Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for January 30, 2009

The story is moving along, and everything is is in proportion tonight. Tracy looks good in the middle panel. Why can’t it be like this every day?

Lean on him Dick. Make him talk. Oh, and will you at least call the building inspector?

Nubby is looking like Reagan again in the first panel. Tracy looks like he has the hook nose back in the second panel. I don’t think we’re seen the last of the house drawing in the third panel. What is holding that overhang up?

Some days ago I suggested that story “progress” was so slow that I believed if the Author adjusted his style he could accomplish pleasing forward movement for his readers in ONE panel … where he now used THREE. That might sound like a “stretch”, but it isn’t. Look at today’s offering as a “mini” example: The first panel is NOT needed, it is an unnecessary REPETITION from yesterday. Panels 2 amd 3 could easily be MERGED into ONE. The size of text easily allows it. Presto! ONLY one panel needed today! TWO empty ones now stand available to advance the story-line. Having waved the Q.E.D. flag, lets all not start “mouth breating” in excitement. Leave that function for the powers that be to absorb and implement. I know you are still out there MATTIE, taking a secluded “Noll- eyed” PEEK at what is said on the board. You know the above suggestion makes sense, pass it on to the Editors at TMS. You say they are the ONLY ones allowed to “crack” Mrs. Pruneface’s WHIP in Dick Tracy. I’m sure in due course they’ll quickly pass the necessary instructions onto art assistant “Emil”. Remember you said, nothing can be DONE without THEIR approval, in “micro-manage” land! Then, there was a Mrs. P line back then, one you will like. Vaugely familar, it captures the “essence” of something you said.

Mrs.P. (Quote): - “You DUMB DAMES aren’t entitled to know anything”.

So much for the debate on the “communication” factor with readers.

The house returns!!

Tracy looks good in Panel 2.

At least some progress today.

Dr. Stumps is Reagans brother…

I think even Sydney is being too kind about the progress today… Panels 1 and 2 are virtually identical in content as yesterday’s 1 and 2. The only new piece of plot is Noll’s response in panel 3. Dollars to donuts, tomorrow’s panel 1 will be Noll’s response again.

The art looks nice today, though.

Noll and Tracy both realized they had a rare opportunity to really show some acting ability. For whatever reason Locher had begun to advance the story at what seemed warp speed. At least compared to what they had endured the past few weeks. Was it all the comments at Gocomics? Perhaps it was the hostile takeover that sly fox Liam was attempting. They didn’t care! Noll, facing Tracy spoke in a firm, clear voice which was something he hadn’t been able to do in a while. “Making perfume formula is just one of my contracts”. Noll dryly spat out while exaggerating the stupid squint he was forced to make. Tracy braced himself for this rare moment in the spotlight. “Time to dazzle everyone by showing them how witty, aggressive, and probing I can be” Tracy said to pumped himself up. “What are the others, Dr. Noll”? Tracy asked while folding his arms and leaning to one side. “OH SNAP” Noll laughed to himself. “Tracy really blew his chance”. Replying in his most sarcastic voice, Noll responded with a dry; It’s none of your business, Tracy”. Noll was disappointed nobody got to see his expression since the action went back to the outside of the house yet again. “Oh well, can’t have everything” he told Tracy as they sat down for some pound cake and coffee. Noll was glad he finally got to open his left eye for a little while.

BB

Well, since I haven’t been available much over the past two days, I’m going to throw in my $0.02 now like everyone else who has a right to express their opinions here.

I agree with BMB on Matt’s being free to post here. I wish he wouldn’t have left. He hadn’t been following the comments here for a year or more until recently. I’m glad he joined in, if for nothing else he brought us all back to Earth somewhat in our commentary by provoking Liam’s involvement. You got to realize that Matt is passionate just like the rest of us. I, for one, admire his passion, as I do many others here.

I’ve personally been the beneficiary of his passion through the many POSITIVE projects he invests himself in. I struggle with the personal attacks from EVERYONE here and find myself biting my tongue very often. Someone mentioned SparkyDog from the Comicspage board and his reasons for leaving – Matt’s reasons are similar, I’m sure.

We’ve invested ourselves so deep into the history and tradition of the strip that at times it is hard to take other people’s criticisms here and not respond. I’ve chosen, as is my style, to fight through it with as much tact as I can possibly muster, at times, but I know that we all share a common goal, regardless of how we each express ourselves.

Now that we are on a more civil plane here, I want to do what I can, as a reader of the strip and admirer of the tradition behind it, to share my opinions and learn more about you good folks and where your opinions come from. It may sound cheesy and overly idealistic, but like you all, I want this strip to thrive well into the future. Matt also wants this, but past experience is hard to ignore at times.

In short, if I didn’t have the friendship I have with DL or with Matt, I might express my views very similarly with the rest of everyone here. There is always MORE to the story than what you see or hear.

Yes Tracy. Let your hands ooze into the jacket. Become one with the coat, Tracy.

As for the leaves still clinging to the branches of those trees:

DL was producing this strip in December, and until we get the bitter cold temp’s here in Chicago, many tree’s still have their leaves on them. I know it sounds strange – it IS strange to walk out the front door and see snow on the ground and leaves on SOME (not all) trees. I would have expected the explosion to blow some more off them, quite honestly.

As for today’s strip – I hope Tracy takes off the kid gloves with this weirdo and connects the dots for us.

