Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for January 31, 2024

Good morning™, all!

As we see Mr. Bosco in person, it seems like he was expecting Tracy to show up with a warrant. “You don’t say” seems to suggest, “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

“I’ve got some Reader’s Digest Condensed books you might like.”

Bosco is telling his flunky to send Dick in and then he makes THAT remark to Dick?…

yeah, Bosco was expecting Dick to show up at sometime and he’s not worried… a dupe set of books have been prepared while the real books are secreted at some secret and hidden location…

as an infamously mad individual is wont to say…

“What?.. ME worry?”…

Good morning™, Unflappable Crime Bosses !

“Come right in, Mr. Tracy. We have some special cops edition books. Handle with care they are sizzling.” The lackey in panel one makes me think of what Rabbit would look like with a shave, a haircut and the usual white bread office monkey suit.

Dick Tracy — Library Cop!

“Fiction or non-fiction?”

What kind of books does Bosco keep? He looks like an accountant. On second thought, he might have an updated betting parlor.

With the computer on his desk, guy probably dabbles in stocks, bonds and commodities.

Maybe they’re some of X. Libris’ books.

Is this guy a mob boss ? Looks like an accountant.

Now we know what happened to Elmer Fudd.

βόσκω?

From Towaco?

Somebody give Tracy a library card!

Nice to see Tracy off his a$$ and doing… Oops, I mean no longer standing in the wings staring at Baxter’s act. Apparently someone in the MCU did some police work. I wouldn’t mind if the strip showed some.

Of course, given the general IQ level of the characters Tracy should find… (In real police departments they use forensic accountants to analyze financial records. Tracyville fired their accountants to buy a better brand of coffee for the break room.) Tracy may find a record of, “Money owed Fata Morgana if she completes hit on Tess Tracy.”

Tracy will scratch his head and wonder if it might be related to Johnny’s near-death experience.

“Here’s my books, fully cooked!”

So this is that kooky crook Bosco eh. Let em has it Tracy. Throws the darn book at him!

Looks like Mr Bosco is a “smart ar$#” gangster, who likes to keep his employees under the thumb – example " So, send him already". I can only hope when Bosco is busted his employees turn States evidence or better still do him in, by accident of course.

And how exactly did tracy convince a judge that (up until now) “unknown bosco” had information “in his books” that could tie into WHATEVER it is he’s investigating? Aside from Johnny being poisoned accidentally theres no substantial evidence worthy of issuing a warrant OR connecting bosco (or his brother ovaltine) to anything out of the ordinary. At best all tracy has is circumstantial evidence that fata MAY be involved somehow and that’s not NEARLY enough for a judge to issue ANY type of warrant

“I’ve got a warrant here for your books. Turns out I’ve decided to follow in Ms. Libris’ footsteps.”

Which books ? He didn’t say .

The gray-colored bodyguard in panels 1 and 2 stands out.

do you mind if i hold on to Pride and Prejudice, I’m only half way through

TRACY (leafing through ledgers): Hmm…You made a large donation which covered the cost of renting the Patterson Playhouse for Fata Morgana’s charity shows.

BOSCO: What can I say? It was for a good cause.

TRACY: The “Failed Magician’s Assistants” retirement home??

And now for something completely different…

“Did he bring cold MILK?!!!!!”

Looks like he’s playing one-handed BATTLESHIP.

MOVIE QUOTE—-

“This is my town now”

“Mr.Carbo, you can HAVE it!”

Craig Stevens&Randolph Scott—-BUCHANAN RIDES ALONE—1958

Bosco is supposed to be a minor organized crime figure—-they’re looking for a client list,

And when that’s done, Tracy will put down 5 bucks on “TOUGH GUY” in the 3rd at Arlington

the books are under arrest? :\

….anybody remember Nestle’s KEEN?……THAT one didn’t hang around for long……..

Great to see that Karl Malden is still getting work despite being dead.

1-C.P.A. SHAKY: Mr. Boxcar – I found some irregularities in your books so as every Certified Public Accountant is required to do, I called in the authorities. BOXCAR: I admire your ethical standards, Shaky. Show ’em in.

2-BOXCAR: Oh – it’s just you, Tracy. I thought I had something to worry about. DT: You do, Boxcar…

3-… I just got my degree in Accounting from Online U Home of the Fighting Debits and Credits. Two months of the toughest mental effort Sam ever had to do for me. Now – COUGH UP THOSE BOOKS, MISTER!

BOXCAR: Can’t. Sadly, they burned up in the same fiery car explosion that took the life of my accountant, C.P.A. Shaky. DT: ??? Didn’t I just talk to him? BOXCAR: Yes.

KA-BOOOOOM! DT: Oh…

Bosco, seems to be somewhat cocky……..

How long before Bosco puts out a contract on Fata?

Who is the frightened guy in panel 1?!

Bosco looks a bit like the actor Philip Bosco. Maybe part of the actor name motif that’s been playing out. .Com/name/nm0097842/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk