Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for November 25, 2022

Good morning™, everyone!

No “gurantees” (until they catch the thief of the letter “A”), but Robert will likely never be charged with anything. As they walk off into the sunset (or the theatre lights, at least), I think this is the end of the Steelface story. Despite certain flaws, I think I enjoyed it more than many of you did. I will have to look over the whole thing as a whole before I can come to any final conclusions on my views of it.

Yup, story’s over. Sorry but this outing was like a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner with no gravey, mashed potatoes or stuffing.

It’s flaws are too numerous to list but it was yet another story featuring a lame villian that just fizzled away. Team Tracy simply can’t finish a story anymore.

I’m beginning to lose hope.

Someone give me a reason to believe things will turn around for the strip.

“We call it ‘Tonsils Law’. If you rat on your former cohorts AND you’re involved in musical entertainment, you get a free pass on all those felonies.”

I think he will get probation!

When will Curious George pop up looking for the man in the yellow hat ?

Greetings all and I hope everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving. Has anyone ever been disowned by MS? I was, and I am glad to be back! BTW, I miss the Moon Valley story line.

I thought the yellow derby was floating in midair and casting that shadow for a second there. THAT would’ve been interesting at least.

1- ROBERT: I guess this shirt’s stripes should’ve been black, sniff , then I’d be ready for prison…WAAAAAHHHHH!

2- SAM: It might not come to that. I’m controlling the mechanical dog tonight. Maybe I’ll have it maul you to death. See – prison might not be in your future after all!

3- ROBERT: Wow! I might go out in a blaze of gory glory! Thanks, Sam. You’re a real Mench!

SAM: Or I might not. I’m not too good with mechanical things. You’ll remember that I forgot how to lock my car. And how to turn off the engine. And how to disable lost wrist radios…

I’m ready for a really bizarre villain, ala Kadaver.

It probably will not be shown in the strip but won’t Robert have to testify against his uncle? Or based on Sam’s recommendation, the courts will settle for a written disposition. The rest of the his family might disown him.

Uncle Sam’s professional advise to car thief Robert;

Don’t take fright on opening night

Go out and have some fun.

No need to fear. The crowd shall cheer

Their adoration you’ll have won!

Yabba Dabba Doo!!!

I’ve seen tomorrow’s strip! The play is canceled due to contractual issues, and a last-minute performance of HAIR is run in. However, having shaved his head, the kid has to wear a wig that makes him look like Cousin Itt from The Addams Family.

It does not go down well. Children are traumatized. Barbers faint. The theater has to close in disgrace. Vitamin had to open a slightly shady Health Food store, carrying only the finest of pills and supplements.

And then, a square blue bottle of poison is accidentally delivered by a rodent-ish deliveryman with a target on his back, riding a delivery spider…

I never thought I’d see Sam go soft on crime.

How can some one with blank eyes be charged with anything?

I see mentions of the syndicates putting limits on stories. That doesn’t excuse what’s happening. Some of Gould’s short stuff was really good. The Scardol and Nilon Hoze and Rod arcs for instance. Probably a month, really interesting. It’s the creative talent, not the restrictions that count.

Sorry, but the kid goes up the river. The next story is the plot line from SKIDOO.

Unnecessary Trivia: I occasionally played the soundtrack on my college radio show. I can still run the lyrics through my mind.

Luckily for Robert Parrish, Sam Catchem adheres to the old saw, the show must go on!

And if Tracyville resembles Chicago in this regard, the non-prosecutorial prosecutor will indeed let Bobby skate(why at this point am I reminded of Bobby Hull?).

Another installment of wrap-up, and then on to a new story, it seems to me….

I want to revisit the Steelface story for one last time.

I honestly feel Mike missed a golden opportunity to set up a reoccurring plot development that could really be expanded over the years.

Let’s face it, Steelface is a throwaway villian who doesn’t need to ever make a reappearance.

Mike should have killed him “off screen”. He could have tried to attack Tracy when they went to arrest him, forcing them to use lethal force.

Sam, getting the call from Tracy would have to break the news to Robert.

Robert is now filled with conflicting emotions, especially a sense of guilt over rating out his uncle.

It’s no secret Sam admires Robert’s talent and desires to help him through this difficult situation.

Will Robert heal from these events and move forward or will his harden heart blame Tracy and turn him into a more violent criminal than his uncle ever was.

It would have been an interesting ongoing plot development in my opinion.

Sam The Softy,But I agree with him.