New creative team
lays out vision for Dick Tracy comic strip
Expect some classic villains, 21st century crimes
March 13, 2011|By Geoff Brown, Tribune reporter
“It is family legend,” says artist Joe Staton, “that I was trying to copy Chester Gould’s Tracy from the Sunday papers before I was actually able to read.” During writer Mike Curtis’ early childhood commutes with his parents, “The best way to keep me quiet was to buy me a comic book. At the time, Harvey Comics was reprinting Dick Tracy, and one issue would keep me occupied for hours.”
Makes sense that the duo would find their way back to the cartoon detective, separated by a combined 60 years in comics, which included work on “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” “The Green Lantern,” “Richie Rich” and “Scooby Doo.”
Their inaugural effort as the new creative team of “Dick Tracy” can be found in newspaper comics pages this week. Staton and Curtis succeed Dick Locher, who for 32 years shepherded the strip that he inherited from originator Gould. Locher, 81, has retired from the strip.
Here are excerpts from an e-mail interview with Staton, 63, and Curtis, soon to be 58.
Q What’s the guiding philosophy behind the new adventures?
Staton: We see Tracy functioning in a threatening environment, and the exaggerated nature of his villains underlines the nature of that threat. They may look funny, but they can do some damage.
Curtis: As Chester Gould envisioned him, he takes a stand against the crooks and outlaws that menace society. It was a good idea then, and it’s still good now. It’s just that today’s criminals have all new rackets and gadgets that he has to face, making it pretty dangerous.
Q What becomes of the Crimestoppers Textbook, and what futuristic gadgets can we expect?
Staton: The Crimestoppers Textbook will be on hand. We’ll be focusing a good bit on computer crimes there, as well as in the storylines. We’re working on a serious rethinking of the Wrist Radio. Mike is using his law enforcement contacts to find out what real cops would like to have on their wrists. Diet Smith, the hi-tech industrialist whose engineers originally created Tracy’s devices, is going to be a larger presence in our stories.
Curtis: We are soliciting information for the Crimestoppers from our law enforcement contacts across the nation. … Plus Diet Smith has a new dangerous scientific wonder in our very first story, which answers the question, “Whatever happened to the Space Coupe?”
Q Which original characters will resurface?
Staton: We’ll have a mix of the classic characters and our new ones. One thing that struck me in looking back over the classic stories is how many of them revolved around the media of the times, with characters like Ted Tellum, the TV talent scout, and Spinner Record, a villainous radio DJ. … We have plans for Tracy’s 80th anniversary later this year, when we’ll remind people of lots of bad guys from the past, and answer some nagging questions about Tracy himself.
Curtis: By original characters, if you mean the supporting cast, quite a few will be returning … That includes some folk who haven’t been in the strip for over 20 years. By villains, we have a few slated to return, but we will concentrate more on new criminals for Tracy to battle. And even the returning ones will get upgrades.
Take a look at Tracy in color, spectacular with yellow raincoat and hat. And Sam with his green suit…
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/index.html?featureid=DickTracy
Well I am very happy. I first encountered Joe Staton’s work on Charlton’s “E-Man” in the 70s (which I think was his first published work), and I’ve liked him ever since.
I remember when Max Collins took over the strip the first thing he did was kill Moon Maid, to signal a back-to-the-basics approach. Which was great, but I must admit I am delighted to read that they are going to be talking about the Moon Coupe again now. I just read those adventures for the first time and while they are goofy, they are entertaining.
Take a look at Tracy in color, spectacular with yellow raincoat and hat. And Sam with his green suit…
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/index.html?featureid=DickTracy
—————————————————
Flight Suit, what’s that growing out of Chief Patton’s shoulders? Could that be the buds of tiny hands …
Okay, it’s really the silhouettes of two people in the background, giving the impression that the work area is crowded and busy. I’m trying to find somehing to whine about, honest I am, but it ain’t there.
Really nice work (as the overwhelming consensus has it); those sharp, clean lines are a pleasure to look at.
I was really hoping, though, that the emergency call would go something like “It’s bad news, Dick; Internal Affairs isn’t buying that ‘eaten by rats’ story. Not buying it at all. In fact they say your whole account makes less sense than the latest Fearless Fosdick episode in Li’l Abner. And I just can’t argue with that, can I?”
