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

Good morning™, everyone!

Behind the fake cooler door and up the stairs is definitely a surprise for Briar Rose, but we readers were expecting that. Sam doesn’t have time to wait for backup!

Nice timing, Sam. ✨

Look at what Shelley did in that 4th panel. That is one of the best, creepiest looks of fright I’ve ever seen! Half-covered in darkness, we can see both wide-open eyes and her mouth wide open, trying to inhale the most oxygen it can for fight or flight. A masterpiece!

Shelley’s finest page so far. I’m really enjoying her artwork. The shadows, the facial expressions, the “camera angles”, all beautifully done. It hasn’t taken her long to put her own stamp on the strip. Bravo!

Good morning™, deadly encounters !

The silhouette does not look at all like Double up up. I hope it is not him. He is beginning to grow on me .. like rash.

Wow !  A 4 panel strip ! :-)  A fifth panel would show her heart in her mouth.

As much as I like the last panel, I have questions. How did Sam get to the fake door and open it without being seen by the counterman? How did he open the door? Wasn’t it locked?

It would’ve been more impactful in p4 if the MC left all of the side of her face that’s in shadow in black and white.

Bet the original B&W is a real screamer.

The best part is that this is a setup for an action-packed Sunday panel.

Off with the talking heads! How about some action!

Sunday will be the first one for the new team won’t it? And they do their own colours? So it should be exciting to see how much better it gets.

Doesn’t Sam need a warrant?

Sam… RUN!!! SAVE HER!

Well done today!

Sam being here appears more and more like a coincidence.

Definitely a Noir feel to this one. Now will Detective Catchem get there in time to prevent a terrible catastrophe?

Does that answer your question Sam?

Um, forgive me for asking… But if they wanted to kill her, wouldn’t it have been much easier to just slip something in her food and/or drink while she was staying at headquarters? Why do even this flimsy Deli setup and take any risk of her being seen (as indeed turned out to be the case) at all? It is like the police are so clueless they need the crooks to help them.

WAIT? Did you even call it in? Is backup on the way?

She didn’t do the shadow over Sam’s eyes badly, either!! So….so….noir! Whoo-wheeee!!

1-SAM: OK. Tracy said to bring her in for a discussion. I’d better be ready to blast her in case she says “no”.

2-SUKIE: Hmmmm. Reminds me of that movie I was in – ‘50 Shades Of Behind The Gray Door’. Sequels are never as good as the original.

3-SAM: UGH…I ain’t climbing all these steps. She’ll come down eventually

4-SUKIE: A customer already? Wait…DAD???

Looks like Sam is going to be alone on this one

Shelley has brought a fresh look to the cartoon!

Soundtrack to accompany Panel Four:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW7Op86ox9g

Surprise Briar. (and, with the look of horror in her face, I think it’s not a good surprise. Sam Catchem, solo, to the rescue.

Being accustomed to the company of thugs in whatever “business” she’s been running, that must be some welcoming committee to elicit such a look of panic! A fantastic strip!

Looks like Briar was left a house(un)warming gift.

She’s screaming, Sam. Better hurry. No time for backup.

Is the end for the fake reporter?

Hello Double up.

Sam….when in doubt….wait for backup….I doubt with events unfolding as they are…you won’t have that luxury.

Hmm…what got used to take out Briar Rose? A silencer on a gun? A scarf to straggle her? A hideous mask worn by someone who frightened her to death? I always did like multiple choice tests. How about multiple choice possibilities?

Whoever did the deed how will this person get pass Sam? Especially if those stairs are the only way to enter and exit the apartment.

Odds are that the person who took Sam’s order went to a competitor for his lunch break. It’s possible! Some who work at Arby’s go to KFC. Some who work at Burger King go to Wendy’s.

Isn’t that illegal search and seizure?

Sam is probably thinking: this is definitely going to affect my Yelp rating of this establishment!

BUT, in a surprise turnaround, it’s a surprise birthday party!!!!!Smilles and silly hats for all. And cigars, of course.

Terrific art today. Panel 4 is an instant classic! Congratulations, Shelley!

As for the story—Will Sam get up the secret stairs in time to save the frightened Briar Rose? Or is she foredoomed? The shadow looming over her in panel 4 is big, and while we don’t see any of DoubleUp’s specific characteristics, it is either someone she knows, to frighten her so, or someone actively menacing, or both. Hard to forecast for sure, but I think it may be DoubleUp, with his whip poised to snap Briar’s pretty little neck.

Her “Ahh..!” seems to me more of a gasp than a scream, but it should still get Sam’s attention and rapid response. I think he will be in time to save her—better plot opportunity, IMO. But who knows until we see?…

I believe Briar Rose is ready to make a deal.

looks like he’s going to arrive just in time to save rose form the apparatus and in gratitude she’ll spill her guts.