Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 08, 2009

I like B. O.’s look, and the story is still slowly advancing. OK, the hand holding the microphone is a bit out of kilter.

Both hands in the third panel CAN’T belong to Tracy unless he’s double jointed and he can twist his hands around. Both thumbs should be facing the reader.

Ludwig, the hands aren’t just twisted. What you’re looking at is two left hands.

Put your left hand out in front of you. Twist it. See?

Apparently, no one proofreads this, like all print media.

Anthony, you are right…They are two left hands!!! Man this is so sloppy! Proofreaders! Editors! Do you even care???

The story is good, not great but good.

I’m a little confused, when did Tracy’s yellow coat become a one button coat with no belt???

Exactly WHAT is the nature of Tracys investigation? Where is the court order to monitor private conversations? What judge would o.k. this? Is Tracy now working for homeland insecurity? There has been no proof of a crime (well maybe this strip), so they are going on a hunch?

This must be intended as Tracy’s Fall and Spring Coat, Note how much shorter than usual.

What mainly grabs me are the dark colors on the clothing in panel three, contrasted to the light coats both characters are wearing in the earlier panels. Can’t be “shadow”, otherwise it should also appear on the shirt sleeves and hands. I note again that the Editors are not there to edit, but only to “censor” blood running by shot heads and what they “think” is too much gun play.

B.O’s personality and character continues to change, like every other character in the strip. Ever since Locher and Kilian planned the Great “Personality Revolution”. More on the effects another time.

Never over bright, today B.O’s mind has been watered down to that of village idiot. Even his sparky “temper” has faded away. I agree with Groc’s observation, B.O. has “visually” become a poster boy for sleep deprivation.

As for Tracy’s “HUNCHES”, that has become the new substitute for meaningful clues and procedual detective work. It became the flavor of the day under Kilian and Locher. And is now part and parcel of Dick Tracy’s sensory skills. As it continues, we see him “solo” in that listening Van. Not even “Communications Expert” TEEVO there as back up, or to do what he’s supposed to do best.

That’s why it’s unlikely we’ll ever hear anything more about the credit card gambit or that “income tax” clue. Locher is still the Writer. This is all “genious quality” dialogue.

With two jobs to handle, not enough time to focus on meaningful clues or actions.

Maybe Teevo is there - he’s the other left hand?

wndrwrthg, the 4th ammendment started going out the window in the 70s with the “war” on drugs and “forfeiture”. (Cops can seize your assets without a warrant if they “suspect” you of selling drugs.) Bush upped the stakes with the war on terror (at least it’s a real war, but they can put you away for mere suspicion of terrorism). The Dems talked a lot about how it was all Bush’s fault during the campaign, but they won’t lift a finger to restore any liberty.

You had better hope no one suspects you of child porn or (heaven forbid, this heinous crime truly deserves the status of “war”) copyright violations.

Can’t be Teevo. He’s Useless.

But you wouldn’t need brain matter. This is Dick Tracy!

B.O.’s beard is so well groomed!