Dick Tracy by Dick Locher

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wndrwrthg said, 10 months ago

The following is an excerpt from the incident report of Watch Commander Lt. Frank Drebin, Emergency Operations Center, Naperville Police Department.
Report dated 1-09-2009,

Following reports of an explosion and strong odor, on the night of January 8, 2009, Fire and Rescue units, along with Bomb squad and Hazmat teams were dispatched to 742 Evergreen terrace (cross street Wisteria Lane). Due to information that there may be a hazardous material mishap, I instituted a reverse 911 procedure, calling homes to advise sheltering in place. Hospitals were informed to expect possible casualties and the Dept. of Homeland Security was informed as per their instructions. During this time and before the first units arrived on scene, telephone contact was established with occupant of the residence and said occupant informed dispatch that “Everything was fine here” and “No need for your services”. Because of budgetary concerns, all units responding were ordered to return to base, with the exception of Squad 51, which performed mop-up work. The scene of the blast was left unsecured, with no orders for units to patrol the area. Shelter in place restrictions were lifted at approximately 2300 hrs. Reports from Rampart General Hospital indicate persons being admitted with respiratory distress, burning eyes and throat and severe skin irritation. Injuries were also reported from flying glass and debris. Squad 51 reported odor permeated the area and compromised the integrity of their breathing apparatus and two crew members were transported to Rampart General for observation. Destruction was not limited to residence alone, an area of three blocks radius was affected with windows in homes and cars being blown out and debris being broadcast over a wide area. In a related note, Sgt. Friday and his partner Officer Gannon, were working the night watch out of Frauds Division, Bunko section, when the call came in and were dispatched to the area concerning reports of a WFA in Kabuki makeup in the area of the explosion going from home to home, working a possible Ponzi scheme on gullible women. Suspect is reportedly going by the name Angelorious Madoff. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon made contact with Detective Tracy in his home, who informed them that he had indeed seen the suspect, but was unaware that the woman who walked into his house unannounced and who was unknown to him or his wife and talking about making millions selling a line of nonexistent cosmetics, could possibly be a crime suspect.
Margueritem said, 10 months ago

I’m reminded of a vacuum cleaner when I read the latest updates.

Great job once again, WW!
Lampblack said, 10 months ago

Every character in Dick Tracy is a right idjiot.
Sydney Phillips said, 10 months ago

Whenever they are caught out, the escape hatch that opens is usually … “Why? It’s only a comic strip! (As if to say, Hey! Why are you taking it so seriously) I come back to Groc on ‘speech’, “for us it’s free and if you praise it’s also for thee.
drwatson said, 10 months ago

“Oh Dick, it’s a wonderful name”
Something about that isn’t quite right.
Gweedo Murray said, 10 months ago

You’ll do all the work while she skims the profit.
LudwigVonDrake said, 10 months ago

I half expected not to be able to post today due to the efforts of Dorothy and Toto. I think we’re all living on borrowed time folks.

That said, that doesn’t look like Tess in the second panel. Consistency is not in the Artist’s repertoire.
invisifan said, 10 months ago

Is Tracy looking concerned or hopeful about Tess possibly wearing explosive perfume?
eggfu said, 10 months ago

Is Tess being sarcastic? If not then why does she have such a deadened expression?
neonleon59 said, 10 months ago

Is “merchandizing” anything like “merchandising?”
Doctor Toon said, 10 months ago

Just finished scanning through yesterdays posts and an idea comes to mind. Since a ‘certain someone’ seems to thrive on attention, what say we give him none today. No matter what he says, NO MATTER WHAT, lets try to let it slide like the proverbial water from the ducks back.
CyberV said, 10 months ago

Okay, so Miss Joker’s got a mutant ability to make her braclets defy gravity. She’s using that to hypnotize Dick and Tess into thinking that wearing explosive chemicals is a brilliant thing to do.

