Surprise! Lizz did not leave her 2-way outside the salon as I suggested yesterday. The Fifth must have grabbed the clothes, accidently switching the radio on. I see him with a bundle under one arm, waving his gun with his other hand, while he and Lizz (bare legged under a short robe!) make their exit.
Will our heros hear enough over the radio to figure out she is being abducted? Or will the Fifth hear their voices coming from that bundle of clothes?
Ill does the situation bode
For Lizz dressed in a terry cloth robe
But though she may wind up dead
She is one not to lose her head
The radio keeps on sending
Her succor now is pending
Triangulate and find the source
This is just a matter of course
The chief wants to know what’s the buzz
Fifth is going to learn not to beard the fuzz
Immunity he may have been granted
Soon though, he will become disenchanted
To kidnap a cop is a major crime
And he may not live to do the time
To put in danger one of their own
The seeds of your destruction you have sown
So much is happening in so little time
All I can say is “ain’t it sublime”
Where once before time seemed to drag by
Now it seems to move quicker than the eye
Our wait now is one with bated breath
The story has become a matter of life or death
Oh, what can be the nature of Lizz’s forthcoming fate
I’m willing to bet it’s the Fifth that winds up “the late“.
Thanks, neonleon59, BillT, VistaBill, billdi and woodworker318.
I do not think you need to switch between transmit and receive. You never see one of these guys holding his free hand near to do that.
Diet Smith probably realized that the other hand would all too often be in use, holding a gun, and used the same kind of split coil circuit that keeps your telephone from feeding back into itself.
(Oh. And I deleted the first version of my earlier post.)
Does anyone know how much the subscriber count has changed since the new regime took over? It seems that many more folks are posting to the comments forum. The new posters may have been just suffering in silence before like I was. I posted very little before but now feel like joining in more often.
Well, so much for no one listening to that frequency. TRACY, You got some splaining to do!
ARF2 said, about 5 hours ago
Surprise! Lizz did not leave her 2-way outside the salon as I suggested yesterday. The Fifth must have grabbed the clothes, accidently switching the radio on. I see him with a bundle under one arm, waving his gun with his other hand, while he and Lizz (bare legged under a short robe!) make their exit
I agree, can’t see the Fifth just leaving her clothes lie there. That would raise too much suspicion. Although, unless they work like a phone, how can her radio being transmitting and the guys are still able to talk to each other.
Unless, she is on another channel they should be “keyed out”. It may be a safety procedure, if you can’t transmit here go to 2, a tactical channel kinda thing.
I am glad to see Pat finally gave up his UPS gig and stopped using his “Just for Men”
I agree with BillThompson: most terrestrial radios are push-to-talk because they transmit and receive on the same frequency. You can have different channels on different frequencies, of course; but you only hear the people who are on your same frequency.
The comic is inconsistent, because it talks about a “transmit button” but no one seems to be using one. I think this is how Gould did it also, so the writers are being faithful to him, right or wrong.
All three characters using Diet Smith’ modern technology (true it’s only the radio version) but other that Tracy. other character’s haven’t used the device in 18 years (?)
Even our favorite detective used it only like a cellphone, no visuals needed. Neglect !
There was one ‘exception’ in 2005 when Tracy used the Taser feature.
All three characters using Diet Smith’ modern technology (true it’s only the radio version) but other that Tracy. other character’s haven’t used the device in 18 years (?)
Even our favorite detective used it only like a cellphone, no visuals needed. Neglect !
There was one ‘exception’ in 2005 when Tracy used the Taser feature.
I’m luvin’ it! The push-to-talk stuff doesn’t make a bleeep at this time. Compare the overall quality to the garbage that we’ve been fed for the last umpteen years and you’ll see the difference. Which brings another thought to the table:
Had Tracy not been transformed into the Ultimate Wienie by Locher, would the Dick Tracy Museum possibly have lived a little longer? Hmmm? In my opinion, Locher did his best to destroy the character that has been America’s hero for 75 years. He couldn’t have done a better job if he had tried. That has to have had an effect on today’s kids who didn’t ever see Tracy as a role model. And that had to trickle down to the museum and it’s support.
