Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for September 29, 2015

Good morning one and all!.I have reverted to my “official” Vista Bill logotype for my avatar. It was created using Harold’s Fonts “OK Monograms”.

Lee confirms more of what we had suspected. The attack on Johnny was faked. Meanwhile, Tracy will transport “T-Bolt” to maintain her cover and value as an inside asset.This is not the first time Diet Smith’s security has been questionable. It definitely needs to be tightened up!

I think we are going to have a roll call of the dead and the living tomorrow.VENUS LIVES

We’re starting to get answers to the little mysteries we’ve discussed over the months. Glad to finally get confirmation that the attack on Johnny Adonis was a fake.

Night-Gaunt49 complimented,A nice logo indeed.-—————————————————————-.Harold is an outstanding font creator. Here’s what he says about his “OK Monograms”:“OK Monograms is a unique font that lets you create custom 2-letter monograms in an informal, retro-future style. It was inspired by the logo from my Lionel-Porter chemistry set I had as a kid in the 60s, when our vision of the future was shiny and hopeful, like the Jetsons.”.Harold’s website: http://haroldsfonts.com/.Time for bed. Doctor’s appointment in the morning. My three month follow-up visit plus a flu shot.

Good luck at the doc, Bill!

As I said a few days ago. I think her passing out is more from shock and weakness due to blood loss.

By the way…..who has that huge stash of gold?

My guess is the gold was sent elsewhere by Bribery outside the Blackhearts. The only other person who might know has .50 caliber bullet through his head, Méliès. If Bribery thought far enough ahead to create a getaway hatch for an aircar, I doubt the Blackhearts were his only operation.

“Uh, I know it breaks cover, but could you pass the truth on to – what’s her name? Mysta?”

Wonder if “T-Bolt” remembers that Mumbles is onto the fact she’s not to be trusted.

See? Now all the “why didn’t she”s and “how could he”s may be finally laid to rest.-Abner suggested that something Bribery was doing was setting up his big trap for Tracy. Could the missing air car be the bait Abner has in mind?

Everybody’s awfully cheery today, given that Mr. Bribery made good on his escape, and there are numerous Blackhearts being carried out of Ace Tower in body bags.

Speaking of which …

“Transported with the rest of the Blackhearts” = In a Body Bag …?!

In terms of segues, we probably should cut to Florida tomorrow, maybe introduce a fresh plot thread that will lead somewhere in six to eight months.

Not betting on that.

Not betting against it, either.

Classic Dick Tracy Profile…

Sorry, but again i dont buy it. Lee as T-Bolt seems like another one of those “changed on the fly” story ideas that mike seemed to have gotten from comments on this board, since it doesn’t explain HOW or WHY Ms Steffihawk visited Johnny in the hospital…

OBVIOUSLY the mcu wouldn’t jeopardize a major sting operation like this by letting the RECEPTIONIST in on the whole thing.

On top of THAT glaring error, Ms Steffihawk also invited BOTH Annie and Honeymoon to come with her to visit Johnny in the hospital. IF Steffihawk knew it was a cover up, then WHY would she threaten it by inviting the kids to come along (and don’t give me that line of “well, she knew they wouldn’t accept anyway”)

Nope, sorry… seems like just another elaborate attempt to “quick patch” an error by the team but TOTALLY forgetting what they had put down a “canon” earlier in the story.

THIS…more than anything else…is the main problem with mike’s storytelling style. weaving intricate details into a story, letting them simmer for over a year, then getting back to them later after two or three senseless stories thrown in during the process, seems to cause him to forget what was put to paper months earlier.

It also calls to question whether or not TESS was in on the whole thing as well…after all Johnny IS her partner in the Tracy Detective Agency, and youd think she would NOTICE if he took off a few months and went down to Florida on vacation.

On top of the whole idea that if she WASNT in on it, then Tracy lied to her about knowing anything concerning Adonis’ whereabouts. It stinks of a cover up at least…to make it convincing, they would have had EMT’S to take possession of Adonis’ body in the alley and ficticiously take him to the hospital since the “alleged beatdown” took place in full view of Bigg’s office windows since it HAD to be witnessed by at LEAST Bigg himself, if not other members of the Blackhearts.

One ALSO has to speculate if Lee will mention to Tracy the involvement of Blaze Rize who, unknown to herself, revealed EVERYTHING about her involvement in the Blackhearts Organization and how she managed to escape prosecution for so long. If she DOESNT then she is just as bad as Tracy for letting Blackjack escape.

Sorry, but there are WAAAAAY too many loose ends in this story alone, for it to be wrapped up nicely with a big red bow on it and filed away in the annals of Tracy lore

One thing that should be remembered about devices on the loose (IE: the air-car) is that no matter how well one tries, you cannot completely account for every single device. Case in point silver. The government at times has tried to get silver coins back. But they’re never able to get all. I personally have a silver quarter, I received in change a few years ago.

I see the same parallel in software, and information. Nothing I write today will dissipear from the computers of the planet. I can find data I released 20+ years ago if I go digging.

So I don’t blame Mr. Smith for not being able to fully account for all of the air cars. I wonder if he can account for the ones destroyed and scrapped?

