Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for March 13, 2009

A touch of evil behind the scenes.

The house sets the odds on the machines. They payout as they want them too. Perhaps the Treasury Dept. and the Federal Gaming Commission should become involved.

Wndrwrthg, stop trying to involve law enforcement into the strip.

You’ll screw up the plot.

As far as I know, based on the slot machines in Reno, Las Vegas, and Stateline (South Lake Tahoe), B.O. should be holding a bar-coded paper receipt, not a pile of coins.

Slot machines don’t pay out in coins n’more.

Not much if any back round art in panels 1 & 2. Strange looking window in panel 3. Guy speaking in 3 looks as if he has a balloon head not actually connected to his body. Still, compared to what we’ve seen last time this story is moving along like blazes.

Hey! B.O. finally got Dick’s name right!

Are those icicles in the second panel?

Maybe CIA agent Cosgrove will get involved?

I was thinking (I know…) when was the last time Tracy’s pal, Jim Trailer was in the strip?

This is actually one of the finest 3 panels that I’ve seen in a long time. I especially like the classic villain reveal in the 3rd panel, but yeah, that window has to go!

“SPACEY”! Well that’s a new variation of the Tracy name by B.O. It’s a step beyond the usual “Bracy”, “Dacy”, “Lacy” etc. Interesting! … A little mental shake up there?

It’s a good sign that in panel 30 of the story we are now seeing the potential bad guy, if looking ahead (we anticipate the “coming” development) that the bad Casino guys try to outwit B.O. to get back his winnings.

It’s really a rather simplistic plot no likely ingenious twist to pop out bombshell style to “shock” us into next month, I’ve long since “tired” of expecting too much from a man unable to give the “focus” necessary to achive this. One that could have readers still talking about it when he retires. With his overloaded schedule (political cartoons, sculpture hobby etc etc), there IS a lack of single mindedness, time (and possibly motivation?) needed to provide more than just bread and butter style ‘hors-d’eoeuvres on the Menu. As noted, to avoid “dissapointment” I’ve long since learned not to expect a Cordon Bleu presentation, so I look for something more cursory, like off a Hamburger stand. It won’t be mouth watering but once in a while he comes in at a reasonable “taste” level.

Let’s hope too that the ENTIRE story doesn’t take place IN the Casino (a-la Figment Froid in ONE office). Let us see and inhale some visual variation … the way it once was!

The semi-profile (of our new “bad guy”?) looks promisingly original from this angle, so there is a ray of optimism there. Lets hope our Author doesn’t stray and stay “off track” by trying to “squeeze” the last drop of “juice” out of the presentation before fully revealing the villain, (frustrating us to the point of irritation) for say another two weeks before getting on with it and into the crime !

Lets see if this promising whiff from the Locher kitchen earns any plaudits (?)

Ludwig asks: “Are those icicles in the second panel?”

Possibly! But as the Author has been “standing” around so long, my guess … they may be Stalactites, formed from dripping ground water.

Casino guys don’t like it when you relieve them of their surplus funds. And they usually know how to hold a grudge. This could (I’m not holding my breath) get interesting.

My C$0.02 (US$0.0157) on panel 2; neither icicles nor stalactites be they, but distorted-perspective view of rows of lights on ceiling.

fishbulbPro says: Strange looking window in panel 3.

I think that it is a lovely top view of Dolly Parton ;-)

To post a counterpoint, Dypack, they might, though I’m not holding my breath on this, let B.O. keep winning because having a few winners tends to bring in more players, and more money, than what they’d lose to someone like B.O.

Then again, it’s looking like it’s a crooked casino (are there any others in this comic) and there will probably be (attempts at) reprisals.

Anthony 2816 says:

As far as I know, based on the slot machines in Reno, Las Vegas, and Stateline (South Lake Tahoe), B.O. should be holding a bar-coded paper receipt, not a pile of coins.

Slot machines don’t pay out in coins n’more.

~ You’re right, but a big pile of coins is so much more fun.

sydney; from yesterday-I sent in 3 “profiles” Empty, Deafy and Mousey and Vic said the 3rd one was correct. Workin’ on ‘em

@Hossblacksilver: You might be right, be where would the story be then. That would make sense in a real world casino, maybe one run by American Indians on some tribal lands somewhere. But this one is going to end up being run by caricature bad guys who use words like ‘dis’ and ‘dat’ and calls people ‘youse guys’.

Where’s Morrow been?

overtop says: “Sydney, from yesterday-I sent in three “profiles”, Empty, Deafy and Mousey, and Vic said the 3rd one was correct!

FABULOUS! “overtop”! I know some guys that will “envy” your result. Keep your effort “smoking”!

I agree 100% Ludwig!

WE WANT MORROW BACK!

WE WANT MORROW BACK N-O-W !!!

Time to return from your Holiday.

Morrow, for goodness sake, Don’t give Locher a longer break!!