Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for September 17, 2009

Louise Trapeze faked her act? Not many people could fake a trapeze act! That circus hired an untrained ringmaster and then an untrained trapeze artist! Wow! This is getting more suspenseful every day! zzzzzzz….

First of all, if Louise was faking her act, it would have been unnecessary to shoot her.

Secondly, I retract my former assertion that Agent Ennen is a gelfling: She is actually a Predator, and is using her wig to hide her fearsome face-mandibles.

What VistaBill just said. She found you because you’re not too well hidden, ya big dope!

Did I say that?

Well, the drawing is nice, even if the story is downright silly.

“Lousie Trapeze”? Truer typos were never lettered.

Good eyes, JackParsons!

I ask again, could anything be dumber than placing a man who needs to be invisible into one of the most highly visible positions that can be found? Then, wondering how the bad guys could find him there?

Good jobs for becoming invisible: factory worker in a large plant, bureaucrat in a big office where you have little if any contact with the public. Think “MIB” and dress and act accordingly. Maybe you don’t get the flashy memory messer-upper and the fancy guns, but the invisibility would be priceless.

It took the company five years to find Ringo, then another five to train a hit woman to be a trapeze artist. Finally, on the night she is supposed to kill Ringo, this happens. Oh well.

Hi, nighthawks, thanks for the nice welcome. I thought it would be nice to introduce myself before starting criticizing harshly whatever part of the strip I can find. However, the mouth-breathing part of the job is harder!

jumbobrain, I’ve been a follower of the strip (and the comments) for a while – Sorry to know about your dad and his struggle with Alzheimer’s… I noticed that painful personal detail was also ignored! I am familiar with the fun and games and trolls in this forum – oh, and I really liked the Crumb comic you posted here about Gould! Thanks!

Margueritem, thank you for your welcoming message. I usually enjoy your comments in my other favorite strips, like cul-de-sac and Brewster Rockit.

Regarding the strip (allegedly we should be talking about it and not about avatars and copyrights and such), I have very fond memories of the Dick Tracy stuff I grew up reading (like the Cryonic man continuity, Putty Puss, Little Boy, etc I still enjoy Locher’s artwork (even if it is not as strong as it used to be when I discovered the strip, in 1983 or so) – I agree with most of what has been said recently (I actually enjoy Sydney Phillips’ comments, with all the “accounting” of panels and hard numbers and complete references and deep historical knowledge about the strip – I find it fascinating).

I think the problem is that Dick Locher, as talented as he is, is essentially an artist, and probably the strip is having the same problem that Asterix has now in Europe: being written and drawn by an artist. Usually, artists think about stuff visually – to manage plot, character consistency, storytelling and imagery is a hard task – more so with no previous practice of the craft. The strip has declined a little since the Collins days, mostly story-wise, but there is always hope of improvement and there are always ways to solve this and jump-start the strip again to its former glory. Even I was tempted to write a story with that purpose, some time ago…

I thought all the circus performers were milling around? Where did they all go in the third panel?

I’m still waiting for the tiger to return.

The tiger and the elephant appear to be on break. Again, would it not be prudent to IMMEDIATELY remove Ringo from the scene, as he has been targeted? Thanks Margueritem for yesterday.

Lookin’ for a nice bunch of bananas to be my avatar, but they all claim to be picked. Oh, well!

As for the story, maybe Mr. Pops is Ringo’s secret bodyguard. I don’t remember Macy askin’ Clarabelle to see his popgun. Maybe hunting around the tent for a 30-30 ought to be in order.

Good catch on the name typo, JackParsons.

THAT is utterly inexcusable. I’d like to see how MPH defends it.

For those who like to nit pick at the art, note how the hair (panel 1) falls ABOVE Karen Ennen’s ear tomorrow it’s decidedly below. as it had been earlier.

As the story proceeds it will become apparent her role in the story is of diversionary value only. - to perk up visual interest on a last panel Saturday or on a Sunday page.