Deep undercover work is extremely dangerous. Should violent criminals discover they have a member of law enforcement in their ranks, retribution will be deadly. Creating T-Bolt as an undercover persona for Lee Ebony was smart and well-executed. The faked beating of Adonis was a good way to cement Lee’s role as capable, vicious bodyguard. That T-Bolt’s appearance gradually changed in minor ways was a smart way to keep readers guessing. Many of us were not even certain of T-Bolt’s gender when she was first introduced. Smart. The three-time Harvey Award winning Team Tracy knows quite well how to reward readers who pay close attention. When Lee told Tracy about the gossip she overheard during her last undercover assignment, it was not idle chatter. Most will have noticed that dialogue bubbles are put to very good use, with nary a word wasted. Lee said that she heard loose talk of the Blackhearts while undercover. It was this revelation that planted the seed for her current work. With lives at stake, only a select few may know the identity of the undercover officer. Even Ms. Steffihawk keeps the illusion alive. Her tale of visiting Adonis in the hospital is but one example of the importance of keeping the undercover agent safe, her identity unquestioned. She didn’t invite the girls to join her. Who is to say that none of Honeymoon’s school friends has a family member involved in shady dealings? Pouch is always looking for fresh gossip to sell. He can’t be the only informant in Tracyville.I remind students in literature classes that complex stories can sometimes be frustrating for readers. Paying close attention pays off. Confusion may be the fault of the storyteller, but more often it is readers who need to be patient and thoughtful as they peruse the pages. In analyzing stories, simply putting one’s views in bold and caps does not make them keen insights.

Just wanted to comment on the ‘visit’ by Ms. Steffihawk to see Johnny at the hospital. Since the beating was staged, and Tracy is about to stage the arrest of T-Bolt, couldn’t Johnny have staged his hospital stay by spending a day or so in the hospital? Or, Ms. Steffihawk could have been denied a visit by the hospital staff if authorities had told them to do so. That happens all the time.

Got a “kill switch” for those air cars, Diet?

@Neil Wick wroteI still don’t think Bribery would bug his own office and Méliès is no longer around to listen to anything.

On his original go-round, Bribery filmed/recorded everything that went on in his office. No reason to think he changed.

As for Johnny Adonis’ hospital stay, perhaps Lee forgot to mention that Johnny had long-planned knee surgery to cover for his lack of actual injuries from her mock-beating. That’s an easy-to-repair, minor continuity glitch.

“Got a “kill switch” for those air cars, Diet?”____________________________________________

Probably not on him.

Gweedo said,I bring stuff to read when I anticipate a wait so that way I’ll have something I actually want to look at-——————————————————————.The doctor’s office as well as the lab has absolutely no magazines or any sort of reading material anymore! I have my Kindle Reader in my iPhone. Most of the others waiting were either looking at a smart phone or tablet… or staring in space. Day dreaming?

Gweedo noted,Good morning, Sir and I like this VB Logo, whenever your mug is on vacation.-—————————————————————-.Thanks, Gwedo. I love my logo! .Although I did have a long wait, my daughter was with me since she drives me for my doctor’s appointments… “misery loves company”..All was fine.

Hi Gweedo. How are you? I just thought I’d send you this video. I find it incredibly cute.“Cute Steed Suffers From Dwarfism”Apparently, He’s the smallest horse in Britain. He lives on a farm in Essex. I hope you enjoy!

Link

I like that T-Bolt turned out to be Lee, and I have no problem believing it at all.

Went to the doctor, said something’s not rightCan’t see faults in Tracy, am I losing my sight?Her prescription was rereading, to take another peekFind some nits to pick at, show my eyes aren’t weak.Angus sort of wrapped up fast, shot dead from the towerYet Trustworthy, the racetrack, Mysta’s movie had real power.Wait, I know, they did not show how Shooz’s gold went to BiggSome say it was Axelrod, I say Purdy, can you dig?There’s never enough Mysta, and she wears too many clothesLizz has been too scarce of late, who do you supposeWill replace a fox like Venus, I miss her long red hairSome will tell you Venus Lives I wonder would they dareTo bring back the naughty vixen just when we’ve lost all hopeDoc says I’m blinded by my lust, an optimistic mope.No, I can see clearly now, the problem I must sayIs that a strip as good as this needs five panels a day!I’ll sing my song: there’s nothing wrong with Tracy fighting crimeThe major weakness found these days is just my half-baked rhyme.

No, I can see clearly now, the problem I must say

Is that a strip as good as this needs five panels a day!____________________

And Twelve On Sundays, I should think, assuming there is time.

In Tracyville, it’s not just Underdog who speaks in rhyme.

Seriously.

Underdog always speaks in rhyme.

It’s a pet peeve of mine whenever anyone writing him in the comics ignores this.

Mysta is the very best thing about this strip.

God & I are SO all over you, Jeb – first strip to check today. If I were you (or any of your silly lil’ kike friends OR “secret society” pals from sissy Yale) I’d be extra careful about who I tried to deceive with this kind of pablum – face it – you’re washed up – go get my money, ya lil’ punk!

Hope all goes well, Night-Gaunt49.

Gweedo asked,Do you drive at all these days, Bill ?-—————————————————————————-.I still drive my old 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier but only short distances. I am no longer comfortable driving at speed on a highway.

What is this tiggerpuff rant?