One of my favorite Tracy Christmas strips was published in 1941. I first saw it when I received The Celebrated Cases of Dick Tracy: 1931-1951 (1970) for Christmas. “On the Christmas [eve] shortly after he was arrested, Tracy gave the Mole a gift package of fruit, cigarettes and candy. This kindness astonished Mole who hadn’t received a gift in thirty years” (DT wiki). We pivot from Mole in his cell, grateful for Tracy’s kindness, to Tess, Tracy, and Junior doing their holiday shopping as the snow falls and “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” plays. I suspect they are on State Street (that great street), as the large display windows echo the Marshall Field’s (1881-2005) retail store, famous for its artfully crafted holiday themes.
Gould was also fond of stark contrasts. The 1942 Christmas strip consists of two-panels: Pruneface crawling in the snow, certain his leg is broken, and Mrs. Trueheart surrounded by Tess, Tracy, Pat, Chief Brandon, Junior, and the doctor assuring her there is no concussion (she had been attacked by Pruneface). A solitary criminal in trouble and in pain. A warm scene of family and friends gathered in support and holiday cheer. In a banner at the bottom, Gould assures readers that, “Everything’s going to be all right.” A comforting message during WWII.
The following year we have another two-panel contrast. A Merry Christmas greeting with Junior, Tracy, Tess, Pat and Chief, “To all of our friends at home and all of our boys overseas.” This is followed by Flattop accepting the five grand for a hit on Tracy. “Who is he?” readers are asked in a box that excludes Flattop from the warm wishes.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Tracy fans. Cheers!
One of my favorite Tracy Christmas strips was published in 1941. I first saw it when I received The Celebrated Cases of Dick Tracy: 1931-1951 (1970) for Christmas. “On the Christmas [eve] shortly after he was arrested, Tracy gave the Mole a gift package of fruit, cigarettes and candy. This kindness astonished Mole who hadn’t received a gift in thirty years” (DT wiki). We pivot from Mole in his cell, grateful for Tracy’s kindness, to Tess, Tracy, and Junior doing their holiday shopping as the snow falls and “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” plays. I suspect they are on State Street (that great street), as the large display windows echo the Marshall Field’s (1881-2005) retail store, famous for its artfully crafted holiday themes.
Gould was also fond of stark contrasts. The 1942 Christmas strip consists of two-panels: Pruneface crawling in the snow, certain his leg is broken, and Mrs. Trueheart surrounded by Tess, Tracy, Pat, Chief Brandon, Junior, and the doctor assuring her there is no concussion (she had been attacked by Pruneface). A solitary criminal in trouble and in pain. A warm scene of family and friends gathered in support and holiday cheer. In a banner at the bottom, Gould assures readers that, “Everything’s going to be all right.” A comforting message during WWII.
The following year we have another two-panel contrast. A Merry Christmas greeting with Junior, Tracy, Tess, Pat and Chief, “To all of our friends at home and all of our boys overseas.” This is followed by Flattop accepting the five grand for a hit on Tracy. “Who is he?” readers are asked in a box that excludes Flattop from the warm wishes.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Tracy fans. Cheers!