Step aside, Gibson Girls, you've met your match! In 1907 Nell Brinkley drew cartoons for the Hearst syndicate and became a household name: The Brinkley Girls, a merchandising phenomenon, had taken over from the Gibson Girls. For more than 30 years, in pen and ink, Nell Brinkley depicted women of different races, cultures and occupations. Using her fame, Brinkley campaigned for better working conditions and higher pay for women. The Brinkley Girls collects colored full-page art from 1913 to 1940. Here are her earliest adventure series, "Golden Eyes and Her Hero, Bill;" her almost too romantic series, "Betty and Billy and Their Love Through the Ages;" her flapper comics from the 1920s; her 1937 pulp magazine-inspired "Heroines of Today." Included are photos of Brinkley, reproductions of her unpublished paintings, and an intro by the book's editor, Trina Robbins, which gives the book context. The Brinkley Girls has appeal for Women's Studies scholars as well as fans of newspaper comic reprints and those interested in comics history.
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Brinkley is a supremely talented artist with enough eccentricities to make her stand out from the crowd (the weaves of hair she piles on top of her heroines could rival the folds in Spawn’s cape). (Chris Mautner - Robot 6 )
This gorgeously produced, oversized, full-color selection primarily of her newspaper-serial work confirms that her work became more narrative as she progressed from single-subject conceptions to movie-poster-like collages to sequences sectioned by comics-like borderlines…she remained a lavish fashion illustrator at heart. (Ray Olson - Booklist )
One title I haven't been able to put down is The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940, edited by Trina Robbins... I was blown away by what I discovered within these pages... The images are sexy, glamorous, colorful -- Brinkley clearly appreciated and understood her subjects, and some of her work made me feel as if I were stepping right into the flapper era. (Whitney Matheson - USA Today )
Trina follows up her thorough biography of Brinkley with this oversized collection of Sunday 'comics,' often more like ravishing illustrated romantic yarns of big hair, clothes and emotions, but stunning to linger over and revealing in their period mood and concerns. In their time, Brinkley’s spirited, vivacious females were as iconic and inspirational in early 20th century America as the famous Gibson Girls before her. They truly deserve this gorgeous commemoration. (Paul Gravett )
Brinkley’s independent-minded and always pretty heroines pirouetted, waltzed, shimmied, and vamped their way through various adventures…For decades, the artist’s work had largely remained out of public view, until now…sumptuously designed, beautifully printed. (Thomas Gladysz - The Examiner )
These full-page cartoons provide a glimpse of the color and spectacle that newspapers trafficked in before publishers decided we were worth no more than our dwindling supply of classified ads.... Like Nicholson Baker and Margaret Brentano's The World on Sunday and the Little Nemo reprints by Sunday Press, The Brinkley Girls reminds me of the age when newspapers were bigger than that. (Steve Duin - The Oregonian )
Brinkley was praised for her writing (it’s easy to see why: overblown, yet so satisfying; maybe the only word to describe it is 'delicious') but her drawings made her famous. Each one is an orgiastic, atmospheric feast for the eye... The Brinkley Girls is a tantalizing primer, and a perfect summer read. (Macy Halford - The New Yorker )
Comics herstorian Robbins (The Great Women Superheroes) has produced a wonderful tribute to Brinkley, reprinting in full three serials and numerous shorter works with ample biographical background. With their swoon-worthy hair and wardrobes, the Brinkley Girls could kick off a whole new cosplay aesthetic. (Library Journal )
To say they don’t make them like this anymore is a gross understatement...a very welcome introduction to an artist whose skills need to be seen to be believed, and an even more welcome reminder that newspapers used to offer readers a lot more than just news and commentary—they also used to offer honest-to-God fine art. (J. Caleb Mozzocco - Las Vegas Weekly )
In a new collection of work by Nell Brinkley from Fantagraphics, beautiful girls travel the world in fabulous dresses, rescue and then marry their men, and generally have a lot of gorgeous fun…the Brinkley Girls came directly on the heels of the Gibson Girls…when the Brinkley Girls supplanted them, they did so with energy and action…fascinating work. (Sasha Watson - Publishers Weekly )
While many have long been aware of the general attractiveness of Brinkley’s work, Robbins’ book forces us to look at her art in a way—and at a size—where some of the specifics of Brinkley’s appeal and the basis for her popularity become apparent…[Robbins] paints an overall picture of a fiercely independent cartoonist who learned over the years to work within a system to great reward without ever becoming dominated by it. (Tom Spurgeon - The Comics Reporter )
The handsome hardcover collection The Brinkley Girls brings together a generous sampling of Brinkley’s work, leaning heavy on her stories of industrious women and the he-men they love... Brinkley’s art is so drop-dead gorgeous that readers may long to razor out every page to hang on the wall. [Grade] A-. (The Onion A.V. Club )
Fantastic.... you would be doing yourself a favor by checking it out. Curse you, Fantagraphics, I'm trying to save money, you bastards. (This Is Why I Hate You )
This gorgeously produced, oversized, full-color selection primarily of her newspaper-serial work confirms that her work became more narrative as she progressed from single-subject conceptions to movie-poster-like collages to sequences sectioned by comics-like borderlines…she remained a lavish fashion illustrator at heart. (Ray Olson - Booklist )
