Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for December 23, 2018

Boarding school was extra cruel when holidays arrived

Others left. Crystal bereft. Alone she did survive.

Studies kept her occupied, as did her sling shot skills

Literature. Geometry. Vocabulary drills.

Uncle finally came for her, a man so very cruel

Called her ugly to her face and played her for a fool.

At first a distant rumor that she dared not to believe

Her father here in Tracyville, soon she did cease to grieve.

Things so very different now, ‘tis like her first Noel

Christmas tree and family, she’s no longer in hell.

Good morning™, merry makers!

It seems that the extended Christmas long weekend has already begun in Tracy-land.

I do have to wonder how there can be an “elephant preserve” just outside of Tracy’s city. I don’t know precisely where the City is, but I’m pretty sure that wild elephants are not found in the vicinity.

Movie recommendations: The original “Miracle on 34th Street” and the Alastair Sim version of “Scrooge.” And, if you can, make them the black-on-white versions, NOT colorized!

I learn so much from reading the comics! Never heard of elephants eating Christmas trees before so I just had to do some searching, and lo & behold—it’s a tradition at zoos, sanctuaries, and preserves all over the world. Here’s a nice post from an outfit in Tennessee (Tennessee?!?), the Elephant Sanctuary:

https://www.elephants.com/news/elenotes/posts/local-tree-trimmings-to-feed-the-sanctuarys-elephants

Good morning™, Father and Child reunion !

A very good Christmas for Laf and Crystal while giving an update of sorts on them.

Great strip today !

I remember putting the icicles on our Christmas Tree, and then tossed them when taking the tree down. Seems you don’t see that much, anymore, if at all.

I don’t think WE have a “local elephant preserve” near my town, so I’ll stick with the petro-chemically made plastic and steel tree I put up – it looks pretty good (it’s a Martha Stewart model I got on sale)… :-P

we interrupt this narrative about an dangerous escaped mental patient, to bring you this touching holiday vignette.

glad too see this story arc.

And listen to a little GNR, eh?

How can my town get an elephant preserve?

And you, Wilbur, hush.

Family that’s what’s all about

This is exceptionally sweet, way to go Team Tracy!

Good GOD could we PLEASE have Haf-n-Haf murder these two? In the most GRISLY way possible!

In a world where Tracy & the MCU team bring death or imprisonment to so many bad people, it’s nice to see that good things happen to the good ones too…

I like how they keep dropping in on Crystal and her dad, even though neither of them is in danger and it really isn’t part of the story line.

I don’t mind a calm day or two, or more, around Christmas. We and Tracy can get back to the crime and blood and gory stuff with the new year easily enough….

Crystal and Austin seem to be developing a familial rapport quite speedily!