Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for September 15, 2015

Bigg a cruel and twisted fiend, insults the Chimera so fineUnaware her rare DNA ages like exotic wine.Finest vintage fills her veins, works changes even nowMysta must help Imoto-Chan; fulfill her sacred vow.She waves a hand to brush back Bigg, who raises up his ringZap reflected back upon brave Mysta with harsh sting.As she reels on her high-heels, Mysta fights to stay alertShe will not fail young Honeymoon, no matter harm or hurt.Severe pain and vertigo make Mysta stop and gaspBigg still clueless to the fact: Moon Maid beyond his grasp.Bigg feels strong sense of privilege. Claims he owns the MaidMysta free from bondage. Bigg’s debts remain unpaid.Her trials and troubles worth the pain. Honeymoon unharmed.Bigg escapes to suite 6B. With what might he be armed?

FINALLY, Suite 6B! And an interesting aside: Bribery obviously has no idea that Moon Valley is desolate! AND AWAY HE GOES!

Could that be a space coupe?

If MMM sees what Mr Bigg is doing to MMK, she might discover a new power and surprise Mr Bigg again.

Good morning guys!.What in the world? What’s in the “high tech” room? Will it fly, or will it take Mr. Bribary to another dimension? I look forward to finding out. That’s for sure!.G’morning 22ph! G’morning Gweedo!

“Atomic batteries to power! Turbines to speed!”

Has Bribery gotten into Diet Smith’s Project Blue Image Tech?!

What in the world IS that thing?A transporter? A time machine?It sure isn’t a secret elevator.Considering the technology in that ring of his, who knows what it could be.

A portal? A vortex?

“We’re off to Outer Space?!”

Mysta’s pretty dang charming already, Bribery. And as much as I hate you, I have to admit I love Suite 6B.

Could still be a relatively low-tech “Doc Savage”-style pneumatic Flea Run …

Sometimes a trash can is just a trash can, but that looks like a magnetic air car to me

Giant button.Giant pink button.With a giant black heart.Oh, wait, blackheart. I get it.I still can’t get over the giant pink, though.Does it summon the Care Bears?

One thing I’ve wondered about for sometime now: Why wouldn’t Bribery have had his Escape-Suite built closer to his office?

A seriously fun couple of panels today. Mysta looks very vulnerable and…charming. Bribery is an arrogant cuss, but I like how he thinks big. Or should I say Bigg. He must be planning to brainwash Mysta again if he thinks she’s going to accompany him anywhere, much less the Moon. And what’s up with the button he’s about to push?

Gweedo responded,It looks like a time machine or transport device like on a certain sci fi program. But nothing like that could exist in the real world inhabited by Tracyvillians !-————————————————————————.Thanks, Gweedo! You possess a wealth of knowledge. I wonder what lurks in the confines of Abner’s asbestos-lined coffin?

I expect more trickery.

We have a lot of talented posters in this group. And it’s nice to know that arguably the most talented contributor here understands and appreciates what a great character Mysta Chimera is. She has been at the center of this incredibly elaborate and entertaining space-related saga that started in 2012, and judging from Bribery’s comment today about Mysta being an envoy to the Moon People, it’s quite likely she’ll be in the thick of things in the saga’s final chapter. I certainly hope so! She is great, and I thank you, Pequod, for reminding us of that fact once again today.

Maybe it’s Willie Wonka’s glass elevator

Bribery still has his wit and humor going for him. Finally someone who isn’t going all gaga over this fake.

I’m enjoying this story so much. But what happens when Bribery presses the button?

As I said yesterday, I call flying trashcan. :-)

Sometimes the scifi elements in Dick Tracy just don’t work…

Will the twisted little man escape, or will he pay for his life of crime? Maybe Punjab will yet have something to say about it….

Morning, Tracy Fans!

Let’s say he has an air car, or a space coupe, or Diet Smith’s Blue Whatchamacallit. So, how did he get it?

