Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 05, 2015

The Mole he makes his home down deep: a “city” undergroundOnce a violent criminal, better nature late he found.Duke showed up at Mole’s abode, a hideout he did needMole swiped Duke’s fat bankroll to satisfy his greed..Late at night, under moonlight, Duke tried to slip awayA shocking revelation, double-crossers Mole doth slay.Oily was Mole’s helper, bringing food to trade for cashMole put a bullet through his brain when Oily blocked his dash..Tracy he was on the case when opened up the groundTumbling into the Mole’s hole, the criminal he found.Narrowly escaping the strong clutches of the MoleTracy slapped the cuffs on him emerging from his hole..Christmas season ‘twas the reason Tracy brought a giftTo Mole in his jail cell; Mole’s heart began to shift.Emerged from under lock and key a man who’d truly changedHis heart had grown much larger, priorities rearranged..Still underground he can be found, to the homeless he’s a friendHe learned to read. Helps those in need. Bad ways he did mend.Last year he saved little girl Toad when Sweatbox came aroundMole put his life right on the line with courage to astound..Toad shares with her classmates news of nuptials in the fallFor her mother and the Mole, good news to share with all.How could it be Tracy did see that Mole was not all bad?Soon Mole adopts the good girl Toad, who’s proud to call him Dad.

Well, a happy ending for the Mole (yeah, right!)

But, as always, a great poem, Pequod77!

Good morning everyone. Happy Easter!

The Mole is back! Nice poetry Pequod77!

Happy Easter to you as well, VistaBill! And to all other posters out there!

Oh Morrow, Oh Morrow,Where are you, Oh Morrow,We’re missing you every day!(And that is MY contribution to poetry corner!)

Oh the joy of this glorious dayDefeat is snatched and cast awayNo more my head is hung in shameMy life’s reborn he carried my blameThe grave is bare no one is thereMy freedom won good news to shareMy soul proclaims He’s truly the wayThat lights a path on Resurrection day!

So about a year has passed in “Tracy Time” since Mike and Joe took over, huh ?

Interesting.

Great job once again, Pequod77! Also avenger09! Pequod77, you posted a terrific summary yesterday about Notta, and why she is a sympathetic and intriguing character. I thought it was spot on, and it motivated me to put together my own thoughts on that subject. And well, what started as a few paragraphs has become a lot more detailed than originally planned. Still working on it, in fact (lots of graphics included), and I plan to post it later this morning. I realize we’ve been talking about Notta all week, but since she’s apparently going to be an important character going forward, this will sum up a lot of info I believe needs to be understood about her past, especially in light of her encounter this week with Blaze. Anyway, just wanted to give everyone the heads up that it’s coming later today — and it’s going to be a loooonng one. :)

Happy Easter everyone.

Happy Easter to all our friends here in Tracyland!

He is risen as He said! Happy Easter Everyone God Bless You All!

What a nice strip to celebrate Easter! If nothing goes wrong, there will be happiness for the reformed Mole and for his adopted daughter (and teacher!), Toad! I do hope all does go well for them.

Happy Easter!

In one of his comments about upcoming stories, didn’t Mike say something about one of the characters “Finding Romance?”

Somehow, The Mole didn’t spring readily to mind.

Nor Notta, for that matter.

And whither Monday?

av09, a little off the beaten path but none the less a good poem, short & sweet and fun to read. thanks much sir.

Happy Easter Sunday To all the Tracy family & friends. This strip is such a source of joy and the spirit around here these days is so cool and good that it seems to be picking up new readers on a regular basis. .James 1:17 reads … all good things come from the Father of lights … and He never changes.

Very nice sentimental poem, Avenger09

Get yourself a verb._______________________

If that’s your biggest criticism, “Get yourself a life!”

Oh this is a wonderful side thread! I suspected this would happen during Sweatbox’s run but now it’s nice to see it actually happening. A pleasure to see Toad back as well. I cannot wait to see what appears for this thread.

Said he to me, "Now let me see if I have heard you right. You’d like to go to Morrow and return tomorrow night.You should have gone to Morrow yesterday and back today for the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way.

http://www.metrolyrics.com/to-morrow-lyrics-kingston-trio.html

Sorry, the Kingston Trio beat you too it awhile back. (giggles)

And not to mention this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp88oumRQvs

I wonder how this ties into the Black Hearts?

… yeah, but what happened to Johnny Adonis???

