Blondes may have more fun, but they are often portrayed in the media as being ditzy, unintelligent, and flighty. While this “dumb blonde” stereotype, unfortunately, continues to pervade pop culture, one comic writer was ahead of the curve in presenting a clever blonde protagonist. Do you know who this is?
Constance “Connie” Kurridge, created by writer-artist Frank Godwin, made her debut in the Ledger Syndicate on November 13, 1927. This Sunday comic strip, entitled Connie, centered around the 20-something blonde who proved to be a powerhouse that refused to settle for anything or anyone. Throughout her 17-year run, Connie used her cunning wit to become an aviator, stunt pilot, charity worker, reporter, and detective. She used her beauty and bouncing blonde curls to her advantage, fooling villains into underestimating her agility and resourcefulness.
As a reporter for the Daily Buzz, rather than simply reporting on crime, Connie also helped to stop various criminal actions and even some kidnappings. On another occasion Connie uncovers buried treasure in Mexico, before getting involved in a Red revolt in the Central American republic of Anchovy. As a show of appreciation for her efforts in ending the rebellion, the El Presidente made her a field marshal for Anchovy. During her adventures, Connie discovers not one but two lost cities, one in the Andes and another in the Tibetan Himalayas. In the latter lost city, Lahkpor, Connie exposes a plot to use atomic technology to conquer the world and swiftly puts it to an end.
But wait there’s more! Connie also travels a thousand years into the future and discovers a gynocentric society. At this time, Connie meets female scientist Dr. Alden and begins traveling across the solar system with her. While in space the pair encounter many alien races and Connie is more than adept at defending them when attacked. Capable of anything she puts her mind to, Connie even works as an agent of the United Nations in her later endeavors. When the Great Depression arose, Connie proved to be a girl with a social conscience, assisting her mother with her charity work and visiting the men on the bread lines.
“Connie was the first female adventure hero in American comics, the precursor to Brenda Starr, Reporter, Deathless Deer, Modesty Blaise and all the rest. Neither villains nor readers back then expected to find an agile and resourceful brain beneath her lovely blonde curls. And she was capable of spectacular feats,” comics historian Don Markstein once said.
