As usual, a great Sunday strip. Its a bit puzzling to me that a lot of readers in America still consider the comic strip to be unimportant. Its that kind of thinking that has kept comic strips relegated to the list of “lessor” arts since its inception in the late 1800s. But consider this … America can only lay claim to originating two art forms … Jazz and Comics! Its only in the past few years that we have finally decided comics are a valid art form worthy of our attention … and, sometimes, respect. We should read and view these strips as they were meant to be read and viewed … as potential works of art. If you need proof … read Art Speiglman’s ”Maus” or any number of graphic novels published in the past 25 or 30 years and see what this art form is capable of communicating to the world.
Sorry; I don’t recognize either the victim or the shooter. But from what John Hooper wrote, I gather the victim will be of special interest to Tracy and the department. This does have all the marks of a hit rather than a random crime….
Wow. Great strip. I wonder who this victim could possibly be. You would almost think that this kind of character would first make his appearance on Oct. 4, 1931, the very first Dick Tracy strip, where it might become evident that he likes his women rough, plenty rough. He looks like he could take on all comers, and never lose a bout (well, until now). Poor anonymous man, he feels like he should be someone in the same rank as a Pat Patton, or maybe even a Lizz. Well I guess not every character can be someone who was a major member of the MCS for nearly two decade or grace the cover of an IDW Complete Dick Tracy book, maybe around 1935 or 36….sometimes, we need more mysterious and anonymous characters like this one…
I’ve been following the strip on this site since the new team started. They’re amazing and I didnt think I’d ever see the strip in the hands of people who are both so talented and adept in Tracy history.
Anyhow, I had to comment today. I’m really happy to see Captain Brandon again, one of my favorite characters from the strip. I hope that he hasn’t actually been hit! The shooter appears to be the man who caused his retirement 60+ years ago (in real time) — a cold felon who killed Diet Smith’s son, the inventor of the two way wrist radio.
@morrow As I recall, there was a big private conference of police chiefs in which Brilliant, Diet Smith’s inventor son, was showing off a new invention that would assist in photographing felons in action. Chief Brandon himself was checking credentials at the door and let Big Frost get through with a fake ID. Frost later killed Brilliant and Brandon blamed himself and resigned in shame.
Patton became chief after Tracy turned it down (I don’t think we ever actually saw this) and Sam was later introduced as Tracy’s partner. Patton had always been kind of a comedic character but that ended when he became chief.
Personally, I didn’t think the story was strong enough to bring about Brandon’s retirement. Apparently Gould wanted to make a change and that was his way of doing it. It just could have been a better story in my opinion. My favorite years of the strip are pre-Sam.
Other than Max Collins’ flashback story, Brandon was only seen one other time, in the early 1970s when Tracy and Liz stopped by the Lawn Order store to ask if he’d seen someone. It was just one daily. He was never at any of the weddings or funerals in the strip and was mostly forgotten. I’m really glad to see him again — though I hope it’s not just for his murder!
Chief Brandon slipped up on a security detail, and let Big Frost into a police seminar, where they were introducing the “tele-guard” camera, a forerunner of today’s closed circuit t.v. monitors. Big Frost learned at that seminar who the inventor was, and then killed him. That’s when Chief Brandon resigned, and Tracy’s sidekick Pat Patton became Chief, and then Pat called in his old friend Sam Catchem to be Tracy’s new partner.
I’m pretty sure today’s shooter is Big Frost. He sure looks like him.
For those who don’t know, Chester Gould introduced the store where the retired Brandon sometimes gave Tracy a tip or two, if he happened to hear something. Lawn Order is owned and operated by the former Chief.
How could she be a nurse.She was refered in the postings as " a retard", which is a term I dislike – Specials Needs children and adults is what they are.But Mina could have been Autistic. Many people who have Austisim are very smart.
Those with Austisim don’t have the social skills of an average person.
I know an Autistic boy who is in his second year of university.
He doesn’t engage in conversation like you and I, but I bet he is smarter than all of us.
The inventor that Big Frost killed was none other than Brilliant Smith, Diet Smith’s son. He also invented the 2 Way Wrist Radio, among other things. His death was the reason for Brandon to retire.Unfortunately, leaving holes in security still seems to be a problem for the chief. No alarm on that door, at least not an audible one, wonder if it tripped a silent one?Brandon seems a bit behind the times as well, index cards, a paper account book, and a calculator? OY!Any guesses on what that is in the window of his shop? I think it may be one of those cylinder reel mowers with the horizontal axis. I haven’t seen one of those since the 60’s.
