In 1940, newspaper readers were introduced to Brenda Starr, a strikingly beautiful newswoman who traveled the world in search of exciting stories and romance. Created by cartoonist Dalia (Dale) Messick (1906–), the Brenda Starr, Reporter comic strip depicted an independent career woman at a time when such portrayals were uncommon in American popular culture. The strip's success allowed Messick to be one of the few women of her era to produce her own comic-strip feature.

Both Dale Messick and Brenda Starr were pioneers in the field of comic strips. During the 1930s and 1940s, all the people who created, drew, syndicated, and owned comics were men. After years of struggling to enter the comics profession, the Chicago Tribune gave Messick the opportunity to create her own strip. She originally wanted to make Brenda a female bandit but was told the public would find such a figure...