Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 15, 2018

Vitamin has Joe with him. They’re watching Vista Bill

Viewing his last movie is a melancholy thrill.

Beyond the Sunset he did ride, now look to see no more

The gentle soul we did so like crossed to the other shore.

Astride his trusty Comet, he was always there when needed

To emphasize the positive, his kindness often heeded.

Each and every morning we could count on him to say

“Morning, Marg, and all you fans. Fly Comet and Away!”

“Fly, Comet~!!”

Good morning™, movie watchers!

Even he is “Beyond the Sunset,” Vista Bill will always be there when he is needed. A fitting tribute. He is no longer with us, but he will always be remembered.

That was beautiful.

In a weird way, I feel grateful to Mike Curtis for making a mistake.

When he announced that he’d do a tribute to VIsta Bill, he said it would be ready on April 8. We already knew that this would be the date for the Minit Mystery solution, so we assumed the tribute might be a single panel, maybe in the Tracy Hall of Fame.

Instead, three days in a row dedicated to his memory, culminating in a full Sunday strip, a bigger, more spectacular tribute than any of us were expecting.

A fitting tribute to a great man. I only exchanged several comments withhim, but he was very kind. He was a train buff just like me & we exchangedstories of train spotting & I really liked the pictures He sent me of his trains

Nick kind of convinced me to do the VB logo one more day… But we really need to celebrate all the fallen – Sydney, Morrow, and even Gweedo!

Good morning™, posse!

It’s been good to see Vista Bill’s image with all of these “Good Morning” messages, these last few days.

I am a bit disappointed that he didn’t get today’s “Hall of fame” spot, which would have explained to everybody else what this strip really is about.

(raises a glass) (of milk, of course)

Vista Bill may not have done it the Easy Way, but he Always did it the Cowboy Way!

Worth waking up early for.

Words fail, but I’ll try to express the many interconnected feelings I’m having now. Like several others have expressed, I’ve been more of a lurker than a poster at this forum over the past few years. I stumbled here later than many because, while I’ve been a life-long fan of the comic strip/comic book art form, I was not especially a Dick Tracy fan. But hearing about what GREAT work Joe, Mike, and the crew were doing I gave their version of the strip a guick glance and was instantly hooked. I went back in the archives to their first story and binge-read over a year’s worth of strips in one sitting until I caught up. And then the second revelation started to wash over me: there was a passionate and kind-spirited community of fans gathered around the strip that was so special. Even the creative team recognized it and took time to stop in now and again.

This is something none of us should take for granted. Who knows the future of newspapers? Who knows the future of the comic strip? Thanks to the musings of Bill Watterson we know that even 30 years ago when he was doing “Calvin & Hobbes” it was already an uphill battle to create good work in the face of publishing demands. The untimely illness and passing of Richard Thompson took away “Cul de Sac” far sooner than he or anyone would have wished. As we pause and pay tribute to Vista Bill, I also feel grateful for this very special, shared fellowship of artists and fans that he was at the center of for so long. It may also “pass beyond the sunset” before our liking.

All of your tributes to Vista Bill are wonderful and I came across a video from Babylon 5 that would be a fitting tribute to Vista Bill and the others who have gone “beyond the sunset”…

It’s the dinner toast scene from “In The Light” where various deceased characters are remembered and John Sheridan says : “To friends, still in memory bright”…

One of the only times I’ve ever sat here and applauded a comic strip. This is beautiful.

Bravo! Well done! I hope young Joseph doesn’t damage his eyes sitting so close to the TV!

Very nicely done, Mike.

Seems all the real heroes are beyond the sunset or only in the comic strips anymore.

I am not ashamed to say that today’s tribute to Vista Bill actually gave me chills. Thanks for such a powerful salute to our departed friend.

Is Vista Bill a way to into the Green Hornet backstory, where he is the descendant of a western adventurer from the 19th century, with out having to pay more royalties?

Beyond the sunset, but not forgotten. A fine gentleman, and yes I agree. We should also think of all the others we lost too; Sydney, Morrow, and even Gweedo. All are missed as well. Godspeed, gentleman. I raise my glass of shine to you. As my grandmother would say: Donadagohvi gentlemen (Until we meet again)

I’m too emotional right now to even comment… this is just an amazing tribute to my father.

Many thanks to Team Tracy for a very fitting tribute to Vista Bill!

Gweedo says,

Gayle, we are so glad and honored by your company !  Sadly, another poster, Morrow Cummings, who passed more recently (March 20) is not so covered and his family coming on this board would also be most welcomed. I was told I would be texted his wife Judy’s number but that has not happened.

.

Thank you for showing up and believe me many of us are “feeling it too” ! Gordon

The timing of this tribute to the real-life Vista Bill turned out to a nice coincidence in that it came at the beginning of a crossover with a fictional character (the Green Hornet) who starred in movie serials and who was also was given a connection with a fictional western hero (the Lone Ranger) as well. (I hope this comment didn’t offend anyone.)

Vista Bill was a steady and much loved presence here. It’s gratifying to see such an acknowledgement in the strip.

Beautiful tribute !!!

Beyond the Sunset – a wonderful tribute.

How many other comic strips, or any form of popular culture entertainment, would honor a fan this way? Is it any wonder Dick Tracy & Joe & Mike have such loyal & loving readers?

What a very moving and poignant tribute to “our” Vista Bill, William Raley! Breathtaking. It leaves me speechless. So deftly done by Mike and Joe….

This was absolutely lovely. What a wonderful tribute to our Vista Bill and his Comet. I miss him….