Redemption is possible, as select members of Tracy’s rogues gallery reveal. Little Face and Influence come to mind. But it is Mole who is wisely chosen by Team Tracy as a recurring character. While not seen today, young Toad’s beaming smile speaks to Mole’s reformation. I discovered Mole in The Celebrated Cases of Dick Tracy (1970). Duke needs a hideout after his reckless attempt to rob an armored truck ends in a crash. Pretty Sugar is dead, having gone through the windshield of Duke’s car. Duke attempts to frame Steve the Tramp as he flees. Mole is happy to welcome Duke to his hideout, just so long as Duke hands over his entire roll, a cool two grand. Mole has made a small fortune hiding, robbing and killing former partners in crime. His life was spared in exchange for providing a hideout service. Mole later strangles Duke as he tries to escape with Mole’s money, as we see in the panels posted by Ray..It’s a great story, with a classic ending set in Mole’s cell. Tracy has brought him a Christmas present. Mole is moved as holiday music from the street can be heard in jail. This is a rare turn of events and it laid the groundwork for the compelling reformation of Mole.

.There were divided opinions on the precise nature of Blaze’s response to Notta in yesterday’s strip. She is clearly uncomfortable in the first panel, as Notta invades her space, easing her bearded chin over Blaze’s shoulder, nearly touching her face. In panel two she seems a bit flummoxed, adjusting her tie as Notta turns her back, sipping her drink. Notta is living large. Blaze reflects on the ritzy neighborhood as she approaches the house. Notta is coolly nonchalant, gazing at herself in the mirror as she addresses Blaze. She likes the name, Blaze, and remarks that this will likely be an ongoing “relationship,” as more deliveries are in the cards. Outside, in panel three, Blaze’s face is hidden. She urges herself to “get a grip.” Not the reaction of one “creeped out” by her encounter with Notta. Her face is hidden by shadow, suggesting she is grappling with strong emotions. Meeting Notta has been an intense experience. I’ll stop there, as Willy’s tremendously informative post provides an in-depth look at the complexities of Notta. Thanks so much for sharing your insights and the classic art of Chester Gould, Willy007. What a great post. Suffice to say, it is a pleasure to have one of Gould’s most interesting characters back in the strip. What a great time to be a Tracy fan!

Thanks to cpalmeresq, VistaBill, Gweedo, Night-Gaunt49 (well done!), Neil Wick, Willy007, John Russell, Ray Toler, JPuzzleWhiz and mzkdad for the kind words. Very much appreciated!

Sometimes the whispers of our dreamsLike misty vapors just never seem-——————Really enjoy your poems, especially today’s double feature.

Happy Easter, (your name here), and everyone else.-Hope the Easter Beagle left you plenty of eggs!

d’awww

You’ve done a great job with Notta’s rich history in the strip, but I still don’t find her sympathetic.-Yes, she had a troubled life, and struggled to care for herself and her brother, and I can understand the lure of crime when struggling with poverty.But she never tried to turn back. She just kept going downhill, until she became a killer.I’m sure if you looked, you’d find that Flattop, B-B Eyes, and most of Tracy’s foes have also had hard lives, and could tell a sympathetic story. In the cases of Mole, Littleface Finney, and Influence, they turned their lives around, and have gone straight.Even Blowtop, as we’ve seen, has limits to what he will and will not do.Notta chose to be a predator, and still is, even if she is caring for her brother.I’m sure that package Blaze delivered contained drugs (or something else illegal).-Ultimately, we’re all like metal, forged in the same furnace. It’s hotter for some than others, and some come out stronger than others.But we’re what came out of the fire, not what went in.So my sympathy is elsewhere.

It’s nice to see an upbeat strip today, and always good to see Toad, especially to learn of the upcoming wedding.I hope we get to see it! I’m sure Mole will be sure Tracy gets an invitation.

Yesterday on Non Sequiter, I made a comment, and NG responded, but I didn’t see it til very late last night.So, with your approval, I’ll answer him here (as it’s where I see him most often).-Harlan Ellison had a legitimate lawsuit (which is why he won) against Cameron, who told an interviewer in no uncertain terms, that he did indeed take Ellison’s “Outer Limits” stories and adapt them, to create “The Terminator.” Check out the “Outer Limits” episode “The Chameleon” with Robert Duval; it uses the same basic premise Cameron (who admits he loves “Outer Limits”) used for “Avatar.” Another co-incidence?

