Brenda Starr

Brenda Starr is a comic strip about the title character, 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.

It debuted on June 30, 1940, syndicated by The Chicago Tribune Syndicate. Messick retired in 1980, succeeded only by women, including Ramona Fradon and 1945 serial with Joan Woodbury, a 1976 TV movie with Jill St. John, and a 1986 film with Brooke Shields.

In 1995, Brenda Starr was one of 20 comic strips honored as Comic Strip Classics in a special release of commemorative postage stamps.