Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for September 12, 2013

Now THAT’S omnious . . .

Good morning all…

Oh man, so we missed out on Ghote’s explanation to Diet Smith of what a “Mark II” is? What a tease, lol.

Very intrigued by today’s installment. Ghote has apparently explained who/what Mysta is, and Diet now seems grief stricken. His impulse to “set things right” suggests Mysta has somehow been terribly wronged. How so?I tend to think that Diet being this upset and this determined to help Mysta argues that she is somehow the original. If not, why would he be so concerned for her?

His concern may be over more than just Mysta. Remember the Moon was in pretty bad shape itself. Could Ghote be somehow tied to that as well?

Hmmm… nice way to confuse us all again! I thought we were supposed to be getting answers now, not more mysteries! :S

Oh, great! We missed Ghote’s explanation, and now all we know is that Diet is remorseful for some reason. “’Tain’t fair, McGee!”

Could it be Vitamin Flintheart was speaking of Diet Smith ???

As I thought, we don’t know what Mysta is yet, but it seems to be something horrible that Diet Smith regrets having any part in.

By the way, I think we know now why Ghote was in Smith’s office then was apparently at the former disco, then was seen in Smith’s office again. He seems to be making a series of visits to Smith Industries. That’s a much simpler explanation that saying that Ghote is a clone. I don’t believe that Ghote is a clone and I certainly don’t think that Dr. Sail secretly created a clone of Ghote. Ghote says that Mysta is not a clone and I believe him.

It could mean “a clone plus more” (plus certain additions?) I suppose, but I took it to mean that it was something better than a clone. Puts me in mind of the old “$6 Million Man” TV show: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. Better… stronger… faster.” (I’m not saying that Mysta is a “bionic” woman… or am I? Not exactly. I don’t know, but I think we’re going to have to wait a few more weeks to find out. Joe is not about to let the cat out of the bag yet, at least I don’t think he is.)

So is Mike’s way of handling the space/Scifi elements in the future DT strips going to be by killing off Diet Smith instead of Mysta/Moon Maid? Following the death of MM, Collins did cause a falling out between Tracy and Smith (over the Mumble’s clone/ Dr Ghote) that reduced Smith’s role in the strip for several years. Is Mike planning to take that one step further? (With both Ghote and Mumbles present when it happens?)

It occurred to me that The Apparatus refers to a “Lunarian Event” vs a “Lunar Event.” By referring to an event as “Lunarian” does this somehow imply that there are other Lunarians involved?They seem to desperately want a Space Coupe. I wonder if they re-created Mysta to sell her like a hostage ransom to the Moon Governor? Weren’t there huge diamonds on the moon or am I thinking of the “Mr. Nobody” episode from Lost In Space?

Whatever Ghote told him, it has devastated Smith. And desperate people do some very bad things…

He is going to put Mysta and Dr. Ghote in the coupe and go for a one way trip.

“Buyer’s remorse” so soon, Dietrich? My, but you shook the old Ghote’s hand just a few panels ago….Okay, so Ghote may be shuttling back and forth between places during this mother-of-all-sales-pitches. But the personality changes between Ghote the salesman and Ghote the Sail’s assistant are still too marked, even harsh..Kind of like the two GUI screens in Windows 8..I still think at least one of them is a clone..Dietrich being at least one of them to die? Probability cranked up, especially if he welches on the deal he just made with the old Ghote..Which it looks like he might just do..tsull2121: I agree that all creative teams since Gould have moved away from the Moon Era – Save for Mike and Joe!.I will say that they seem to be approaching the Moon Era with great caution – another reason I seriously doubt that Mysta is anything but the survivor of a car bomb – all the speculations about clones, gholas, whatever, would only serve to bring upon the strip the same problems that existed when Mysta was first brought to earth..A good question has to be, why did Mike and Joe try to bring back Mysta in the first place? Especially since they were not content to simply call her “Moon Maid” but had to give her a name!.Right now, my top picks for people soon to be pushing up daisies:.One, Diet Smith. He made a deal with the devil (Ghote or his clone) and the devil will come back to collect..Two, Sparkle. Even though I think it’s cruel and don’t want it to happen, Mysta’s murder was just as cruel in the first place. As for why, all I can say is, she’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. While Mike and Joe could still surprise us with the death of Mysta all over again, that would seem like wasting going on a year and a half’s storyline to reestablish the character..Three, Ghote. It is possible that he is already dead. Just as serious conversation was left out between the panels in the exchange between Diet and Ghote, I think something serious was left out when moon face showed up – gun drawn – at the very moment Ghote slapped the wind out of Sail! 130811: “Oh, my! What shall we do?” may have been the last words the real Ghote heard – before shots rang out..Four, Junior. If neither Sparkle nor Mysta dies, the death Junior would immediately remove any need for further animosity between Sparkle and Mysta. If Mysta is to move back into the Tracy-verse, some kind of plot device is needed to patch things up between them. Unless Mysta is going to become a villain – but I don’t think anyone, Mysta fan or foe, wants to go there..These are just my guesses..But Dietrich’s sudden cold feet throws a lot of cold water on a lot of our pet theories right now, and has added him to the potential body count!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR “:HONEYMOON” HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…Yes…Honey Moon Tracy was born September 12th, half way between Moon and Earth back in 1965. In reality she’d be 48 but in comic strip time she’s about 10 as the present team presents her. Perhaps some one out there can show us a picture of “baby” Honey Moon from the 1965 strip.

