Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for January 12, 2013

Good morning all…

So he isn’t inviting himself along, just giving a mother and daughter a chance for a good evening together? Cool.

Good morning VistaBill

What on Earth does one fry that is spikey and green?

Great art today, and I enjoy seeing Mole happy. The coloring? Not so hot.

So very Dickensian! I know; I’ve said this before. But it’s true. The tale of Mr. Mole and Mrs. Spencer and young Toad could so easily have been among the many interwoven sub-plots, dark yet humor-rich, in one of those gigantic novels by Charles Dickens. The very names reek of Dickens! And just as in those great works of the 19th century, so here in the 21st century the ending doesn’t necessarily have to be a happy one for all involved, though it may be and I hope it will be.

Going by the age of her daughter, I’d have thought Mrs Spencer would be at least 10 years younger than she looks…. but, that’s not a bad thing, it makes her a better match for Mole ;)

Indeed

I enjoy these brief side stories. They provide variety and allow Mike to explore the humanity of the characters. That said, I hope this night out for Mole, Rose and Toad doesn’t go sour.

Some of you were wondering what this pic was about, yesterday, so, I’ve reposted it, with a little Gouldian aide ;)

Do I hear Grace Slick songing, “Mole’s found somebody to love”? Or is it just the acoustics here?

I wonder if this sweet storyline is directly related to the next villain. Blackjack, or someone else?

Mole will need his hand strength, as there will be much knife and fork work at the famed Lawry’s. Any seeking to harm Toad or Rose will learn a painful lesson at the hands of Mole (see the Wiki Dick Tracy page for a vivid reminder).

Excellent and emotional, team.

I like this little story focusing on “Toad” and her mother, but I’m wondering – doesn’t Mole have other guests at his underground hotel as well? Where are they, and wouldn’t they also enjoy a restaurant meal? I thought at first that’s what Tracy had in mind – a meal for all the folks at the shelter.

@SCOTTtheBADGERWhat do you fry that is spiky and green? Sauteed green beans with butter, garlic, mushrooms and pearl onions.

Has that 1930’s vibe in panel 2 Great Penciling.

After the relatively happy ending of the costumes story and this sweet moment, I suspect the next storyline will be considerably grittier.

I see that Rose is wearing a band. I hope Mole isn’t getting into something he will wish he hadn’t later on down the road. But, looking like Dustin Hoffman, he probably knows the drill.

I think Tracy meant it for Mole to take out Toad and her mom. Otherwise, why give him a gift certificate to somewhere expensive if he meant the whole shelter? To feed the whole shelter, having it catered would make more sense and then it would be from somewhere less expensive but good

Of course it’s going to go sour. This is Dick Tracy by way of Dickens!

Hmmmm…Rose doesn’t look THAT old…..and remember she’s been working underground as well….bet there’s a considerable improvement once she’s dressed for the restaurant. Of course, this is Mike’s biggest stretch ever – what woman looking like Rose does now is able to get all nice and ready to go dining at a nice restaurant in……ten minutes, ha ha? And the more I look at Mole…..is he really that old? I mean yeah, if you hark back to when he debuted for Gould….but here he looks like he falls in range for a believable romance with Rose. Hmmmm….what a name that would be for poor Toad if they married….Toad Mole.

And note it’s “Mrs. Spencer” before the invite…..“Rose” afterwards. Smooooth, Mole, smooth!

I hope this does turn into true love for the Mole, he has completely turned his life around and after all those years he spent all alone, it would be a nice thing to happen

Mole has become one of my favorite characters over the years, and I think I like him more as a reformed do-gooder than I ever did as a villain. And now, everytime I see him with Toad, I just say “awwwww, how sweet!” and it makes me smile (the time when Toad was teaching him to read KILLED me). This being Tracy, though, now that I’ve come to care about these characters, I’d hate to see something bad to happen to them (something I foresee coming everytime they appear). I thought Mole was gonna cross the line back to murderer in the wrestler storyline, but thank goodness Tracy stopped him beforehand. Even in these happy moments, I feel suspense.

I’d really like to see Toad become friends with Honeymoon. Don’t really know their age differentials, but it would be fun to see either Mole or Tracy drop off their little one for a playdate. :)

awww, isn’t this sweet Mole wants to take Rose out to dinner?….he’s refomed and has become a good guy hasn’t he??

Thanks for all the suggestions, you must remember, Badgers are carnivores, and we fry ribeyes, eggs, and hashbrowns. To be accompanited with a tall glass of real apple cider, the brown pulpy stuff.