Mike Curtis posted some time ago that we’ll eventually learn the Moon people’s lunar names, which Chester Gould never bothered to give them in the 1960s. Moon Governor was known only by that title, his wife was rarely addressed, and when she was it was simply as Governor’s wife, while their daughter was addressed as Moon Maid even by her own people, even though that was the name Dick Tracy had given her! It was all pretty weird, but I guess Gould wanted to keep things simple so that the readers wouldn’t be confused.
Well, this is an interesting development. It seems from his comment that the signals were not coming from either Mysta or Honeymoon, because I think he would have been able to identify them. Nor do I think it was from Bribery’s ring. It would seem from the X-Gov’s comment that he hasn’t yet located the source.
When Moon Valley was discovered, the Governor was pleased to be able to broadcast TV signals from the Moon to Earth. He made sure that the Moon people were always shown totally happy, dancing all the time. It was a virtual Eden where everything was hunky-dorey. Sparkle and Gertie even had a TV show broadcast from the Moon where they both wore Moon fashion and sang and danced.
But behind the scenes, the Governor was a dictator—bad enough that Moon Maid wanted to stow away on a Space Coupe to get away. He later kidnapped her and held her captive throughout her pregnancy. He imprisoned Tracy, Diet Smith and Junior behind a force field and planned to execute them. He used his newfound contact with Earth to enrich himself with no mention of any other Lunarian profiting from trading with Earth except him or his company. He is self-righteous and authoritative. It was his way or the highway.
His Moon regime seemed like North Korea, putting on a happy face in public—his own family living high on the hog (or should that be snail?) while hoarding his own wealth by not using his advanced technology to find a solution to whatever destroyed Moon Valley. Did his own greed prevent him from popping for the cost to save the place? Perhaps he was overthrown rather than resigned. It is hard to believe he gave up his power willingly.
I had been thinking of calling Moon Guy “the Artistic Creation Formerly Known as Moon Governor” (with a nod to Prince’s “the Artist…”), but I see that “the Lunarian Formerly Known as Governor” has gained some traction here. Maybe his real name—I assume he does have one—will be revealed in due course. More importantly, has his smirk (panel 3) covered a truly reformed individual, less prone to evil than in the old days, or is he just on Good Behavior for so long as it is useful to him? (He kinda reminds me visually of a late uncle of mine who had been a Marine in WW II and always had a “tough guy” edge in subsequent years.)
Not being governor removes his power base (assuming that there are still enough Lunarians alive to make a difference), though he still commands one of the few surviving Space Coupes, which is a valuable thing indeed. I’m not sure about the source of the emanations that he is trying to track down, i.e., whether the “odd telepathic signals” were from Mysta Chimera, or not. Maybe he will ally himself, at least for now, with his sometime-foe, Dick Tracy….
Regarding statements speculating about or wishing for more stories involving the Lunarians: Remember that the story comes first, and that the characters, to the extent consistent with their characters and likely involvement, appear in support of the story.
Consider Bonnie “Braids” Tracy. A fine person, and Dick and Tess and Junior and Sparkle and the rest no doubt regularly talk and get together with her. But because she has no role in most stories we don’t see her very often.
So where do Mysta Chimera and Honeymoon fit in? I see them as Team Tracy’s easy and sympathetic way of doing stories about bigotry, discrimination and diversity. Remember the story about Rep. Bellowthon back in Oct. 2016. In my opinion, Team Tracy has compelling reasons to avoid having them use their ‘powers’ for police work.
This might be a #MeToo sentiment, or a prudish sentiment, but I think Mysta Chimera wears the ‘Moon Maid’ uniform, black strapless leotard, thigh-high “go-go” boots, (often) long gloves, and pearl necklace, too often. Please, something else from time-to-time. In contrast, I like what Honeymoon wears, usually crescent moon earrings, and often t-shirts or sweaters with a moon theme.
jonahhex1 over 6 years ago
So….what do they call him now? And whose putting out those telepathic signals he’s looking for?
a-man2 over 6 years ago
Glad to know Mysta and the Ex-Governor are okay. I wonder if the Ex-Governor had a chance to learn Mysta Chimera’s “history”.
