Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for February 07, 2010

This is getting really exciting now! I must admit that today’s strip is good.

Phil’s head is larger than his violin!

Mr. Ambassador, we’ve been asking ourselves that question for a long time…

‘Morning VistaBill. How’s the snow?

margueritem said, “‘Morning VistaBill. How’s the snow?”

G’morning margueritem. The snow finally stopped late this afternoon. Around 24” here. There wasn’t much activity outside today as you can imagine.

Hee haw?

Next, well watch Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In!

Let’s focus on the positive, however:

a) This week’s Crimestopper’s Textbook is not inane and crazy.

b) The heroic Cambastanian Ambassador is on the scene, and will surely act as the voice of reason, bringing a swift, peaceful resolution to this violent outburst.

He’ll never hit the high note if he breaks the Strad over Juniors head.

Overall, this story line is an improvement over the strips published in 2009. Now the story is not “Sharp” but it is also not “Flat” . However, having two groups playing their music at the same time is just plain stupid. That “Strikes a Chord” with me. Two groups playing at the same time, in the same room, That would never happen. But on a “High Note”, the story is coming to a conclusion but I hope the ending is not dragged on. I see a ” crashing crescendo” soon. I have enjoyed the “Noteworthy” comments from the other readers.

Joe-Allen “Joe” Doty said, 4 minutes ago If he hits him with that Strad, it might disarm the thing.

…Or set it off…

Or maybe pixies will come along and defuse the bomb and save the day - I say that because it’s more plausible than the rest of the plot.

Looks like there maybe death by Stradivarius soon! That is a good crimestoppers tip by the way. Also this is the first of what I hope will be many more comments! I have followed this comic strip off and on for years!

I observed sometime back, that we had a story marred with a loud physical, Father and Son fights. Now it moves to restart at another location. But as the protagonists face up to round 2, they suddenly find themselves framed together within a “near death” experience. Worse, the threat is contained in Dad’s Violin stolen and sold by the son,

Looking ahead (speculating really), I see an “opportunity” opening up for the Author, should the family members both survive (?) - possibly moving to a warm REUNION and an “emotional” gratification some readers may experiece were it put together with some finesse

But I’m not sanguine, the Author has never appeared to explore or to display this “softer” warmer side of,emotional relationships in his stories

His history suggests that he’ll pass that door of “opportunity” without a glance. Sadly, he may not even have recognized it’s existence (?).

A lot of “heart”, fellowship and camaraderie readers once knew and appreciated have puzzelingly moved on (?) Not seen as necessary by the Author ?

Pop will whump Junior with the Strad. Then we’ll find out why it felt so unusual. And Spacy will lead the investigation. No bloodshed (yet) and lots of cogitation.

Low note is really Grandpa Jones. The kid is Roy Clark.

At least this story is slowly moving along. It has it’s usual ridiculous logic and editorial oversights, but at least it hasn’t had the one step forward, two steps back we’ve experienced in the past.

And Virgil wants to blow up the ambassador because…???

Do you guys and gals realize that we have had a couple of no-shows for months now? Where are they, Ludwig? Here, Locher is garnering in a few compliments; they always run against the grain.

ooo ‘laugh in’—- sockittome, sockittome, sockittome…..

heh come de judge, hea come de judge

Shouldn’t Sonny be surprised that Daddy has his violin? He stole and sold it and now Pops has it. Makes no sense to me.

Also, what’s up with Virgil’s scarf? It’s not there in panel 1 and then - VOILA! - it’s there in panel 2.

Grimegobber’s Tipsbook: Remember that car your grandfather had when you were little, the one with the trunk? That trunk that was so big it could hold lots of packages? The Flintstones had a car like that….

-Cougar :{)

VistaBill: Where do you live? I’m betting it’s somewhere in the mountains! We got our share of snow in my little corner of the world (AKA Montana) but it wasn’t 2 feet!

H’mmm…the Maestro might bring new meaning to “Death Metal”!! :)

g6793, he lives on the East coast, where the big snowstorm hit.

This Crimestopper’s isn’t bad advice, but here is what I got this week from my county police:

Remember that entering autos makes up 40% of the major crime in XXX County… Please make sure that while shopping at the Mall or other major stores, you do NOT go to the car and place items into your car or trunk and then go back inside to shop again. The best thing that you could do is LEAVE.

Thieves are waiting and watching in the parking for you to do just that. After you put the items into the car or trunk and go back in for more, they are breaking into your vehicles and taking the items that were just purchased

weelcome to the weather channel. There’s a tropical depression over Oahu, Alaska is very chilly and here in “sunny” Cal we had rain.(Agai) Oh yeah, there is a comic here soewhere. The weather, however, admittedly is much more interesting.

This reminds me of the old “Tennessee Tuxedo” cartoons, when a criminal would threaten Tennesse and Chumley with “I’ll play you a little tune on my violin.”

Pops and Junior must be bummed about their confrontation. They’re feeling a little blue in the last panel.

Well you can bet your sweet bippy The story still seems rather dippy A plot line that’s shot full of holes “Do you want to see my walnetto” Or maybe it’s just a palmetto Ernistine was really very droll As we watch father and son fight Much as it is to our great delight What ever happened to Morgul the friendly Drelb About todays strip just let me say In my most dignified way It‘s “verrry eeen-ter-esting, but shtupid” And don’t you just hate That “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate” Especially when it’s pointed at you And though he has made a threat I’m sure that it will be a safe bet That Tracy will not do his job And who here is not a fan Of that darling little Edith Ann When she sticks out her tongue and goes “pbbbt” The ambassador is perplexed And we’re feeling so vexed Hah, “look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls” The plot could be considered farcical Just like little Mark and Sparkle Farkle And all the other little Farkles that there are I just read with dismay What it is I had to say So maybe I should “say goodnight Dick”.

The bottom-left panel today is the best part. It definitely seems pretty epic. Suddenly the son he hates is right behind him and he has his stradivarius back to his son’s surprise.

g6793 said, “VistaBill: Where do you live?”

margueritem said, “g6793, he lives on the East coast, where the big snowstorm hit.”

I live in Southern Maryland not far from Washington, DC. This was one of the biggest snowstorms ever for this area. Things look much better today.

VistaBill I’m surprise you have power we listen to the news here and it covers all the snow major section of east coast has received. Here in KS we are suppose to be getting snow it’s trying but we hopefully won’t be as bad as that maybe 4-8 inches. And your snow I believe is not over. DT this comic strip the creator has on the story line has been better then the past ones more action. I have missed a few been busy. Went to Home Show locally and next week Valentine’s weekend women’s show.

kab2rb said, “VistaBill I’m surprise you have power”

We’re thankful. Our lights went out for about 15 mins. Friday night, but ok since then. We usually do lose power whenever a bad storm or snow. They are predicting more snow Tues. night and Wed. Glad to be retired and not have to drive in bad weather. I sure did enough of it over the years!

If Virg wanted to kill the ambassador, why did he have to use a Strad as the weapon?

countoftowergrove said, “If Virg wanted to kill the ambassador, why did he have to use a Strad as the weapon?”

It was the recommended method in the “Murdering Ambassadors for Dummies” book.

I think Low Note is Buck Owen’s evil twin. All he has to do is act naturally.

Yet another conclusion has been reached. Low Note is Sam Wainwright’s evil reincarnation.

Low Note’s channeling the ghost of Roy Clark! Hey Grampa! What’s fer supper?