And if it were one of the freaks, they would know that you were not contacted.
And anyway, THERE WAS A CROWD PRESENT, AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED. THE COPS WOULD SHOW UP ANYWAY!
How about Claude Balls for the lion tamers name?
“One of you could be the killer, because… I HAVEN’T RULED ANYBODY OUT YET!” Seriously, of COURSE one of them could be the killer. Aside from the facts that many murders are personal and naturally, all the freaks were at the scene, DICK HASN’T DONE ANY DETECTIVE WORK YET. This is so… whatever.
Panel 3: Dick leans at an angle and his hands began to glow softly. Ringo attempts to hide his alarm.
Guess that rules out the people Tracy had in sight the entire time since the murder. The killer must have throught they would cover up Louise’s murder by making look like an act. She would have to be eaten by clowns or something.
Yesterday, “tracyfan92” worried about seeing a succession of panels of Circus freaks - all suspects. No worry my friend that’s today’s (lazy?) gambit and you won’t here anything more about that again
This is “Red Herring” country now. a fresh one to throw scales in your eyes every day, while the Author laughs at how he has accidentally turned Dick Tracy into a comedy and doesn’t have to do hard work anymore.
Watch and see how all the clues COME and GO never to be heard of again. Follow the progress on this death threat which arrived on (8-13), there will be “talk, talk, talk” and more talk and on 8-24 it will be sent to HQ for finger prints and analysis. You’ll NEVER hear anything about that again. At month end (8-31) Tracy still in the ring as a Ballistics report arrives. You have to wonder WHY (?) You’ll never hear more on that one again !
Every day it’s a fresh Red Herring (really ‘stalling’ poorly disguised) while the Author takes his own sweeyt time to decide what of “substance” is going to happen next.(?)
Tracy has been in that Circus Ring for THREE weeks now. At SIX weeks mid September he’ll STILL be right there, “talking, talking, talking”. NO action ! NO substance. Just wasting everybodies time.
You have to wonder if this man ever stops to take a BATH? If Capt. Joseph Medil Patterson were alive he’d fire both “Dicks” on the spot, for unsanitary behavior.(fishy smell).
It did cross my mind, mailing Locher a bar of milled soap and a covering note inviting him to “wash his hands” of this filthy, FISHY mess he’s introduced into Dick Tracy –
Stop criticize! I disagree with the idea that Tracy needs a bath. At a pace of one minute per day and nothing on Sunday, six weeks is 36 minutes.
I also disagree with the idea that those white things in Panel 3 are hands. If they’re hands then Tracy has his right arm behind his left arm and his left arm behind his right arm. Try it….
If Locher is following the rules of mysteries he is even more brilliant than I had thought! See, the murderer can’t be Tracy or a member of his family – unfair to the reader. Locher can’t suddenly spring somebody we haven’t been introduced to yet on us as the murderer – that wouldn’t be fair either. So the murderer has to be one of the people Tracy has been interrogating – either the ringmaster or the clown, and the only question according to the rules is which one of those two is the Least Likely Suspect? Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut … both of them have been under constant observation and could not have cut and pasted the second note.
So, who will turn out to be the murderer? We are baffled! Locher is a genius!
-Cougar :{)
P.S. I believe the impending tidal wave shown in Panel 2 was placed there to build suspense. Now Tracy must not only solve the mystery – he must do it before the tidal wave strikes! I predict the pace will slow to less than one minute per day – perhaps as little as one second per day – to build suspense as the tidal wave remains poised …
YEESH. FOUR DAYS to make a “deduction” that makes no sense at all.
I get that, with maybe fifty papers still clinging to this strip, it’s probably not making enough money to hire established talent, as King Features did with Prince Valiant. But still, there have to be a lot of aspiring talented cartoonists out there who would do this strip for free. Or, why not take a page from the comic books, and have floating creative teams? There are lots of big names who I’m sure would enjoy the opportunity to do a Tracy adventure, and the results could be collected in a graphic novel, which would generate more income and interest.
