The ToonSeum is throwing a retirement party for Brenda Starr, the globe-trotting reporter and her celebrated comic-strip, ending its run after 70 years of publication. Brenda Starr: The Art of Dale Messick features rare pre-Brenda strips, vintage ads, and an intact storyline from the 1965-66 run of the strip.
Premiering in June of 1940, Brenda Starr, Reporter and her irrepressible creator Dale Messick were pioneers for women in two industries dominated by men: cartooning and newspaper reporting. After having several strips rejected, Dalia "Dale" Messick changed her name to Dale and pitched Brenda Starr to the Chicago Tribune. From there, Messick became one of the most popular and influential cartoonists in the world and an incidental feminist provocateur. Her strip presented a strong, intelligent, independent woman who lived for danger, breaking the hearts of men all over the world and always getting her story.
"The longevity of Brenda Starr is no surprise,"said ToonSeum Director Joe Wos."Messick was well ahead of her time. She created this incredible strip that incorporated elements of humor, soap-opera serials, and the action of a great adventure and detective comics. Men, women, and children all read Brenda Starr."
Brenda Starr: The Art of Dale Messick presents to audiences with a unique opportunity to see Messick's art up-close and personal. The exhibit presents pieces from the ToonSeum's permanent collection as well as incredible pieces from the collection of comics' matriarch and Brenda-expert Trina Robbins.
Robbins, who will host several events at the ToonSeum in late March, comments on the importance of Brenda Starr as a feminist milestone in American culture. "There had been plenty of women drawing comics over the years prior to Brenda, but they had stuck to subjects considered 'safe for women.' But Messick's work all features Depression era heroines born ahead of their time, working girls come to the big city to earn their living."
In honor of National Women's Month and the Brenda Starr exhibit, the ToonSeum will be presenting a host of lectures and screenings focused on women and female characters in comics, including Messick, Robbins, Mary Blair, and Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Exhibition made possible with support from the Grable Foundation and the Women and Girls Foundation.
Exhibition runs from March 11th through April 23rd.
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1 comments:
I've tried to leave a comment about Jackie Ormes, but it was refused, apparently for being too long - is there an email address I can use to make the comment directly to the museum? I can't find one on the website. Thanks.
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