Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for July 28, 2021

“Too bad I can’t just investigate. It’s not like I’m the Police or something. Well let’s hope somebody does something. Now, what else is in the Comics?”

Good morning™, everyone!

I notice that Tracy says that Vera Alldid and he have “met on many occasions.” He certainly doesn’t consider Vera to be a “friend” but he does know something of Vera’s personality. He’s at least suspicious of the story but doesn’t seem quite convinced yet.

Colorizing gripe of the day: When the MCU mugs appear on Sundays, they are usually, if not always, yellow with black lettering. All the other usual mistakes by the MC continue.

„But it’s odd that no one close to her has raised the alarm yet“ – of course, if someone did, this arc would have been over by now.

Good morning™, warming up for red alerts !

Tracy’s 12 volt brain is straining to light the one-ten light bulb. The kid is confident and cocksure.

“It’s odd nobody close to her has raised the alarm yet.”

And that would be Honeymoon, right?

Neil Wick about 1 hour ago

Colorizing gripe of the day: When the MCU mugs appear on Sundays, they are usually, if not always, yellow with black lettering. All the other usual mistakes by the MC continue.

Neil, what a nitpicker you’ve become!

“Welcome to the bridge!”

Why is Tracy wearing a clip on tie?

Doesn’t anyone drink their coffee with cream?

Wonder why Mr. Peanut took his classy earring off?

Oh well, back to the coffee and donuts.

It seems odd, yes, but nothing odder than Tracy has seen…

They have. They just haven’t told Tracy yet.

maybe it’s time for him to start digging then.

Love the way Alldid and Straightedge appear in the wafting aroma of Tracy’s coffee. We pivot to Peanutbutter questioning Tracy, his hand adjusting his glasses to accentuate the query. Closing with an overhead shot, the conversation leaves Tracy wanting to begin questioning those close to Mysta. Well done. I appreciate Tracy’s firm belief—which is correct—that Mysta would never marry Alldud.

If Honeymoon would try connecting with her that would get the ball rolling. Hmmm…

Tracy; YOU are close to Mysta. Why not take the initiative, and, start investigating this. You’re the Chief of Detectives, AND, the head of the MCU, I’m sure you could pull a couple of detectives to start looking in to this, and, when things start to “smell” like “there is something rotten in the state of Denmark,” take over.

Wait, Peanutbutter met him at Police HQ…and next we see them having a (mcu) cup of coffee, today it looks like they’re in a diner…but still with the mcu cups?

Raising an alarm would make the story move faster…….can’t have that?

Great “Peanutbutter” expression in panel two!

Over in a parallel universe, though, Roger Ramjet is getting faint, disturbing and sinister vibrations. However, he ascribes them to that past-date sardine and kale pizza from the night before, and shrugs them off.

Other than Diet, who at Smith Industries is close to Mysta?

If she has an assistant or a secretary, the person has never been shown.

Vera has a reputation but not the favorable kind. Especially when you have the chief of detectives saying she’d never marry him.

1-DT: This may look like an ordinary cup of coffee but actually it’s a Pensieve – it stores memories I might have otherwise forgotten. You know, like in Harry Potter. Actually, I accidentally selected “STORE ALL MEMORIES” when I set it up so I have to refer to it to remember anything. Like – who are you again?

2-HOMELY: Really? Well, I’m the guy you owe $500 to…I mean $1,000. And you were just about to write me a check.

3-DT: Oh. OK. Say, do you know why my desk is so narrow?

HOMELY: It’s either so you can slide that check over to me quicker or because you clearly don’t even need a desk – it’s only got a newspaper and a Coffee Pensieve on it.

DT: Makes sense. Lemme check my Pensieve to see where I put my checkbook…What do I owe you again?

HOMELY: $2,000.

“I’m familiar with Vera Alldid and his comic strip. We’ve met on many occasions”. Obviously not joyful moments. Does Vera know he has a gift of ticking people off?

I think Peanutbutter is interested in Miss Chimera. After Moon Maid next comes Mars Maid.

For the past two weeks Mysta has been thinking, “Any minute now my close friend Dick Tracy, with whom I have family connections as well as deep shared experiences, will notice that I am missing and come searching for me. Yes-sirree, any minute now!”

“Any minute now.”

“I’m sure he’s on his way. With the entire police department behind him.”

“Yes, any minute now.”

“Crap”

Final panel is Mysta, searching for a spoon to dig her way out of this situation.

Mmmmmm…..Island Of Dr. Moreau……Island Of Lost Souls……Fantasy Island…..Gilligan’s Island…….the possibilities are endless!…….

First move, contact the people close to her and ask why….

Good cup handling today. I see Tracy’s using his wrist-projector in the steam.

I’ll tell you, Peanutbutter would have sweated out in Chicago the last few days wearing that long-sleeved sweatshirt.

Why did PB look good on Monday, but not the last two days?

Was that an actual thought balloon in panel 3? Have we ever seen that before for Dick Tracy?

Coloring mistakes are the least thing wrong with this gobbledygook. Lighten up Neil

Maybe blue-white haired scientist with a drinking problem shows up to ruin things and kill people doesn’t come by to “help”. Some Ghostbusters are former police detectives. Naw.

Much to my surprise, my internet connection is back today, at least for now. The AT&T dsl tech I spoke with yesterday said my connection would be out of service probably until 7 August, though it might possibly come on and then go off again during the repairs. Anyway, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to catch up as much as possible….

Homer “Peanutbutter” Barley and Tracy continue to dance around the point, but at the moment they seem to be zeroing in. Tracy’s thoughts indicate he is already suspicious. All that is needed is some valid cause to launch an investigation….