Good morning, DT fans! Time to go where, and how? Or should I say WHEN? Maybe his " body double" was cheated via a loop in time travel! We’ll see tomorrow, whilst Tracy is in the grips of Venus!

Gweedo continued,…Rikki. He knows she’s in good hands,-———————————————————————-.Could you rephrase that, Geeedo. I don’t want to get a bad reputation!

Oliver Warbucks once asked Diet Smith if he was working on a Montauk Chair. Could Bribery have a Montauk Chair?

Good morning everyone.-————————Will Bribery escape? Will Honeymoon zap him again?-————————Be healthy, wealthy and wise, my friends.

Atomic batteries are quite simple. A radioactive core emits charged particles (alpha or beta), which are collected by the surrounding shielding. This directly creates electric potential between the core and the shielding. No steam, no generators, no (macroscopic) moving parts. They are typically not high power, but last a long time.

In Sci Fi, atomic power is presented as a compact source of gigawatts. We don’t actually know any way to generate those gigawatts in controlled electrical form – except by steam generators, which are large and heavy. Hence, portable atomic power has been limited to ocean going vessels.

An air car escape? That I would love to see.

Judging from the “Toodles” remark, I’m guessing Mr. B’s a Sally Field fan.

I wonder if his escape vehicle is bigger on the inside?

I like the art today! Moon Maid looks terrific even as she is sad and dazed. Bribery looks sinister as he walks away from her. And room 6B looks like a place I’d like to explore!

Mysta is a spirited woman. Just as Tracy took a hard hit from Kadaver and stayed standing, Mysta keeps her fabulous legs under her, despite Bribery’s reflective ring attack. Bribery crawled around on the floor after Honeymoon’s zap. Toughness issue settled. A superhero? No. Courageous, trustworthy and ready to sacrifice all for her dear Imoto-Chan? Oh yes. The ring is technology designed to both deflect and reflect Lunarian zappage. No return to the bottle for that genie. What might such rings bring on the black market? Plenty, I’ll wager. I’ll also put money on a fast recovery for Mysta.While Bribery’s nasty ways are despicable, I can’t help but be a little pleased he made it to suite 6B. He is too good a villain to be captured too soon. What a great summer it has been in Tracyville. Now, as the days grow shorter and cooler, the Blackhearts have fallen, Sam and Tracy have survived the shootout, and Mysta and Honeymoon’s friendship is an essential part of the strip. Both are changing. Both are fabulous characters. Under a full moon’s light, Mysta telepathically bids Honeymoon goodnight.

Thanks to Gweedo, Willy007, Jonathan K., Charlie, T.R. Gunn, davidf42, JPuzzleWhiz, Night-Gaunt49, 60sFan and Neil Wick for the kind words. Very much appreciated!

Not meaning to overly nitpick, but Bribery did not “attack” Mysta. He defended himself.She was the aggressor and zapped him on sight without any provocation other than a perceived insult.

Many interesting developments the last two days. We’ve learned Bribery has a defense against attacks from the Moon People. He’s still planning to invade the Moon, despite his setbacks. He’s incapacitated Moon Maid and ridiculed her. He’s still planning to rekidnap Mysta and take her with him to the Moon. And now he’s finally made it to 6B and is about to push a huge button to activate his escape plan, which many think is an air car. Fantastic stuff! It’s so fun to be a fan these days.

Too much fancy stuff in the room just to park an air car. That button either opens an exit for the air car… …or starts a timer and plays a recorded message This building will self destruct in 5 seconds accompanied by the mission impossible soundtrack.

How far back do I need to go to get to the start of the current story?

The previous story, the Nitrates story, ended on March 22 so basically that is the start of the current story. Mr Bigg and T-Bolt first appeared on January 11. Other characters in this story also appeared between Jan 11 and March 22, and probably even before that.

