It’s amazing how much these Dick Tracy writers change story lines so much without building up suspense and then having a dud ending with little to no background throughout the story. For example, when’s the last time any hint of Moon Maid has been seen, and what’s THAT plot all about? Too much dancing around!
Won’t come soon enough for me. In the meantime, I like this beginning to the new story. Question though, didn’t Abner Kadaver escape during the wrapup to the Mr. Crime story? I don’t remember seeing him in custody.
“She and her husband bumped off Mr. Bribery, right?”Exactly. They lost the $100K, though, when it burned up in a high speed dive. A scene from that story:
I’ve read the comments, so though I want Moon Maid to take center stage, I’m glad to see the consequences to Mr Crime’s syndicate. And even though BB Eyes and Doubleup were shot, doesn’t necessarily mean they were killed.
As for the Camp/Lake Freedom murders (and subsequent reveling of Sweatbox as a serial killer) I have a feeling there will be more revealed from that story as well.
Mr. Kleen is the typical sophistic lawyer, excusing himself by putting his duty to his profession ahead of his duty to society as a whole. “Known murderers and thugs deserve the best defense money can buy!” Legal whores.But, in terms of story, I’ll be happy to see Abner Kadaver, Doubleup, and B-B Eyes again rather than the purported Moon Maid for whom so many seem hot.
“in the Gould old days, the stories could last for years”
In the Dick Locher days, stories could also last for years…but for a different reason."-————————————————————————————————Like the subtle distinction you brought out in paragraph 2
Of course, “years” is a - s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Gould had only one story that lasted more than a year – Bribery and his Gang
The Sweatbox story was like reading a book with a lot of the pages missing. Mike needs to, and can do, a better job on filling in some of the unanswered details. Joe’s great artwork can’t keep carrying the strip forever.
I too have had many questions on the last story. It was great but too much I believe to put in the 6-8 weeks time period that they are given. I personally thought it would be great for Sweatbox to have escaped and then appear later on in a new story to help answer some questions. Beings he would be 80-90 years old now, I can’t see him escaping from his car at the train wreck. Thought it amazing that he had the strength to fight with the Mole. My questions:What was Sweatbox and his brother doing at Lake Freedom?The story could have taken place at another location.Why was it necessary to have George and his parter Brad in the story? This took up a lot of story-telling time. Were they friends of the DT team and promised in appear in a story?Who were those in the crypt? Were any children like Toad?Why did the one at the door appear to be standing up instead of laying down on the floor? Was he/she still alive when put in and trying to get out?Why did Sweatbox kidnap Toad when he knew DK was investigating his brother’s crypt? A supposedly smart man like him should have played it cool so not to draw any attention. Then he told his partner that he was going to see Toad. Why did he want George to confess to the murder at Lake Freedom? Too many questions. DT tried to sum it all up to the mayor in a few panels. Maybe he and his team know the answers but I still wonder what is going on.Do love the art and the stories but this one has too many holes in it.
gweedo, personally i think the “cut short stories” are mostly to blame on the TMS for “handicapping” team tracy. if they had been given the adequate time to start with, then thered be no problem…but i also understand TMS’ position… they wanted to gage (“gauge”?) the fans’ reaction to the strip’s new team and the new team’s storytelling ability. either way, from what i have heard we ALL won. and i agree that now since the time restraint has been lifted, we’re gonna see some even MORE amazing storytelling! and Morrow, gracias for standing up for me :)
Hey Tracy Police: there’s a lot of us here who did not find SB’s story to have been that great, it was one more failure to join the other that came before, Lots of holes, And stop calling us trolls, we just ask for quality storytelling accompanying the magnificent art.
“I’ve got to say – Gould really knew how to draw sexy female characters.”He did! And Notta was one of the sexiest^^Sexy? She looks like she’s either a dolt, or high on something, and she has a BEARD???!!! How is THAT sexy?
I think both sides of this argument have a point.I have enjoyed Curtis’ work but the SB plot needed tightening, no doubt there. There were holes and inexplicable plot twists. Clearly this was not his best story.On the other hand as tsull said, the original tale called for SB to be a ped ophile, and when that angle got dropped and the story was rewritten, it was probably a complicated job and especially so since some of the art was already completed. Sundays are done 6 months in advance.The George Takei angle took up two weeks of story time that would have allowed for smoother and more detailed story telling. That’s another reason the story had jagged edges and seemed rushed. I agree the 6 week limit thing should not be used as a blanket excuse, but no doubt it was a complicating factor here.Add the fact that Mike Curtis’ wife has been gravely ill for several months and that he has spent much time with her at the hospital, and it’s not hard to see why the SB story fell flat in certain ways.I think when you put all the above factors together it’s easy to understand why some fans are complaining, but it’s also easy (for me at least) to give Curtis some slack, especially since his work on other stories has been much better.The good news is that Staton’s art remained excellent, the 6 week limit will be finito after this next story, and Curtis’ wife is doing better. So there are many good reasons to believe the ship will be righted, not the least of which is that Curtis has proven to be responsive to fan input.The highly anticipated Moon Maid story should be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it! And like yumpin said earlier, this will be Curtis’ first chance in 2+ years to tell an epic tale without the silly 6 week limit to hinder him. The story will be exciting for that reason alone.I am not an “ostrich in the sand” type, saying everything is all right when it’s not. But I say let’s give Curtis a chance to redeem himself in these next two stories, and not act like the sky is falling.That’s my two cents.
