Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for October 22, 2015

The colorist is now back from vacation.

I agree that The Chalice is Flattop

Good morning guys!.In ❺ Days I Will Be ❹ # + ❶ Year Old! (= 81)..(Inspiration for the “pool balls” by “Colorado Heavern” aka Gweedo).

Al-ice the Chalice? His wife, or his sister?

Gweedo said,Your “balls” are lookin’ mighty good !-——————————————————————.Hmmmm…

Gweedo complimented,and looking every bit the part, Bill ! Dang !Now I’m excited too !-————————————————————————.Tuesday next, Gweedo. Everyone and everthing will be here. Dead, alive, or otherwise. Do drop in.

When’s Linda’s ‘partner’ returning, Jonathan K.?

They do have us guessing…I wonder what color “Big Dick” will wear???

This is one weird story by any yardstick.

OK, so who was the sidekick to Flattop?

Well color me disappointed that today’s strip isn’t in b&w. After getting a taste, color on this story arc just doesn’t seem right. Remember when Ted Turner colorized “Casablanca”? That was Wrong with a capital “W”, while this just seems like a cool artistic opportunity missed.

From what I can find there is no sidekick for Flattop named Al. Perhaps in this universe, Al is actually Blowtop.

Big Boy Caprice’s first name is Alphonse…

Big Boy Caprice’s first name is Alphonse…____________________

Great Scott!

Is Bud familiar with the Tower’s penthouse? Does he know “the Chalice” or Al personally? Who are they (i.e., who were they in standard canon)? Flattop? And Big Boy Caprice (as suggested above)?

VB, we’re following the countdown!

It sounds to me like Al is The Chalice’s butler.

“Al”-Fred …?

Color’s back……mmmmm……a collective “whirroooooooooo!” up ‘n down the sleepy, early-morning Cold War era street in the tree-lined suburbs, and……..the empty “RCA VICTOR NEW VISTA COLOR T.V.” carton strategically placed by the curbside for “the trashmen” with the label facing Mr. Jone’s house (s). Yep……someone’s basking in the fleeting glow of (for a bit) having “the best gol-durn set on the block” welcoming in a spanking new, glorious morning in the best country on the planet!!

Wonder if Flattop will be rockin’ a “Roger Smith” look.

Wonder how many get that reference.

For those who don’t get the reference, this still might not help …

“… where we’re going to get an excruciatingly slow wind up to the actual event.”-—————————————————-

Perhaps … more like Smilin’ Jack’s brother (a…)Stretch . . . before we chickens see Fatstuff’s “button” actually POP *! ?

Miss the B/W Today.

Al could be anyone. He doesn’t seem to match any of Flattop’s associates.

Farewell Marty, you were always a funny guy!

Nice, Back in color!

I know a lot of you people didn’t like it as well, but I prefer it this way

This story has gone down the road of absolutely ridiculous in record time

While I much prefer the b&w dailies, this story is a lot of fun. Happy to ride the strange wave to shore. Mixing things up and avoiding rote formula keeps things interesting, imo.

The strips that were B & W have been colored. So much for theories of why they were not

Marty Ingels, husband of Shirley Jones, co-star (With John Astin) of I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster (1962-63) and – in cartoons – the voice of Pac-Man.

1936-2015

It would actually fit quite well with Alice’s Through the Looking Glass.

Finding Al . . .

??First off, Flattop’s gang consisted of Ed, Charlie and Joe. No Al. Since this is all Chester Gould ‘Flash Back’ stuff, ‘thought’ I’d try an “assist” from Vic Wichert’s - Dick Tracy Encyclopedia …

From that source, they’re only too Al’s listed - Al one of the artists for the (in-strip) “Sawdust” comic strip, and patterned after Gould’s ‘real life’ (police advice) assistant Al Varnis …

The other Al, was the Police Helicopter Pilot – used by Tracy’s department from 1954 to 1964.He appeared, (among ‘others’), in the Open Mind Monty, the George Ozone and the Mumbles cases.

Not too helpful.Have to wait and see ?

That 1950’s Tribune was very interesting. The typography and layout of each page.

Took a quick look for Smilin’ Jack and landed on page 12 May 21, 1950 of the Chicago Tribune Sunday paper. Comics near the bottom, featuring a black and white Tracy.

Not familiar with the references in general. Seems to be a bit before my time.____________________

A little before my time, too.

Gweedo noted,I bet those were the beginning of heady times for our Senior birthday boy.-————————————————————————————————-.The fifties were wondeful, Gweedo! Fortunately, I missed serving in Korea by only a few months. I still enjoy my collection of Rock and Roll music! Part of the inspration for the name of my “dream machine” computer, “Comet” derived from the name “Bill Haley and his Comets”… “Vista Bill’s (Raley) Comet”! I had a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe (white) and a red 1958 MG-A roadster. Things could not have been much better for this youngster in his 20s!

There’s also Al, as in “Sam & Al” …

… not to make a QUANTUM LEAP of it.

Gweedo stated,I, we, are most happy to have the company of Raley’s Comet in this boss place, Big Bill !-—————————————————————————————-,Thanks, Gweedo! See ya’ at 1:11 am (edst).

You know what? I’ll bet that, judging from the dialogue in Panel 3, we’re looking at some sort of “Alice in Wonderland”-type story! After all, a mirror (as in “Midnight Mirror”) is referred to as a “looking glass”!-————————————————————————————-I had that thought myself when it first appeared that the good guys had gone bad and vice versa.

Night-Gaunt49 noted,And now you about to hit 81 or already did so. Wow, glad you are feeling so good at that age.-—————————————————————————-.Credit a lot of my longevity to my good primary care physician that discovers any obstacles quickly.

Gweedo continued,Any excuse reason to party is a good one, Bill !-—————————————————————————————-.I am very thankful that I still have my independence and mobility, Gweedo.