Benjamin Franklin

• In 1754, Benjamin Franklin created the first cartoon strip for publication in an American newspaper. The strip was called Join or Die and depicted a snake with a severed head. It was intended as a message to the colonies, urging them to join the cause of independence.
  
  

Richard Outcault

• Richard Outcault created the first successful newspaper comic strip. The strip was called "Hogan's Alley" and was released in 1895.
  
  

First Comic Book

• The first comic book printed in the United States was a collaboration of existing comic strips taken from newspapers. It was released in 1934.
  
  

Women in Comics

• "Brenda Starr" was the first successful comic strip created and written by a woman. The strip by Dale Messick was first printed in 1940 in Chicago and, as of July 2010, still appears in newspapers.
  
  

Marvel Comics

• Marvel, which has been producing comics since 1939, is probably the most well-known comics company. Marvel has introduced a host of superheroes and villains who have endured and remain popular today.