Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for May 20, 2018

Shakedown Street a place not sweet for those who pay the cost

When trouble knocks upon the door and paradise is lost.

Beatty runs Mazuma Bank. Reunion is a bust

Topper is a barnacle. A violent thug none trust.

Sam and Tracy waltz right in, their instincts serve them well

A shady bank, to be quite frank, where danger does now dwell.

One more uninvited guest. Here’s Hornet at the door

Trusty Kato at his side. Now time to wipe the floor

With Topper and his henchmen, who get a whiff of gas

Kato takes the driver out, he knocks him on his ass.

Blam! And Bam! Two shots ring out. Did either hit the mark?

Tracy faces Hornet, as events turn grim and dark.

Good morning™, “dancers”!

Mr. “My gun’s in the car” is in big trouble if Topper gets out of this.

“Tracy, stop! I’m the Lone Ranger’s grand-nephew!”

So then Kato is finished with his under cover job and back to basics.

Good morning™, dark knights !

So, this leaves Red Wasp in Green’s getaway car with the motor running !?

I’ve a lot of Green Hornet learning to do, but damn I love that final panel.

Okay, let’s see… Topper is out due to Hornet Gas, Lackey is out due to Kato (yay!), leaving Dick Tracy and The Green Hornet in the stare-down. And possibly Sam and Kato ready to square off.

Like I said yesterday it would be more gas! Only who did GH gassed?

To me all is up in the air what is going on!

I get this call twice or more each day, saying they’re from Microsoft, and that my computer’s been subject to firewall compromisation. Then they advise to refrain from financial activity until I call them. Naturally, I never call back.

I guess that makes it official: Kato is on the loose! (As in, no Red Wasp here)

From the color of the Chauffeur’s uniform in Saturday’s strip (green, instead the traditional dark blue/black,) it looked to be Casey/Red Wasp. But unless Kato has been giving Casey lessons in the martial arts, that form in delivering that kick DOES make it seem it’s Hayashi Kato back in action.

Topper is (was) undoubtedly the worst and most inept shakedown artist ever. Should have retired when he was banished by the Syndicate from Central City.

Why did the lights go out?

Today’s strip reminds me of the Batman/Green Hornet television cross over fight scene.

The Big Reveal coming up?

Topper gassed, “My gun’s in the car” thug kicked silly. Did Clyde duck under the desk? What happened to Topper’s other thug? Did he turn tail and run? Where was Sam during all of this?

I like the hat dance. But are you telling me they both missed from 3 feet away? And when did Topper get his gun out? Tracy had his pointed at him.

Question: Does the Green Hornet take unnecessary risks? This is an instance where informing Dick Tracy works just as well, and is safer than showing up yourself.

BLAM BAM FFFTT OUGH! THWAK

Sound effect Sunday

The final panel face-off is more for dramatic effect (like Joe’s poster advertising this arc) than a real stand-off. I can’t believe Hornet would do anything to hurt Tracy so it would be in his interest to make a beeline (pardon the pun) outta there while he can. Tracy, on the other hand, would like to capture both the Hornet and Topper. Where’s Sam when you need him?

Today’s episode of Dancing With the Stars:

The lights go out (maybe courtesy of the Red Wasp?); Tracy and Topper fire at each other (and it’s not yet clear if either was hit, or both). Green Hornet gasses Sam, who KOFFs as if back smoking cigarettes again. Chauffeur-thug says oops, forgot my gat, it’s in the car; but Kato drops him with a trademark kick. Dick Tracy (wounded by Topper, or not) faces off with the Green Hornet, service pistol (most likely a 9mm, though some cops have other preferences, including the heavier-hitting 10mm or some variant 1911 .45) versus gas gun. Not seen: Topper’s thug no. 2; Red Wasp; and for that matter Terence Beatty….

Looking at the first panel in the second row more carefully, I think it is clear that Tracy was not hit. Although at first glance, to looks like the line of fire is directly at Tracy’s chest, there is an indication of something hitting the wall behind Tracy, over his right shoulder. That must be the bullet from Topper’s shot, which means he missed.