As it is, this strip is an insult to its readers and its history. I’m amazed it keeps crawling along in this form. But then, Mandrake the Magician and the Phantom were similarly stupid and ran for decades, so maybe quality isn’t the goal at all.
I think Tracy still looks like Tracy and even the master, Gould, made some mistakes too with Moon Maid that had to be conveniently killed off in a car explosion set by a Radio Schlock employee who wanted to off Tracy. Poor Junior (who was married to Moon Maid) always got the short end of the stick. Locher isn’t Gould, but as long as Tracy looks like Tracy (although now he sprouts occasional eyeballs) and the crooks look grotesque and get caught in the end I’m happy. As far as pacing goes I’ve never seen a story go longer than three months so something must be happening although slowly. I got no complaints because Without Locher, no more Dick Tracy.
It’s really interesting to hear the varying hypotheses on Tracy/Locher’s approach to finding the murderer.
CougarA, thinks Locher can’t “suddenly spring somebody …” Oh yes, he can. He plays by HIS rules And all TEN of them say – “This is a comic strip.
Interpretation in practise: – I can do any blunderbuss foolishness I feel like and there isn’t one perpendicular phart you or we can do about it.(If Mattie were still here he’d confirm that)
And, you forget he has a “secret weapon” that Matrix finger that can “change” everything. Perhaps that’s why Cougar now sees a “Tidal Wave” coming (?), as the backdrop and whole Circus is now suddenly seem over in Honolulu, Hawaii
As a PETA sympathizer, I hope the Elephant survives
I’m not sure it’s the mistakes, Gould certainly made his share (See a lot of 60’s) and I just read the Flattop story–his clothes change color with each panel. The present stuff just doesn’t MOVE. No good villain, no chase, no clever hideouts or perilous positions for DT. No decent supporting characters. I’d be willing to bet this present, snail paced arc, will never leave the circus. If Tracy looking like Tracy and a lot of ennui is enough, good luck. Flattop went almost 6 months, the Brow at least four, and I defy anyone to find any story as good as those 2 in the last 8-10 years.
If I had the power to change the strip? I’d bring in a creative team with a better understanding of comic strip writing and design, and a better sense of Tracy’s history and impact. Max Collins did exactly this during his years on this strip, starting with an adventure that cleared the baggage of the “moon period”, through the “Tracy’s Wartime Memories” continuity, a lengthy homage to the villains and traps of Gould’s prime. Under Collins, the strip was INTERESTING TO READ. It simply is not now.
It is easier to criticize than to fix, yes. But it’s just way too easy to criticize this strip, as the comments show every day. From slow pacing, to major continuity errors, to lackluster art, to plots that make no logical sense at all, to the lack of characterization, to…well you get the idea. If I were to sum up what’s wrong with this strip, I’d say pretty much everything except its history.
If anybody from TMS, or Locher, or Borzman, would like to weigh in with a defense of the strip, I’d certainly like to hear it. Right now, well, I think we’re just watching it die a slow death as more and more papers drop it till it’s too unprofitable to continue. It’s a shame.
Well Jumbo that sounds like a guilty verdict and a last chance for some explanation. I don’t think it will be coming.
Of the accolytes that once served here the first recently called nearly everyone posting here (not sure if Gocomics will print this?) –“MINIPHALICS”, etc,etc,etc. The second is, I believe, on another sabatical and the third is really an alter ego and effectively not present.. So there’s no one to give an accounting.
No one has ever articulated even one “positive” other than unsubstantiated superlatievs like – Locher is “superb”. Thats an opinion better suited for a “Retirement” Party toast, before downing a Double Martini with a heavy float of Brandy
In 1931 Dick Tracy was a young man of 21. making him 100 years old in real life time next year. Comic time goes more slowly with 36 minutes taking 6 weeks for example. So today Tracy would be about 50 in the strip.
Talk about redundant, if any of us didn’t realize that it was obvious that the killer and note writer was on site for the very reason this strip was written (to tell us that). I take that as an insult to us reader’s intelligence. Perhaps Locher wants to elliminate us….then when the strip is cancelled no one will notice…..not likely. I like the suggestion for the Lion Tamer from wndrwrthg at least it provides some humor to make up for the insult we have suffered today. Thanks for the mention Sydney….yestday was my 1st post although I have collected most of the Gould and Collins Tracy stuff I have never bothered to comment before.