All do-badders had better take heed
The Major Crime Squad is back up to speed
If it’s a crime you are seeking to commit
They’ll be on your case, lickety-split
With Pat Patton back at the top
The action soon will be nonstop
A return to true police work
Their duty, they will not shirk
Science and deduction will make their mark
This Dick Tracy will be no lark
No rambling stories, no missing continuity
Only arcs that show ingenuity
So settle back and kick up your feet
I think we are in for a very pleasant treat.
Thank you BillT.
Woo Hoo! Its good to see these two ‘kids’ getting a chance on the venerable Detective. It’s the first really good news I’ve gotten on a classic strip since Annie and Brenda ended.
If memory serves, this is the same storyline from the Major Crime Squad when they were at the Tribute site. It was a good story, but did seem a bit brief. Even if it is, it’s a good start, and I’m pretty sure they can flesh it out into a full-scale story line.
I checked out the colorized version. It washed out all the details of the art. Save the colors for Sunday. Daily strips should be in glorious black and white.
WaitingMan - colors look vibrant on my screen coming out of Comics Kingdom. Why they don’t put them on GoComics during the week is strange, but they should.
Vista Bill - can you remember a series of short subjects that appeared on TV in the late 1950’s with chimps dressed up as Sherlock Holmes.
These were live, not cartoon.
Duluth, MN TV used to run 3 Stooges, Little Rascals,popeye, little lulu, Laurel & Hardy, Warner Bros. cartoons after school. But they also included these dectective stories using the chimps.
Does it ring a bell to you or anyother of the posters.
Dick Tracy may have returned to the NY Daily News online comics, but it’s not returned to the print edition.
(That print edition was recently cut from 3 to 2 pages, with what I thought were pretty good choices to ouster, but I’d swap back Sherman’s Lagoon for Hagar the Horrible any day.)
NVash called it (like Tracy’s) a “Power Approacch”. It is and it’s also at BREATHTAKING PACE.
Just 5 panels and look where we are. Tracy’s mentally dispatched thoiughts of his old case, a word with Tess, the Wrist Geenee flashes into action, Gould’s little arrow in play, then Tracy arriving at HQ in the “traditional” hat and coat only to find the clock has been happily reset with Patton ‘reinstated’ as Chief of Police. -* and things back the way readers wanted them to be !
Contrast that with Braces ‘TALKING’ for 8 weeks about getting revenge before kick starting the action.
http://www.gocomics.com/dicktracy/2008/10/05/
Dicky never put his foot on the accelerator, he was always hitting the brakes !
Have only read Dick Tracy the last year as the paper my folks got and the ones that I got as I moved from different areas of our country never carried that strip. Now I can enjoy the real Dick Tracy of old as I celebrate my 81st birthday next month.
@Bill Thompson Thanks for the pointers on the Wrist GeeNee.
I actually got up this morning and check this before going to work.
Why?, Cause Dick Tracy back and Pat Patton too!!!!!
In Heaven Mr. Gould is smilin. :)
Harlan, Moon Maid was killed off when Gould retired. Junior remarried Sparkle Plenty, but I don’t know where the little girl is. I do know that her antennae became little pigtails of hair so she wasn’t so obviously half human.
I thought it was Liz being Chief. But the artwork reminds me of classic Gould. Yes I remember some of ape shows, also. And Stanton’s E-Man. An earlier version of Firestorm.
For the first time in my lifetime, I’ve actually told my friends about the current Dick Tracy comic strip. I’m really pleased with the new artwork and dialogue - and progress! In two strips we’ve had two conversations, three locations and a surprise twist!
LordDogmore over 13 years ago
So far, I’m liking this new look.
thejensens over 13 years ago
Now talk about “High Speed Excitment”
In two days, we have had an important phone call, Tracy made it to headquarters and we found out what was happening.
It would have taken Locher 3 weeks to do this.
These first two installments have been so great, I feel like having a cigarette after reading them. (I haven’t smoked for 30 years)
Bill Thompson over 13 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uUCIGmU5lM
thejensens over 13 years ago
This was from the Chicago Tribune
———————————————————————-
New creative team lays out vision for Dick Tracy comic strip
Expect some classic villains, 21st century crimes
March 13, 2011|By Geoff Brown, Tribune reporter
“It is family legend,” says artist Joe Staton, “that I was trying to copy Chester Gould’s Tracy from the Sunday papers before I was actually able to read.” During writer Mike Curtis’ early childhood commutes with his parents, “The best way to keep me quiet was to buy me a comic book. At the time, Harvey Comics was reprinting Dick Tracy, and one issue would keep me occupied for hours.”