The plot thickens and the mysteries keep coming! Why exactly does the truth about Mysta’s identity make Diet so remorseful? How does Diet plan to make things right? What exactly needs to be made right? And what will Diet have to say to Ghote once their meeting resumes?. More things to tantalize us and get us thinking about Mysta and this story. I love it!

I think Ghote is running a con on Diet and Diet is swallowing it. I’d hate to see Smith die on us, as he is a great support character for Tracy, but time marches on.

Good thing I read it through a couple of times…all this tension and suspense almost had me overlooking the masterful artwork….wow.

I get the sense Diet doesn’t trust Ghote at all. Maybe making things right means delivering Ghote to the authorities? I do know Diet has affection for Mysta. He’s made that clear several times in this story, plus he’s the godfather of Honeymoon and has treated her very well over the years. Lots more to think about now.

Sure enjoying all the comments today, from the Positive Posters at least! : )

I just noticed that Dr. Ghote has been away on a supposed “lunch break.” Since there still seems to be a rainstorm outside the windows, I assume that this is earlier in the day of the fateful showdown at the Wheaton farm. In amongst all the speculation as to what is happening or about to happen, I didn’t even mention how much I admire the artwork. The lighting is extremely dramatic and sets a very dramatic mood.

Look who I shipped Moon Moon with in this chapter of my crossover fan fiction: http://fav.me/d6lxr9r

maybe setting things right will include destroying the last remaining operative space coupe?

I’m fascinated by the the attitude some of us have toward Mysta or Dr. Ghote, as if the original is more alive than a clone would be.If the copy is a form of robot, or artificial intelligence, it raises questions about the definition of ‘life.’But a person – whatever the circumstances of their creation – is still a person. (Remember when in vitro fertilization was introduced, and the complaints raised about it?) As the quote goes “Cogito ergo sum” — “I think, therefore, I am.”Mysta is Mysta, however she came back.

I actually believe that Ghote has legitimately succeeded in some sort of genetic/ cloning/ recreating breakthroughs with Moon Maid. Why?Before he b*tch-slapped Sail, he was furious that his work would be discredited by Sail and the criminal attempt to steal the space coupe. That conversation was presented by the creators/writers as having happened between just the two of them. There would have been no reason for Ghote to have made that comment, especially in a fit of rage with no one else around.

@Neil Wick

The two-way wrist radio and its enhancements are a very important element of the strip. It is the thing most associated with Dick Tracy by casual readers and even those who haven’t read the strip since they were kids. It’s the thing most mentioned when the subject of Dick Tracy comes up. So, science fiction has been central to the strip for most of its existence^^A couple of gadgets, most of them, theoretically possible at the time*; does not a Sci-Fi comic series make! It would be more accurate to say that DT was a Police drama with a few Sci-Fi elements thrown in, until the ridiculous Moon Era. (*The technology for the wrist radio was mainly in place in 1946, except for the transistor; which was created in 1947)