The comments are clever and entertaining, but the end is near. There is no way that this strip can survive a terrible storyline and mediocre art. I suggest everyone read or reread the “Complete Dick Tracy” Volumes starting with #1 through #8. #9 will be available maybe in January. As corny as it could be at times, the period artwork is supurb and make you marvel because of the lead time, how Chester Gould did this strip for so many years. I previously commented that I was for many years a political and editorial cartoonist and for the life of me could never commit myself to a continuing strip. The real Dick Tracy is being archived for future generations to enjoy.
*BB*, I would have the story advance on a daily basis, and I would have a well conceived plot. I’m thinking of ‘Annie’ right now. The plot advances daily, the drawings are consistant, and the characters are interesting. There are some truly far out elements in the plots, such as ‘Doris the saurus’, but they just add to the fun.
wndrwrthg over 15 years ago
And if it were one of the freaks, they would know that you were not contacted. And anyway, THERE WAS A CROWD PRESENT, AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED. THE COPS WOULD SHOW UP ANYWAY! How about Claude Balls for the lion tamers name?
margueritem over 15 years ago
Fastest cutter and paster in the western world!
avatarjk137 over 15 years ago
“One of you could be the killer, because… I HAVEN’T RULED ANYBODY OUT YET!” Seriously, of COURSE one of them could be the killer. Aside from the facts that many murders are personal and naturally, all the freaks were at the scene, DICK HASN’T DONE ANY DETECTIVE WORK YET. This is so… whatever.
Panel 3: Dick leans at an angle and his hands began to glow softly. Ringo attempts to hide his alarm.
watcha over 15 years ago
I am speechless - Dick your power of deduction is absolutely astounding.
Fearless_Fosdick over 15 years ago
Guess that rules out the people Tracy had in sight the entire time since the murder. The killer must have throught they would cover up Louise’s murder by making look like an act. She would have to be eaten by clowns or something.
coratelli over 15 years ago
I have only three words for this strip…
Oh my god.
LudwigVonDrake over 15 years ago
Lousy hand alert in the last panel.
SGIBeachbum over 15 years ago
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse……
Morrow Cummings over 15 years ago
Locher’s tribute to Agatha Christy.
TheGiantBrain over 15 years ago
This arc is like a bad dream, it just gets worse and worse.
ridenslide65 over 15 years ago
This is like a massive migraine inside your head…….PULSING>>>>
sydney over 15 years ago
Yesterday, “tracyfan92” worried about seeing a succession of panels of Circus freaks - all suspects. No worry my friend that’s today’s (lazy?) gambit and you won’t here anything more about that again
This is “Red Herring” country now. a fresh one to throw scales in your eyes every day, while the Author laughs at how he has accidentally turned Dick Tracy into a comedy and doesn’t have to do hard work anymore.
Watch and see how all the clues COME and GO never to be heard of again. Follow the progress on this death threat which arrived on (8-13), there will be “talk, talk, talk” and more talk and on 8-24 it will be sent to HQ for finger prints and analysis. You’ll NEVER hear anything about that again. At month end (8-31) Tracy still in the ring as a Ballistics report arrives. You have to wonder WHY (?) You’ll never hear more on that one again !
Every day it’s a fresh Red Herring (really ‘stalling’ poorly disguised) while the Author takes his own sweeyt time to decide what of “substance” is going to happen next.(?)
Tracy has been in that Circus Ring for THREE weeks now. At SIX weeks mid September he’ll STILL be right there, “talking, talking, talking”. NO action ! NO substance. Just wasting everybodies time.
You have to wonder if this man ever stops to take a BATH? If Capt. Joseph Medil Patterson were alive he’d fire both “Dicks” on the spot, for unsanitary behavior.(fishy smell).