While the previous story of the Jimmy Choo Shooz gold heist ties in, this story begins on June 7. Mysta awakes from a dream worried about Honeymoon. The bullies at the mall tie-in with Honeymoon’s changes. Soon, the story shifts to the Ace Tower. Many characters and threads of “The Fall of the Blackhearts” story soon come into focus. Welcome to GoComics! 22ph is right: some elements of this story go back to early in the year. This is a sign of the rich, complex and satisfying stories told by Team Tracy.

To go back to the very beginning of the current story, you should start reading at August 1, 2012, the day the new Moon Maid was first introduced. That got the ball rolling to where we are now. Be aware that the story has been told in parts, and has unfolded bit by bit since 2012, often wrapped around other stories that were occurring. So it will take some patience to take in the whole thing. The first main story featuring Moon Maid, which I guess you could call the first chapter in this long tale, began in April 2013, and went through October of that year. It was an exciting summer and helped get Dick Tracy a Harvey Award. The story you’re reading now is I believe the tail end of the 2nd chapter. It began in earnest on March 23 of this year, right after the conclusion of the Nitrates story.Beyond this, if you really want to dig deep, it would be good to familiarize yourself with Mr. Bribery’s history in Dick Tracy, during the moon era when the original Moon Maid had been introduced. Bribery’s first appearance in Dick Tracy was on July 3, 1965, and his story ran off and on through July 1967! If you’re interested in going back that far in the strip’s history, let us know, and someone can direct you to where you can read the original Mr. Bribery saga. Happy reading!

Welcome to the Dick Tracy board, R_Noonan63! There are a lot of good people here. You asked one question, and already have three responses. That’s how the posters here are. Looking forward to your future input!

“Your fawning fanbase never fails, P.”…….Aw, you’re just jealous lol!

Gweedo comforted me with,Just think this, (Allstate logo) Bill.-————————————————————————.

Hmmm… can they be trusted?

Welcome to the Dick Tracy board.If you are interested in reading the original Mr. Bribery story by Chester Gould, you can find it at the iluvcomix Directory site. The story begins on July 3, 1965 and runs well into 1966.Dick Tracy 1965I read this late last year, before the recent reintroduction of Mr. Bigg/Bribery.Quite an interesting story. I really enjoyed it.

“Toodles!” is a variation of “Toodle-loo!” and it definitely predates Sally Field. There is an explanation of the origin of this phrase here:www.phrases.org.uk

“Well, yes, though we should keep in mind Mysta knows she was invading a den of jackals who had kidnapped Diet, and who were endangering the lives of Annie and her beloved Imoto-Chan. She’s already had at least one jackal pull a gun on her, and she seems to know Bribery is the ring leader of the wicked brood (via the telepathic updates Honeymoon was sending her, or maybe because of her familiarity with the Blackheart organization). So, no provocation for her attack? Hardly. Bribery is the villain who was holding Diet hostage!”___________________________________All valid points of course, but from examining and reading yesterday’s strip, it appears to me that Mysta lashed out (zapped out?) in anger based on what Bribery said to her rather than from any need to protect herself or others. Bribery was making no threats or threatening moves when she cut loose on him.

I don’t think the object to the right is an air-car. I doesn’t have the crutch-shaped manual control pieces on the sides.

Gweedo, sorry to offend. I’ll retract and delete the post. I thought it was kind of humorous, like some of the Rikki nonsense…..; but apparently, no so. We’ll leave Venus’ medical condition (having been in the presence of a gunfight) to the licensed EMTs.

I hope the day comes when Mysta lights up Bribery’s world. As in gives him the juice.

Gweedo instilled my confidence when he said,I’ll trust my car to the man who wears the (Texaco Logo) , Bill-—————————————————————————————-.I’m fine with that, Gweedo! I’m headin’ for the old coffin early. Verizon is coming to FiOS me in the morning…

But yesterday’s strip makes it clear that’s not why she tried to zap him. It was because Bribery called her a “Knock-off”.She lashed out because of this insult.

