Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for June 23, 2023

well, that was no surprise about Anders’ complicity…

Good morning™, everyone!

Well, at least we know Anders is guilty of something. Tracy doesn’t know yet.

It looks like Argos makes equipment that you can call on in the Swiss Alps if the poster behind the receptionist’s head is to be believed.

Sisyphos has faith about 1 hour ago

“I am optimistic that Witchita1.0 will plug those leaks over the next several days….”

Our little Dutch boy that could.

Good morning™, scared scammers !

Does he bug out after making the call, to whomever it may be ?  Is there a significance to the Tracy squint ?

Strange black shadow? on the pen holder cup.

Mr. Anders could be the inside man as to why the product never reached its destination. He is calling someone to warn them the police are coming.

Is this guy tied into the fellow at the call center who is doing “call and response”? The guy has church flashbacks. In a future panel, he’ll be seen getting the Holy Ghost.

Argos does hire good looking receptionists……..

Based on that one poster in panel 1 that Neil cited maybe Tracy will bust Anders & Audie for violating a Ricola Statute.

What ? No cell phone ?

Two valuable panels spent showing Anders going to the phone and then reaching for the phone. Pure time filler. Could have been done in one.

Anders has to call “the boss”!

“Ricola!”

well, that’s not suspicious at all…

the question is, is tracy waiting outside the door or do they already have a tap in place.

If this Anders guy is in on the theft of the missing shipment, why did he bother to report it? Did he need a police report to get the insurance money?

I KNEW it! That crooked little twerp! He’s up to no good. NO GOOD, I tell you! And he’s not even wearing one of Sam’s bowties.

…and now, let’s have some FUN!! Throw in yer suggestions for theme/mood background music for “the frantic phone call”!

Weird perspective in the first panel. The very pointy-faced receptionist is sitting right up against her desk/counter furniture thingy, with her monitor visually behind her. I’m pretty sure it isn’t physically possible.

The art is exquisite today .

What is this arc all about? It’s been so all over the place I’ve lost track.

Great art in panel 2. Our boy looks to be scared ishless

I have a hunch Tracy isn’t fooled. He may not know, but I think he suspects something is fishy about this outfit.

MOVIE QUOTE—-

“Hell,I below up the whole mountain for five hundred dollars!”

Nehemiah Persoff—-THE BADLANDERS—1958

QUOTING FROM OLD WARNER BROTHERS CARTOON

“I’m Sprocket/Leopold,remember? Some part I have in this story!

Phooey!"

TO DMITRIO:

Nice rewriting of my Hypo in Wiki/Fandom.I heartily approve/

Photographer Eddie Johnson doesn’t have his own entry.You shouldknow he popped up one more time in early 1955,at the tail end of the RUGHEAD case.He was taking photos of the lifelikeplaster bust that would be used to identify Rughead to the public.

He was apparently an official Police Photographer at the time

1-DT: Thanks for fixing the prowler and for the corned beef with mayo on white. Send the bill to the City if you feel like wasting a stamp. SAM: URP! I don’t care if my dead relatives are rolling over in their graves – that was a good sandwich!

RECEPTIONIST: My tiny breastages and unnaturally short legs makes it possible for me to sit real close to the monitor which, along with a size 24 font, helps me avoid eyeglasses. Life IS good!

2-ARCHIE ANDERS: HOLD MY CALLS!

3-_BRRRRRRRINNNGGG! ARCHIE: I’ve got … DAM IT! What did I just tell you. RECEPTIONIST: IT’S ILLEGAL FOR YOU TO TELL ME TO “HOLD YOUR BALLS!”

ARCHIE: THAT’S NOT WHAT I…OH NEVER MIND!!! HELLO!

Hey,Anders,your hand is shaking.And I noticed thatreceptionist,too.

Well, well, well! Anders isn’t innocent. Not a surprise; he was a little too antsy at the presence of Detective Tracy for no apparent reason. Now, it seems the reason is about to become apparent by way of his frantic phone call. Likely: he’s phoning a warning to the boiler room because he is in cahoots with Audie. Will this serendipitously for Tracy result in Sprocket’s apprehension?

Tension, apprehension, and dissention have begun!