It did cross my mind, mailing Locher a bar of milled soap and a covering note inviting him to “wash his hands” of this filthy, FISHY mess he’s introduced into Dick Tracy –
The entire thing (finger-on-nose) – STINKS !
idarke over 15 years ago
What Dick needs to do now is find who owns the laptop with the “Ransom Note Serif” font on it.
coratelli over 15 years ago
This strip it’s officially dead.
CougarAllen over 15 years ago
Stop criticize! I disagree with the idea that Tracy needs a bath. At a pace of one minute per day and nothing on Sunday, six weeks is 36 minutes.
I also disagree with the idea that those white things in Panel 3 are hands. If they’re hands then Tracy has his right arm behind his left arm and his left arm behind his right arm. Try it….
If Locher is following the rules of mysteries he is even more brilliant than I had thought! See, the murderer can’t be Tracy or a member of his family – unfair to the reader. Locher can’t suddenly spring somebody we haven’t been introduced to yet on us as the murderer – that wouldn’t be fair either. So the murderer has to be one of the people Tracy has been interrogating – either the ringmaster or the clown, and the only question according to the rules is which one of those two is the Least Likely Suspect? Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut … both of them have been under constant observation and could not have cut and pasted the second note.
So, who will turn out to be the murderer? We are baffled! Locher is a genius!
-Cougar :{)
P.S. I believe the impending tidal wave shown in Panel 2 was placed there to build suspense. Now Tracy must not only solve the mystery – he must do it before the tidal wave strikes! I predict the pace will slow to less than one minute per day – perhaps as little as one second per day – to build suspense as the tidal wave remains poised …
:{)
jumbobrain over 15 years ago
YEESH. FOUR DAYS to make a “deduction” that makes no sense at all.
I get that, with maybe fifty papers still clinging to this strip, it’s probably not making enough money to hire established talent, as King Features did with Prince Valiant. But still, there have to be a lot of aspiring talented cartoonists out there who would do this strip for free. Or, why not take a page from the comic books, and have floating creative teams? There are lots of big names who I’m sure would enjoy the opportunity to do a Tracy adventure, and the results could be collected in a graphic novel, which would generate more income and interest.
As it is, this strip is an insult to its readers and its history. I’m amazed it keeps crawling along in this form. But then, Mandrake the Magician and the Phantom were similarly stupid and ran for decades, so maybe quality isn’t the goal at all.
coratelli over 15 years ago
I think it’s time for us send mail to TMS and ask a change!
achtungkitten over 15 years ago
Tracy’s growing a beak in the first panel.
jpozenel over 15 years ago
Now THAT is some good detectin’ Dick! Bravo!
akado2000 over 15 years ago
I think Tracy still looks like Tracy and even the master, Gould, made some mistakes too with Moon Maid that had to be conveniently killed off in a car explosion set by a Radio Schlock employee who wanted to off Tracy. Poor Junior (who was married to Moon Maid) always got the short end of the stick. Locher isn’t Gould, but as long as Tracy looks like Tracy (although now he sprouts occasional eyeballs) and the crooks look grotesque and get caught in the end I’m happy. As far as pacing goes I’ve never seen a story go longer than three months so something must be happening although slowly. I got no complaints because Without Locher, no more Dick Tracy.
sydney over 15 years ago
It’s really interesting to hear the varying hypotheses on Tracy/Locher’s approach to finding the murderer.
CougarA, thinks Locher can’t “suddenly spring somebody …” Oh yes, he can. He plays by HIS rules And all TEN of them say – “This is a comic strip. Interpretation in practise: – I can do any blunderbuss foolishness I feel like and there isn’t one perpendicular phart you or we can do about it.(If Mattie were still here he’d confirm that)
And, you forget he has a “secret weapon” that Matrix finger that can “change” everything. Perhaps that’s why Cougar now sees a “Tidal Wave” coming (?), as the backdrop and whole Circus is now suddenly seem over in Honolulu, Hawaii
As a PETA sympathizer, I hope the Elephant survives
overtop over 15 years ago
I’m not sure it’s the mistakes, Gould certainly made his share (See a lot of 60’s) and I just read the Flattop story–his clothes change color with each panel. The present stuff just doesn’t MOVE. No good villain, no chase, no clever hideouts or perilous positions for DT. No decent supporting characters. I’d be willing to bet this present, snail paced arc, will never leave the circus. If Tracy looking like Tracy and a lot of ennui is enough, good luck. Flattop went almost 6 months, the Brow at least four, and I defy anyone to find any story as good as those 2 in the last 8-10 years.
