I believe I have it figured out. Because of Tracys advanced age and the trying life he has led, he has slipped into dementia and these strips reflect what he perceives. This would explain the gaps in logic, the plot pacing, his lack of proper police procedures, the incoherent dialogue and all the other inconsistencies that abound in the strip. So we should lay off the critiques and remember what a great detective Tracy once was. It is always sad to see the decline of someone who you have grown up with, but we should take solace in the fact that though we will never see a return to what once was, we at least have our memories of him.
neonleon, that’s BO’s contraction of “who are”, akin to “I amn’t…” for “I am not…” (no apology to Jeanette Oke, one of whose novels I used as the source for the second exerpt).
ridenslide65, the frilly sleeve is Gertie’s.
(again revisiting the 1975 Mandrake strip-thread I mentioned much earlier, Tracy walks in on Plentys who have captured crooks much as Rhodon did on Mandrake/Lothar who had without weapons subdued a quintet of ratmen armed with swords and very powerful guns)
“No B.O. the question is how did you escape and get back to Sunny Dell ? Thought they had dumped you after killing you at the Casino ?”
What exactly happened? Where is the ’ Wire ’ I strapped under your shirt ?
These are all logical questions that should be asked in a reasonably sane script, not an obvious goof that can be shrugged off and ignored on the grounds that it’s just a “comic strip”. Change the facts as you go along – no problem !
In some quarters that has become the “master excuse” – (it’s only a “comic strip”), a last resort escape clause, a placebo effect cloak of invincability for Dick Locher and his poorly thought out, error prone sequences.
Incompetence can’t be screened away on the grounds that you are writing for children … so that any unintended error that falls from your pen, can proudly fly !
Speaking of “flying” Dick, tomorrow you’ll be 80 years old, - -seems it’s time to put down your “landing” gear !
In Panel 1, B.O.’s looking snazzy in his funky black-and-white coat. Very Two-Face-esque. Tracy’s coat collar, on the other hand, is just weird, especially when worn with his angular face.
Panel 3: The gun is sporting a very cool helix-esque pattern. Or maybe that’s a planaria. Big Fatty (I’ve forgotten his given name and I really don’t care), meanwhile, has already changed into a prison uniform in grim preparation. Presumably B.O. helped him into it, considering the raccoon trap.
margueritem over 15 years ago
That trap keeps changing hands…
ridenslide65 over 15 years ago
And Tracy beat the Amba-lance!!!
The guy still has the “bear trap” on his hand with the other free. He would have bled out by now.
First Panel - BO with hands in pocket. 2nd Panel - Holding the “leash” for the crook/hoodlum/gangsta.
What the heck is on the handle of the shotgun??
wndrwrthg over 15 years ago
I believe I have it figured out. Because of Tracys advanced age and the trying life he has led, he has slipped into dementia and these strips reflect what he perceives. This would explain the gaps in logic, the plot pacing, his lack of proper police procedures, the incoherent dialogue and all the other inconsistencies that abound in the strip. So we should lay off the critiques and remember what a great detective Tracy once was. It is always sad to see the decline of someone who you have grown up with, but we should take solace in the fact that though we will never see a return to what once was, we at least have our memories of him.
Fearless_Fosdick over 15 years ago
Even if they make Gertie give back the money, she’ll always have B.O.
neonleon59 over 15 years ago
What’s that B.O.’s saying about a whore in panel 2? This might get interesting after all!
Morrow Cummings over 15 years ago
Time for some “trap” puns.
prasrinivara over 15 years ago
neonleon, that’s BO’s contraction of “who are”, akin to “I amn’t…” for “I am not…” (no apology to Jeanette Oke, one of whose novels I used as the source for the second exerpt).
ridenslide65, the frilly sleeve is Gertie’s.
(again revisiting the 1975 Mandrake strip-thread I mentioned much earlier, Tracy walks in on Plentys who have captured crooks much as Rhodon did on Mandrake/Lothar who had without weapons subdued a quintet of ratmen armed with swords and very powerful guns)
Nemesys over 15 years ago
“Time for some “trap” puns”
No need. It’s obviously an open and shut case.
This plot is becoming one you can really sink your teeth into.
sydney over 15 years ago
“No B.O. the question is how did you escape and get back to Sunny Dell ? Thought they had dumped you after killing you at the Casino ?”
What exactly happened? Where is the ’ Wire ’ I strapped under your shirt ?
These are all logical questions that should be asked in a reasonably sane script, not an obvious goof that can be shrugged off and ignored on the grounds that it’s just a “comic strip”. Change the facts as you go along – no problem !
In some quarters that has become the “master excuse” – (it’s only a “comic strip”), a last resort escape clause, a placebo effect cloak of invincability for Dick Locher and his poorly thought out, error prone sequences.
Incompetence can’t be screened away on the grounds that you are writing for children … so that any unintended error that falls from your pen, can proudly fly !
Speaking of “flying” Dick, tomorrow you’ll be 80 years old, - -seems it’s time to put down your “landing” gear !
And … a genuine HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
mrbribery over 15 years ago
BO is wise- he knows better than to call the police for help.
Steve Bartholomew over 15 years ago
Any reason why BO’s coat is black on one side & white on the other? Can’t be a shadow, because the shadow on DT’s coat collar is on the other side.
prasrinivara over 15 years ago
barticle35, there’s an extremely simple explanation of it–BO’s coat is Charonian (as in from the planet Charon “in southern part of galaxy”)
(quote from Star Trek original episode Let This Be Your Last Battlefield)
avatarjk137 over 15 years ago
Time for the Dick Tracy Fashion Patrol!
In Panel 1, B.O.’s looking snazzy in his funky black-and-white coat. Very Two-Face-esque. Tracy’s coat collar, on the other hand, is just weird, especially when worn with his angular face.
Panel 3: The gun is sporting a very cool helix-esque pattern. Or maybe that’s a planaria. Big Fatty (I’ve forgotten his given name and I really don’t care), meanwhile, has already changed into a prison uniform in grim preparation. Presumably B.O. helped him into it, considering the raccoon trap.
RichardT over 15 years ago
I give up. I need an adult.
Froxkrybra over 15 years ago
Looks like Gertie’s sleeve on the handle on the gun…