Mike McMillian points to the largest pill to swallow. How a gang in an import business,(by Ringo’s testimony) is closed down and suddenly, all the bad guys and gals rush off to form a Circus..Conveniently, collectively they all have the phiysical characteristics and skills to fit right in comfortably. The FBI who would have files on all don’t “recognize” them and HIDE Ringo right AMONG them, FROM them - for his own safety . I’m still laughing !

Locher must be secretly pleased that all this plot “.crap” sailed right through the Editors. That is, if HE even “realized” he had done it. Brozman, new man on the block must have been amazed that the work wasn’t returned to be done over. (?)

And welcome Roberto Macedo Alves, good to have another Dick Tracy fan posting. As a youngster (track & field), I had a leg therapist by a similar name - “Bein Alves” treating a torn knee cartelidge.

I’m sure that one of the TMS restrictions that Matthew keeps talking about is what required Locher to make that typo.

Hello, all. This is my return the DT strip after about a fifteen year absence. I would read it everyday in my local paper but after moving a state away, no dice. It’s good to be back into Tracy’s mind. Hope to see you guys everyday.

As for art…

I’m just not seeing that, either. Gould’s artwork consisted of detailed drawings of the characters interacting with the environment, acting out the story. Locher’s artwork mainly consists of panel-after-panel of talking heads, with an occasional cut-and-paste panel of a circus tent, a tiger, a casino, etc.

Avenger, your avatar looks great in red. I’m thinking about scanning your avatar, putting a dayglo orange shirt on it to change it substantially, and using it. You wouldn’t mind, would you?

As far as Mr. Matthew’s comment concerning “powers that be” getting cold feet about entering into a relation with him, what’s the question? Certainly, no intelligent person is surprised. It’s that rejection thang!

People are missing an important plot twist which explains everything: this is not a real circus. As described in the award-winning documentary film “Killer Clowns From Outer Space,” some “circus tents” are in fact alien space ships. Detective Spacey has had the misfortune to wander into one, and while his family members were able to escape before liftoff, he’s now stranded with a gaggle of man-eating aliens who are trying to keep him distracted with a poor simulation of police talk till the cauldron is up to a boil.

Tracy’s alien abduction also explains the glacial pace of the strip–as the “circus tent” space ship accelerates to near the speed of light, relativity dictates that time slows down… so while a few months have passed here on Earth, only a few hours have gone by aboard Ringo’s starship.

I think this is all due to be explained around October 4.

Very impressive how the “world’s greatest detective” can’t solve a crime that he was eyewitness to without the help of the FBI. And barely even then.

Another part of MATURITY my Woodstock friend is to realize that your making a “statement” on something does not ipso facto make it a FACT. Much as you may have liked it to have been that way !

The information on NY / Chicago as Tracy’s home city (Gould’s strip) is quite clear as set out in the Stooge Viller -sesecond story (1933), Whip Chute (1939) an Scorpio (1969) are completly unambigeous - and SAY - New York ! Only ONE story, Spots (1960) - names Chicago ! Many others (eg Larceny Lu, Boris Arson , George Ozone specifically exclude Chicago). Confirming my point that Gould changed base locations to suit the thrust of his stories. the debate was with another - you intruded on it.

It’s another indicator Mattie that you have scant information on the comic strip’s history. And In bellicose fashion you betray deep ignorance with strongly worded statments that when “checked”, make your lack of better knowledge on the subject apparent.

I’m sure you like the strip, as does everyone here. That’s WHY they are here. You came in late knowing then Locher’s work AS - Dick Tracy and you are unable to view his work dispassionately - you’re heavily BIASED, and it sticks out lika sore thumb. Your “over agressive”, know-it.-all” attitude turns people off. People here are not taking cheap shots. It’s that they like the strip enough to be “pained” when the quality of writing hits “rock bottom”.

Your peformance “style” here is not a plus ! It’s a communications minus, and you’d help your case a lot to adjust it. You don;t have to state it, but accept that Locher should not be writing the strip.

It’s easy to see Locher is still involved in the art, at least some penciling, his trademark - the “little hands” are still there.

