General comment: Isn’t it a bit early for a big reveal? This seems too easy. Unless Bribery is a part of this story and hiding around the corner, it would appear that this story is over.
If Hickman started the fire inside the vault, as the lady says, how did it spread to the whole building so quickly? Certainly, bank vaults are fire-proof; one would think a fire inside the vault would have been contained.
Neil Wick said, in response to my earlier comment, that the next special guest villain (with apologies to the late Adam West) does not like wearing shoes. (1) The return of the Nitrates? And (2) How does he know this?
Blackjack has always seemed to me to be more like a Batman TV show villain of the week. But I must admit that in this story Mike has given us more depth to Blackjack’s character and personality. (Blackjack is no less insane or flamboyant but we sort of understand that unlike other Tracy foes, he is not necessarily motivated by greed and seems to have some sense of goodness and morality in his character.)
I have enjoyed the somewhat rambling (Gould-like) nature of this story from a cranky BO Plenty through Blackjack’s Sparkle memoribilia fetish to Hickman’s bank embezzelment. I have enjoyed seeing Sam and Tracy doing actual flatfoot work on a stakeout.
All in all, I have thought this to be a very enjoyable and well-written/well illustrated story.
There are probably officers on scene who are blocking the street and barricading the crowd. A couple of officers should be placed on guard to arrest Blackjack as soon as he recovers his breath. And, where are his two henchmen? Did they make it out alive?
There’s a lot of explication going on today! The nameless secretary has turned on Frankie-boy in a heartbeat, though she hadn’t turned him in any earlier (for embezzlement, e.g.,if she knew about that; secretaries generally know all, and they don’t always keep it on the down low, either—personal experiences…). Tracy and Blackjack are both getting the oxygen they need, thank goodness, and seem for the moment to be on friendly terms. From Blackjack’s description in panel 2 of events, it seems to me that Hickman may have had a death wish. Maybe he saw that he could no longer hide his crimes.
Unless there is some sudden turn of events (doubtful, IMO), tomorrow may pretty much wind up this story. Only Blackjack’s standing before the law is a major story-point not yet resolved….
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
I wonder why he did it? I don’t see how it would do much but delay briefly the auditor from finding out the missing money.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Happy Saturday All!
Cheapskate0 over 7 years ago
Night-Gaunt49: “I wonder why (Hickman) did it?” Perhaps a suicide attempt – which would explain his fighting the rescue.
Cheapskate0 over 7 years ago
General comment: Isn’t it a bit early for a big reveal? This seems too easy. Unless Bribery is a part of this story and hiding around the corner, it would appear that this story is over.
22ph over 7 years ago
Looks like there won’t be any arrest as far as Blackjack is concerned.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Blackjack’s actions should at least earn him an early release.
Sabretooth over 7 years ago
I love Blackjack. Hopefully he’ll be back again when the story arc is finished.
Elexia over 7 years ago
I’m impressed how quickly Dick Tracy got his coat on between panels and while still holding the oxygen mask. That’s some skills!
avenger09 over 7 years ago
My how quickly the secretary has recovered from being unconscious due to smoke inhalation!
avenger09 over 7 years ago
Dick can’t decide if he’s hot or cold. He keeps wearing then taking off his trench coat! LOL!
Ken in Ohio over 7 years ago
If Hickman started the fire inside the vault, as the lady says, how did it spread to the whole building so quickly? Certainly, bank vaults are fire-proof; one would think a fire inside the vault would have been contained.
Ignatz Premium Member over 7 years ago
That doesn’t sound too bright, does it? Unless I’m mistaken, that’s the sort of thing investigators spot as arson in a heartbeat.
William Bednar Premium Member over 7 years ago
Luckily, neither the trash can nor the vault had any real money in them.
seanyj over 7 years ago
Is Tracy gonna arrest Blackjack or let him slide for saving a life?
Cheapskate0 over 7 years ago
Neil Wick said, in response to my earlier comment, that the next special guest villain (with apologies to the late Adam West) does not like wearing shoes. (1) The return of the Nitrates? And (2) How does he know this?
JPuzzleWhiz over 7 years ago
I’m going to go out on a limb, here:
In today’s strip, Blackjack does not appear to be talking (or thinking) like a crook, but more like……..a detective.
Could it be that Mike and Joe might eventually turn him into a private eye……..perhaps having him work for Tess?
JPuzzleWhiz over 7 years ago
(Am I hearing the crack of a tree branch?) ;o)
Ray Toler over 7 years ago
Blackjack has always seemed to me to be more like a Batman TV show villain of the week. But I must admit that in this story Mike has given us more depth to Blackjack’s character and personality. (Blackjack is no less insane or flamboyant but we sort of understand that unlike other Tracy foes, he is not necessarily motivated by greed and seems to have some sense of goodness and morality in his character.)
I have enjoyed the somewhat rambling (Gould-like) nature of this story from a cranky BO Plenty through Blackjack’s Sparkle memoribilia fetish to Hickman’s bank embezzelment. I have enjoyed seeing Sam and Tracy doing actual flatfoot work on a stakeout.
All in all, I have thought this to be a very enjoyable and well-written/well illustrated story.
Ray Toler over 7 years ago
The way Blackjack idolizes Tracy, it must be a great honor to him to aid Tracy in solving the case.
Ray Toler over 7 years ago
There are probably officers on scene who are blocking the street and barricading the crowd. A couple of officers should be placed on guard to arrest Blackjack as soon as he recovers his breath. And, where are his two henchmen? Did they make it out alive?
Ray Toler over 7 years ago
No one has seen the faces of Blackjack’s men. They could easily remove their hoods and slip away during the hubbub.
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
There’s a lot of explication going on today! The nameless secretary has turned on Frankie-boy in a heartbeat, though she hadn’t turned him in any earlier (for embezzlement, e.g.,if she knew about that; secretaries generally know all, and they don’t always keep it on the down low, either—personal experiences…). Tracy and Blackjack are both getting the oxygen they need, thank goodness, and seem for the moment to be on friendly terms. From Blackjack’s description in panel 2 of events, it seems to me that Hickman may have had a death wish. Maybe he saw that he could no longer hide his crimes.
Unless there is some sudden turn of events (doubtful, IMO), tomorrow may pretty much wind up this story. Only Blackjack’s standing before the law is a major story-point not yet resolved….
boboscar 8 months ago
Still looks to be continuing uninterrupted from the previous 7 strips, so presumably Tubthumping is still going:
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