Artist Dale Messick created the “Brenda Starr” newspaper comic strip in 1940. Her publisher didn’t have faith in women writers, so he only approved a Sunday strip. But it became so popular that she was granted a daily strip in 1945.
The comic followed the adventures of reporter Brenda Starr. Messick didn’t shy away from exposing the sexism in the newspaper industry, and when Brenda encountered it, she stood up for herself.
The strip had a large cast of supporting characters— including rival reporter Hank O’Hair (aka O’Hare). But Hank wasn’t a man, although she was always depicted with short hair, a cigarette, and mannish suits.
Messick would later reveal that Hank O’Hare was based on Pat O'Haire, who worked at the New York Daily News in the early 1940s.
In a 1974 interview, Messick said she had received hundreds of letters from fans who thought Hank was a lesbian and to “keep her away from Brenda.” So in addition to her mannish appearance, Hank needed a “beard”— in this case, a man who was allergic to cosmetics, which Hank never wore! The marriage of convenience occurred in 1948.
Hank appeared in the 1989 “Brenda Starr” movie played by Kathleen Wilhoite.
The Brenda Starr strip often included paper dolls of Brenda in fabulous fashions. And young fans of Hank got some paper dolls of her too.