WW: Another good one. Why all the complaining about how the wrist radio works. Just enjoy the strip. At least it’s moving, not stuck in neutral. Will the attendant at the tanning parlor notice that Liz has not checked out and is no ware to found?
How long was Pat Patton off before he came back? Maybe he never got the memo to stop using the old wrist devices (they were 2-way wrist TVs back in the Moon Maid era).
OK… offered in the spirit of constructive criticism: if this story follows the “Plainclothes” version (and it appears to be doing so), we’ve reached a point where events are being determined largely by coincidence: Lizz and the 5th just happened to be visiting the same tanning salon (and the 5th’s reason is still unclear, as his words suggest he was trying to get Fly-Face’s stench out of his clothing), and then Lizz (or maybe the 5th) just happened to butt-dial the wrist radio.
True, real crime stories do often involve some amount of coincidence and/or luck, but after several years in which Tracy did no police work whatsoever (it seemed the coincidental resolution was a DL trademark) I’m looking forward to seeing some real detective stuff (y’know, clues, deduction, pursuit) from the Major Crime Squad.
Matthew, thanks for the link. Hope I can help out.
brinrik, subscribers are up to 23,584 as of today. Up from 23,512 a couple of weeks ago.
Regarding the send/transmit stuff. This is Diet Smith’s technology. Since when do any of his devices work on a real-life principle? Let it ride and enjoy the story.
I have been reading the Complete Dick Tracy collection of books, and if you look back at Gould’s classic stories, there are several examples of coincidence playing a large part in the stories. Was it a little unbelievable sometimes? Yep… but still they were exciting stories. Also, as far as the discussion about just how the 2 way wrist radio sends and receives… this is not a movie; a comic strip shows in 3 panels just 3 split seconds of the “real” action. I’ve never really thought about if a button has to be pushed, and quite frankly, I don’t care. Basically… my opinion is “don’t over-analyze, use a little imagination, sit back and enjoy the story”
Nice background material today concerning Sam Catchem and the 2-ways. Sam didn’t join the force until 1948 with the resignation of Chief John Brandon. That was when Pat Patton was promoted. Sam’s first case involved an old girlfriend, Sleet, and it very nearly proved to be his last. Great story and great artwork from Chester Gould and remains one of my favorites. Should be featured in the next IDW reprint as we’re just now getting into the Big Frost storyline.
On the role of coincidence in the Tracy stories-
Synchronicity is something I believe in a lot. It happens to me, and happens to a lot of people. With Tracy, it plays the role of advancing the story. Lots of Gould tales pushed synchronicity to the limit, like the time Tonsils used a rifel to almost kill Tracy. Turned out the boat went deep into a false shoreline.
My hobby is Superman collecting. Many times I will come upon a Superman reference or thing that normally would not be there. As a theater manager, I took over a theater and found a case of Kryptonite left over from the 1978 movie.
I drove to Dallas to cover the opening of the new Superman musical. I had directions to a friend’s home to stay the night but I was driving on the Interstate, trying to read directions in the dark and wishing for a sign. Suddenly I saw a huge Superman symbol about 60 foot in the sky. I shook my head, thinking synchronicity was pushing too hard this time. Turned out it was the Six Flags ride. But it did direct me to the right exit.
woodworker318, no one is complaining about the way the radios work. The discussion is like you asking if someone at the salon will notice that Lizz hasn’t checked out. It’s speculation on how the story can play out. And it’s obviously the sort of detail that Staton & Curtis won’t overlook.
I just remembered that the radios were designed to work as eavesdropping devices. Probably they can be set to a transmit-only mode, although I don’t see why Lizz would do that during a casual salon visit. I’m guessing that they have a push-to-talk button, and we haven’t seen it because it would waste storytelling space to fill in that detail.
Hey Wndrwrthg, Another great poem as always and I think it is time somebody should congratulate you on writing the longest sentences ever written , so let me be the first . I have decided it is even more fun to read your poems by taking one deep, deep breath and see how fast one can get through it all without taking another breath. Keep ‘em coming it lets me know i am still alive after taking in air after a coma or (?) mark & finishing the reading. .
Mike, when are you gonna get Bonnie Braids and Joe Tracy in on the action ?
BTW, I’m from Tennessee and heard you and Joe were also. I’m in the process of procuring a petition to have DT appear in THE TENNESSEAN newspaper…I’ve been in communication with several editors, but I keep getting the polite brushoff. Maybe with a few hundred signtures they will consider my request.