One title I haven't been able to put down is The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940, edited by Trina Robbins... I was blown away by what I discovered within these pages... The images are sexy, glamorous, colorful -- Brinkley clearly appreciated and understood her subjects, and some of her work made me feel as if I were stepping right into the flapper era. (Whitney Matheson - USA Today )
Trina follows up her thorough biography of Brinkley with this oversized collection of Sunday 'comics,' often more like ravishing illustrated romantic yarns of big hair, clothes and emotions, but stunning to linger over and revealing in their period mood and concerns. In their time, Brinkley’s spirited, vivacious females were as iconic and inspirational in early 20th century America as the famous Gibson Girls before her. They truly deserve this gorgeous commemoration. (Paul Gravett )
Brinkley’s independent-minded and always pretty heroines pirouetted, waltzed, shimmied, and vamped their way through various adventures…For decades, the artist’s work had largely remained out of public view, until now…sumptuously designed, beautifully printed. (Thomas Gladysz - The Examiner )
These full-page cartoons provide a glimpse of the color and spectacle that newspapers trafficked in before publishers decided we were worth no more than our dwindling supply of classified ads.... Like Nicholson Baker and Margaret Brentano's The World on Sunday and the Little Nemo reprints by Sunday Press, The Brinkley Girls reminds me of the age when newspapers were bigger than that. (Steve Duin - The Oregonian )
Brinkley was praised for her writing (it’s easy to see why: overblown, yet so satisfying; maybe the only word to describe it is 'delicious') but her drawings made her famous. Each one is an orgiastic, atmospheric feast for the eye... The Brinkley Girls is a tantalizing primer, and a perfect summer read. (Macy Halford - The New Yorker )
Comics herstorian Robbins (The Great Women Superheroes) has produced a wonderful tribute to Brinkley, reprinting in full three serials and numerous shorter works with ample biographical background. With their swoon-worthy hair and wardrobes, the Brinkley Girls could kick off a whole new cosplay aesthetic. (Library Journal )
To say they don’t make them like this anymore is a gross understatement...a very welcome introduction to an artist whose skills need to be seen to be believed, and an even more welcome reminder that newspapers used to offer readers a lot more than just news and commentary—they also used to offer honest-to-God fine art. (J. Caleb Mozzocco - Las Vegas Weekly )
In a new collection of work by Nell Brinkley from Fantagraphics, beautiful girls travel the world in fabulous dresses, rescue and then marry their men, and generally have a lot of gorgeous fun…the Brinkley Girls came directly on the heels of the Gibson Girls…when the Brinkley Girls supplanted them, they did so with energy and action…fascinating work. (Sasha Watson - Publishers Weekly )
While many have long been aware of the general attractiveness of Brinkley’s work, Robbins’ book forces us to look at her art in a way—and at a size—where some of the specifics of Brinkley’s appeal and the basis for her popularity become apparent…[Robbins] paints an overall picture of a fiercely independent cartoonist who learned over the years to work within a system to great reward without ever becoming dominated by it. (Tom Spurgeon - The Comics Reporter )
The handsome hardcover collection The Brinkley Girls brings together a generous sampling of Brinkley’s work, leaning heavy on her stories of industrious women and the he-men they love... Brinkley’s art is so drop-dead gorgeous that readers may long to razor out every page to hang on the wall. [Grade] A-. (The Onion A.V. Club )
Fantastic.... you would be doing yourself a favor by checking it out. Curse you, Fantagraphics, I'm trying to save money, you bastards. (This Is Why I Hate You )
About the Author
Retired cartoonist and current comics historian Trina Robbins has been writing graphic novels, comics, and books for over 30 years. Her subjects have ranged from Wonder Woman and The Powerpuff Girls to her own teenage superheroine, GoGirl!, and from women cartoonists and superheroines to women who kill. She lives in a moldering 103 year-old house in San Francisco with her cats, shoes, and dust bunnies.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nell Brinkley,
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This review is from: The Brinkley Girls (Hardcover)
Beautifully documented history of Nell Brinkley's illustrations. Anyone interested in the era of the New Woman or the Flapper will love this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
a treasure,
By katema (nyc) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Brinkley Girls (Hardcover)
learned so much and went back in time to the 20's, the art is fascinating and I loved the historical information, written in a lively manner.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 'must have' for any serious cartoon, graphic or arts library,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Brinkley Girls (Hardcover)
The Brinkley Girls: Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940 packs in full-page, color reproductions of Nell Brinkley's American Weekly covers and provides a fine biographical and artistic introduction by editor Trina Robbins. All the fine detail and intricate drawings of Nell Brinkley come to life in a keepsake survey that is a 'must have' for any serious cartoon, graphic or arts library.
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