Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 13, 2015

Like the grey streaks in Tracy’s hair (looks distinguished). But, I’m sure that the main topic today will be the “Moon Car” reference!

Or, maybe not, since I already brought it up!

Moon Cars, or “Air Cars,” for the win.

Losing the moon tech definitely a step backwards in the fight against crime. Tech tends to advance, not retreat.

Sadness mixed with bitternessCreeped across Dick Tracy’s blissNever could he have a restWhen out the door departed TessSo little time alone they sharedThe price they paid when trouble nearedAt times he wished a different wayHe chose to get a weekly payHe knew they both did freely liveLives that forced them much to giveThey’ll be together forever some dayBut for now tell the chief he’s on the way.

Except for the real-world Moon Landing Program, paradoxically enough.

As someone else mentioned, seems Jimmy Choo Shooz “David Copperfielded” that gold shipment.

Detection skills must now be invoked.

“To the Batcave!”

If Clark Kent makes a cameo appearance during “The Billion Dollar Limited” story line I’m going to let out a Fan Boy squeal!

Tracy drives a Pontiac Aztek??

“BRING BACK MORROW !!!”Here,here!

It was the moon tech that attracted me to Dick Tracy back in the ’60s. Wish it was brought back.

Keep up your good work, Gweedo! You hear from him, please tell him I said Hi!

Read about a big heist in your supposedly-secured city in the morning paper instead of hearing about it on police radio/wrist Wizard? Stuck in expressway traffic (where the on-ramp warning sign should be yellow, not “go”-green!)? You must be Chief of Detectives and head of the MCU, Dick Tracy!It’s definitely One of Those Mondays! Maybe the day will get better. Or not.

Or not.

Good morning guys!

And good morning to you, Vista Bill!

“SIGH ! On days like this . . .I wish we still had the Moon Cars” – Tracy-——————————————————————-

Moon Cars ?A correct ‘attribution’ ! To the Air Car invention and origin !

Using the same technology (and long before Diet Smith or Dyno Matic), the Moon people used this mode of off ground transport, but were inhibited from Space Travel due to the lack of the HEAT resistant metal Titanium. (Gould’s explanation.)

The first 4 Air Cars (or Moon Cars as they’re called here) were a Gift from the Moon Governor to Tracy’s Police department.

Max Collins - in 1978 simply ‘pretended’, they never EXISTED . . .

They wouldn’t be seen again for 34 years i.e. until March 29, 2011 - when Curtis and Staton revealed them (out of use) in a Diet Smith Warehouse (as if he Diet, had ‘taken them back’) * . . .*And Tracy on sight of them, there - on a visit, would muse :“Now THIS brings back MEMORIES”

I’m in agreement!

Gweedo, Mrs R. was just a reader not a poster. She is the kindest, softest, nicest and sweetest person that I have known for that last 36 or more years, and thanks for asking..One more thing about that blond headed green eyed gal … she never has anything bad to say about anyone, … and sometimes I find that disgusting! … (grin)

It’s really ODD, he’d been a ‘member’ since July 2008, and all his earlier posts some 3,000 of them, happily still remain - on the board.In the past, these would all be ‘scrubbed’ if the individual was asked to leave ?

What was his alleged Sin ?

Don’t they have radio or TV in this parallel universe? How would anyone expect to get breaking news from the morning paper?-——————-Of course they do.Tracy was off for the weekend, and choose to spend it without TV, or the web, or anything else – just peace and quiet. He knew Monday would bring along reality soon enough.

I wonder how long the police let Tracy’s 1982 Isuzu Trooper go around without a rear license plate. I bet he doesn’t have insurance or an inspection sticker, too!

I’d really like a “moon car” for Monday morning rush hour traffic for sure…Bring back the Moon…

This is the first appearance of the Moon Cars, from Sunday 8/30/1964. They were presented to Tracy by Moon Governor as an olive branch after Moon Governor had earlier betrayed Tracy and confiscated his Space Coupe (Moon Maid later helped Tracy, Junior, and Diet escape their confinement with the Space Coupe).

Sam and Tracy try out their moon cars for the first time, while Moon Maid shows them how it’s done. From the 9/1/64 through 9/5/64 strips:

……they wouldn’t notify Tracy immediately? He reads about it in the NEWSPAPER? C’mon……lol! Minor plot hole, but……

@cpalmeresq: yes, Morrow needs to be here. He is in my prayers as are all posters._______@Willy007: thanks for the air car info._______@avenger09: another winner._______@AtomivDog: yes, they need to bring back the moon tech._______Be well everyone.

Come to think of it, that’s the Sunday paper – and yet, as Tracy tries to get to the office, he finds himself in rush hour traffic. Maybe it’s always traffic gridlock in Tracytown.

Am I in the right place? Sure is quiet!

Hey, Dude! Missed ya! How off’n you gotta check in with yer PO?

Moon cars= flying trash cans.

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

WB, Morrow! It’s good to see you’re out of the penalty box!

Thanks for the update . . .Must have missed that one ?

But really ‘Good News’ ! Seems morrow - IS back !

Freedom of Speech beats Discreet ? ;-)

Thanks, folks, for the party! I want to say something serious for a change in my normal M.O.. I want to say to Avenger09, and all of you, that I am truly sorry for the snotty remarks that I had gotten so used to using. That is bullying. Tongue-in-cheek humor is a very much part of my daily existence on earth, and maybe it won’t be so funny in the afterlife when I am shoveling coals, but if I could give Av a big ol’ hug, I would! I learned a hard lesson and at my age, lessons come with pain. I also learned something about Av and his sidekick whats-his-name out in Boulder that touched me. Thanks for reading this all the way to the bottom. All of you.

It’s good to see Morrow back. I’ve been reading this for 4 years and it’s unfortunate to see anyone banned. This is such a congenial group especially compared to other comic sites I’ve seen where a lot of insults go on. I think this is one of the best groups and Tracy is the best strip currently running.

Welcome back, Morrow. :)

Thanks for detailing the history of the Air Cars today, Willy.

For some reason, I find those “Flying Garbage Cans” synonymous with Dick Tracy – Though I honestly couldn’t tell you why.

Possibly their use in those “Dick Tracy” segments of Archie’s TV Funnies made more of an impression upon my youth than I’d thought.

They really were the Segway of their day – Plus, they could fly!

@Morrow: welcome back my friend.

@Willy007

Those “moon cars” should be called “hovercrafts” and the military had made several. One of which could fly for half an hour and was steered by the feet to keep hands free.____________________

Valid point.

The Air Cars also remind me of the individual, independent sections of the Fantastic Four’s original Fantasticar vehicle, often referred to by fans as “The Flying Bathtub,” which (… I believe?) pre-dates them by a year or so.

wow he needs a vacation i hope he does.