French Breton comic strip character Becassine

Becassine is the earliest female comic strip protagonist. She first appeared on 02 February, 1905 in the French children's magazine La Semaine de Suzette ("Suzette's Week"). Becassine is a young provincial Breton girl as viewed by the sophisticated Parisians. Her nickname of "Becassine" is also the name of a small bird that isn't considered very bright. Her real name is Annaick Labornez.

The character was initially created to fill a blank page in the magazine. She was so well-received that she continued to serve as filler until 1913, when she became the heroine of her own comic strips in the magazine. These were the first of the modern bande dessinees (Franco-Belgian comics), the popularity of which continues to this day. The comics featuring Becassine have been collected into their own volumes and expanded with both a movie in 1939 and an animated film in 2001.

Becassine remains a popular character in France and Belgium, appearing on souvenirs, in advertisements, and even on a postage stamp which celebrated her centennial.