Thank God for GoComics, but I still want to see DT on newsprint !
brinrik sorry but the only number I know how to get is to hover over the “Dick Tracy” name on the A - Z list. It gives you a pop-up window for the strip that includes the current number of subscribers. Someone else asked how many subscribers a few days after Mike and Joe took over, which I looked up and that’s why I remember the previous number.
60sFan over 13 years ago
Nuts, no Lizz today!!
On the other hand, it’s pretty cool to see Sam, Tracy and Patton all talking on their wrist radios.
margueritem over 13 years ago
Times a wastin’ boys, Lizz needs help, STAT!
Llewellenbruce over 13 years ago
I wonder where Liz concealed her wrist radio?
atomicpulp over 13 years ago
Loving this strip - but with Mike & Joe at the helm, how can I not?
Fans of Joe’s Dick Tracy should check out these webcomics:
http://www.femme-noir.com/webcomics.html
Wiseking over 13 years ago
Stay tuned!
ARF2 over 13 years ago
Surprise! Lizz did not leave her 2-way outside the salon as I suggested yesterday. The Fifth must have grabbed the clothes, accidently switching the radio on. I see him with a bundle under one arm, waving his gun with his other hand, while he and Lizz (bare legged under a short robe!) make their exit.
Will our heros hear enough over the radio to figure out she is being abducted? Or will the Fifth hear their voices coming from that bundle of clothes?
wndrwrthg over 13 years ago
Ill does the situation bode For Lizz dressed in a terry cloth robe But though she may wind up dead She is one not to lose her head The radio keeps on sending Her succor now is pending Triangulate and find the source This is just a matter of course The chief wants to know what’s the buzz Fifth is going to learn not to beard the fuzz Immunity he may have been granted Soon though, he will become disenchanted To kidnap a cop is a major crime And he may not live to do the time To put in danger one of their own The seeds of your destruction you have sown So much is happening in so little time All I can say is “ain’t it sublime” Where once before time seemed to drag by Now it seems to move quicker than the eye Our wait now is one with bated breath The story has become a matter of life or death Oh, what can be the nature of Lizz’s forthcoming fate I’m willing to bet it’s the Fifth that winds up “the late“.
Thanks, neonleon59, BillT, VistaBill, billdi and woodworker318.
Bill Thompson over 13 years ago
Nice way to bring Pat Patton into the story and give some background.
If the wrist radio works like most transceivers, then it won’t receive while transmitting. There shouldn’t be anything for the Fifth to hear.
FLIGHT SUIT over 13 years ago
Dick and company may actually have to use their powers of deductive reasoning to figure out what’s happening!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
Another masterpiece from wndrwrthg!
Good morning all…
ARF2 over 13 years ago
I do not think you need to switch between transmit and receive. You never see one of these guys holding his free hand near to do that.
Diet Smith probably realized that the other hand would all too often be in use, holding a gun, and used the same kind of split coil circuit that keeps your telephone from feeding back into itself.
(Oh. And I deleted the first version of my earlier post.)
60sFan over 13 years ago
Guessing Lizz slipped her wrist radio in the pocket of her robe. The Fifth said they were leaving her clothes.
brinrik over 13 years ago
Does anyone know how much the subscriber count has changed since the new regime took over? It seems that many more folks are posting to the comments forum. The new posters may have been just suffering in silence before like I was. I posted very little before but now feel like joining in more often.
Det.DanDone over 13 years ago
Well, so much for no one listening to that frequency. TRACY, You got some splaining to do!
ARF2 said, about 5 hours ago
Surprise! Lizz did not leave her 2-way outside the salon as I suggested yesterday. The Fifth must have grabbed the clothes, accidently switching the radio on. I see him with a bundle under one arm, waving his gun with his other hand, while he and Lizz (bare legged under a short robe!) make their exit
I agree, can’t see the Fifth just leaving her clothes lie there. That would raise too much suspicion. Although, unless they work like a phone, how can her radio being transmitting and the guys are still able to talk to each other. Unless, she is on another channel they should be “keyed out”. It may be a safety procedure, if you can’t transmit here go to 2, a tactical channel kinda thing.
