Object Details
graphic artist
Messick, Dale
publisher
Tribune Printing Company
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Brenda Starr comic strip shows Brenda engaging in deception in order to investigate her story, while using her colleague Kelly as her agent.
Dalia "Dale" Messick (1906-2005), a female comic artist, changed her name from Dalia in order to be recognized for her work, and to fit societal norms. The strip about an adventurous female reporter was debuted in 1940. Its popularity came with industry criticism, particularly from women journalists who reacted to the artist's embellishments of the profession. Nonetheless Messick produced the strip until 1980 and then began developing other comic strips for local publications in California.
Brenda Starr (1940-2011) was a comic strip that portrayed the life of a contemporary female newspaper reporter. The title character was shown in adventurous stories at work and at home. She participated in persistent journalism and dramatic romances. After many years Brenda married her periodical love interest, Basil St. John. The story was eventually recreated as a television movie in 1976 and as a film in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Joseph Gura, Jr. (through Carl Sandberg IV)
date made
1951-05-07
ID Number
2010.0081.369
accession number
2010.0081
catalog number
2010.0081.369
Object Name
drawing
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
ink (overall color)
Measurements
overall: 19.2 cm x 56.1 cm; 7 9/16 in x 22 3/32 in
See more items in
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Cultures & Communities
Comic Art
Communications
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1400630