I also agree that Tracy has got some guts walking into that heap of a house. It looks like it is about to collapse at any minute.

Sydney, I now see what you were referring to and it looks like some explanation came from Panel 3 today, but where is the weird Dr.’s car?

Jeff Kersten says:

As for the leaves still clinging to the branches of those trees:

DL was producing this strip in December, and until we get the bitter cold temp’s here in Chicago, many tree’s still have their leaves on them. I know it sounds strange – it IS strange to walk out the front door and see snow on the ground and leaves on SOME (not all) trees. I would have expected the explosion to blow some more off them, quite honestly.

~Good morning, Jeff. Coming from the Chicago area, I can state that the oak trees keep their leaves all winter until the new leaves come out in the spring. However, since a lot of the readers are not from the Chicago area, it might have been better to draw naked branches.

RichardT – you look like a man who enjoys a good song from your avatar – do you sing karaoke? Reason I ask is that my wife and I actually met at karaoke. A good friend of mine is a KJ/DJ and I’ve sung for years.

BB: I like your portrayal of Tracy and Noll as actors on the comic stage, who can relax when they’re off scene.

Agreed, Marguiritem – and a GOOD MORNING to you!

I imagine just TALKING about winter in Chicago must give you a chill! I’m jealous of those of you who live in warmer climates! Someone on the radio yesterday remarked how strange they felt it was that so many in Chicago are endlessly talking about the weather (mostly complaining, he felt), yet these same people never leave! After living around here all my life, I’ve gotten used to it, but when I travel I get to see how the other half live. It stinks ‘cause I always have to come home, eventually.

Right behind Dick Locher’s backyard is a Forest Preserve. He has his drawing board in front of a large bay window facing towards the Preserve. There’s a marsh and thousands of tree’s he looks upon each and every day while he produces the strip.

Hi all! I hope you don’t mind a post from a newbie.

I had been away from the comics for a while, until I finally rediscovered them last summer. I came along at about the last week or so of the “Hounds of the Baskerville” story.

An observation…

Even though most comments here are deservedly critical, it seems that we’re still doing DL and TMS a huge favour. It’s just that, as bad as this strip has become, would anyone still read it if it weren’t for being able to make the humorous comments? And, if nobody were to read it, what would happen to ad revenue?

As for today…

I have to agree with Sydney. These three frames could have been made into one, so that the other two could have been used for further plot advancement. Look at either “Sally Forth” or “Dilbert”, and you’ll see good use of the three available frames to advance a story line.

Hi Donnie, welcome aboard! All comments are welcome. If you had posted two days ago you might have gotten a very different welcome! :-) Everyone here is real nice except watch out for someone called Liam. He’s a real trouble maker!!!!!!! Alway’s trying to start fights. LOL

Peace.

BB

Good afternoon, all! Notice how pleasant things are? It’s not by accident, BTW. Thanks for the insight, Jeff. Have a good trip!

Morrow

I see no problem with trees having their foliage in winter, of course living in northern Ca. skews my perspective. We are having unusually warm weather here, and I would gladly trade it for rain or heavy snow in the Sierras. By the time the feds show, Tracy should have this wrapped up.

Hey Morrow, I always figured you as a Jar Jar Binks fan!

LOL!!!

Gweedo Murray: Hi! How’s things going today?

Jeff Kersten says: I imagine just TALKING about winter in Chicago must give you a chill!

It’s 60 degrees here and sunny, with light northerly winds. We walked the dogs this morning and talked about how we’d be running around without coats if it was like this back in Chicago. I lived in the Chicago area for 55 years, and I will always love Chicago and Northern IL, but I don’t miss the weather one bit. I remember 60 below windchill factors.

Hey BB! OF ALL the Star Wars characters, Jar Jar Binks is the last one I’d have a drink with!

I made a large batch of double-chocolate-chip cookies today. Help yourselves – everyone here deserves at least one.

Even Dr. Noll!

^ YUMMY!

Maxine, how would Nubby Noll pick up the cookies with his stunted fingers? :)

Good evening, all. Today’s strip:

Panel one-Ronald Reagan is being rather deliberately vague with Tracy. Little back round art.

Whether or not Noll is supposed to look like Ronnie, no problem. Mr. Bribery resembled FDR, and Mrs. Volts looked like Eleanor.

Panel 2-over Doc’s head we see Tracy in a great stubborn pose, letting Doc know he wants info. Some back round art.

Panel 3-Sigh. Forward into the past. The same outdoor shot of Doc’s house. The screen door is back on the ground. Doesn’t the house have other sides to it? If this were Chet at the helm, Doc could expect a “constitutional right” from Tracy for his answer.

Anyone know if DL has or would accept a back round artist if TMS offered to provide one? Or give him one if he asked?

Does anyone know how to get gocomics or uclick to add words to their spell checker? Including “gocomics” and “uclick”. Or “Angelorious”?

As for rebooting, or relaunching the strip, well, Max Alan Collins kind of did that when he took over from Mr. Gould by ending the Moon People saga. I dunno, who could, or would take on such a task.

Joe

The nation that controls magnetism will control the universe.

Just putting that out there.

Hi Judy! Staying out of trouble??

Tracy is very respectful of Noll, by calling him Dr. Noll. They’ve not been formally introduced, but Noll disses Tracy by not calling him either Mister or Detective.