I am glad to see Pat finally gave up his UPS gig and stopped using his “Just for Men”
http://www.gocomics.com/dicktracy/2011/03/28/
Ray_C over 13 years ago
I agree with BillThompson: most terrestrial radios are push-to-talk because they transmit and receive on the same frequency. You can have different channels on different frequencies, of course; but you only hear the people who are on your same frequency.
The comic is inconsistent, because it talks about a “transmit button” but no one seems to be using one. I think this is how Gould did it also, so the writers are being faithful to him, right or wrong.
sydney over 13 years ago
All three characters using Diet Smith’ modern technology (true it’s only the radio version) but other that Tracy. other character’s haven’t used the device in 18 years (?)
Even our favorite detective used it only like a cellphone, no visuals needed. Neglect !
There was one ‘exception’ in 2005 when Tracy used the Taser feature.
sydney over 13 years ago
All three characters using Diet Smith’ modern technology (true it’s only the radio version) but other that Tracy. other character’s haven’t used the device in 18 years (?)
Even our favorite detective used it only like a cellphone, no visuals needed. Neglect !
There was one ‘exception’ in 2005 when Tracy used the Taser feature.
Morrow Cummings over 13 years ago
I’m luvin’ it! The push-to-talk stuff doesn’t make a bleeep at this time. Compare the overall quality to the garbage that we’ve been fed for the last umpteen years and you’ll see the difference. Which brings another thought to the table:
Had Tracy not been transformed into the Ultimate Wienie by Locher, would the Dick Tracy Museum possibly have lived a little longer? Hmmm? In my opinion, Locher did his best to destroy the character that has been America’s hero for 75 years. He couldn’t have done a better job if he had tried. That has to have had an effect on today’s kids who didn’t ever see Tracy as a role model. And that had to trickle down to the museum and it’s support.
coratelli over 13 years ago
Great! I love the new creative team!
woodworker318 over 13 years ago
WW: Another good one. Why all the complaining about how the wrist radio works. Just enjoy the strip. At least it’s moving, not stuck in neutral. Will the attendant at the tanning parlor notice that Liz has not checked out and is no ware to found?
nerdhoof over 13 years ago
How long was Pat Patton off before he came back? Maybe he never got the memo to stop using the old wrist devices (they were 2-way wrist TVs back in the Moon Maid era).
heligmyer over 13 years ago
Whoops! Looks like they’ll be pulling the chief into their “unofficial” investigation.
Good to see the white hat and hair on Patton.
Dr. Midnight over 13 years ago
Three wrist radios…. three anatomically correct arms!!
puddleglum1066 over 13 years ago
OK… offered in the spirit of constructive criticism: if this story follows the “Plainclothes” version (and it appears to be doing so), we’ve reached a point where events are being determined largely by coincidence: Lizz and the 5th just happened to be visiting the same tanning salon (and the 5th’s reason is still unclear, as his words suggest he was trying to get Fly-Face’s stench out of his clothing), and then Lizz (or maybe the 5th) just happened to butt-dial the wrist radio.
True, real crime stories do often involve some amount of coincidence and/or luck, but after several years in which Tracy did no police work whatsoever (it seemed the coincidental resolution was a DL trademark) I’m looking forward to seeing some real detective stuff (y’know, clues, deduction, pursuit) from the Major Crime Squad.
PS: Mike–I love the “rules of the Tracyverse”
JanLC over 13 years ago
Matthew, thanks for the link. Hope I can help out.
brinrik, subscribers are up to 23,584 as of today. Up from 23,512 a couple of weeks ago.
Regarding the send/transmit stuff. This is Diet Smith’s technology. Since when do any of his devices work on a real-life principle? Let it ride and enjoy the story.
Farmboy71 over 13 years ago
I have been reading the Complete Dick Tracy collection of books, and if you look back at Gould’s classic stories, there are several examples of coincidence playing a large part in the stories. Was it a little unbelievable sometimes? Yep… but still they were exciting stories. Also, as far as the discussion about just how the 2 way wrist radio sends and receives… this is not a movie; a comic strip shows in 3 panels just 3 split seconds of the “real” action. I’ve never really thought about if a button has to be pushed, and quite frankly, I don’t care. Basically… my opinion is “don’t over-analyze, use a little imagination, sit back and enjoy the story”
LittleRedDress over 13 years ago
Nice background material today concerning Sam Catchem and the 2-ways. Sam didn’t join the force until 1948 with the resignation of Chief John Brandon. That was when Pat Patton was promoted. Sam’s first case involved an old girlfriend, Sleet, and it very nearly proved to be his last. Great story and great artwork from Chester Gould and remains one of my favorites. Should be featured in the next IDW reprint as we’re just now getting into the Big Frost storyline.