At the same time, in case it doesn’t work, she’s sending coherant shadows to engulf the Tracys. Tess is immediately immersed, but Dick, having turned away to avoid the hypnosis, still stands a small chance for survival. All he needs to do is keep Miss Joker talking and focused on everything except her evil.

Also, why is Miss Joker talking to a closed door? And why is Tess wearing clown makeup?

In happier news, check THIS out: http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setupfile=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=65&showarticle=989&nl=1

A Dick Tracy Tonner doll!
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Just finished scanning through yesterdays posts and an idea comes to mind. Since a ‘certain someone’ seems to thrive on attention, what say we give him none today. No matter what he says, NO MATTER WHAT, lets try to let it slide like the proverbial water from the ducks back.

How ‘bout this…why don’t you all find ANOTHER website to go an “hand out at”. Remember, YOUNGER readers visit this website and people who MIGHT become fans of Dick Tracy visit this website and first time readers visit this website, and for them to come here and see your mocking/bullying/disrespecting of both the STRIP and the current CREATOR will turn them off. You’ve cost the Dick Tracy franchise FANS (and MONEY) and you’ve cost TMS FANS (and MONEY) and, guess what geniuses, we need BOTH for the strip to continue in ANY FORM. BUT–to have so-called “fans” of Dick Tracy here every day, day in and day out, mocking and disrespecting the strip will turn away readers, the strip will die and the franchise will go the way of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox.

This is ANOTHER reason why I do not comprehend why GOCOMICS allows these types of comments/posters on an enterprise that should be MAKING MONEY FOR THEM.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Okay, so Miss Joker’s got a mutant ability to make her braclets defy gravity. She’s using that to hypnotize Dick and Tess into thinking that wearing explosive chemicals is a brilliant thing to do.
At the same time, in case it doesn’t work, she’s sending coherant shadows to engulf the Tracys. Tess is immediately immersed, but Dick, having turned away to avoid the hypnosis, still stands a small chance for survival. All he needs to do is keep Miss Joker talking and focused on everything except her evil.
Also, why is Miss Joker talking to a closed door? And why is Tess wearing clown makeup?

You can’t POSSIBLY believe that the bracelets are defying gravity…can you?
How do you construe the drawing of Tess to make it seem that she’s wearing clown make-up?

I’m honestly curious. One of the problems that we artists have is that we don’t always see the art the way the OTHER people see it, so any INSIGHT into your thought process would be appreciated.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Memo to Liam. Matthew must go. He is too violent with his words. He cannot or will not consider toning down even a little bit. Please remove him. To show how serious I am with this request I am asking that you remove me at the same time. That will be a small sacrifice to restore the peaceful nature of this posting board.
Thank you.
Peace. Joy, and happiness always.
BB

WHY do you want me removed? Because I don’t stand idly by and let you all mock and humiliate the strip? Because I call you on your comments? Because I won’t let you all destroy a franchise that’s been around for almost 80 years with your snarky comments and fun-making all in an effort to appear to be “cool” to each other? Because I demand that you show respect to Dick Locher and the Dick Tracy legacy/franchise? Is that why bassmanbob?

AND–by the way–hair shirts are on sale in aisle 4.

I hope they have enough of them for all the martyrs around here.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

And–bassmanbob–I’d like some examples of me being “too violent” with my words. And I want REAL examples, not “well, I interpreted this to mean that” type stuff. I want CONCRETE examples. I’ve threatened NOBODY. I