i dont think i was even BORN at the time of the chin chillars story, and seeing these older pics, i dont “get” why she is considered so sexy? maybe its the beard that throws me off, i dunno….lol
Personally, I don’t find Notta or MM particularly sexy; Lizz is hotter than either, without looking like a stripper (Especially the version of Lizz drawn by Rick Fletcher)
Mikeyj over 11 years ago
Mr Kleen, ironic name for ANY lawyer, never mind a mob lawyer!
Don Winchester Premium Member over 11 years ago
It’s amazing how much these Dick Tracy writers change story lines so much without building up suspense and then having a dud ending with little to no background throughout the story. For example, when’s the last time any hint of Moon Maid has been seen, and what’s THAT plot all about? Too much dancing around!
Bill Thompson over 11 years ago
Looks like somebody turned bad and bitter after losing the advertising gig . . .
margueritem over 11 years ago
I like the Kadaver character, glad to see that he’ll be back.
Jerry1967 over 11 years ago
Won’t come soon enough for me. In the meantime, I like this beginning to the new story. Question though, didn’t Abner Kadaver escape during the wrapup to the Mr. Crime story? I don’t remember seeing him in custody.
willy007 over 11 years ago
“She and her husband bumped off Mr. Bribery, right?”Exactly. They lost the $100K, though, when it burned up in a high speed dive. A scene from that story:
blunebottle over 11 years ago
Of course, now I look back at today’s strip and see that the three silhouettes are smoking cigars!
coldsooner over 11 years ago
Oh they won’t sing. The Mumbles Quartet sang and look where it got them! Got them! (Oh no, Not more of Doubleup, Doubleup.) Here we go again, again.
BellsAndMotley over 11 years ago
Oh, bother! I’d SO hoped that the new story would be about the Moon Maid mystery. Am I cross!
crobinson019 over 11 years ago
I’ve read the comments, so though I want Moon Maid to take center stage, I’m glad to see the consequences to Mr Crime’s syndicate. And even though BB Eyes and Doubleup were shot, doesn’t necessarily mean they were killed.
As for the Camp/Lake Freedom murders (and subsequent reveling of Sweatbox as a serial killer) I have a feeling there will be more revealed from that story as well.
Mdstudio over 11 years ago
Wow, welcome back Mr Kleen. Didn’t see this coming.
Sisyphos over 11 years ago
Mr. Kleen is the typical sophistic lawyer, excusing himself by putting his duty to his profession ahead of his duty to society as a whole. “Known murderers and thugs deserve the best defense money can buy!” Legal whores.But, in terms of story, I’ll be happy to see Abner Kadaver, Doubleup, and B-B Eyes again rather than the purported Moon Maid for whom so many seem hot.
SKJAM! Premium Member over 11 years ago
“I know I’m a crooked lawyer, but there’s only so much even I can do when my clients are multiple time losers!”
SYDNEY PHILLIPS over 11 years ago
“in the Gould old days, the stories could last for years”
In the Dick Locher days, stories could also last for years…but for a different reason."-————————————————————————————————Like the subtle distinction you brought out in paragraph 2
Of course, “years” is a - s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Gould had only one story that lasted more than a year – Bribery and his Gang
King_Shark over 11 years ago
So…the Sweatbox story ended, just like that? No thought into just why Sweatbox kidnapped the kid, when he could have just let her be?
The art might be better, but the plotting still plumbs the lower depths.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 11 years ago
Good morning all…
Stagger Lee over 11 years ago
The Sweatbox story was like reading a book with a lot of the pages missing. Mike needs to, and can do, a better job on filling in some of the unanswered details. Joe’s great artwork can’t keep carrying the strip forever.