Your closing line suggests you may have picked up a spot to assist Brozman on the art side when Locher steps early (?) and Brozman takes over the writing If so, best of luck. If that materialises Locher probably fixed that for you with Brozman. No wonder you’re falling off the edge for him, like that suicide pilot

Paying work is always a top piority in life. Go for it !

Matthew Hansel:

I am not sure I understood, you were asked to submit a pitch for a reboot of the strip? or a new Dick Tracy version for A comic book/graphic novel?

I am already confused trying to understand what happened with Sam or Liz(z), or about the age regression of Bonnie… it is almost as if there were two versions around, anyway. But the powers that are DO know that, right?

sigh…

Can’t the story just end at this point? The hired killer was killed, presumably by a good guy. Ringo’s safe, and they can now move him to another hiding place (perhaps lead singer in a popular rock band).

Time to start dropping clumsy hints about the next story setting…

DT and FBI need to find the shooter. And why not have someone in plain sight. Easy target makes the FBI look bad.

Prior to this job, Lousie (sic) Trapeze worked by faking her job as a neurosurgeon in order to kill the hospital administrator who was known to have voted for Obama.

It’s obvious that Ringo made a mistake in asking the FBI for help in hiding from his former bosses. Now if he had asked the US Marshall Service he would be safe in obscurity somewhere and Ms. Louise (Lousie) Trapeze would still be alive. Of course that would mean that there wouldn’t be a story here, but as far as I can see, there isn’t one anyway.

Roberto,

Thanks for your words, it is what it is, I only brought it up here because I think calling Locher senile is a cheap shot. That he’s a very poor writer is clear, but that doesn’t mean he has dementia.

Matthew, on the other hand…given his high opinion of the strip as it’s now done, his statements that readers have no business criticizing the strip, and his tendency to lay the blame for any problems with the TMS staff that control Dick Tracy, well, I can only imagine what that comic book would be like.

On another note, the other close thing to a Tracy comic book is not a Tracy product at all, but “The Cabbie,” a 1986 graphic novel from Spain by Marti Riera. It’s essentially an homage to Gould’s visual style and moral absolutism…though much darker than anything even Gould did. It’s available on Amazon and if you’re a fan of Gould it’s definitely worth a look.

Oh, and can I just note that all the information in today’s strip has already been revealed at least three times? And I’m still confused as to what purpose the FBI agent serves…a week was spent introducing her and the only revelation she’s made is that Ringo shot someone. Aside from that she’s been just another talking head in this interminable conversation.

puddleglum1066,

Yours is the only explanation I’ve heard up to now that gives some element of acceptance to this weird presentation

That must mean FBI’s Ennen is a space person. ;-)

“1066” was a long ago early version of 007 - James Bond i.e. Norman Conquest. Ever heard of him ?

I don’t care anymore…just make it stop!

Hmm ! Mattie’s sounding important here (You’d think it was Joe Staton with some disdain - contemplating a “gig”)

Yesterday, Matie raised the real importance of “paying” jobs. You have to wonder who is “funding” this little venture.

We haven’t seen Sam Catchem in a Locher panel for over a year now. But in this he’s coming back – and from the very begining in this rewrite. Who is the Chief in all this ?

But GRAB THIS : (Quote):

“One of my Writer’s friends said I should abandon it all-together” (i.e. the 2- way wrist radio) “which I dismissed, because the two-way is one of the ICONS of the strip ! Like the Fedora.

Gosh ! You could have fooled me ! And all these years Dicky Locher seems to have been flat out “ignoring” Mattie’s perceptive ‘advice” on KEY items to enhance the current strip ? Like today’s Tracy, Mattie just standing still,

Was Locher ever really told ? Not even a little “tinka belle” ?

I tell you ! You have to question the “quality” of those “musical bells” below ! (?)

But Dicky has them all mezmerized. My guess is that everytime in Naps they ask a simple, sensible question, Locher can’t fudge away, he gives them the “ALL-INCLUSIVE”, stock reply –

“Why, it’s just a comic strip” !