I’m waiting.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

The following is an excerpt from the incident report of Watch Commander Lt. Frank Drebin, Emergency Operations Center, Naperville Police Department.
Report dated 1-09-2009,
Following reports of an explosion and strong odor, on the night of January 8, 2009, Fire and Rescue units, along with Bomb squad and Hazmat teams were dispatched to 742 Evergreen terrace (cross street Wisteria Lane). Due to information that there may be a hazardous material mishap, I instituted a reverse 911 procedure, calling homes to advise sheltering in place. Hospitals were informed to expect possible casualties and the Dept. of Homeland Security was informed as per their instructions. During this time and before the first units arrived on scene, telephone contact was established with occupant of the residence and said occupant informed dispatch that “Everything was fine here” and “No need for your services”. Because of budgetary concerns, all units responding were ordered to return to base, with the exception of Squad 51, which performed mop-up work. The scene of the blast was left unsecured, with no orders for units to patrol the area. Shelter in place restrictions were lifted at approximately 2300 hrs. Reports from Rampart General Hospital indicate persons being admitted with respiratory distress, burning eyes and throat and severe skin irritation. Injuries were also reported from flying glass and debris. Squad 51 reported odor permeated the area and compromised the integrity of their breathing apparatus and two crew members were transported to Rampart General for observation. Destruction was not limited to residence alone, an area of three blocks radius was affected with windows in homes and cars being blown out and debris being broadcast over a wide area. In a related note, Sgt. Friday and his partner Officer Gannon, were working the night watch out of Frauds Division, Bunko section, when the call came in and were dispatched to the area concerning reports of a WFA in Kabuki makeup in the area of the explosion going from home to home, working a possible Ponzi scheme on gullible women. Suspect is reportedly going by the name Angelorious Madoff. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon made contact with Detective Tracy in his home, who informed them that he had indeed seen the suspect, but was unaware that the woman who walked into his house unannounced and who was unknown to him or his wife and talking about making millions selling a line of nonexistent cosmetics, could possibly be a crime suspect.

And, again, you THINK this would make for an exciting comic strip reading experience? Really?

MPH
JonD17 said, 9 months ago

margueritemPro says:

I’m reminded of a vacuum cleaner when I read the latest updates.
Great job once again, WW!

Marg, you mean when you reach the point where the bag has to be changed, or the tub emptied?
davboyd said, 9 months ago

This whole story line is absurd. The events of the last three weeks would be condensed to three days if Mr. Gould were the author. I am amused at the other postings here making fun of Locher, etc., but let’s not forget that the Dick Tracy comic strip used to be a part of growing up for millions of loyal readers. As you read the first 5 volumes of Mr. Gould’s works beginning in the 30’s, you quickly realize that the story lines have a delicate balance of politics, education and entertainment that’s not found in any other medium today.
The modern day Dick Tracy strip should be terminated ASAP. It is an abomination of disrespect for the original author’s unique style and imagination that made Dick Tracy worthy of reprinting in the hardcover volumes available today.
JonD17 said, 9 months ago

bassmanbob says:

Angelorious was glad Tess came back to the house. She was especially excited when Tess told her about Dr. Noll and the explosion. Every since that day when she was injured during the explosion at the plastic surgery hospital Angelorious became obsessed with explosions and fire. She knew she was fortunate they saved her life, but she hated the fact that her arms had to always be extended as if she was a flapping bird………

Wow Bassman, I think you hit it on the head here…. the old ploy of a plot within a plot…. how novel. Seriously that would definitely make the story line more interesting!

As far as matthew, I agree with you and even though I am only a rookie here I add my name to your “virtual” petition
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Matthew Hansel says:
bassmanbob–I’ve not “stalked people” on the internet like some people have (yourself included).
Matthew, that statement is a total and blatant lie & you know that!
You are a liar!

You’ve admitted to doing as much. So, NO, no lie here.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Wow Bassman, I think you hit it on the head here…. the old ploy of a plot within a plot…. how novel. Seriously that would definitely make the story line more interesting!
As far as matthew, I agree with you and even though I am only a rookie here I add my name to your “virtual” petition

All empty promises, because you would just either post with other handles, or come back with “new” identities.

Hair shirts are on sale in aisle 4.

