Listen, I could go on and on about all the problems with this just wrapped up mini series but why bother? Obviously two weeks just isn’t enough time to really do anything in terms of development or reason, hence the rushed and sappy conclusion so let’s take it for what it’s worth, give Donnie an A+ for effort and move on.
I’m much more excited to finally have proof that Hitler didn’t die in the bunker but has been living in Tracyville all these years!
Good morning™, former members of the peanut gallery!
Apparently, it became dangerous later on for those in the cheering section of Jolly Jerry’s show. He got red-handed trying to plant more of those rigged toys that look like his character.
Overall, I think this has been the best Minit Mystery to date. I may write more later, time permitting.
As this 15-day “Minit Mysteries” adventure concludes, I want to thank Mike Curtis for inviting me to write the scripts, Joe Staton for his dynamic pencils and inks, Shelley Pleger for her lettering, and Shane Fisher for his Sunday coloring. This has been both an honor and a lot of fun. I conclude by thanking each of you who has taken the time to read these strips, and additionally to each of you who has written commentary. I’ve enjoyed it all!
Well, Jolly Jerry was certainly a surprise – a character totally unknown the previous 14 days of this MM.
Was this a pot shot at Howdy Doody, who also had a Peanut Gallery – not to mention, Clarabell the Clown (who looks a lot like the booby-trapped toy)?
Since Donnie said that it was the tape that was booby-trapped, not the tape player, that begs many questions right there (since the rest of his traps were the clown figure).
But as many of us have said, two weeks just ain’t enough to put together a decent detective story.
And yet – what a ride it has been! Easily the most entertaining story we’ve had in a long time!
I’m almost dreading the return to – wait a minute, just who were we chasing two weeks ago, anyway?
Good job, Donnie Pitchford! I’ve really enjoyed your guest-writing in this “Minit Mysteries” series, and I’ll continue to read both Dick Tracy under its regular team and your own Lum and Abner strip! :-)
What a shocker…..Sparkle lived, lol. But 5 others did die, I guess it’s a happy ending because they were just ordinary people, like us, ha ha.Fun story, though, and the equivalent of a successful Brady or Rodgers 2 minute drive in the limited time the writer had…..
Now we know how this minit mystery is actually related to the interrupted main story – Jolly Jerry will be sent to the same hospital that Splitface escaped from and when Splitface is apprehended, they will be assigned as roommates…
The short story was a good ride with lots of action and detective work that should have probably gone on another week.
The solution was abrupt involving a perp we had never heard of before. We had actually never heard the term “Jolly Jerry” until today. Perhaps his name should have been dropped into the story earlier in a non-obvious way (Joe or Jewel could have been watching his show or reruns in the background).
The high melodrama and pathos of Junior at Sparkle’s hospital bed with her family in silhouette was somewhat diminished by Sparkle’s miraculous instantaneous recovery in the last panel (no weakness and all smiles).
But a good effort all around. Thanks, Donnie for the excitement and for adding a sense of urgency to the story that we haven’t seen in a while.
This has been a fun ride. Thanks again, and I’ll revisit the comments a bit later. Have a great week everyone, and be watching for Popeye’s birthday celebrations this week.
My take is that “Jolly Jerry,” Jerome Jeaulee, is criminally insane after the cancellation of his take-off on the Howdy Doody Show and the wash-up fo his “Buffalo Bob Smith” wannabe career. Best bet is the court remands him to the nearest psychiatric facility indefinitely. And if that happens to be the same place from which Splitface escaped, then we have a semblance at least of a connection between this IMO successful Minit Mystery and the interrupted case.
Congratulations on a job well done, Donnie.
We now resume our regularly scheduled squad car pursuit….
Pequod over 5 years ago
Jolly Jerry once so merry, had a show for kids
Advertisers lining up to sweeten their best bids.
Clown toys were tops with all the tots. Jerry’s slapstick bit
Did not age well. Began to smell. Ratings took a hit.
Soon the show was canceled, much to Jerry’s sad chagrin
Show biz days now over, thoughts of vengeance did begin.
Handy man did hatch a plan to poison all his foes
Warped by disappointment, you know how the story goes.
Now lock him up for murder. Time to live life in a cell
Regret won’t free him from his cage. Time can’t unring the bell.
Five are dead, it must be said, they’ve been placed underground
Sparkle wakes and Junior shakes. His gratitude profound.
avenger09 over 5 years ago
Listen, I could go on and on about all the problems with this just wrapped up mini series but why bother? Obviously two weeks just isn’t enough time to really do anything in terms of development or reason, hence the rushed and sappy conclusion so let’s take it for what it’s worth, give Donnie an A+ for effort and move on.
I’m much more excited to finally have proof that Hitler didn’t die in the bunker but has been living in Tracyville all these years!
Neil Wick over 5 years ago
Good morning™, former members of the peanut gallery!
