September 14th, 2015
Editor’s Dispatch: The Definitive Guide to Betty Boop
by Countess Tea
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“The Definitive Guide to Betty Boop: The Classic Comic Strip” goes on sale TOMORROW. I’m really excited about this fantastic book that celebrates all things Betty Boop!
Brian Walker wrote the introduction, and he was kind enough to answer a few questions about the book.
1. Could you tell us a little about your role on the Betty Boop collection?
I have written introductions for previously published Titan collections of Beetle Bailey and Hagar the Horrible comic strips, so Editor David Leach asked me to write the introduction for the Betty Book book. In 1988, I served as the curator for The Flesicher Studio Retrospective at the Museum of Cartoon Art in Rye Brook, New York. This is the only exhibition ever held that documented the history of this legendary animation studio. I was familiar with the story and it was fun to revisit it.
2. What would you say makes Betty Boop such a timeless and beloved character?
Betty Boop is the foremost leading lady in the history of animation. She is unique in that she is not defined by her relationship to a male character, like Minnie Mouse or Olive Oyl. Although many potential suitors romanced her over the years, she never tied the knot. Betty Boop continues to captivate admirers around the world as a resolutely independent woman.
3. What is it about Betty Boop and her collection of comics that readers will love?
This is the most comprehensive collection ever published of Betty Boop’s newspaper adventures. Many of the stories revolve around her life as a movie actress in the 1930s and are quite entertaining. The examples have been painstakingly restored and reprinted, in both color and black-and-white, from archival sources in both public and private collections. It is truly a trip down memory lane.
Comics fans who are interested in “The Definitive Guide to Betty Boop: The Classic Comic Strip Collection” can click here to purchase a copy.
