Remington "Rip" Kirby
Created by Alex Raymond

Possibly the most successful -- and certainly the longest-running -- attempt to bring a private eye to the comics page, RIP KIRBY was written and drawn by comics legend Alex Raymond, the same artist who had already proven himself with his work on Secret Agent X-9, Jungle Jim and Flash Gordon.

Not quite as hardboiled as the Hammett-created X-9, Rip is more the cerebral type. But he was also sorta cool; albeit in a geeky sort of way. He's a renowned scientist and freelance criminalogist, a sort of cross between "Philo Vance and Philip Marlowe," according to The Encyclopedia of American Comics. He's an unflappable gent, bookish in appearance, complete with glasses and a pipe. He possesses a superior intellect and a brilliant wit, and enjoys classical music, chess and fine brandy.

But don't be fooled. He's not a complete prat. He's also an ex-Marine, a crack shot, and more than willing to slug it out with the bad guys -- or kick your ass -- if he has to.

Rip makes his home in a ritzy apartment in New York City, but his adventures take him all around the world, often accompanied by his faithful manservant, reformed burglar Desmond (seems Rip has a few bucks) and by his one true love, fashion model Honey Dorian. In fact,. Honey job as a model gave Raymond a reason to bring a little post-war glamour to the proceeedings, dressing his female characters in ultra-chic clothes obviously inspired by Dior.

Of course, Rip has his share of enemies, too, and none is so charming as evil temptress Pagan Lee, who started out in the strip as a mere moll, but has managed to claw, scratch and kill her way up the ranks to the position of full-blown mobster. She's got this love/hate thing going with Rip. Dark-haired and seductive as hell, she's quite a contrast to blonde, pure-as-the-driven-snow Honey. Of course, doofus Rip thinks she's just a good gal gone bad.

Co-written with Ward Greene, the strip was also known for occasionally taking on more serious contemporary issues, including the trafficking of black market babies and the cold war proliferation of atomic and biological weapons. The script chores were taken over by Fred Dickenson in 1952, and the art chores by John Prentice in 1956, after Raymond's premature death. The strip finally ended its long run in June 1999, although it's still apparently running in some places as reprints.

COMIC STRIPS

• RIP KIRBY
  (1946-June 26, 1999, King Features Syndicate)
  Daily and Sunday continuities
  Created by Alex Raymond
  Written by Alex Raymond, Fred Dickenson
  Art by Alex Raymond, John Prentice

COMICS

• FEATURE BOOKS
  (1947-48, David McKay Publications)
  2 issues, collecting reprints of strips.
  

• RIP KIRBY: THE MYSTERY OF THE MANGLER
  (1948, #51)
  Written and drawn by Alex Raymond
  Reprints first story arc of strip, plus another story
  .
• RIP KIRBY
  (1948, #54)
  Written annd drawn by Alex Raymond
  Reprints of newspaper strip
  

• HARVEY COMICS HITS
  (1952, Harvey Publications)
  1 issue.

• "Rip Kirby Exposes the Kidnap Racket" (#57, May 1952)
  Reprint of strip arc.

• STREET COMIX
  (1973, Street Enterprises/King Features)
  1 issue.

• (#1, 1973).

• THE OFFICIAL RIP KIRBY
  (1988-89, Pioneer Comics)
  6 issues of reprints

COLLECTIONS

......

• RIP KIRBY: THE FIRST MODERN DETECTIVE, VOLUME ONE ...Buy this book
  (2009, IDW)
  
  
• RIP KIRBY: THE FIRST MODERN DETECTIVE, VOLUME TWO ...Buy this book
  (2010, IDW)
  
  
• RIP KIRBY: THE FIRST MODERN DETECTIVE, VOLUME THREE ...Buy this book
  (2010, IDW)

Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith. And thanks to Thor Willy Bakke for the extra info.