Mattie,

With new Roberto already putting out a familiar - SIGH - Don’t you suspect it’s someone you already know with a false accent, taking you for a ride ? ;-)

Been rereading some Modesty Blaise…anybody here follow that? British adventure strip that ran from the early 60s till its writer/creator Peter O’Donnell retired a few years back. I think of it because it also was a three-panel daily strip (with no Sundays)…Locher would do well to take a look, since O’Donnell had a real gift for moving the story forward with actions as well as words.

CHICAGO TRACY’S HOME CITY ?

There you go again, stating an uninformed “opinion” and embarrasingly revealing that you/ve hardly read the strip.Bashsfull about being “well informed”. In your avatar you look like a student holding up his hand to ask a question. Well listen and learn

Your “opinion” on this is not fact. Dick Locher is not Chester Gould. At best a poor reproduction of a bad carbon copy. There are many Woodstocks in the USA and one’s in NY. But that’s not the point –

What do you think Chester Gould meant when he had Tracy, Patton and Junior saying “HOME AT LAST !” on (8-11-33) arriving at a Train station destination ?. Did you think they were in Chicago ? No! Sorry, in NY where Stooge Viller would kidnap Tess an row her out to Ole Mike’s ship the “Bat” in New York Harbour. It’s there in black and white - Volume 2 of the IDW reprints. Read the strips and grow up ! Beg forgiveness ! and I’ll consider if I should. You’re already under suspicion for posting and implying false information on what readers will SEE on Oct 4 !

How can you expect TMS to approve a script on a new version of the strip when they realize you have “cockeyed” ideas of what really happened in the past, ? And continue to display ignorance on the subject. TMS will see you like a modern day Tracy on THIS subject, exposed and revealed as a purveyor of - FRAUDULENT information !

Yeesh, Matthew’s incredibly anal longwindedness makes me embarrassed to agree that, yes, I’ve always taken Chicago to be Tracy’s unofficial setting, based on numerous visual and verbal references to local points from the 30s through Collins’ era, as well as the fact that Gould worked out of the Tribune Tower for many years.

But I think this was kept unofficial so that if a story required having something that wasn’t in Chicago, they could go ahead and do it. In other words, I don’t think the “official” setting of the strip was as important to Gould or Collins as it seems to be to everyone here. I mean, does this really matter?

Now, obviously, it takes place in Purgatory, where nothing ever happens.

Matt,

Again you fail to answer the question asked, Why ? You answer it you lose !

Jim wrote that before I sent him the “specific information” he had not read. Part of which I just sent you. After reading he had nothing more to say. Why ? he had no further ammunition just Spots in Chicago. Only time that city is named. New York was named clearly in THREE stories and as stated earlier several which clearly excluded Chicago as the Home City

As stated before the Whip Chute (1939) and Scorpio (1969) unambigiously are sited in New York.

Jim’s problem is that he had NOTHING more to “cherry pick” after Spots in Chicago, (which I had pointed out), just familiar buildings. Models so to speak. Some of which were used in the NY (Scorpio) story. Proving, that Gould used them as a “convenience”, drawing what he saw around him. Same with street names to make the Chicago-fyle feel they belonged.

For every “cherry” you and Jim can pick I can site TEN to counter a Chicago exclusive claim.

And YOU in like fashion can add nothing to Jim’s that counts in any way !

FACT is Gould moved Tracy and HQ around between NY and Chicago as HIS story NEEDS required. He even had the Police wearing the NY style badge from 4-10-57 for TEN years, and no one can dispute that or any of the City claims I’ve sited above.

The above has been my contention, my point friom the start.

You really need to read the back strips and get up to an acceptable “speed” on what actually happened in this great strip.

You have a long way to go Mattie !

How did they find me? Maybe because you can’t keep your pie hole shut!

Yeah, I was a sucker for the Chicago references because I used to live there…there’s an early continuity from the 30s where Tracy is busted back to beat cop and sent out to the northern wasteland of Devon Avenue, which was where I was living at the time. I found that bit amusing. But I don’t think they made it official, so people could feel like it was Anytown USA.

Similarly, in superhero comics the towns were always fictionalized. It wasn’t until Marvel in the 1960s that the use of “real” cities became stylish.