MikeCurtis Premium Member over 13 years ago
Hey Matthew Hansel
What can Joe and I do to help the Dick Tracy Museum? He’s our favorite hero too.
Mike
MikeCurtis Premium Member over 13 years ago
On the role of coincidence in the Tracy stories- Synchronicity is something I believe in a lot. It happens to me, and happens to a lot of people. With Tracy, it plays the role of advancing the story. Lots of Gould tales pushed synchronicity to the limit, like the time Tonsils used a rifel to almost kill Tracy. Turned out the boat went deep into a false shoreline. My hobby is Superman collecting. Many times I will come upon a Superman reference or thing that normally would not be there. As a theater manager, I took over a theater and found a case of Kryptonite left over from the 1978 movie. I drove to Dallas to cover the opening of the new Superman musical. I had directions to a friend’s home to stay the night but I was driving on the Interstate, trying to read directions in the dark and wishing for a sign. Suddenly I saw a huge Superman symbol about 60 foot in the sky. I shook my head, thinking synchronicity was pushing too hard this time. Turned out it was the Six Flags ride. But it did direct me to the right exit.
MikeCurtis Premium Member over 13 years ago
Tomorrow- the return of Junior Tracy!
Bill Thompson over 13 years ago
woodworker318, no one is complaining about the way the radios work. The discussion is like you asking if someone at the salon will notice that Lizz hasn’t checked out. It’s speculation on how the story can play out. And it’s obviously the sort of detail that Staton & Curtis won’t overlook.
I just remembered that the radios were designed to work as eavesdropping devices. Probably they can be set to a transmit-only mode, although I don’t see why Lizz would do that during a casual salon visit. I’m guessing that they have a push-to-talk button, and we haven’t seen it because it would waste storytelling space to fill in that detail.
dakota_jones over 13 years ago
This is the way to build suspense! Great work!
Fusnr over 13 years ago
Hey Wndrwrthg, Another great poem as always and I think it is time somebody should congratulate you on writing the longest sentences ever written , so let me be the first . I have decided it is even more fun to read your poems by taking one deep, deep breath and see how fast one can get through it all without taking another breath. Keep ‘em coming it lets me know i am still alive after taking in air after a coma or (?) mark & finishing the reading. .
BuzzyKincaid73 over 13 years ago
JUNIOR TRACY…AW YEAH ! ! ! !
Mike, when are you gonna get Bonnie Braids and Joe Tracy in on the action ?
BTW, I’m from Tennessee and heard you and Joe were also. I’m in the process of procuring a petition to have DT appear in THE TENNESSEAN newspaper…I’ve been in communication with several editors, but I keep getting the polite brushoff. Maybe with a few hundred signtures they will consider my request.
Thank God for GoComics, but I still want to see DT on newsprint !
Keep up the great work !
brinrik over 13 years ago
JanCinVV, thanks. Is there a way to find out the numbers from the last stage of the Locker era?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 13 years ago
MikeCurtis said, “Tomorrow- the return of Junior Tracy!”
DT keeps getting better!
idarke over 13 years ago
This is starting to resemble a deodorant commercial. Someone needs to wear theirs under the wrist.
oink over 13 years ago
First I would like to thank Dick Locher for keeping Dick Tracy alive , we have lost so many great adventure strips .
Then I would like to say how much I am enjoying the work of Joe and Mike I look forward every day to see what they will come up with next .
Love Lizz’s new // old look .
JanLC over 13 years ago
brinrik sorry but the only number I know how to get is to hover over the “Dick Tracy” name on the A - Z list. It gives you a pop-up window for the strip that includes the current number of subscribers. Someone else asked how many subscribers a few days after Mike and Joe took over, which I looked up and that’s why I remember the previous number.