Makes sense that the duo would find their way back to the cartoon detective, separated by a combined 60 years in comics, which included work on “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” “The Green Lantern,” “Richie Rich” and “Scooby Doo.”
Their inaugural effort as the new creative team of “Dick Tracy” can be found in newspaper comics pages this week. Staton and Curtis succeed Dick Locher, who for 32 years shepherded the strip that he inherited from originator Gould. Locher, 81, has retired from the strip.
Here are excerpts from an e-mail interview with Staton, 63, and Curtis, soon to be 58.
Q What’s the guiding philosophy behind the new adventures?
Staton: We see Tracy functioning in a threatening environment, and the exaggerated nature of his villains underlines the nature of that threat. They may look funny, but they can do some damage.
Curtis: As Chester Gould envisioned him, he takes a stand against the crooks and outlaws that menace society. It was a good idea then, and it’s still good now. It’s just that today’s criminals have all new rackets and gadgets that he has to face, making it pretty dangerous.
Q What becomes of the Crimestoppers Textbook, and what futuristic gadgets can we expect?
Staton: The Crimestoppers Textbook will be on hand. We’ll be focusing a good bit on computer crimes there, as well as in the storylines. We’re working on a serious rethinking of the Wrist Radio. Mike is using his law enforcement contacts to find out what real cops would like to have on their wrists. Diet Smith, the hi-tech industrialist whose engineers originally created Tracy’s devices, is going to be a larger presence in our stories.
Curtis: We are soliciting information for the Crimestoppers from our law enforcement contacts across the nation. … Plus Diet Smith has a new dangerous scientific wonder in our very first story, which answers the question, “Whatever happened to the Space Coupe?”
Q Which original characters will resurface?
Staton: We’ll have a mix of the classic characters and our new ones. One thing that struck me in looking back over the classic stories is how many of them revolved around the media of the times, with characters like Ted Tellum, the TV talent scout, and Spinner Record, a villainous radio DJ. … We have plans for Tracy’s 80th anniversary later this year, when we’ll remind people of lots of bad guys from the past, and answer some nagging questions about Tracy himself.
Curtis: By original characters, if you mean the supporting cast, quite a few will be returning … That includes some folk who haven’t been in the strip for over 20 years. By villains, we have a few slated to return, but we will concentrate more on new criminals for Tracy to battle. And even the returning ones will get upgrades.
gfbrown@tribune.com
margueritem over 13 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s lookin’ good.
Steve Bartholomew over 13 years ago
Take a look at Tracy in color, spectacular with yellow raincoat and hat. And Sam with his green suit… http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/index.html?featureid=DickTracy
FLIGHT SUIT over 13 years ago
Come on Joe and Mike, couldn’t you have at least given us one continuity error? Maybe a misshapen hand? Throw us a bone, guys!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
Welcome back, margueritem! We missed you!
jumbobrain over 13 years ago
Well I am very happy. I first encountered Joe Staton’s work on Charlton’s “E-Man” in the 70s (which I think was his first published work), and I’ve liked him ever since.
I remember when Max Collins took over the strip the first thing he did was kill Moon Maid, to signal a back-to-the-basics approach. Which was great, but I must admit I am delighted to read that they are going to be talking about the Moon Coupe again now. I just read those adventures for the first time and while they are goofy, they are entertaining.
margueritem over 13 years ago
I love you guys!!!!!
margueritem over 13 years ago
Nice to be back, Bill!
FLIGHT SUIT over 13 years ago
barticle35 said, 14 minutes ago
Take a look at Tracy in color, spectacular with yellow raincoat and hat. And Sam with his green suit… http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/comics/index.html?featureid=DickTracy —————————————————
So why can’t it be in color on GoComics?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
Yea! Welcome back Pig on Wheels!
Bill Thompson over 13 years ago
Flight Suit, what’s that growing out of Chief Patton’s shoulders? Could that be the buds of tiny hands …
Okay, it’s really the silhouettes of two people in the background, giving the impression that the work area is crowded and busy. I’m trying to find somehing to whine about, honest I am, but it ain’t there.
coratelli over 13 years ago
Pat is back!!!
thejensens over 13 years ago
margueritem - How do you insert pic’s into your postings??