“Mr. Mole and Toad’s Wild Ride”

Took awhile to get here with so much to read. Nice job everyone. And yes, hope you’re having a very happy Easter.

The Mole! Danny DeVito would be perfect to play him in a new Tracy movie!!

keep throwin’ it against the wall guys, maybe a story will stick.

Nice verse, NG!

“Like Pequod77 often says, it’s a great time to be a Tracy fan.”-—————————————————-

And this POST today, made it so easy to agree !

It served as an enjoyable reminder of my first ‘awareness’ of this exotic, bearded female character . . .. . .and then, you made it so much more pleasing by the ‘thoughtful’ graphics chosen. As they also served to overlap 3 - of Gould’s ‘memorable’ stories, appearing during his latter day “peak” !

From visits made to London in the mid Sixties, seemed (to me) she and husband George Chin Chillar, were ‘reflective’ of the (Hippy style?) sub culture that existed there - then.It was also Mini Skirt time - Just In !

Made me ‘suspect’ that the dress and the accessories worn by those real life people during his (Chet’s) visit to the UK (around that time), helped serve, as the ‘inspiration’ for these Chin Chillar - character designs ! ?

Thanks, for pulling those Tracy ‘memories’ together - Willy !

Interesting “Hall of Fame” entry today. It says that Gertrude Schimmel and another woman sued NYPD to try out for Sgt. in 1963. By then, Gould had already had Lizz on the force for several years, had run strips promoting women in police work, and had depicted Lizz in a dangerous undercover operation and also as a crack shot with a handgun. Another example of Dick Tracy being ahead of his time!

Thanks everyone for your kind words!

No, but it’s the same concept: a human disguised to pass among aliens to spy re: invasion. The key elements are reversed, that’s all. (Well, that and a cosmically huge budget.)FYI: “The Chameleon” was scripted by Robert Towne (“Chinatown”).

Thank you, Pequod and Avenger!

Admittedly I hadn’t liked poetry as much as I would have—never caught on to it myself. But your words, as well as contributions from other members and fans of Tracyville…man, that IS great stuff and I enjoy it every time I read them. Even the comic banter among posters would get laughs. Keep them coming!

I also admire the knowledge of fans like Ray Toler, Pequod, Sydney Phillips, Night-Gaunt49, AnyFace, and many others. Especially Willy007’s analyses. I love history and its endless details. Being a newcomer here, I always get to learn something new, whether be past history, social styles, fads and such, and how they were conveyed on the wide canvas of comic art. The broad strokes of the vast array of characters painted by Gould and his contemporaries makes for quite an enriching experience.

I look forward how this all plays out—no matter the speed. Sitting back, and enjoying the ride.

Again, thank you all.

Today’s strip put me to sleep so I hope you don’t mind me going off topic!

.

A fearful hush consumes the landA Prince of Tracyville’s been bannedThe children cry they know not whyThe law demands the Prince say byeHis spirit helped in many a wayTo aid the citizens through each dayHe held no grudge or bitternessHis words gave all a sense of blissHis memory survives in all our livesNo rule can break the bond that tiesWe’ll carry on what else can we doLife goes on in Tracyville too!

.

how your dad is a mole.

The Mole he makes his home down deep: a “city” underground

Once a violent criminal, better nature late he found.

Duke showed up at Mole’s abode, a hideout he did need

Mole swiped Duke’s fat bankroll to satisfy his greed.

Late at night, under moonlight, Duke tried to slip away

A shocking revelation, double-crossers Mole doth slay.

Oily was Mole’s helper, bringing food to trade for cash

Mole put a bullet through his brain when Oily blocked his dash.

Tracy he was on the case when opened up the ground

Tumbling into the Mole’s hole, the criminal he found.

Narrowly escaping the strong clutches of the Mole

Tracy slapped the cuffs on him emerging from his hole.

Christmas season ‘twas the reason Tracy brought a gift

To Mole in his jail cell; Mole’s heart began to shift.

Emerged from under lock and key a man who’d truly changed

His heart had grown much larger, priorities rearranged.

Still underground he can be found, to the homeless he’s a friend

He learned to read. Helps those in need. Bad ways he did mend.

Last year he saved little girl Toad when Sweatbox came around

Mole put his life right on the line with courage to astound.

Toad shares with her classmates news of nuptials in the fall

For her mother and the Mole, good news to share with all.

How could it be Tracy did see that Mole was not all bad?

Soon Mole adopts the good girl Toad, who’s proud to call him Dad.