Gladys Parker

Gladys Parker (March 21, 1908 – April 28, 1966) was an American cartoonist and Hollywood fashion designer, best known as the creator of the long-running comic strip *Mopsy* (1939–1965). Born in 1908, she was one of the few female cartoonists working between the 1930s and 1950s. Parker began her career in comics during the Depression, eventually finding her signature voice with *Mopsy*, a stylish, independent young woman whose adventures reflected both Parker’s own fashion sense and her sharp, playful humor. The strip ran for over three decades, and Parker also contributed to titles such as *TV Teens* and *Pageant of Comics*, handling art, inking, lettering, and writing on 23 issues between 1947 and 1956. Her clean, expressive linework and modern character designs set her apart in a male-dominated field. Parker’s dual career as a fashion designer in Hollywood informed the look of *Mopsy*, which became known for its contemporary flair. She died in 1966 at age 58. Though she did not receive major awards during her lifetime, Parker is remembered as a pioneering female voice in mid-century comics, and *Mopsy* remains a notable example of a woman-led strip from that era.