Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for July 03, 2020

Actually one of the better denouements of late. ✨

Ahh, so it was Edison who started the ball rolling. That led to Shaky’s arrest!! GOOD GIRL!!

Good morning™, explainers!

So, it sounds like Crystal thought that Shaky would take the bait, but I still can’t really figure out how they could have expected him to show up at the mall.

My goal is to upload my usual summary first thing tomorrow, which will undoubtedly be a 4yh of July strip.

I’ll bet Edison will be glad to be back with Groovy!

Does that mean she’ll be out-of-jurisdiction?

Good artwork today, but the storyline turn in a great disappointment.

So what’s gonna happen with the Breathless movie?

Good morning™, talking mops !

Hard to see the “forest” for all the hair.

P.3. Best rendering of Fortuna in the whole story. She actually looks human and approachable.

I am ready to drown in the red lusciousness of B. Starr !

Aieee! My comely and delectable Edison Lighthouse is face to face with the Mighty Dick Tracy! This is so amazing!

Pardon my fanboying all over the place, but this really is sensational. To have one of my characters appear with one of the greatest figures in comics history…

So, is this confessional a sign that the comely and delectable Edison Lighthouse may be going straight? No more Bad Boys? —A consummation devoutly to be wished.

With Crystal and Lafayette bonding even more, Tracy being compassionate, and Edison reforming, this is a satisfying ending to a rather weak story….

My guess is that there was more scrubbed from the original story than a couple of black eye panels. Abuse is a serious crime. It is underreported and hard for police to act upon. Had Edison left town before “Breathless” bailed out Shaky, there would have been time for the relationship and subsequent abuse to be developed more fully. Shaky’s small role in the film would have placed more of the story on the set for the making of Left Breathless. I wanted to see more of the shoot. The actor playing BO and BO could have met. “Breathless” could have been reluctant to report the abuse, not wanting bad publicity. Strongly suggested violence—just off panel—would have added heft to the story, bringing in the criminal activity much sooner. The first time Stanley strikes Stella in the film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, Brando moves Kim Hunter out of the frame so that the blow lands just off screen. Much could be left to the imagination while taking on abuse in more depth. There was a missed opportunity to do more with an important topic. Here’s hoping the bosses Tribune Content Agency (TCA) give the team more room to play.

Now she can more on with her life, find a nice guy who appreciates her.

If you think this ending is going to make up for all the, ahem, Shaky story telling (hur, hur) you are right.

Shaky’s story had its up and downs, as well as its lefts and rights, but on the whole, it was fun. Thanks!

“It was my idea to lure Shaky into stealing from Mr. Lafayette. I had no idea that the chump would steal something so stupid. It worked way better on that episode of ‘Scooby Doo’. Actually, it ended up pretty much like this, except we didn’t have to peel Shaky’s face off. I’d hate to see what would be under there.

Well, Mr. Tracy, I’m ready to get my just desserts. Speaking of which, say hi to my friend, Whole Beef Patty, that bleached blonde , gum snapping floozy at the greasy spoon. I gotta say, Mr. Tracy, that of all the Dicks that I’ve known over the years, you’re the swellest!

You’ll find me at my old studio unless the landlord realizes that I haven’t paid a penny in rent for years. I’m hoping to settle that score, though, with royalties from my upcoming role in ‘Orange Is The New Black’."

With that, the comely and delectable Edison sashays off into the sunset looking for a new chump, goon, thug or mook to keep her in the bedlam and squalor that she’s become accustomed to. Adios, fair Edison; we never really knew ye, which is probably why nothing’s missing from our houses.

And so it goes, by gar, by gar…{sigh…}

1-WHATSER: Oh come on! Don’t give me the stink eye. You’re just jealous of the love Jay and I have for each other!

2-DT: I believe I’ve found the problem. Someone has put a thick coat of Vaseline on your glasses.

3-WHATSER: Jay did. He said it would be a physical manifestation of the old “love is blind” adage. Isn’t he just the most clever and beautifulest man you’ve ever encountered?!?!

CRYSTAL BETH: At least when she’s annoying everyone in women’s prison with that BS, she’ll never see the shiv coming through those “love” goggles.

Here’s a shoutout to all fans of bleached blonde floozy waitresses (you know who you are). This is the family friendly version so no gum snapping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdpFgoVRtuQ

Now that’s a wrap (no pun intended) on this story. Mike and Joe….time to start fresh. I believe the flashback or throw back to villians of the past has run its course. It is now for new bad men and bad women. Where are Tracy, Sam, Lizz and Lee in this spectrum? They are affiliated with MCU….Major Crimes Unit. On a search I found out that this unit investigates all homicides, suicides and suspicious deaths. Have not seen none of the latter take place on Tracyville in a month of Sundays. Of course if push comes to shove they could go back to being a regular detective unit and investigate personal crimes. Such as: arson, kidnapping, assault and battery, domestic abuse, rape and statutory rape and child abuse. Mike and Joe….the ball’s in your court.

I’m sorry, but I’m not buying this wrap up to the story.

I do believe the wonderful Edison, in P1, has brown eyes. A short while back she had huge, limpid, exotic blue eyes! Now it’s brown eyes. Artistic license?