Calamity Jane

Historical Background
Calamity Jane was a scout for the U.S. militay (according to her, initially under Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer) and eventually she settled in the town of Deadwood where she became a close friend of Wild Bill Hickock. She wore men's clothes, spat, cursed and boasted that she could outshoot any man alive. However, she also demonstrated compassion by helping the sick and needy.

Legend and Folklore
Calamity Jane's nickname and story inspired many tall tales and sparked the imaginations of many men. However, her portrayal in popular fiction made her out to be a far more romantic figure than she actually was, and conveniently ignoring or exagerrating many fact about the actual woman. In dime novels, a highly fictionalized versoin of Jane became the partner and love interest of the hero, Deadwood Dick.

Public Domain Literary Appearances

 * Beadle's Half-Dime Library issue #1- (1877-)
 * Calamity Jane: Queen of the Plains in New York's Street & Smith's Weekly (1882)
 * The Life and Adventures of Calamity Jane by Herself (1896)

Public Domain Comic Appearances

 * Cowboy Western Comics #18, 25, 27-pic
 * Jim Bowie #18
 * Buffalo Bill Wild West Annual #1
 * Red Ryder Comics #125
 * Buffalo Bill Jr. #6-12
 * Western Roundup (1952 series) #5
 * Boy Explorers Comics #1
 * Gunsmoke #4: Story claims that Calamity Jane's parents were slaughterd by Indians.
 * Cowgirl Romances #1-3: Calamity Jane portrayed as a beautiful, sensetive and romantic blonde.
 * Wild Bill Hickok #16: Calamity Jane portrayed as a beautiful, busty blonde.

Comic Appearances of Modern Calamity Janes

 * Green Hornet Fights Crime #35-36: Jane Janis takes up the name "Calamity Jane" in the mid 20th century. She is a beautiful blonde detective with strong fighting skills, but no gun.

Wikipedia