Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for September 04, 2021

Good morning™, historians of the future!

I love the history of the future. With that, the new Ace is officially “crowned” — or at least given his ceremonial first cigar as leader.

I’m reminded of a throwaway bit in an episode of “Red Dwarf” where a newscast is playing in the background, announcing that a hitherto-unseen page from The Bible had been recovered.

It read …

Good morning™, mysterious cigar grabbing hands !

My initial impression of “Ace” was that of a man but now I’m not so sure, with this female looking hand. Years ago a girl classmate was in a newspaper article having to do with her working in a shop that sells cigars. I thought I remember seeing her “using” one.

I wonder if that is bully boy’s “good stuff” or just what he puts out for company.

Coughing just looking at all the smoke!

Of course, when they steal it, Diet will just make another to find out who did it.

Ace’s plan…..a smoke screen!!! LOL!!!

Send Diet’s tin can in the past to find out which colorist forgot to color the cat women’s lips red!

It’s (GASP) the Mayor!!!!!!!!

“History will no longer be a thing of the past.” Did Diet think that one up by himself or did his advertising department?

Crooks…a bunch of heavy smokers!

1-DOIT: I’m proud to announce that Smith Industries has followed up its invention of Sliced Bread with what may be an even more remarkable invention – The Time Drone!

2-NOT LAB GUY: I didn’t know they were the ones who invented Sliced Bread! I LOVE THAT STUFF!

BRAINS OF THE OUTFIT: ♫ ♪CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON! ♫ ♪

3-BRAINS: So you think we can make money off that Sliced Bread thing, eh?

RATFACE: Errrr, I was thinking more of the Time Drone…

BRAINS: I guess that could work too. Here. Have a Calmgar (patent pending). But, if while you’re stealing the Time Drone you happen to see the Sliced Bread formula lying around, go ahead an pick that up too…

Ok. So it takes an entire room of equipment and a special sphincter to operate the Time Drone. Is Ace going to sneak it out like the Cadillac in Johnny Cash’s song One Piece At A Time? Great song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18cW_yHo3PY

“That’s the beauty of it…I already did! Or did I!? TIIIIIME TRAVELLL! Maybe I have it at this very tomorrow! Maybe my future self will go get it it yesterda—”

“We’ll just send our usual goon force. Open the trapdoor.”

“--aaaaaay!—-”

Here’s my theory- Rikki Mortis escaped from jail and assumed the identity of this new Ace. Her plan is to steal the time drone so she can somehow prevent Abner Kadaver from being shot and killed.

(("Well, first of all, I’m going to set you all up for the fall for doubting me.))

For crying out loud – THE COLORIST FORGOT TO DO THE BOX OF CIGARS! No cellophane, no metal tubes. THE WOMAN HANDED ACE THE CIGAR! Is this everyone’s first look at a comic strip?

“The nation that controls magnetism will control the universe” has been replaced with “History will no longer be a thing of the past.”

I see several big plot holes in the story :

1.) Even if Ace is able to steal the drone… He would need all of the software and hardware that Diet Smith has to launch, operate, and retrieve the drone… And we have glimpsed what is involved…

2.) The drone would need to be “activated”, like the smartphones/cell phones that we buy which are useless otherwise… Hopefully, Diet thought of it…

3.) Will Diet Smith be held hostage so that the drone can be operated ?

4.) The drone is limited to recording what has happened and has no capabilities to change anything…

5.) And if it could change history… Several Star Trek episodes and The Man In The High Castle series show what happens if the past is changed… I’m thinking of the Star Trek episode where Kirk and Spock return to pre-WW2 America which was “neutral” and Kirk falls in love with Edith Keeler, who was a pacifist who was influential enough to keep America from entering the war… And Spock reminded Kirk of Keeler’s impending death and what would happen if she remained alive, hence “The Man in The High Castle” scenario as the Axis wins WW2…

Edith steps off a curb and Kirk tries to save her from getting hit by a truck and Spock stops him… Keeping the time line as it is…

The Twilight Zone has similar stories regarding time travel and they don’t end well…

I can see the drone being used to locate hidden or stolen cash, that weren’t discovered or otherwise eluded “treasure hunters” and criminals…

Wait until they see how “big” the Time Drone is. Ace of Spades will get a lot of side eye stares.

Golly and shazaam, they’ll say…thing sure looked a lot bigger on television.

Oh, the Apparatus is meeting in “executive session” to determine the first order of business on deploying the drone.

What is this, a never ending “How much can you smoke” contest?

Ace makes their day for the Apparatus and gets his cigar lit by the dame! He’s now officially a leader of the pack and Bad Guy Numero Uno.

Incredibly naive Diet Smith proudly announces his secret technology, the Time Drone, to the whole world! And he doesn’t expect big trouble?!

Swap with Diet for a box of cigars.

Ever see Edward G,Robinson in “LARCENY INC.”(1942)?

This bunch could make millions just by opening a cigar store.