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More praise for
DIVAS, DAMES & DAREDEVILS
“Hoorah!
We’ve seen at least 100 reprints of the Golden Age Wonder Woman comics, 99 reprints of Supergirl and 98 reprints of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, but what of the scores of more obscure, but equally wonderful Golden Age heroines—and there were scores of them! Their old comics are scarce as hen’s teeth. And even if you can afford them, you dare not read them because each time you take the comic out of its plastic bag another little piece rots away and falls off, like the mummy in the horror movies. Now Mike Madrid has fixed that problem with Divas, Dames & Daredevils: in one beautifully designed collection he reprints the blood-and-thunder stories of twenty-eight Golden Age comic book heroines, from girl reporter Penny Wright, Feature Writer, to the exotic likes of Fantomah, Mystery Woman of the Jungle, and The Sorceress of Zoom. Some of them wear costumes, some just dress in snappy 1940s frocks, but whether fighting crooks or Nazis or outer-space aliens, these beautiful dames are in control, and they don’t need anybody to rescue them. Lovers of Golden Age comics and strong women everywhere thank you, Mike Madrid!”
—Trina Robbins, author of Pretty in Ink: Women Cartoonists 1896–2013
“Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of how women have been portrayed in comics.”
—Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading
“Provide[s] fantastic documentation of how many female characters were created during this era—some with surprisingly progressive personalities and stories to boot. The author’s passion for heroines and fascination with those who have been left behind are palpable. . . . Wholly enjoyable as an impressive, detailed collection shining a light on heroines long ago neglected.” —Publishers Weekly
“Madrid presents the cream of a very ripe crop of empowered comic book heroines and introduces them quite eloquently, accentuating readers’ enjoyment of the stories themselves but also making readers aware of why the stories matter so much regardless of the era in which they are read. A valuable reference book of comics history, recommended for graphic novels collections.” —Alger C. Newberry, Library Journal
“Divas, Dames & Daredevils: Lost Heroines of Golden Age Comics is an entertaining, insightful, fun salute to these courageous women from the past. You feel like a friend at the comics shop is sharing a whole new world to you. You’ll want to share this pop history collection, too.” —Will Harris, ComicsBlend.com
“Divas, Dames & Daredevils introduces us to the female scientists, flying aces, secret agents, and fearless reporters who fought for justice during the Second World War—as well as to their fantastic warrior goddess sisters who shared the pages of golden age comics. Femme and fatale, these gals projected a confident take-no-guff fierceness that upended cultural ideas about femininity and femaleness. Moxie saved the day—but if necessary these heroines could throw a punch as good as any man, if not better. Madrid’s meticulous and passionate research provides a window into a seemingly lost herstory of patriotism, bravery, and progressive ways of thinking about female agency and adventure. This collection, and the engaging context provided throughout, ensure that these dames, divas, and daredevils will not be forgotten.”
—Jennifer K. Stuller, author of Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology
“A fascinating, in-depth exploration . . . it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the daring dames from the dawn of the artform.” —Jason Motes, ScienceFiction.com
“A nice tribute to a forgotten era of comics.”
—KC Carlson, Westfield Comics blog
Copyright © 2013 by Mike Madrid
No portion of this book may be copied or reproduced for commercial purposes, with the exception of quotes used in critical essays and reviews, without the written permission of the publishers.
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Exterminating Angel book design by Mike Madrid
Typesetting by John Sutherland
Cover illustration by Charles A. Winter
Back cover illustration by Barbara Hall
eBook lSBN: 978-1-935259-24-4
Library of Congress Control Number:2013933702
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Contents
FOREWORD by Maria Elena Buszek, Ph.D.
WOMEN AT WAR
Jane Martin
Pat Parker, War Nurse
Madame Strange
Pat Patriot
Lady Satan
Black Venus
MYSTERY WOMEN
The Woman In Red
Spider Queen
