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 created the first successful newspaper comic strip. The strip was called "Hogan's Alley" and was released in 1895.
The first comic book printed in the United States was a collaboration of existing comic strips taken from newspapers. It was released in 1934.
"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, 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.