Larry L Stout over 11 years ago
I too have had many questions on the last story. It was great but too much I believe to put in the 6-8 weeks time period that they are given. I personally thought it would be great for Sweatbox to have escaped and then appear later on in a new story to help answer some questions. Beings he would be 80-90 years old now, I can’t see him escaping from his car at the train wreck. Thought it amazing that he had the strength to fight with the Mole. My questions:What was Sweatbox and his brother doing at Lake Freedom?The story could have taken place at another location.Why was it necessary to have George and his parter Brad in the story? This took up a lot of story-telling time. Were they friends of the DT team and promised in appear in a story?Who were those in the crypt? Were any children like Toad?Why did the one at the door appear to be standing up instead of laying down on the floor? Was he/she still alive when put in and trying to get out?Why did Sweatbox kidnap Toad when he knew DK was investigating his brother’s crypt? A supposedly smart man like him should have played it cool so not to draw any attention. Then he told his partner that he was going to see Toad. Why did he want George to confess to the murder at Lake Freedom? Too many questions. DT tried to sum it all up to the mayor in a few panels. Maybe he and his team know the answers but I still wonder what is going on.Do love the art and the stories but this one has too many holes in it.
Ray Toler over 11 years ago
I don’t mind if people post spoilers. However, I prefer the way that Willy007 posted the same spoiler as Tsull2121 but in a more considerate manner:
Willy007 said, 3 days ago:
For those who are interested in knowing when Moon Maid’s story will begin, Mike Curtis made an announcement today on the Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DickTracy/message/16565
This way, people who do not want to read the spoiler do not have to click the link.
tsull2121 over 11 years ago
gweedo, personally i think the “cut short stories” are mostly to blame on the TMS for “handicapping” team tracy. if they had been given the adequate time to start with, then thered be no problem…but i also understand TMS’ position… they wanted to gage (“gauge”?) the fans’ reaction to the strip’s new team and the new team’s storytelling ability. either way, from what i have heard we ALL won. and i agree that now since the time restraint has been lifted, we’re gonna see some even MORE amazing storytelling! and Morrow, gracias for standing up for me :)
daedalusomega over 11 years ago
Hey Tracy Police: there’s a lot of us here who did not find SB’s story to have been that great, it was one more failure to join the other that came before, Lots of holes, And stop calling us trolls, we just ask for quality storytelling accompanying the magnificent art.
Mikeyj over 11 years ago
“I’ve got to say – Gould really knew how to draw sexy female characters.”He did! And Notta was one of the sexiest^^Sexy? She looks like she’s either a dolt, or high on something, and she has a BEARD???!!! How is THAT sexy?
Chief Patton over 11 years ago
I think both sides of this argument have a point.I have enjoyed Curtis’ work but the SB plot needed tightening, no doubt there. There were holes and inexplicable plot twists. Clearly this was not his best story.On the other hand as tsull said, the original tale called for SB to be a ped ophile, and when that angle got dropped and the story was rewritten, it was probably a complicated job and especially so since some of the art was already completed. Sundays are done 6 months in advance.The George Takei angle took up two weeks of story time that would have allowed for smoother and more detailed story telling. That’s another reason the story had jagged edges and seemed rushed. I agree the 6 week limit thing should not be used as a blanket excuse, but no doubt it was a complicating factor here.Add the fact that Mike Curtis’ wife has been gravely ill for several months and that he has spent much time with her at the hospital, and it’s not hard to see why the SB story fell flat in certain ways.I think when you put all the above factors together it’s easy to understand why some fans are complaining, but it’s also easy (for me at least) to give Curtis some slack, especially since his work on other stories has been much better.The good news is that Staton’s art remained excellent, the 6 week limit will be finito after this next story, and Curtis’ wife is doing better. So there are many good reasons to believe the ship will be righted, not the least of which is that Curtis has proven to be responsive to fan input.The highly anticipated Moon Maid story should be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it! And like yumpin said earlier, this will be Curtis’ first chance in 2+ years to tell an epic tale without the silly 6 week limit to hinder him. The story will be exciting for that reason alone.I am not an “ostrich in the sand” type, saying everything is all right when it’s not. But I say let’s give Curtis a chance to redeem himself in these next two stories, and not act like the sky is falling.That’s my two cents.
tsull2121 over 11 years ago
i dont think i was even BORN at the time of the chin chillars story, and seeing these older pics, i dont “get” why she is considered so sexy? maybe its the beard that throws me off, i dunno….lol
elchucko1 over 11 years ago
Where has “Flat Top” been?
SKJAM! Premium Member over 11 years ago
The Chin and Notta couple appear to be smoking something stronger than tobacco in those panels. Would explain their laid-back attitudes.
Ray Toler over 11 years ago
I agree, Gweedo. I tend to take everyone at face value when they post and consider their motives to be honest until they prove themselves otherwise.
willy007 over 11 years ago
Yes, it was Al Rio, who passed away last year I believe. Here’s part of another one by him:http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1453/nottabeaut.jpg
Mikeyj over 11 years ago
Personally, I don’t find Notta or MM particularly sexy; Lizz is hotter than either, without looking like a stripper (Especially the version of Lizz drawn by Rick Fletcher)
trimguy over 11 years ago
Shouldn’t Mr Kleen be in a sparkling white suit?