MPH
Margueritem said, 9 months ago
CyberV says: In happier news, check THIS out: http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setupfile=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=65&showarticle=989&nl=1

A Dick Tracy Tonner doll!
```
 Nice looking action figure!
```
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

This whole story line is absurd. The events of the last three weeks would be condensed to three days if Mr. Gould were the author. I am amused at the other postings here making fun of Locher, etc., but let’s not forget that the Dick Tracy comic strip used to be a part of growing up for millions of loyal readers. As you read the first 5 volumes of Mr. Gould’s works beginning in the 30’s, you quickly realize that the story lines have a delicate balance of politics, education and entertainment that’s not found in any other medium today.
The modern day Dick Tracy strip should be terminated ASAP. It is an abomination of disrespect for the original author’s unique style and imagination that made Dick Tracy worthy of reprinting in the hardcover volumes available today.

You realize that you are comparing apples to oranges, right?
Chet didn’t operate in the same “editorial” environment that Locher does. Chet was the CREATOR of the strip and PERSONAL FRIENDS with Col. McCORMICK and Joe PATTERSON, which allowed him a great deal of leverage and latitude. Both McCormick and Patterson were made of sterner stuff than today’s newspaper people and would not knee-jerk react to any criticism of the paper or the features. In fact, they actually were willing to LOSE READERS if they completely believed in a cause. Something sorely lacking in today’s newspaper environment where, because of the HUGE corporate ownership of those enterprises, they’ve been forced to chase every reader and every dollar which has forever, totally and completely changed the news business in this country.

Locher operates in an environment where they regulate how many guns he is allowed to show on panel every year, how many car chases he’s allowed, how many dead bodies he’s allowed to show, how much of a woman’s body is acceptable, etc. And those are just the ART rules!

So making a comparison to Chester Gould, along these lines, is not a fair comparison at all.

Also, remember, Chester believed in moving forward at all costs. He didn’t listen to the critics (Moon era anyone, or the law-and-order era of the 70s anyone?). He moved forward with his vision and if people didn’t like it, he said the heck with’em.

Remember, TMS approves EVERY strip that Locher does and they OWN the strip. Consider that.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

GACK–and I forgot to mention, Chet’s original art and the real estate he got on the newspaper page was roughly DOUBLE what Locher gets. There physically just isn’t as much room as there used to be, and that is a hamper on storytelling!

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Matthew, I have NEVER stalked ANYONE on the internet and have NEVER admitted to doing so. Either you are delusional or a bold faced liar. DO NOT try to tarnish me Matthew.
Liam, when you get back from your weekend vacation please honor my request and remove both Matthew and myself. He cannot be allowed to create such havoc! You have to act!
BB

My recollection is from the COMICSPAGE thing where MORROW admitted to using his wife’s company’s HR resources to “find out about me” was that you admitted to having “googled” me to “find out about me”.

If I am in error about this, please let me know, but that is my recollection, and I don’t feel like going through the PAGES of the COMICSPAGE screen shots that I have saved to find the exact answer.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Matthew, your “recollection” regarding me is incorrect! Perhaps you SHOULD have gone through the pages of the COMICSPAGE screen shots you saved to confirm what you accused me of before haphazardly tossing it out there. Please either verify what you’ve said or retract you false statement.

Sorry bassmanbob, but that is my recollection. You jumped on the band wagon with morrow. I believe it was you that determined where I worked and even pointed links to “galleries” of my artwork (which were not done by me).

If I am wrong, please accept my apologies, but that is my recollection.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

bassmanbob:

I’m not going to go through the COMICSPAGE screen shots.

A) they are hard to read
B) Even if I presented proof, nobody here will believe it anyway.
C) I believe you admitted to me in a private email that you did not condone MORROW’s behavior.

I still recall you jumping on the bandwagon, though.

Again, if I am wrong, please accept my apologies.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

CyberV says: In happier news, check THIS out: http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setupfile=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=65&showarticle=989&nl=1
A Dick Tracy Tonner doll!
Nice looking action figure!

Pass. It is a terrible representation of Tracy. Looks more like Uncle Warren than anything.

