman.
Brenda has always been a modern woman, noted for her exotic adventures and
steamy romances. Messick and the other artists concentrated on keeping Brenda
contemporary in clothing and hairstyles. Before Messick retired, Starr finally
married the mysterious Basil St. John, whose eyepatch and black orchid serum
have been a regular plot element. Basil has been missing in recent years as
Brenda continues her many adventures.
The strip's current writer is Mary Schmich, who is herself a Chicago reporter
and columnist at the Tribune. The strip often lampoons newspapers, with
inexperienced reporters and corporate newspaper owners frequent targets, and it
is a favorite of people working in the newspaper industry, particularly
reporters.