‘Becoming Betty Boop’ at Comic-Con Museum Honors an Icon of Female Empowerment

She’s been in cartoon strips, television shows and movies. Now, she’s taking center stage in San Diego at a new exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum.

The museum on Thursday opened a new exhibit to honor Betty Boop, an iconic character who is approaching nearly 100 years in the public eye.

“Becoming Betty Boop” features drawings, photos, toys and figurines starring the bold and brash character that was created by artist Max Fleisher.

Walking through the exhibit was surreal for Mark Fleischer, Max’s grandson and Chairman/CEO of Fleischer studios, who collaborated with the museum on the exhibit.

“I feel like I’m in a Betty Boop cartoon,” said Mark Fleischer.

Visitors to the exhibit, which is on the lower floor of the museum, will get a full history of the character, including some tidbits even fans may not know.

“Betty’s influence on international animation and the popular arts continues to be monumental,” said museum Executive Director Rita Vandergaw. “She entertains and inspires audiences with her flair for independence, self-determination and glamour.”

Betty debuted in 1930 as a half-dog, half-human character that was part of another comics character. She grew so popular she evolved into a fully human character.

Her evolution continued, with Betty becoming a symbol of female empowerment by taking jobs that normally weren’t occupied by women, from a lion tamer to an airplane pilot to running for President.

“She both reflected of what was happening in society and leading it,” Fleischer said.

Exhibit highlights include a Betty Boop statue, dresses inspired by Boop’s style, a tribute to the female actors who created the character’s unique voice and a drawing station where children inspired by the exhibit can sketch their own comics character.

“I think this exhibit so delivers the experience of Betty Boop in many different forms,” said Fleischer. “You really come through this exhibition with a real sense of what and who Betty Boop is.”

That sense of who and what she is still evolving, as there are plans for a musical stage play next year on Broadway.

“Betty Boop is always becoming,” said Fleischer. “She’s always on a journey.”

For information and tickets, visit the museum’s website at comic-conmuseum.org/museum.