Vista Bill - Whose picture is next to your comments????
—————————————————————————-
Kllpzzyam - Just in case you missed my comment on Monday.Klypzyxm - Great to hear the old gang will be coming back.
Diet Smith, B.O and so on.
Are you guys into fishing???
Come up to International Falls, MN/Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada.
We can show you a good time.
We have a big Bass Tournament in July with over $100,000 in prizes
If Locher came, he can be the “Dock Boy” LOL!!!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
safeway674 said, “Vista Bill - Whose picture is next to your comments????”
My avatar? That’s Walter Brennan.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member over 13 years ago
And nary a granary to be seen.
BLISS!
@Flight Suit: Concur on the color dailies. C’mon, Tribune! :)
mgreenhorn over 13 years ago
I just noticed that all the men characters are squinting. But VERY nice artwork from the new team, and a late farewell and thanks to Dick Locher.
thejensens over 13 years ago
Thanks Vista Bill,
I thought that might be Grandpa Amos McCoy
My pic is of Fearless Fosdick
ironclad2001 over 13 years ago
What are many of the above people going to do with all the cheap shots they hit Dick Locher with? Lets get Charlie Brown.
FLIGHT SUIT over 13 years ago
So, ironclad2001, are you saying those “cheap shots” weren’t richly deserved?
mjmsprt40 over 13 years ago
Horn Hair lost her horn, Testicle Chin had his chin trimmed a bit, and the old chief is back from retirement.
Oh, and the Major Crime Squad is back in business. It was gone for a while if memory serves.
LudwigVonDrake over 13 years ago
Pat Patton is back!!! Now let’s have Junior looking like Junior and I’ll be as giddy as a schoolgirl!
TooMuchFreeTime over 13 years ago
Really nice work (as the overwhelming consensus has it); those sharp, clean lines are a pleasure to look at.
I was really hoping, though, that the emergency call would go something like “It’s bad news, Dick; Internal Affairs isn’t buying that ‘eaten by rats’ story. Not buying it at all. In fact they say your whole account makes less sense than the latest Fearless Fosdick episode in Li’l Abner. And I just can’t argue with that, can I?”
AwesomeComics1982 Premium Member over 13 years ago
The artwork is gorgeous!!
wndrwrthg over 13 years ago
All do-badders had better take heed The Major Crime Squad is back up to speed If it’s a crime you are seeking to commit They’ll be on your case, lickety-split With Pat Patton back at the top The action soon will be nonstop A return to true police work Their duty, they will not shirk Science and deduction will make their mark This Dick Tracy will be no lark No rambling stories, no missing continuity Only arcs that show ingenuity So settle back and kick up your feet I think we are in for a very pleasant treat. Thank you BillT.
johnduncanyoyo over 13 years ago
Woo Hoo! Its good to see these two ‘kids’ getting a chance on the venerable Detective. It’s the first really good news I’ve gotten on a classic strip since Annie and Brenda ended.
Froxkrybra over 13 years ago
I’m not in2 it yet, Lizz looks like Veronica from The Archies…
China60 over 13 years ago
“Ye Gods!” This looks like a real comic strip.
DatBigGuy Premium Member over 13 years ago
If memory serves, this is the same storyline from the Major Crime Squad when they were at the Tribute site. It was a good story, but did seem a bit brief. Even if it is, it’s a good start, and I’m pretty sure they can flesh it out into a full-scale story line.
Mattaden65 over 13 years ago
What happened to the AWACS plane?
WaitingMan over 13 years ago
I checked out the colorized version. It washed out all the details of the art. Save the colors for Sunday. Daily strips should be in glorious black and white.
Dr. Midnight over 13 years ago
Ha! Anything would seem brief compared to what we’ve just been through!
sydney over 13 years ago
The AWACS plane ?
I think they diverted it to Japan.
The great news for me is that the strip is back in the New York Daily News.
That’s where I read it as a kid
Araldite over 13 years ago
WaitingMan - colors look vibrant on my screen coming out of Comics Kingdom. Why they don’t put them on GoComics during the week is strange, but they should.
billdi Premium Member over 13 years ago
great stuff! why is locher’s name still there?
