Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for December 25, 2023

One of my favorite Tracy Christmas strips was published in 1941. I first saw it when I received The Celebrated Cases of Dick Tracy: 1931-1951 (1970) for Christmas. “On the Christmas [eve] shortly after he was arrested, Tracy gave the Mole a gift package of fruit, cigarettes and candy. This kindness astonished Mole who hadn’t received a gift in thirty years” (DT wiki). We pivot from Mole in his cell, grateful for Tracy’s kindness, to Tess, Tracy, and Junior doing their holiday shopping as the snow falls and “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” plays. I suspect they are on State Street (that great street), as the large display windows echo the Marshall Field’s (1881-2005) retail store, famous for its artfully crafted holiday themes.

Gould was also fond of stark contrasts. The 1942 Christmas strip consists of two-panels: Pruneface crawling in the snow, certain his leg is broken, and Mrs. Trueheart surrounded by Tess, Tracy, Pat, Chief Brandon, Junior, and the doctor assuring her there is no concussion (she had been attacked by Pruneface). A solitary criminal in trouble and in pain. A warm scene of family and friends gathered in support and holiday cheer. In a banner at the bottom, Gould assures readers that, “Everything’s going to be all right.” A comforting message during WWII.

The following year we have another two-panel contrast. A Merry Christmas greeting with Junior, Tracy, Tess, Pat and Chief, “To all of our friends at home and all of our boys overseas.” This is followed by Flattop accepting the five grand for a hit on Tracy. “Who is he?” readers are asked in a box that excludes Flattop from the warm wishes.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Tracy fans. Cheers!

Now how does this move the Xaviera story forward?! :)

Merry Christmas morning™, everyone!

The Mad Colorist pulled out all the stops today. Colorization of the weekday black and white strips usually just consists off just filling the blank white space between the lines but the text today has been turned white. The Christmas tree also consists of coloring outside the lines.

Merry Christmas™, Glad Tidings to all !

It is actually nice to get a day off the strip where we, I at least, wont have to keep looking in as often as I usually do. My mind will be off “Dick” today. ;-p

Fantastic illustrations from Shelley today. She’s matched by none!

Merry Christmas iggy!

Merry Christmas and to all a good night !!!

To all, a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may 24 be the best year ever. To the names of our missing fans here. You are missed but never forgotten. May your family and you find peace with the kindness of the season.

Kantuck Atsilawesa Nadie

The very best to you and your families , and thanks for the great stories and the super great images : )

Merry Christmas everyone, including Mike,Shelley, Shane, and Walt !

Merry Christmas all.

…Gee! Looks like D.T. got a new hat for Christmas!! Yay!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Merry Christmas to all.

I miss Mumbles, The Brow and even 3-D Magee

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Merry Christmas to you too, Team Tracy! Best wishes to all of you this season!

Close family has been in this morning and I have the ham in for the extended family meal and wanted to take the opportunity to come here and wish all my fellow Tracy fans a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for a year of great Tracy adventures!

Merry Christmas to everyone in the Tracy community, from the creative team to all the commentators, who were so supportive of me during a difficult time of loss. I hope 2024 is a great year for everyone, & also be the year of the Old Man In The Garage.

Merry Christmas, and to all a good story end.

٭⊹¤.•⨳•.☆✬ Merry Christmas to all and your loved ones, including pets! ✬☆.•⨳•.¤⊹٭

Happy Christmas everyone!

Deck us all with Boston Charlie,

Walla Walla, Wash., an’ Kalamazoo!

Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley,

Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!

Merry Christmas to all!

No wonder I favor Dick Tracy for the family as much as his staff!

Xaviera and her death also affected people with Christmas cards! Her reach is endless!

Special shout~out to disc jockette CHRISTMAS EARLY (1946~47) which few of “yule” remember~~>

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Dick Tracy family.

Don’t forget a special Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Eric Costello, who may have not, to some readers, lived up to some kind of " slam bam thank you" comic strip, and in my opinion and hopefully others, that his stint here actually duplicated the style, length, and character of the real Gould stories, not like some would like, and as I said before, certain persons, would like a 3 cell strip, a crime, a hint, and a solution all in one day. Great job Eric hope you stay on … All the very best Great job!

Merry Christmas! God bless us, everyone….

Mr.Marley and I are prepared to make good out of our own private resources the sum of money “appropriated” by Mr.Jorkin.

But in return,we wish to be allowed to option of buying up ffurther share sin the company untilwe have reached 51% of the total amount"

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. And Have a Happy New Year