If you look just beneath Bribery’s word balloon in the second panel, there’s an image of the Ace Tower on a screen.

Though my heart longs for a Magnetic Air Car, that shadowy shape might be a capsule or chair to sit in which will be dropped down a shaft, or magnetic tube, possibly to an underground transit route.

All still just guesses though.

Room 6B does look intriguing. Here’s my thoughts on it. The pink button (?) reminded me of the Bat-signal but obviously has no such use. I recognized the black heart symbol. There appears to be a yellow chamber but is it a transporter? or more likely a conduit to an escape chute or vehicle. I can’t quite tell the shape of the large back object but it doesn’t look like an air car, maybe the hatch to the yellow chamber? The objects surrounding the opening remind me of the magnets on the space coupe. Perhaps this is something magnetic? Somehow I think I transporter is beyond the science capability of this era. We’ll soon find out.

. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Blackjack. I wonder what he’s up to? He did attend a meeting with Mumbles, BB Eyes, Doubleup and Stilletta but didn’t follow them into the Blackhearts. He would have made an interesting addition to the team but it remains to be seen if Bribery would tolerate a loose cannon like him.

She is improved. Much more complicated and complex than if they had revived the original Moon Maid. And drawn so beautifully by Joe Staton.

I love this story!

GoComics is late today. I can’t wait to see the air car fly

No flying car — at least not yet, but Bribery’s pushing that big button seems to have caused a big boom. I’ll see if I can post it.

Almost an hour late now …

It may be many hours till they fix the problem, so here’s the new strip:

Just read it elsewhere. And the coloring there makes the colorists at GoComics.com appear brilliant. O_o

Melted helicopter blades. :)

Is that shape in the upper left corner of the third panel a vehicle …?

So, maybe I was right about Venus and Apollo being on the 5th floor. That means that Tracy and Sam are only one floor below the escaping Mr. Bigg.

I’m sure we’ll have to get back to who’s dead or alive on floor below and whether anyone is still on the move. The only place left for them to be is the stairwell between the 5th and 6th floors. There doesn’t seem to be any more movement on the 5th. We’ll have to get back to T-Bolt, too, but I think that will be left to near the end.

It looks like a drone – a quadcopter.

That’s probably the trashcan in the second panel above.

That’s supposed to say, “It has…” I think it’s about bedtime for me. I can’t even type straight.

So the button opens the path to freedom. That trashcan is really turning out to be a modified air car or something similar to an air car. Since it is going to be a single person escape means that Mysta is going to be left behind. It is very probable that Venus was arrested on the 5th floor. Neil Wick’s original floor plan is turning out to be correct.

The square thing below the “B” of “BOOM” seems to be a window or a wall panel of some kind blown out by the explosion that was triggered, presumably, by Mr. Bigg’s pushing of the large pink (?) button.

The new strip is finally up.

I hope that exit button does not come with a self destruct timer like the ones in the Mission Impossible messages.

I’m a little troubled by the first panel. It just seems a little too exploitative for me in dialogue and depiction, although I’m positive that wasn’t anyone’s intention.

Bigg a cruel and twisted fiend, insults the Chimera so fine

Unaware her rare DNA ages like exotic wine.

Finest vintage fills her veins, works changes even now

Mysta must help Imoto-Chan; fulfill her sacred vow.

She waves a hand to brush back Bigg, who raises up his ring

Zap reflected back upon brave Mysta with harsh sting.

As she reels on her high-heels, Mysta fights to stay alert

She will not fail young Honeymoon, no matter harm or hurt.

Severe pain and vertigo make Mysta stop and gasp

Bigg still clueless to the fact: Moon Maid beyond his grasp.

Bigg feels strong sense of privilege. Claims he owns the Maid

Mysta free from bondage. Bigg’s debts remain unpaid.

Her trials and troubles worth the pain. Honeymoon unharmed.

Bigg escapes to suite 6B. With what might he be armed?