Brenda Starr Retires

After 70 years in the newspaper biz, Brenda Starr, Reporter is being retired by the Chicago Tribune. Writer, Mary Schmich and artist, June Brigman have decided to call it quits. Rather than find a new team, the Tribune has decided to cancel the strip. (I knew I should have finished that two year script! Brenda would have had story lines FOREVER! Starr Twinkle! Basil! Hank! B-Bomb! Pesky! Merrie Ryder! Wanda Fonda & Sage, etc. Didn't want to draw it --- just wanted to write it!) But, our beloved red headed reporter will not be forgotten. She is being commemorated in a new hard backed, full color compilation series of Sunday and Daily strips by Hermes Press in June 2011.


I have been wanting to write about Brenda on this blog for AGES, but every time I started --- I would honestly just get overwhelmed. Like now. She had SO much history. SO many adventures. So much of it SO incredible. She influenced me SO much in my life as a storyteller and cartoonist. I just wanted to do her justice. In the end, I don't know if I can. But, I will try. This is just a tid bit. Brenda's creator, Dale Messick was a genius (1906 - 2005). She changed her name from Dalia in order to get in the door and prove that a strong female lead could head a strip. Originally, Brenda was supposed to be a girl pirate. But, I'm glad that changed. She evolved into the glamorous red headed reporter that chased story after story, helped people, solved problems, then eventually met her Mystery Man. (Now ... she chased him for over 30 years, but still ... So, hang in there, gurls!) I hate to see her go, but I'm happy she's actually not going anywhere. Dale ... you did good, girl. It's about time you got more props. This is just the beginning !

Brenda Starr, Reporter

Being saved by The Mystery Man

Basil St. John

Trying to ditch a potential beau, Timber Woods.

Tears and regrets. Always. A gal can't wait forever.

A red head gone fiery!

Oh, that Brenda! What have you done now?!?

Liz Cleaver pretending to be Libby Lipps, another hater after our Brenda.

Prof. Dan Dalivar discovering that Brenda will always love her Mystery Man.

More haters!

The life of a glamorous red head.

Wrong, but honest reflection.

Hands off, Dr. Dell! Our Brenda ain't having it!

Another Mystery Man wannabe. Don't fall for it, Brenda!

Gasp! Our Brenda in another predicament!

Like a pro, her next step is to interview him!

Make-over madness!

Merrie Ryder, a little girl grown up to find woman problems!

Never ride while angry.

A familiar culprit: amnesia!

Clever Brenda helping another hater!

That's right! A woman's in charge!

Using what she has to find her Mystery Man --- again!

And, finally getting him: Mr. & Mrs. Basil St. John!

And the birth of their daughter, Starr Twinkle!

The story I remembered first --- Galaxy Gal!

Losing her Mystery Man to the Bermuda Triangle in a hot air balloon.

More to come!

Bald & Braided

Working ...

I swear it ... I'm working. Really. It's coming. It's just a lot of WORK!!!!

Hoodie

Skinny Jeans

Thunder Bolt & Jakeem Thunder ... again.

An old picture I finally finished.

Mr Terric & Amazing Man

See them naked!!! (I think this might become a "new" thing.) Or ... click here!

Amazing Man & Mr. Terrifc

Mr. Amazing

He's with the JSA (Justice Society of America). That's really his name. Mr. Amazing. I remember the original. I just don't know much about the "new" one, but ... this is your ... warning!

See Them Naked

I had SO much fun drawing Static and the new Aqualad that I just couldn't resist. Wanna see them naked? Click here!!!

Static & Aqualad

The new Aqualad needed a little "help" with his locks. Virgil (Static --- really cool in the Titans) was the only one qualified in the entire DC universe to "help."

Josie & the Pussycats

Federal Barbie Returns!

Minding His Business

Rene C. Clayton, my amateur detective, is never far from my mind. He's been popping up a lot lately. Just in case you don't remember or know who he is ... look here --- and here!

Bishop Eddie Long

Bishop Eddie Long. Okay. Because I'm not a "churchy" (i.e. "church person"), I had no idea who he was. But, after I found out --- I became RIVETED!!!! OMG!!! (I don't normally get sucked in like this, but --- Snarf! Guffaw! Chuckle!) What a scandal!!!! We got another one who needs to go down (and --- wink --- not in a good way). He's some kind of Religious person in Atlanta who led some kind of black church march against our gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people. He led a parade of hatred against gay marriage. But, as always ... those that doth protest too much ... "A DL closet queen" (tip o' the nib to Tanya in regards to my first ever hate mail from a really closeted/confused "fan," years ago). Well, apparently enough people seemed to know that this married "man of the cloth" was recruiting young boys into his own jet-setting, personal/private SEX club. I'm always glad when these people are exposed because they're SO much a part of the "straight" community that never suspects them. (Wake up, straight people!!! Why do you even care we want to be with the same gender?!? You will still get your rights.) When this info was passed on to me, I childishly called him -- and I quote from an e-mail: "a low-class, no good, self-hating homophobic, closet case." Oh, and ... I (sheepishly) hoped he would go down in "FLAMES." I still mean it. I'm not taking it back. I'm tired of people trying to destroy us and for some reason we're supposed to protect them and "understand." As far as Bishop Long is concerned, I'm sure we need to stay tuned because there's more to come. I hope others surface (Aren't we up to four under-aged victims?) and bring him down. He's supposed to respond tomorrow. On a Sunday. As if that matters.
I don't know what's going on here, but this is hysterical!!! (Looks like they're making out --- in public.) They seem really into it.

All I enjoy saying is ... sloppy.
I'm just saying ...