Calamity Jane was a scout for the U.S. military (according to her, initially under Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer) and became famous for having known Wild Bill Hickok, even though their association lasted only a few weeks. She wore men's clothes, spat, cursed, drank and boasted that she could outshoot any man alive. However, she also demonstrated compassion by helping the sick and needy.

Calamity Jane's interesting nickname and rowdy behavior caught the attention of the news press and authors of sensational fiction, resulting in exaggerated tales of her exploits.  She herself participated in her own legend making: her 1896 autobiography largely reinforces popular stories rather than the factual truth of her life. She was usually portrayed in popular fiction as a romantic figure who had a tragic romance with Wild Bill Hickok.

The most influential 19th century pop culture figure of Calamity Jane was written by sensational author Edward L. Wheeler in his Deadwood Dick series published in Beadle's Half-Dime Library.  In these stories, Calamity Jane acts in the supportive role of Girl Pard, regularly coming to the aid of Deadwood Dick.  Ultimately, Calamity Jane and Deadwood Dick marry and have a son, Deadwood Dick, Jr., who continues the series.  See Albert Johannsen's authoritative text on Beadle's dime novels for more information:  ''The House of Beadle and Adams and its Dime and Nickel Novels'' (Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1950).  

For the most recent and thorough biography of Martha Cannary, aka Calamity Jane, including insightful discussion regarding her fame and creation of her mythology, see James D. McLaird, ''Calamity Jane: The Woman and the Legend ''(Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005).

*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)

*Cowboy Western Comics #18, 25, 27
*Jim Bowie #18: Calamity Jane portrayed brunette woman.
*Buffalo Bill Wild West Annual #1
*Red Ryder Comics #125
*Buffalo Bill Jr. #6-12
*Western Roundup (1952 series) #5
*Gunsmoke #4: Story claims that Calamity Jane's parents were slaughtered by Indians (this is not true).
*Cowgirl Romances #1-3: Calamity Jane portrayed as a beautiful, sensitive and romantic blonde.
*Wild Bill Hickok #16: Calamity Jane portrayed as a beautiful, busty blonde.
*Hit Comics #35

*Boy Explorer Comics #1, 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.
* The Westerner Comics #26-33: Patricia Layne becomes the masked vigilante called Calamity Kate to avenge the death of her father and afterwards continues to use her masked identity to fight outlaws.

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamity_Jane Wikipedia]
*[http://www.comicvine.com/calamity-jane/29-37149/ ComicVine]
*[https://www.comics.org/feature/25212/ GCD]
Category:Historical Characters
Category:1852 Debuts
Category:Female Characters
Category:Western Character
Category:Comic Book Characters
Category:Literary Characters
Category:Image Characters
Category:Avon Characters
Category:Bonanza Characters
Category:Television Characters
Category:Non-Powered Characters
Category:Deadwood Characters
Category:Dead Characters
Category:Protagonists
Category:Folk Heroes
Category:Bird Themed Characters
Category:Fate Franchise Characters
Category:Monster Strike Characters
Category:Jay Ward Productions Characters
Category:Gwandanaland Characters
Category:Aeon Crash Characters
Category:Universal Studios Characters
Category:Destiny of Spirits Characters
Category:World Chain Characters
Category:Mr. Peabody & Sherman Characters
Category:Street and Smith Characters
Category:Warner Bros. Characters
Category:Video Game Characters
Category:Theatre Characters
Category:Musical theatre Characters
Category:Radio Characters
Category:NBC Characters
Category:Animated Characters
Category:CBS Characters
Category:HBO Characters
Category:Film Serial Characters
Category:Republic Pictures Characters
Category:Disney Characters
Category:Columbia Pictures Characters
Category:Paramount Characters
Category:Youthful Magazines Characters
Category:Pulp Characters
Category:Cards, the Universe and Everything Characters
Category:Cowgirl Characters
Category:Horrible Histories Characters
Category:Bill & Ted Characters
Category:Crazy Magazine Characters
Category:IDW Characters
Category:Fiction House Characters
Category:Charlton Characters
Category:Dell Characters
Category:Harvey Characters
Category:Kid Eternity Summons
Category:Quality Characters
Category:Marvel Characters