You are, of course, correct in stating that Special Needs individuals can hold down jobs and be productive members of society. Certain jobs would, however, be off limits to them, just by the nature of the job requirements. In the story, Mina was depicted as someone who seemed to rather enjoy violent behavior, even if she did not understand what she was doing. Someone like that would probably not be able to be a nurse in a care facility. She might hurt a patient without even intending to do so. That’s all I was trying to point out.
I love it when something new happens in a Sunday strip, rather than just a recap of the past week. Great artwork. Brandon should have had the sense to make the rear entry as secure as the front one, which had a steel roll-down door.
Since it’s the former police chief who died, isn’t it likely that this is a revenge killing of some kind? And maybe that guy will be going after Tracy next!! That would make an interesting story.
Tarry Plaguer, thank you for the guidance. I have never read any of the very earliest Tracy comics. Right now I’m enjoying seeing Al Capp’s work from the 1930s in the ’Li’L Abner’ reruns.
We lived in the far NW suburbs of Chicago. My husband would see Chester Gould get on the train every Friday to take his drawings down to the Tribune.
APersonOfInterest about 13 years ago
As usual, a great Sunday strip. Its a bit puzzling to me that a lot of readers in America still consider the comic strip to be unimportant. Its that kind of thinking that has kept comic strips relegated to the list of “lessor” arts since its inception in the late 1800s. But consider this … America can only lay claim to originating two art forms … Jazz and Comics! Its only in the past few years that we have finally decided comics are a valid art form worthy of our attention … and, sometimes, respect. We should read and view these strips as they were meant to be read and viewed … as potential works of art. If you need proof … read Art Speiglman’s ”Maus” or any number of graphic novels published in the past 25 or 30 years and see what this art form is capable of communicating to the world.
margueritem about 13 years ago
A new adventure begins! What has the business owner done that would end with his getting rubbed out?
FLIGHT SUIT about 13 years ago
I hope this story arc will be more complicated, and take longer to be resolved.
Hoopertoon about 13 years ago
NO-O-O-O!!!! NOT CHIEF BRANDON!!!!
Tarry Plaguer about 13 years ago
This is one hit that will definitely have Tracy and Patton seeing red.
Hoopertoon about 13 years ago
They aren’t the only ones!! I’m shocked!!
Sisyphos about 13 years ago
Sorry; I don’t recognize either the victim or the shooter. But from what John Hooper wrote, I gather the victim will be of special interest to Tracy and the department. This does have all the marks of a hit rather than a random crime….
Aaron Mimura about 13 years ago
Wow. Great strip. I wonder who this victim could possibly be. You would almost think that this kind of character would first make his appearance on Oct. 4, 1931, the very first Dick Tracy strip, where it might become evident that he likes his women rough, plenty rough. He looks like he could take on all comers, and never lose a bout (well, until now). Poor anonymous man, he feels like he should be someone in the same rank as a Pat Patton, or maybe even a Lizz. Well I guess not every character can be someone who was a major member of the MCS for nearly two decade or grace the cover of an IDW Complete Dick Tracy book, maybe around 1935 or 36….sometimes, we need more mysterious and anonymous characters like this one…
Aaron
jonahhex1 about 13 years ago
From the look of that last panel, the killer has some forehead…could he be related to – THE BROW?
Blackthorne42 about 13 years ago
Oh, wow… it just got real in here. PLEASE let it be a flesh wound. Poor Chief.
As an aside, great tribute to Mr. Gould.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member about 13 years ago
…Annnd we’re off and running! :D
Gernsback about 13 years ago
that’s ex-cheif Brandon he’s shooting!
Lorelei5 about 13 years ago
This is a very Philip Marlowesque beginning. What a fantastic opening to the story!
Mdstudio about 13 years ago
I’ve been following the strip on this site since the new team started. They’re amazing and I didnt think I’d ever see the strip in the hands of people who are both so talented and adept in Tracy history.
Anyhow, I had to comment today. I’m really happy to see Captain Brandon again, one of my favorite characters from the strip. I hope that he hasn’t actually been hit! The shooter appears to be the man who caused his retirement 60+ years ago (in real time) — a cold felon who killed Diet Smith’s son, the inventor of the two way wrist radio.
APersonOfInterest about 13 years ago
Kudos to Jim Doherty !!! Look forward to the next one.
Bill Thompson about 13 years ago
This is a great way to start a story. And a Sunday morning!
lawrencefeldman2 about 13 years ago
Wow! Crime sucks!
More great action from this great creative team.
Morrow Cummings about 13 years ago
Didn’t Chief Brandon resign in shame? Anyone know exactly why?
HannoX about 13 years ago
Great start to the new story arc. Talk about a hook!
