Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for May 09, 2022

Good morning™, examiners!

“Twenty Questions” becomes one question, it seems. Most, though apparently not all, of the raided places were raided just after Bronko delivered to each of them, according to the delivery records that Koffyhead examined. I think he already knew that when the meeting of drivers took place before Bronko returned, because Koffhead mentioned at breakfast time that he wanted to examine those records.

Bronko mentioned (in a thought balloon yesterday) having seen a cop car when he arrived back at Koffy Imports, but he tells Koffyhead that no cops have been tailing him. That’s just an additional lie added to the idea that he has been hiding his activities from the police.

We can observe on the sack behind Bronko’s hand the labelling “FIBERFI[LL]” so I think that explains what all those pallets of sacks were that we saw earlier in the story. They weren’t sacks of drugs or even coffee. They were most likely ordinary stuffing for the furniture that is customized at this enterprise.

https://worldofdt.info/img/fiberfill.gif

“They bugged my underwear? Those fiends!”

It’s always something … ✨

Good morning™, those about to be Blammed !!!

If he doesn’t come up with a good line in the next panel the one after will be the end of his “Use by date”. He better hope ‘hot’ Coffy isn’t subject to spastic fits in his fingers.

Somehow I don’t think the MCU is going to be hearing from Stuntman Mike again.

Wasn’t Bronko one of Junior’s pals tortured by Coffyhead in his original story?

So if you felt someone was in contact with the cops and ratting you out, the intelligent thing to do would be to kill them and point a huge finger at yourself, and bring a huge police presence to your door? Coffeehead doesn’t appear to be that dumb….

Mike has taken this story in the right direction. Plus, we have more phenomenal drawings by Shelley Pleger. Cool doings by both!

Next question. Bam. Dispose of this mess, and, get me a new delivery driver, faster than I can drink my next coffee.

“They read the script. Me an’ da boys’ll have’ta have us a little woid with’ dat’ CURTIS guy! He KNOWS too much!”

What is the other way?

I wonder where Coffy found a skilled upholsterer who can keep his mouth shut? Or did Coffy learn a skill in prison and subverted it to EVIL upon his release? There’s some people that rehabilitation efforts are just wasted on I guess…

1-STUDMAN MIKE: OH! Well, if you put it that way, of course I’ll stash the stuffing at my place!

2-COFFEY HEAD: Good! I thought I’d have to get my 9 Executive Associates here to convince you. They’re small but they have a lot of influence. They’re stubborn to the point that some call them “bullet headed”. They gotta lot of “brass” for someone their size. They…

3-STUDMAN: I GET IT! I GET IT! YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THE BULLETS IN YOUR GUN!!!

COFFEY: Huh? I was talking about the Board of Directors. But yours works too. Now get loading!

He’s obviously a mole. No real mug would say “I’ve been…” It should be “I been”.

Those tools on the table in panel 3 are, I guess, used in the furniture upholstery. I was worried when I first saw them that Coffyhead might be thinking of using them on Bronko.

He figures it is the delivery guy but NEVER suspects it may be his Lieutenant? HOW did this guy become a crime boss?

I hope Mike likes seafood, cause he’s gonna be sleepin’ with the fishes.

I think you’re right, Coffyhead. The cops found out “the other way,” But sweating New Driver here, whatever his real name, Bronko or not, and whatever his mysterious motivation, may not be the songbird! Though puzzled about what Bronko has been making veiled allusion to as his goal or motive here, I nonetheless remain highly suspicious of Luigi (no matter how close he is to Coffyhead; in fact, there could be a hidden reason for turning on Coffyhead there!)….

“The other way”—those darned Tarot Card Readers strike again!!