Gweedo -it's legal here- Murray over 6 years ago
Good morning™ , reformed political figures !
willy007 over 6 years ago
Mike Curtis posted some time ago that we’ll eventually learn the Moon people’s lunar names, which Chester Gould never bothered to give them in the 1960s. Moon Governor was known only by that title, his wife was rarely addressed, and when she was it was simply as Governor’s wife, while their daughter was addressed as Moon Maid even by her own people, even though that was the name Dick Tracy had given her! It was all pretty weird, but I guess Gould wanted to keep things simple so that the readers wouldn’t be confused.
blunebottle over 6 years ago
Well, this is an interesting development. It seems from his comment that the signals were not coming from either Mysta or Honeymoon, because I think he would have been able to identify them. Nor do I think it was from Bribery’s ring. It would seem from the X-Gov’s comment that he hasn’t yet located the source.
DaJellyBelly over 6 years ago
Why couldn’t the Moon Governor have taken a temporary leave of absence? Explaining to his people that is was to search for his family members.
jrankin1959 over 6 years ago
A Lunarian version of The Doctor?
Don Bagert Premium Member over 6 years ago
And yet Posie addressed him as “Gov” on January 16 and 17. Apparently the ex-Governor didn’t tell him about the change.
Durak Premium Member over 6 years ago
So, how should we refer to you? The Former Moon Governor?
TracyFan 65 over 6 years ago
Exgov?
Morrow Cummings over 6 years ago
ZZZzzzzzzzz…………
Ray Toler over 6 years ago
When Moon Valley was discovered, the Governor was pleased to be able to broadcast TV signals from the Moon to Earth. He made sure that the Moon people were always shown totally happy, dancing all the time. It was a virtual Eden where everything was hunky-dorey. Sparkle and Gertie even had a TV show broadcast from the Moon where they both wore Moon fashion and sang and danced.
But behind the scenes, the Governor was a dictator—bad enough that Moon Maid wanted to stow away on a Space Coupe to get away. He later kidnapped her and held her captive throughout her pregnancy. He imprisoned Tracy, Diet Smith and Junior behind a force field and planned to execute them. He used his newfound contact with Earth to enrich himself with no mention of any other Lunarian profiting from trading with Earth except him or his company. He is self-righteous and authoritative. It was his way or the highway.
His Moon regime seemed like North Korea, putting on a happy face in public—his own family living high on the hog (or should that be snail?) while hoarding his own wealth by not using his advanced technology to find a solution to whatever destroyed Moon Valley. Did his own greed prevent him from popping for the cost to save the place? Perhaps he was overthrown rather than resigned. It is hard to believe he gave up his power willingly.
buckman-j over 6 years ago
I second the ZZZZZZ
BelaWhiskers over 6 years ago
Loved the shadow in panel #3!!
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
I had been thinking of calling Moon Guy “the Artistic Creation Formerly Known as Moon Governor” (with a nod to Prince’s “the Artist…”), but I see that “the Lunarian Formerly Known as Governor” has gained some traction here. Maybe his real name—I assume he does have one—will be revealed in due course. More importantly, has his smirk (panel 3) covered a truly reformed individual, less prone to evil than in the old days, or is he just on Good Behavior for so long as it is useful to him? (He kinda reminds me visually of a late uncle of mine who had been a Marine in WW II and always had a “tough guy” edge in subsequent years.)
Not being governor removes his power base (assuming that there are still enough Lunarians alive to make a difference), though he still commands one of the few surviving Space Coupes, which is a valuable thing indeed. I’m not sure about the source of the emanations that he is trying to track down, i.e., whether the “odd telepathic signals” were from Mysta Chimera, or not. Maybe he will ally himself, at least for now, with his sometime-foe, Dick Tracy….
b2plusa2 over 6 years ago
Regarding statements speculating about or wishing for more stories involving the Lunarians: Remember that the story comes first, and that the characters, to the extent consistent with their characters and likely involvement, appear in support of the story.
Consider Bonnie “Braids” Tracy. A fine person, and Dick and Tess and Junior and Sparkle and the rest no doubt regularly talk and get together with her. But because she has no role in most stories we don’t see her very often.
So where do Mysta Chimera and Honeymoon fit in? I see them as Team Tracy’s easy and sympathetic way of doing stories about bigotry, discrimination and diversity. Remember the story about Rep. Bellowthon back in Oct. 2016. In my opinion, Team Tracy has compelling reasons to avoid having them use their ‘powers’ for police work.
b2plusa2 over 6 years ago
This might be a #MeToo sentiment, or a prudish sentiment, but I think Mysta Chimera wears the ‘Moon Maid’ uniform, black strapless leotard, thigh-high “go-go” boots, (often) long gloves, and pearl necklace, too often. Please, something else from time-to-time. In contrast, I like what Honeymoon wears, usually crescent moon earrings, and often t-shirts or sweaters with a moon theme.