Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for June 16, 2011

Good morning everyone…

Good morning, VB! I’m confused concerning today’s strip. It refers to events that I’m not familar with.

I happen to be up at this time of night and reading DT early for the first time. I am also confused. I’m sure we will get enlightment from Terry.

I’ll fourth the motion on that. George Alpha? The guy in panel #3 has an A on his belt buckle, so maybe he’s related to George Alpha. And if it has anything to do with the Doubleup arc, he may have found some Scarlet Sting comics.

Good Evening All! Enlightenment huh. Sorry. Can’t help you there. This is sort of a filler piece that was used after all of the re-do’s required to get the Sundays figured out. It is mainly just a fun gag piece that Mike threw in. I am sure that WB fans will remember what is found in the box. As for the comics bag, remember, Mike is a huge Superman fan. Wikipedia had this to say: Mr. Crime (1952) Powerful organized crime figure, apparently the King’s successor as head of the city’s (and possibly the nation’s) mob. To all appearances a legitimate businessman named George Alpha, he is, in reality, the “boss of all crime in America.” After being killed in a shootout with Tracy and Catchem, he is replaced briefly by Odds Zonn. Just enjoy and don’t think about it to much.

OMG! Pokerfaced Parrot, you’re right! They got to my Mom, too! They probably control the vast majority of surviving original vintage comics! La famiglia! They wer hidden in that demolished building all along!

Interesting strip…a new subplot in the actual storyline…

i thought it was going to be the Hammer that saves Boog from being crushed by the car crusher in Gasoline Alley, but he is still screaming for help in todays strip.

Fusnr made me laugh!!!!

Terry, it is not a filler piece. It is something going on for later.

George Alpha was, just like Terry said, a huge crime boss in a major story arc in the 50’s. His “club house” was a front for his hidden lair, where he was known as Mr. Crime. After his demise, it was turned over to a legitimate use as a real boys’ club, with Junior being involved. A boys’ club perhaps had a collection of comic books?

I love the “we hate to interrupt…” bit. Very Gould-like! Keep it coming!

Hmmm, maybe that someone is Alpha’s son (Mr. Beta?)

Thank you @Mike Curtis! You guys rock this strip to the core!

…Someone has found it…And here comes Geraldo and all the king’s cameramen and sound men to open it!

Love the dialog boxes and caught the Mr Crime reference. Great work!!! Hoping for longer story arcs and the “chase”.

the pieces of puaale are unconnected, lying on the cardtable with no meaning.

maybe tomorrows piece of the puzzle will show a story

First, a big yea to the strip. Second, a big boo to GoComics, which is now delivering my e-mail strip in color (it used to be b&w). I loved comparing the two versions, guessing what the colors might be each day. Now I’ll have to keep my Tribune $ubscription active.

I bet there is a singing frog in there!

" WE HATE TO INTERRUPT THE ADVENTURES OF DICK TRACY, BUT . . . "

CLASSIC ! ! !

Look at Gasoline Alley. There also is a derrick in the story.

Thanks to all those who are commenting about today’s strip. It will probably tie in at some place (that’s what Mike said). With that in mind, this is just great to add another side bar to the story. Go team!!!

George Alpha? Mr. Crime? Now there’s a name we haven’t heard since 1952. Seems like this team is very well versed on Tracy lore, unlike the last bunch we had. The building serving as Crime’s headquarters contained a swimming pool with an elevator that descended to the offices below. Swimming pool was stocked with a single barracuda, to which Tonsils was fed after attempting to eliminate Tracy with a bullet to the back of the head. Tracy was in a speedboat at the time with Sparkle Plenty and Bonnie Braids and tumbled overboard leaving the girls in a runaway boat. He was rescued by Rifle Ruby. Newsuit Nan also played a roll in this and was strangled by Mr. Crime. Her body was discovered by the police when they raided his headquarters. Gould brought in a missing judge (famous in his day) whose skeletal remains were found in a vine in another country hideout. This was a very long adventure and one of Gould’s best. I’m also looking for longer story arcs and especially the chases. This was what Dick Tracy was all about and why I’m still a fan to this very day.

@Tarry Plaguer I immediately connected this with the Gasoline Alley strip I’d just finished reading: http://www.gocomics.com/comic/explore/37271/0

@Dale Christman: Thanks for the synopsis of the 1952 story. After reading your post, I looked in “Dick Tracy The Official Biography” by Jay Maeder and saw it included there, with other details that were interesting. The team has caused us get involved in a way that is exciting with the stories, the introduction of old characters and great art. I really appreciate how the team posts on this site.

Oops! my bad Sorry Mike.

Maybe it wasn’t Mike I needed to worry about. Shelley, I am sorry, really. Can I come back in now?

I agree with Dale Christman and brownceb that bringing up old memories from our favorite Dick Tracy stories from days of old is keeping this all very exciting and interesting. Cool stuff!

Terry, Hope she lets you back in before nightfall. Nights in a doghouse are very lonely.

Since it’s a bit of a breather today, I thought we might talk about one of my other great passions, the Looney Tunes. In particular, I thought some of you might enjoy this classic cartoon from 1946, whose nature will soon become apparent (and I promise, relevant!) to our discussion. Look for a few cameos, including a familiar silhouette in Daffy Duck’s office door, another familiar face among the suspects, and my personal feelings about the strip these days at the very beginning of this cartoon. For your pleasure and approval: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45qdTBDs2y4 The Great Piggy Bank Robbery from 1946 Aaron

I sense the impending discovery of a first edition comic. Something Doubleup might want. MIght want.

Wish I would of had time this morning, but I think John Cleese should of opened this subplot..“AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT”

I’m from the present! Follow me to June 17, 2012, and all will be clear! I must return to my own time now. Dzzzhhh… dzzzhhh…