Ms. Tree

Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty's hard-boiled detective Ms. Tree debuted in the mid-1980s through Aardvark-Vanaheim and Renegade Press, a gritty, three-issue series that established the tough-as-nails private eye as a standout in independent comics. With Gary Kato also contributing art, the strip blended noir atmosphere with a female-led vengeance narrative, making it a cult touchstone for fans of crime comics. This initial run laid the groundwork for a character who would endure across decades, a testament to Collins' sharp scripting and Beatty's clean, expressive linework.