The ELECTRIC TIKI from a few years back is SUPERB and the Dark Horse figure from the same vintage is AWESOME! I recommend both.

MPH

P.S. Here is a link to the Electric TIKI statue…I’m not endorsing the buyer AT ALL, but it has a few nice pics of it. Enjoy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DICK-TRACY-FIGURE-STATUE-ELECTRIC-TIKI-SIDESHOWW0QQitemZ260351202764QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLHDefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

I’ve removed the “offending” comments, bassmanbob.

I’m still waiting for answer to your charge of being “too violent with words”.

That is a far BIGGER accusation to make without any prooof.

I’m waiting.

Or is this another one of your one-way streets were you people are allowed to do and say as you please, but I’m still forced to play by a set of rules?

MPH
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

I SO don’t want to get into this again, but I have to say that the truths you refer to here, Matt, are indeed correct regarding Chet’s editorial environment vs. Dick’s.

You know, we share some common ground among us, even though we may disagree often on details. We ALL want the strip to be the very best it CAN be – that goes double for DL. The biggest hurdle that must be overcome for this strip to EVER get back to its’ roots and provide entertainment to its’ readers, is for TMS to begin reversing some of the editorial constraints placed upon the strip over the last 20+ years. The problem TMS faces in doing so, is that it jeopardizes losing those newspaper clients who buy and publish Tracy every day.

The problem, at its’ roots, is that the newspaper industry has consistently shrunk the comic strip’s it publishes to an almost unintelligible point – a point, I fear, of no return. Unless the industry WAKES UP and realizes that the NEWS is not the only thing the readers demand – comics and entertainment features ranking highest among readership positives – not only will the Dick Tracy strip continue to suffer, but the print newspaper medium may very well collapse on itself. To some degree, it already has.

With weekly reports of newspaper’s cutting ENTIRE PAGES of their Sunday comic sections as a “cost-cutting” measure (give me a break!), they are cutting off their noses to spite their face. The hardest thing for me to accept, yet it is confirmed repeatedly to me among those who are “in the know,” is that Tracy is subject to editorial constraints that other strips in the TMS stable are not. This is completely unfair and is killing this strip with each passing day.

I’m off my soap-box.
davboyd said, 9 months ago

“You realize that you are comparing apples to oranges, right?
Chet didn’t operate in the same “editorial” environment that Locher does. Chet was the CREATOR of the strip and PERSONAL FRIENDS with Col. McCORMICK and Joe PATTERSON, which allowed him a great deal of leverage and latitude. Both McCormick and Patterson were made of sterner stuff than today’s newspaper people and would not knee-jerk react to any criticism of the paper or the features. In fact, they actually were willing to LOSE READERS if they completely believed in a cause. Something sorely lacking in today’s newspaper environment where, because of the HUGE corporate ownership of those enterprises, they’ve been forced to chase every reader and every dollar which has forever, totally and completely changed the news business in this country.

Locher operates in an environment where they regulate how many guns he is allowed to show on panel every year, how many car chases he’s allowed, how many dead bodies he’s allowed to show, how much of a woman’s body is acceptable, etc. And those are just the ART rules!

So making a comparison to Chester Gould, along these lines, is not a fair comparison at all.

Also, remember, Chester believed in moving forward at all costs. He didn’t listen to the critics (Moon era anyone, or the law-and-order era of the 70s anyone?). He moved forward with his vision and if people didn’t like it, he said the heck with’em.

Remember, TMS approves EVERY strip that Locher does and they OWN the strip. Consider that.

MPH”

You are totally correct, MPH. But the bottom line is that the ridiculous snail’s pace of this strip with the silly story lines are not worthy of calling this “Dick Tracy” in any way, shape or form. I guess I get sucked in every day with the false hope that it will improve, but I really know it’s only getting worse by the week.
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Matthew Hansel says:
“Do you beat your wife to show her how much you love her?”
MPH
Posted: 2009-01-25T21:06:15Z Flag
Here you go Matthew, here’s your answer.