DICK TRACY STORIES IN COMICS ONLY Dell comics # 21 to 24 were not written by Chester Gould and from memory had villians (not correct order ) Apples , Jukebox, Bubbles , Mumps can’t recall the other one who was in #21 . From memory Sam was in them as well . Then Harvey started with #25 featuring Gould’s Flattop story which ran in # 26 and # 27 as well.

chefblackstock, welcome to our insanity… ;-)

oink, that’s interesting about the comics…I know there were a number of Dell Peanuts comics that were not written or drawn by Schulz (from what I read he gave the work to friends of his). But that was the only time someone other than Schulz handled the characters. Similarly, other characters like Beetle Bailey and Dennis the Menace had their own comics, done by anonymous hands. On the other hand, many comic strips (including Mickey Mouse and Dick Tracy) were just cut and pasted into comic book form.

I just yesterday saw a book of old Nancy comic book adventures, not by Bushmiller, but by some guy I hadn’t heard of…though apparently, his work is highly regarded enough to merit reprinting. So if these Tracy comics are that sort of thing who knows, they might be better than Gould’s work.

Final trivia note: this was also the case with Superman’s first adventure…Siegel and Shuster had pitched it as a newspaper strip and had no success, then it was purchased for Action Comics #1 so they cut and reassembled their first newspaper continuity.

If you call McHenry County “evidence” (?) I don’t !

It’s fairly obvious, even I, could find hundreds of those. It was easy for Gould to use Chicago and County street names which were ‘tip of the lip” all around him. They made the strip “comfortable” for readers in that area.

HARD evidence to me is when the two contending Cities, Chicago and NY are actually “named”. From my research Chicago was named - IN THE STORY - once, New York was named in three tales.

It’s easy to talk from “memory” or from what you think you heard. when you do that is when you make mistakes and incorrect claims. I know, I’ve made more than my fair share of them.

But Matt, it’s a little disengenous to now claim that you ‘thought” I was flogging a claim for New York. You can check all my posts on the Yahoo board on the subject and they will show I’ve ALWAYS made my position clear from the “Get Go !”

To me New York served only as a “counter weight” to a false claim Jim and others had made for a Chicago exclusive. I make mistakes (and admit them) but try to get what I say right.

Chet moved HQ around from Chicago to New York and the East coast as the story needs drove him. Larceny Lu’s drive was clearly Trans-Continental (the phrase is used) to get Mary Steele, Junior’s mother and as she was in hiding on the EAST Coast Patton found “sea shells” in Mortimer’s pants cuff. That example rules out Chicago as did the following story. Boris Arson escaped in the same city as Junior and Oscar. George Ozone took his 5 mile swims in the Ocean from his home . That and several other stories rule out Chicago Think Toyee trying to drown Tracy and Patton in the Ocean, 4 miles out from his berthing dock.

And I could go on and on but must be boring poor (what’s his name?) who only likes “one liner” posts !

Hey, while we’re at it guys, what state do the Simpsons live in?

I’m with Roberto: Sigh…

Matthew, what are your past and current film and print projects?

I’m not asking for snarky reasons, but out of genuine curiosity.

In fact, I’m quite open to the notion that your work might actually be good. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a person who antagonized everybody around him happened to also be a creative genius.

HOW was Louise / Lousie Trapese faking her act? It wasn’t by using a stunt double – when she was shot out of the air it was Lousie herself who fell, not a stunt double.

It wasn’t by using a hidden wire to support her, either – when she was shot she didn’t just hang dangling there; she fell.

It’s a mystery how she did it. If there were a detective in the neighborhood he might be able to solve that….

By the way, is Lousie pronounced the same as lousy?

-Cougar :{)

Good for you Matthew! I shall keep an eye out for Parallel Universe and Methuselah’s Gate.

I couldn’t help but notice that you now seem to have revealed what your October 4 surprise is, yes?

This board has standards?

Flight Suit: LOL! - however, after all this time, I am REALLY curious about the Oct 4th / 24th announcement!