Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for July 13, 2021

Good morning™, all!

So, he doesn’t plan to build another Space Coupe, even though it might be possible using the Moon Governor’s Coupe as a guide, but I wonder if this “something new” is a spacecraft and how many years we might have to wait to find out what it is.

I posted some information about Jupiter yesterday. I’m reposting a summary for those who may have missed it:

Cross-section of the planet:

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/cross-section-of-jupiter-showing-the-outer-atmosphere-to-the-core-picture-id641457280

The solid core temperature is estimated to be 19,700 °C (35,500 °F).

What would happen if a Jupiter landing were attempted? This was the fate of the probe sent to the planet during the 1995 Galileo mission: A 340-kilogram titanium atmospheric probe was released from the spacecraft in July 1995, entering Jupiter’s atmosphere on December 7. It parachuted through 150 km (93 mi) of the atmosphere at a speed of about 2,575 km/h (1600 mph) and collected data for 57.6 minutes before the signal was lost at a pressure of about 23 atmospheres and a temperature of 153 °C. It melted thereafter, and possibly vapourised.

Data from this mission revealed that hydrogen composes up to 90% of Jupiter’s atmosphere. The recorded temperature was more than 300 °C (570 °F) and the windspeed measured more than 644 km/h (>400 mph) before the probes vapourised.

Between the high winds, intense atmospheric pressure and severe temperature, the Space Coupe would have been crushed, torn apart and vapourised before it ever reached the core.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter#Galileo_mission

Ohhhhh!!! My heart doth explode from within with eager anticipation!

However-

Tracy seems to be saying; “Diet, stop the BS already!”

Good morning™, forward thinkers !

I am looking at the possibility of a different kind of spacecraft that he is working on. Maybe he is on the verge of solving the Wrist Wizard™ battery malfunction. Perhaps a Wizard that shows an image with substance one can feel.

Tracy evidently forgot Diet Smith erased and/or destroyed all lunar technology he had at his disposal….no chance of building any more Space Coupes.

He’ll send up a smoke signal.

“Something new in the works”? What’s your guess?

My guess: no scent cigars.

I’m getting some serious Howard Hughes vibes here!

Great images again today , I wonder about the second hand smoke that is floating around . And where has Sam been .

Considering how little useful information it imparted, was this five-day digression from an already too-meandering plot really necessary? Tracy’s tight-lipped silhouette suggests that he feels it was wasted time, too!

So Smith wanted Tracy to bust a gut getting to his place so he can tell him he’ll be the first to know if he does something.

He’s come up with artificial lungs. By necessity.

Some people here are suggesting Diet’s working on time travel. I can’t help but think that would be a handy way to bring back classic villains who have passed to the Great Beyond.

“…you’ll be ONE of the first to know.” Good to hedge your bets, Diet :)

If it’s not a Faster-Than-Light drive, I’m not interested.

Ah! Something new from Diet Smith Industries!

“But it’s not ready yet so leave. I called you here just to tease you.”

How does this relate to the on going story?

1-DT: You know, Doit…I’ve been looking at the back of your head during this entire conversation. Why is that?

2-DOIT JUST: Two reasons, Tracy: 1, it’s my best side and 2, you’re not worthy of gazing upon my beautiful visage. Well, there’s a third reason…

3-…You wouldn’t be able to see me through this Calmgar (patent pending) smoke anyway not to mention I can’t see through it either so I don’t even know where you are at the moment.

DT: Really? I guess that explains your choice of outfits…

Ohh, come on! I mean, a billionaire planning to go into space? Of all the — oh, wait.

IOW, “We’re done here. Back to the plot.”

Something completely new! A space sedan!

“When everything’s ready, you’ll be one of the first to know”. Oh, what an honor, Tracy can mark this date on his calendar. Research and Development department still has some kinks they need to iron out.

Back to Mysta and Vera…they must be “settled in” by now at the estate of Archival.

Or could go back to the movie with Honeymoon and Astor…oh that film has ended by now. Those two might be discussing what they watched at a pizza parlor.

Still Honeymoon does girl talk with Crystal about her date.

Lot of dark in the guys’ faces today……whatever D.S. has got up his sleeve this time must be a HUM-DINGER!…….

How about this for “Something New”:>>>A New (not retread) villain, appearing in a straightforward story that doesn’t include teenagers making out in a theater, a crime, a chase, a couple of escapes, a hero in danger, and an ending that just doesn’t automatically happen on Sunday. C’mon Diet, you can do it, don’t make Neil wait.

What happened to the story with Mysta and the pencil necked geek? I wish the writer would finish what he starts.

Are we heading for a “Tenet” scenario here?

Hey, isn’t this what Dick was summoned out here to Diet Industries for in the first place?! What a tease old Diet is!

Maybe if it IS a time machine, we can get GOULD/FLETCHER/COLLINS back on the strip and have not only FANTASTIC ART but FANTASTIC STORIES as well!