DrSid1 about 13 years ago
The shooter looks like Big Frost, the case where Brandon resigns…
hossblacksilver about 13 years ago
Lawn Order?!?!?!? Messieurs Staton & Curtis, I both groan at and salute you.
johnrussco about 13 years ago
hummm
Mdstudio about 13 years ago
@morrow As I recall, there was a big private conference of police chiefs in which Brilliant, Diet Smith’s inventor son, was showing off a new invention that would assist in photographing felons in action. Chief Brandon himself was checking credentials at the door and let Big Frost get through with a fake ID. Frost later killed Brilliant and Brandon blamed himself and resigned in shame.
Patton became chief after Tracy turned it down (I don’t think we ever actually saw this) and Sam was later introduced as Tracy’s partner. Patton had always been kind of a comedic character but that ended when he became chief.
Personally, I didn’t think the story was strong enough to bring about Brandon’s retirement. Apparently Gould wanted to make a change and that was his way of doing it. It just could have been a better story in my opinion. My favorite years of the strip are pre-Sam.
Other than Max Collins’ flashback story, Brandon was only seen one other time, in the early 1970s when Tracy and Liz stopped by the Lawn Order store to ask if he’d seen someone. It was just one daily. He was never at any of the weddings or funerals in the strip and was mostly forgotten. I’m really glad to see him again — though I hope it’s not just for his murder!
PSTone about 13 years ago
Ken in Ohio about 13 years ago
@ morrow:
Chief Brandon slipped up on a security detail, and let Big Frost into a police seminar, where they were introducing the “tele-guard” camera, a forerunner of today’s closed circuit t.v. monitors. Big Frost learned at that seminar who the inventor was, and then killed him. That’s when Chief Brandon resigned, and Tracy’s sidekick Pat Patton became Chief, and then Pat called in his old friend Sam Catchem to be Tracy’s new partner.
I’m pretty sure today’s shooter is Big Frost. He sure looks like him.
For those who don’t know, Chester Gould introduced the store where the retired Brandon sometimes gave Tracy a tip or two, if he happened to hear something. Lawn Order is owned and operated by the former Chief.
thejensens about 13 years ago
Going back to the last story and Mina.
How could she be a nurse.She was refered in the postings as " a retard", which is a term I dislike – Specials Needs children and adults is what they are.But Mina could have been Autistic. Many people who have Austisim are very smart.Those with Austisim don’t have the social skills of an average person.
I know an Autistic boy who is in his second year of university.
He doesn’t engage in conversation like you and I, but I bet he is smarter than all of us.Farmboy71 about 13 years ago
Sure hope they’re not killing off Brandon!
Tarry Plaguer about 13 years ago
The inventor that Big Frost killed was none other than Brilliant Smith, Diet Smith’s son. He also invented the 2 Way Wrist Radio, among other things. His death was the reason for Brandon to retire.Unfortunately, leaving holes in security still seems to be a problem for the chief. No alarm on that door, at least not an audible one, wonder if it tripped a silent one?Brandon seems a bit behind the times as well, index cards, a paper account book, and a calculator? OY!Any guesses on what that is in the window of his shop? I think it may be one of those cylinder reel mowers with the horizontal axis. I haven’t seen one of those since the 60’s.
Ken in Ohio about 13 years ago
@safeway674:
You are, of course, correct in stating that Special Needs individuals can hold down jobs and be productive members of society. Certain jobs would, however, be off limits to them, just by the nature of the job requirements. In the story, Mina was depicted as someone who seemed to rather enjoy violent behavior, even if she did not understand what she was doing. Someone like that would probably not be able to be a nurse in a care facility. She might hurt a patient without even intending to do so. That’s all I was trying to point out.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ about 13 years ago
Good afternoon all…
Inkpaducah about 13 years ago
I love it when something new happens in a Sunday strip, rather than just a recap of the past week. Great artwork. Brandon should have had the sense to make the rear entry as secure as the front one, which had a steel roll-down door.
Det.DanDone about 13 years ago
Great Job on Tracy’s hall, Sarge!
Fantastic Sunday strip team!!!
Ray_C about 13 years ago
Since it’s the former police chief who died, isn’t it likely that this is a revenge killing of some kind? And maybe that guy will be going after Tracy next!! That would make an interesting story.
Tarry Plaguer about 13 years ago
CHIEF BRANDONHere is another image, but it is to large to post here.
willamp about 13 years ago
margueritem about 13 years ago
Tarry Plaguer, thank you for the guidance. I have never read any of the very earliest Tracy comics. Right now I’m enjoying seeing Al Capp’s work from the 1930s in the ’Li’L Abner’ reruns.
We lived in the far NW suburbs of Chicago. My husband would see Chester Gould get on the train every Friday to take his drawings down to the Tribune.
Sisyphos about 13 years ago
Happy birthday, Tarry!
Tarry Plaguer about 13 years ago
Thanks you two.