Apparently, it became dangerous later on for those in the cheering section of Jolly Jerry’s show. He got red-handed trying to plant more of those rigged toys that look like his character.
Overall, I think this has been the best Minit Mystery to date. I may write more later, time permitting.
Donnie Pitchford Premium Member over 5 years ago
As this 15-day “Minit Mysteries” adventure concludes, I want to thank Mike Curtis for inviting me to write the scripts, Joe Staton for his dynamic pencils and inks, Shelley Pleger for her lettering, and Shane Fisher for his Sunday coloring. This has been both an honor and a lot of fun. I conclude by thanking each of you who has taken the time to read these strips, and additionally to each of you who has written commentary. I’ve enjoyed it all!
Cheapskate0 over 5 years ago
Well, Jolly Jerry was certainly a surprise – a character totally unknown the previous 14 days of this MM.
Was this a pot shot at Howdy Doody, who also had a Peanut Gallery – not to mention, Clarabell the Clown (who looks a lot like the booby-trapped toy)?
Since Donnie said that it was the tape that was booby-trapped, not the tape player, that begs many questions right there (since the rest of his traps were the clown figure).
But as many of us have said, two weeks just ain’t enough to put together a decent detective story.
And yet – what a ride it has been! Easily the most entertaining story we’ve had in a long time!
I’m almost dreading the return to – wait a minute, just who were we chasing two weeks ago, anyway?
natureboyfig4 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Good job, Donnie Pitchford! I’ve really enjoyed your guest-writing in this “Minit Mysteries” series, and I’ll continue to read both Dick Tracy under its regular team and your own Lum and Abner strip! :-)
Ashmael over 5 years ago
A good story that suffered by being so condensed and short. Good work though!
HarryCK over 5 years ago
Good morning™, departing Mystery authors !
The poor blighter’s fine’ly cracked !
fredville over 5 years ago
What a shocker…..Sparkle lived, lol. But 5 others did die, I guess it’s a happy ending because they were just ordinary people, like us, ha ha.Fun story, though, and the equivalent of a successful Brady or Rodgers 2 minute drive in the limited time the writer had…..
Counterpoint over 5 years ago
Now we know how this minit mystery is actually related to the interrupted main story – Jolly Jerry will be sent to the same hospital that Splitface escaped from and when Splitface is apprehended, they will be assigned as roommates…
tripwire45 over 5 years ago
That ended abruptly, and how did Tracy suddenly get behind Jerry when he was in front of him with a bull horn just seconds before?
kantuck-nadie over 5 years ago
Tracy certainly thinks fast on his feet. Imagine switching to that on a second notice — brilliant!
Ray Toler over 5 years ago
The short story was a good ride with lots of action and detective work that should have probably gone on another week.
The solution was abrupt involving a perp we had never heard of before. We had actually never heard the term “Jolly Jerry” until today. Perhaps his name should have been dropped into the story earlier in a non-obvious way (Joe or Jewel could have been watching his show or reruns in the background).
The high melodrama and pathos of Junior at Sparkle’s hospital bed with her family in silhouette was somewhat diminished by Sparkle’s miraculous instantaneous recovery in the last panel (no weakness and all smiles).
But a good effort all around. Thanks, Donnie for the excitement and for adding a sense of urgency to the story that we haven’t seen in a while.
seismic-2 Premium Member over 5 years ago
What exactly was the “mystery”? They knew right away that it was the exterminator. They had no other suspects.
iggyman over 5 years ago
The last panel is my favorite! Sparkle is going to be ok!
RonnieAThompson Premium Member over 5 years ago
RIP Officer Thomas Cottrell Jr. You are missed.
David Rickard Premium Member over 5 years ago
Where’s Mr DeMille? Jolly is ready for his close-up…
tsull2121 over 5 years ago
Good story, hampered by the time limit tho.
Good Job Donnie!
Jan C over 5 years ago
“Peanut Gallery” was specific to the Howdy Doody show.
Donnie Pitchford Premium Member over 5 years ago
This has been a fun ride. Thanks again, and I’ll revisit the comments a bit later. Have a great week everyone, and be watching for Popeye’s birthday celebrations this week.
Wizard of Ahz-no relation over 5 years ago
r a swat sniper could just have shot him at a disstance the gas would have settled over just his body.
jrankin1959 over 5 years ago
A cross between Soupy Sales and Jerry Lewis?
Sisyphos over 5 years ago
My take is that “Jolly Jerry,” Jerome Jeaulee, is criminally insane after the cancellation of his take-off on the Howdy Doody Show and the wash-up fo his “Buffalo Bob Smith” wannabe career. Best bet is the court remands him to the nearest psychiatric facility indefinitely. And if that happens to be the same place from which Splitface escaped, then we have a semblance at least of a connection between this IMO successful Minit Mystery and the interrupted case.
Congratulations on a job well done, Donnie.
We now resume our regularly scheduled squad car pursuit….
Pirate Mike creator over 5 years ago
Bravo!! Love this! MORE!