It would’ve been 1941, with Mole making his first appearance on November 16, with Duke looking for a place to hide. While the Mole is a fine rogue, and 1944 a fine year, Gould was a little occupied in this year with some rogue named Flattop, a Nazi spy named Brow, and finishing it all up with an also-ran named Shaky.
Now while 1941 is Mole’s first appearance, it’s not his last. He’d resurface again in the 1970s when his niece started to run with some shmoe called the Pouch. He also had a prologue where we learned his final fate before the 50th anniversary extravaganza… as a farmer gone straight, and now friends with his former foe Dick Tracy!
AND! This might not even be the last we see of him with this fine crew at the helm. Of course, it’s likely the next time we see him that he’ll still be on the side of the angels.
AND ALSO! That story has been reprinted by IDW in its complete form, 1941-1942, with the Mole himself on the cover.
A never-ending series of cameo appearances! So cool!On the other hand, however, the GoComics colorist is completely at variance with what is seen in the syndicated feed as carried in, for example, the Chicago Tribune….
I’m also curious to see how the strip is colored by other sources. Could anyone share a link?
A great idea for them to hide Tess with Mole. He is creepy but has always been my favorite villain. He’s very likable to me and I love that period of the strip. I think Gould liked him too, one of the few villains that he let survive and then brought back many years later.
The way that Mike is approaching this whole re-telling makes perfectly good sense. All of these villains would have been in and around this area at some time or other down through the years. It’s logical that their 15 minutes of fame would click over sooner or later.
In the ancient days when “Mad” magazine was a comic book, they had a character named “Melvin the Mole”. Could he have been based on the Dick Tracy villain?
There are a few logical problems I have with the Mole. The underworld keeping quiet about him I can buy but Tess?! Certainly after Tracy rescued her the Feds would have been VERY interested in where she had been hid. I’m also having issues of just WHERE in the Oct 12, Nov 13,1931 run this fits as Tess was tied up in a boarding house early on.
Back when Joe and Mike took over the DT strip, someone posted a link to an on-line comic that they did (a female P.I.?). Unfortunately, I forgot to bookmark that link. Can someone please re-post it?
My wife, Katy, and I went out yesterday for the Tracy Anniversary celebration held at Naperville, IL..It began with a presentation at the huge, one-ton brass statue of Tracy on Naperville’s riverwalk. Dick Locher received a presentation from TMS, and from the town. Town officials like the mayor, the police chief (who says crime has gone down in Naperville since the statue has been erected), and some aldermen, as well as two township (a different local jurisidiction between a municipality and a county) officials..Matt Hansel was there, as well as Leigh Hanlon from Tribune Media Services, Jim Brozman IMr. Locher’s assistant on TRACY), and Gould’s daughter, Jean O’Connell, along with her two kids, Tracy and Sue, and her two children-in-law, Cindy and Brent. .After snacks were served in the indoor venue, the Naperville Settlement, Katy and I introduced ourselves to Mr. and Mrs. Locher. He must have been told about me (perhaps by Jean), since he knew which railway I work for, while the credit line on CRIMESTOPPERS only says “Railroad Police.”
Later, Mr. Locher gave a talk about his association with Tracy, and about his years as a political cartoonist, and a video about his career was shown. He pointed out people in the audience who’d helped him along the way, and I was very kindly introduced as a member of the new team..It was and incredibly lucky coincidence, indeed it was almost Providential, that the Hall of Creators entry for yesterday was about Mr. Locher..After the presentation, Mr. Locher very kindly signed some items I had for him to autograph. I found him to be a very nice gentleman, and his wife, Mary, was a lovely and charming lady.
Thanks to the folks who’ve posted the various sources for the strips. I fell in love with black and white art while reading Gould’s work and have to say, the new team is keeping up with standard. Really great work. Seeing the dailies in black & white is the only way to go as far as I’m concerned.
margueritem about 13 years ago
Mole is one creepy guy.
hsawlrae about 13 years ago
Stomp Mole back in his hole.
Llewellenbruce about 13 years ago
Probably makes Mole horny too.
Aaron Mimura about 13 years ago
It would’ve been 1941, with Mole making his first appearance on November 16, with Duke looking for a place to hide. While the Mole is a fine rogue, and 1944 a fine year, Gould was a little occupied in this year with some rogue named Flattop, a Nazi spy named Brow, and finishing it all up with an also-ran named Shaky.
Now while 1941 is Mole’s first appearance, it’s not his last. He’d resurface again in the 1970s when his niece started to run with some shmoe called the Pouch. He also had a prologue where we learned his final fate before the 50th anniversary extravaganza… as a farmer gone straight, and now friends with his former foe Dick Tracy!
AND! This might not even be the last we see of him with this fine crew at the helm. Of course, it’s likely the next time we see him that he’ll still be on the side of the angels.