What exactly is violent about that? I’m not projecting violence towards others? I’m not ENCOURAGING violence towards others? In fact, I’m doing just the opposite.

Try again.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Points A & B, your guilty of the same “Tricks” you despise in everyone else.
A) It’s no one’s fault that the screen shots are “hard to read”. If your going to refer to them them then you need to take the time to verify that what you claim they contain is correct.
B) Classic “blame others” tactic. It’s “OUR” fault because we won’t believe any “proof” you submit so why bother presenting the proof.
Unbelievably hypocritical of you.
C) In the “private email” we shared I let you know that I disagree with ANYONE who crosses the line of civility and that still holds be it you, me, Morrow, or even Liam!
I accept your apology.
BB

I do not blame others. Others here simply do not believe me. When I talk about the strip or the editorial environment or any litany of other things, people refuse to believe me, so why would I expect anything different here?

Also, I can’t “post” the screen shots, and it would be FAR, FAR to easy for people to accuse me of “altering” them given my graphic design/photoshop experience, so I’m just not going to go down that road.

I was wrong. I’m sorry. Happy?

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

You are totally correct, MPH. But the bottom line is that the ridiculous snail’s pace of this strip with the silly story lines are not worthy of calling this “Dick Tracy” in any way, shape or form. I guess I get sucked in every day with the false hope that it will improve, but I really know it’s only getting worse by the week.

You’re working far to hard to miss the point.

Because of the constraints, the strip cannot be what it once was. Do you get that? The mandates of the current editorial environment do not allow a Dick Tracy strip of yesteryear to exist today.

Here’s a little story to explain the mentality of newspaper editors today:

A friend of mine used to do a strip that was nationally syndicated. He had several female characters in the strip. The characters were based, physically at least, on people that he knew. Well…for story reasons he showed them in their bras one day and in bikinis the next day.

The syndicate (not TMS) refused to run the strips because they were offensive to “readers”. How the syndicate and the newspaper editors knew this without running the strips I’ll never know.

But, as my friend pointed out to both the syndicate AND the editors, in the same papers where his strip ran, there were constantly ads for clothing stores advertising bras, swimsuits, bikinis, panties, breast augmentation, etc., how are those NOT offensive, but cartoon cleavage is?

The response was that the comics are for kids and it would damage them.

YES–apparently the newspaper editors believe that the kids will ONLY read the comics section of the paper and they will not look at any other part of the paper.

My friend pointed out that in his HOME paper, such an ad appears ONE PAGE before the comics page.

He eventually QUIT his strip because of editorial shenanigans like this.

MPH
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

I SO don’t want to get into this again, but I have to say that the truths you refer to here, Matt, are indeed correct regarding Chet’s editorial environment vs. Dick’s.
You know, we share some common ground among us, even though we may disagree often on details. We ALL want the strip to be the very best it CAN be – that goes double for DL. The biggest hurdle that must be overcome for this strip to EVER get back to its’ roots and provide entertainment to its’ readers, is for TMS to begin reversing some of the editorial constraints placed upon the strip over the last 20+ years. The problem TMS faces in doing so, is that it jeopardizes losing those newspaper clients who buy and publish Tracy every day.
The problem, at its’ roots, is that the newspaper industry has consistently shrunk the comic strip’s it publishes to an almost unintelligible point – a point, I fear, of no return. Unless the industry WAKES UP and realizes that the NEWS is not the only thing the readers demand – comics and entertainment features ranking highest among readership positives – not only will the Dick Tracy strip continue to suffer, but the print newspaper medium may very well collapse on itself. To some degree, it already has.
With weekly reports of newspaper’s cutting ENTIRE PAGES of their Sunday comic sections as a “cost-cutting” measure (give me a break!), they are cutting off their noses to spite their face. The hardest thing for me to accept, yet it is confirmed repeatedly to me among those who are “in the know,” is that Tracy is subject to editorial constraints that other strips in the TMS stable are not. This is completely unfair and is killing this strip with each passing day.
I’m off my soap-box.