coratelli over 15 years ago
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1354026630&ref=ts
C’mon guys!!!
margueritem over 15 years ago
I don’t belong to facebook, Carlo.
jumbobrain over 15 years ago
If I had the power to change the strip? I’d bring in a creative team with a better understanding of comic strip writing and design, and a better sense of Tracy’s history and impact. Max Collins did exactly this during his years on this strip, starting with an adventure that cleared the baggage of the “moon period”, through the “Tracy’s Wartime Memories” continuity, a lengthy homage to the villains and traps of Gould’s prime. Under Collins, the strip was INTERESTING TO READ. It simply is not now.
It is easier to criticize than to fix, yes. But it’s just way too easy to criticize this strip, as the comments show every day. From slow pacing, to major continuity errors, to lackluster art, to plots that make no logical sense at all, to the lack of characterization, to…well you get the idea. If I were to sum up what’s wrong with this strip, I’d say pretty much everything except its history.
If anybody from TMS, or Locher, or Borzman, would like to weigh in with a defense of the strip, I’d certainly like to hear it. Right now, well, I think we’re just watching it die a slow death as more and more papers drop it till it’s too unprofitable to continue. It’s a shame.
sydney over 15 years ago
Well Jumbo that sounds like a guilty verdict and a last chance for some explanation. I don’t think it will be coming.
Of the accolytes that once served here the first recently called nearly everyone posting here (not sure if Gocomics will print this?) –“MINIPHALICS”, etc,etc,etc. The second is, I believe, on another sabatical and the third is really an alter ego and effectively not present.. So there’s no one to give an accounting.
No one has ever articulated even one “positive” other than unsubstantiated superlatievs like – Locher is “superb”. Thats an opinion better suited for a “Retirement” Party toast, before downing a Double Martini with a heavy float of Brandy
And that’s the kindest first step to a solution.
436rge over 15 years ago
In 1931 Dick Tracy was a young man of 21. making him 100 years old in real life time next year. Comic time goes more slowly with 36 minutes taking 6 weeks for example. So today Tracy would be about 50 in the strip.
jcarey92 over 15 years ago
Talk about redundant, if any of us didn’t realize that it was obvious that the killer and note writer was on site for the very reason this strip was written (to tell us that). I take that as an insult to us reader’s intelligence. Perhaps Locher wants to elliminate us….then when the strip is cancelled no one will notice…..not likely. I like the suggestion for the Lion Tamer from wndrwrthg at least it provides some humor to make up for the insult we have suffered today. Thanks for the mention Sydney….yestday was my 1st post although I have collected most of the Gould and Collins Tracy stuff I have never bothered to comment before.
Keith W. Burnham Premium Member over 15 years ago
The comments are clever and entertaining, but the end is near. There is no way that this strip can survive a terrible storyline and mediocre art. I suggest everyone read or reread the “Complete Dick Tracy” Volumes starting with #1 through #8. #9 will be available maybe in January. As corny as it could be at times, the period artwork is supurb and make you marvel because of the lead time, how Chester Gould did this strip for so many years. I previously commented that I was for many years a political and editorial cartoonist and for the life of me could never commit myself to a continuing strip. The real Dick Tracy is being archived for future generations to enjoy.
countoftowergrove over 15 years ago
Macy’s torso in panel three is very asymetrical.
margueritem over 15 years ago
*BB*, I would have the story advance on a daily basis, and I would have a well conceived plot. I’m thinking of ‘Annie’ right now. The plot advances daily, the drawings are consistant, and the characters are interesting. There are some truly far out elements in the plots, such as ‘Doris the saurus’, but they just add to the fun.
What would you do?