AND ALSO! That story has been reprinted by IDW in its complete form, 1941-1942, with the Mole himself on the cover.
Aaron
Sisyphos about 13 years ago
A never-ending series of cameo appearances! So cool!On the other hand, however, the GoComics colorist is completely at variance with what is seen in the syndicated feed as carried in, for example, the Chicago Tribune….
Bill Thompson about 13 years ago
With all the villains infesting the city, it looks like Dick made detective just in time!
Major Matt Mason Premium Member about 13 years ago
@Sisyphos: I concur. I like the Trib coloring much better. Still, at least there ain’t no granary… ;-)
Asakura about 13 years ago
May I ask which online version of Dick folks think have the best colouring?
Det.DanDone about 13 years ago
Mole always reminds me of Gollum…My PRECIOUS….
Mdstudio about 13 years ago
I’m also curious to see how the strip is colored by other sources. Could anyone share a link?
A great idea for them to hide Tess with Mole. He is creepy but has always been my favorite villain. He’s very likable to me and I love that period of the strip. I think Gould liked him too, one of the few villains that he let survive and then brought back many years later.
andy.vaughn about 13 years ago
The way that Mike is approaching this whole re-telling makes perfectly good sense. All of these villains would have been in and around this area at some time or other down through the years. It’s logical that their 15 minutes of fame would click over sooner or later.
coratelli about 13 years ago
Oh my god!! The Mole. These strip are wonderful!!! More, more!!
pschearer Premium Member about 13 years ago
In the ancient days when “Mad” magazine was a comic book, they had a character named “Melvin the Mole”. Could he have been based on the Dick Tracy villain?
Maximara about 13 years ago
There are a few logical problems I have with the Mole. The underworld keeping quiet about him I can buy but Tess?! Certainly after Tracy rescued her the Feds would have been VERY interested in where she had been hid. I’m also having issues of just WHERE in the Oct 12, Nov 13,1931 run this fits as Tess was tied up in a boarding house early on.
clarke3060 Premium Member about 13 years ago
I’m very interested in Tess’s fate! I detect a sparkle in the mole’s eye
pathamil about 13 years ago
Back when Joe and Mike took over the DT strip, someone posted a link to an on-line comic that they did (a female P.I.?). Unfortunately, I forgot to bookmark that link. Can someone please re-post it?
pathamil about 13 years ago
Melvin the Mole from Mad #2 (Dec. 1952)
http://www.jhalpe.com/items/view/01228
(I tried to post an Image to this post, but the paste button doesn’t work.)?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ about 13 years ago
The criminals are outnumbering the police!
Good afternoon all…
Weegel about 13 years ago
My wife, Katy, and I went out yesterday for the Tracy Anniversary celebration held at Naperville, IL..It began with a presentation at the huge, one-ton brass statue of Tracy on Naperville’s riverwalk. Dick Locher received a presentation from TMS, and from the town. Town officials like the mayor, the police chief (who says crime has gone down in Naperville since the statue has been erected), and some aldermen, as well as two township (a different local jurisidiction between a municipality and a county) officials..Matt Hansel was there, as well as Leigh Hanlon from Tribune Media Services, Jim Brozman IMr. Locher’s assistant on TRACY), and Gould’s daughter, Jean O’Connell, along with her two kids, Tracy and Sue, and her two children-in-law, Cindy and Brent. .After snacks were served in the indoor venue, the Naperville Settlement, Katy and I introduced ourselves to Mr. and Mrs. Locher. He must have been told about me (perhaps by Jean), since he knew which railway I work for, while the credit line on CRIMESTOPPERS only says “Railroad Police.”
Later, Mr. Locher gave a talk about his association with Tracy, and about his years as a political cartoonist, and a video about his career was shown. He pointed out people in the audience who’d helped him along the way, and I was very kindly introduced as a member of the new team..It was and incredibly lucky coincidence, indeed it was almost Providential, that the Hall of Creators entry for yesterday was about Mr. Locher..After the presentation, Mr. Locher very kindly signed some items I had for him to autograph. I found him to be a very nice gentleman, and his wife, Mary, was a lovely and charming lady.
Tarry Plaguer about 13 years ago
For those who asked:DICK TRACY – THE CHICAGO TRIBUNEDICK TRACY IN B&W
APersonOfInterest about 13 years ago
The Mole changed his name to Michael Imperiole (?) and was then cast as Christopher in the HBO series “The Sopranos” … ?!!?
Ray Toler about 13 years ago
The art and writing on this arc are spectacular. Congratulations to the entire team for an outstanding story.
Mdstudio about 13 years ago
Thanks to the folks who’ve posted the various sources for the strips. I fell in love with black and white art while reading Gould’s work and have to say, the new team is keeping up with standard. Really great work. Seeing the dailies in black & white is the only way to go as far as I’m concerned.
Pygar about 13 years ago
For some reason I “hear” Mole in Peter Lorre’s voice…