Midnite over 13 years ago
Talk about a ‘Power Approach’ to story telling! This is off to an excellent start!
Excellent one wndrwrthg!
Weiland over 13 years ago
its about time
countoftowergrove over 13 years ago
Liz looks quite happy about her demotion. Pat looks like he’s put on weight during his retirement.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
safeway674 said, “…My pic is of Fearless Fosdick”
My favorite detective! (Sorry, Joe and Mike… your day will come).
thejensens over 13 years ago
Vista Bill - can you remember a series of short subjects that appeared on TV in the late 1950’s with chimps dressed up as Sherlock Holmes.
These were live, not cartoon.
Duluth, MN TV used to run 3 Stooges, Little Rascals,popeye, little lulu, Laurel & Hardy, Warner Bros. cartoons after school. But they also included these dectective stories using the chimps.
Does it ring a bell to you or anyother of the posters.
carsc23 Premium Member over 13 years ago
Dick Tracy may have returned to the NY Daily News online comics, but it’s not returned to the print edition.
(That print edition was recently cut from 3 to 2 pages, with what I thought were pretty good choices to ouster, but I’d swap back Sherman’s Lagoon for Hagar the Horrible any day.)
riley05 over 13 years ago
I remember Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp (who worked for A.P.E., the Association to Prevent Evil).
But I don’t recall a chimp version of Sherlock Holmes.
sydney over 13 years ago
NVash called it (like Tracy’s) a “Power Approacch”. It is and it’s also at BREATHTAKING PACE.
Just 5 panels and look where we are. Tracy’s mentally dispatched thoiughts of his old case, a word with Tess, the Wrist Geenee flashes into action, Gould’s little arrow in play, then Tracy arriving at HQ in the “traditional” hat and coat only to find the clock has been happily reset with Patton ‘reinstated’ as Chief of Police. -* and things back the way readers wanted them to be !
Contrast that with Braces ‘TALKING’ for 8 weeks about getting revenge before kick starting the action.
http://www.gocomics.com/dicktracy/2008/10/05/
Dicky never put his foot on the accelerator, he was always hitting the brakes !
vancourt over 13 years ago
I think I’m going to cry…
Finally our old pal Dick is back from the precipice!
lazygrazer over 13 years ago
Ok ok, the strip is back to norm….so what are we comic cannibals ‘sposed to do with our unspent sarcasm??
Fusnr over 13 years ago
Have only read Dick Tracy the last year as the paper my folks got and the ones that I got as I moved from different areas of our country never carried that strip. Now I can enjoy the real Dick Tracy of old as I celebrate my 81st birthday next month.
dakota_jones over 13 years ago
The strip keeps getting better and better!
willamp over 13 years ago
@Bill Thompson Thanks for the pointers on the Wrist GeeNee. I actually got up this morning and check this before going to work. Why?, Cause Dick Tracy back and Pat Patton too!!!!! In Heaven Mr. Gould is smilin. :)
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
safeway674 said, “I thought that might be Grandpa Amos McCoy”
Sorta looks like Amos, doesn’t he?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
Fusnr said, “…I celebrate my 81st birthday next month.”
Happy birthday, Fusnr!
-HARLAN over 13 years ago
Whatever became of Junior and Moon Maid and whatever their little girl’s name was? Will they be returning?
Rene_Simard over 13 years ago
Do you see the size of Dick’s shoulders ? Seem out of proportion to me .
margueritem over 13 years ago
The coat has padded shoulders, Rene.
JanLC over 13 years ago
Harlan, Moon Maid was killed off when Gould retired. Junior remarried Sparkle Plenty, but I don’t know where the little girl is. I do know that her antennae became little pigtails of hair so she wasn’t so obviously half human.
trekkermint over 13 years ago
fabulous but yes, we need the color too
ReneTray over 13 years ago
I thought it was Liz being Chief. But the artwork reminds me of classic Gould. Yes I remember some of ape shows, also. And Stanton’s E-Man. An earlier version of Firestorm.
Lorelei5 over 13 years ago
For the first time in my lifetime, I’ve actually told my friends about the current Dick Tracy comic strip. I’m really pleased with the new artwork and dialogue - and progress! In two strips we’ve had two conversations, three locations and a surprise twist!
Keep it up, guys!
ridenslide65 over 13 years ago
Been gone for a while. This is quite refreshing…Looking forward to quality work and story lines.