tsull2121: Parden my Deutsch!.Having lived in Germany, I just assumed “Diet” was short for “Dietrich”; my bad. I have felt bad most of my life, calling him “Diet” as in “Weight Watchers,” believing this was a most unflattering Americanization of an extremely German name..While Diet has been portrayed (at times) as a “health nut,” the carcinogens that he enjoys nearly constantly, in the presence of Honey and, yes, even in a space capsule, really do not contribute to the image of a health-conscious person..Ghote’s inconsistencies: Slaps Sail when he feels his work has been contaminated by criminal influence (not to mention Sail’s claim that Ghote’s part in the project was not nearly as significant as Sail’s) – for what it’s worth, this is where I get the Ghote clone theory..Ghote has always been associated with criminals. He has never appeared in this strip “stripped” of criminals. Nevertheless, in his delusions, he may yet believe that what he has done is not necessarily criminal..Nevertheless, the slapping scene leading up to the introduction of moon face, along with Ghote’s apparent total collusion with Sail and moon face in continuing the con on Diet Smith is what convinces me that this is a new Ghote, not necessarily the one we saw slapping Sail a couple weeks ago..If these two are indeed the same Ghote, which may be Mike and Joe’s intent, then Ghote is a much better actor than Flintheart!.Diet’s remorse: Possible signal that Mike and Joe intend to steer Dick Tracy away from science fiction? Could be, but why re-introduce Mysta if that were their intent?.I fear that, assuming Diet believes this fake Ghote’s lies any more than the original Ghote’s lies is that perhaps Diet Smith will be the person to remove both Mysta and the space coupe from the Tracy-verse!.And because Mysta is at least part human, yes, the resulting action he might take could be construed as murder….That’s total speculation on my part, and I certainly hope that this does not occur. But it appears that MIke and Joe want us to think that, at least for a little while….Regeneration: Concerning all the “clone” theories out there, and I have lumped all did-NOT-survive-the-car-bomb theories into what I call the clone-pile, this is the one theory that ought to be the most disturbing to all of us – because of its extremely religious connotations, at least if you’re a Christian..From what I understand, regeneration is the bringing back to life of a person who had, indeed, died. This is the very religious element that I was referring to..As such, I sincerely hope that this is not where Mike and Joe are going with this story line..But, just as clearly, that is not up to me….As for “is she or isn’t she” (real or a clone), well, a clone would simply not be the same Mysta, no matter how many “memories” she may or may not have..Good grief! Even if she is the real Mysta, having been declared “legally dead,” she is being treated as if she went through a divorce far nastier than the one which I personally experienced..I can only imagine the fate of a not-the-real-Mysta as being even far worse..In addition to the tease of “is she or isn’t she,” regardless of the answer, I see only torment ahead for this Mysta.

“Actually, Mike and Joe have moved further away from the moon era by revealing that the moon civilization no longer exists, and the whereabouts of the moon people are unknown, if any survived. They have closed the door tightly on any possibility of another “moon era”.”I don’t necessarily take this as a given. The moon civilization may indeed still exist, perhaps in another location on luna or elsewhere. The fact that the moon people took their Space Coupes suggests that they survived whatever disaster took place at Moon Valley and have moved elsewhere. Hints have been dropped along the way suggesting that we will see Moon Governor and his people again. So I don’t think the door has necessarily been “tightly” shut on any possibility of another moon era. That may turn out to be the case, but there’s still a lot of story left to be told, and I expect Mike and Joe have many surprises left in store for us. Now if you’re talking about a return to the zaniness of the 1960s, yes, I’m pretty confident we won’t be seeing that again. But beyond that, I wouldn’t make any hard assumptions about what we’re liable to see in the future.

What most of us really want to know is WHO IS THIS WOMAN?!?

Flood of the century: Wonder if Mike and Joe might make a field trip out here in Colorado….Water spewing up five feet high from manhole covers in Manitou Springs..Manitou is also at the base of Waldo Canyon, which burned so badly last year and now spews mud and debris every time it rains out here. U.S. 24 was closed earlier today – you guessed it – Waldo Canyon was passing by..Just the rooftop of a car visible at the base of the flyover from I-70 to I-225 (yeah, that’s Aurora, suburb of Denver)..When Big Thompson River took out U.S. 34 at milepost 72, rescue workers rushed in to evacuate people living along the river at the base of the canyon. But before they could get anybody out, U.S. 34 collapsed at milepost 80 – trapping people and rescue workers at the bottom of the canyon..No way in. No way out. (If you’ve seen a Colorado canyon, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about).And, oh yeah, cell phones have failed..With U.S. 34 out, and Colorado 72 out – also washed out by Coal Creek in, you guessed it, Coal Creek Canyon, several northern Colorado towns are now totally isolated..I wonder whether the granary on Wheaton’s farm is out there in that mess..Most of us in the Denver metro area are okay; while there have been some pretty good washouts here in Aurora (east side), most of the punishment has been on the west side..Perhaps Boulder has made national news. Between Boulder and Longmont is where the brunt of this thing is going..Well, guess I better blow up my water wings!.I never did learn how to swim!

It happened. We missed it. The rest of us realized that.