The First Female Cartoonist Superstar

In the male-dominated world of early comics, Rose O’Neill broke barriers. In 1909, she created the Kewpies, a series of cherubic, mischievous characters that appeared in magazines, advertisements, and eventually on greeting cards and dolls.

O’Neill’s Kewpies became a cultural sensation, making her one of the highest-paid illustrators of her time. More importantly, she proved that women could excel in the industry. Her success paved the way for future female cartoonists like Dale Messick (Brenda Starr, Reporter) and Ramona Fradon (Aquaman), who helped diversify the voices in comics.