Nell Brinkley and the New Woman in the Early 20th Century

by Trina Robbins

The art and commentary of Nell Brinkley (1886-1944) ran in American newspapers from 1907 through the 1930s. At the height of her popularity, "The Brinkley Girl" appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies and inspired poems and popular songs. Brinkley's name even sold hair curlers, and her delicate pen work influenced later women cartoonists. As early as 1913, Brinkley was drawing working women, from farm and factory workers to those pursuing careers, using her art to encourage decent pay, pensions, and housing for thousands of young women working for the war effort. This work covers her life and her work, which might upon first glance show pretty girls but on a closer inspection reveals a post-Victorian feminism. It also looks at her rise to popularity, the innocent sexuality of her Brinkley girls, the sugary and sentimental Betty and Billy series, and the beauty of her line drawings.

Genres: Biography, History

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Trina Robbins is an American comics artist and writer. She was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists in underground comix when she started. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other. She later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book titled It Ain't Me Babe. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comics artists, through projects such as the comics anthology Wimmen's Comix. She was also the penciller on Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s.

Trina has worked on an adaptation of Sax Rohmer's Dope for Eclipse Comics and GoGirl with artist Anne Timmons for Image Comics.

Trina designed Vampirella's costume for Forrest Ackerman and Jim Warren.

In addition to her comics work, Robbins is an author of non-fiction books, including several with an emphasis on the history of women in cartooning.

She is the first of the three "Ladies of the Canyon" in Joni Mitchell's classic song from the album of the same name.

Trina Robbins won a Special Achievement Award from the San Diego Comic Con in 1989 for her work on Strip AIDS U.S.A., a benefit book that she co-edited with Bill Sienkiewicz and Robert Triptow.

Reviews

[reveurdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend reading this alongside The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940 .

[Sophie Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting bio abt slay illustrator, authors notes on race were …… questionable,

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell Brinkley was an incredible artist & woman. Thankyou Trina Robbins for writing this book!
An amazing look at Nell's life & career (late 1800's - 1940's) and the impact she made by touching on feminist thoughts and statements through her art.
A big influence on my own art. Her "Brinkley Girls" are simply divine!