This is EXACTLY why all comic strip creators should follow Scott Kurtz and go all digital and not even mess with syndicates and newspapers. Go right online and interact without any silly editorial interference.

Newspapers have destroyed themselves and they are about 10 years behind the curve. It is sad, but true.

MPH
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

I guess the larger POINT of my post is this – the majority of those who post here direct blame squarely at DL, though he has only his EDITOR to please. His editor provides him an up-or-down vote on every strip he produces, knowing full well that he (the editor) must please his individual newspaper client’s who buy the strip every week. As long as newspaper editor’s are unwilling to accept their complicity in all of this and give the readers WHAT THEY WANT, the strip will remain the same. Interestingly, the internet provides comic strip creator’s the opportunity to thrive, absent these antiquainted constraints. This problem isn’t a recent one, folks – it has slowly gotten worse each and every year since WW2, but the corporate environment of the industry over the last 20 years has made it much worse.

If we really want to provoke change in the Tracy strip, we need to quit blaming those who have no complicity in this mess and demand that TMS open their eyes and take some risks in reversing these policies and truly pleasing their customers – US. You are ALL to be congratulated for contacting TMS in December and preventing them from ending the strip outright. It isn’t enough, though. TMS can hire the finest writer’s and/or artist’s of our time when DL ultimately retires, and they are going to face the same policies DL has been forced to accept. That, my friends, is the truth!

Now, we can continue to quibble childishly over matters that are unimportant to our shared mission of improving the strip, or we can focus on our common interest and demand action from TMS to level the playing field once and for all. These petty differences are just distracting us from the larger issue at hand and preventing TMS from even considering such action. Taking each of you at your word, I say we have a real good shot of making something happen.
neonleon59 said, 9 months ago

This is beyond pathetic.
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

So, employing logic and common sense about this mess is “pathetic”? I have a feeling NeonLeon doesn’t give a rip about the strip, rather comes here for the witty comments. No offense, NeonLeon, but their wouldn’t be any witty commentary here if the strip could thrive without these constraints.
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

One more thing Matthew. The fact that you had no problem discussing the contents of our private emails to try to make a point shows a lot about your character, integrity & trustworthiness.
BB

I’m still waiting for answers on the other issues that YOU HAVE MADE ABOUT ME.

Time’s a’wastin’.

MPH
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

Come on, BMB, you’ve said those very words Matt mentioned here and over at the Comicspage group repeatedly. He didn’t reveal anything you haven’t yourself already stated. It is to your credit, I feel, that MPH acknowledged and repeated your wise sentiment on civility once again.

Peace.
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Come on, BMB, you’ve said those very words Matt mentioned here and over at the Comicspage group repeatedly. He didn’t reveal anything you haven’t yourself already stated. It is to your credit, I feel, that MPH acknowledged and repeated your wise sentiment on civility once again.
Peace.

Save your typing fingers, Jeff. You are I are held to a different standard than the rest here because we actually LIKE the strip and understand how damaging their snarky little boys club comments are to the strip/franchise/enterprise. The fact that we try to stop them from making such remarks makes us, in their eyes, the “hall monitors” that nobody likes.
And, I provided bassmanbob with an opening to take a shot at me, which he did. Fine. Let him. I’ve acknowledged my error and apologized for it. That is apparently not good enough.
You know, I had, in my mind, decided to leave once my vacation was over, but, what the heck, I’m staying.

MPH
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

And, NeonLeon, I agree with you wholeheartedly if your assessment of pathetic refers to this widely-held fallacy that comic strip and comic book creator’s (writers & artists) produce their work for their readers. Especially with comic strip’s – the editor is paying their bills, not us. Though the more commercially successful strip’s do provide additional income to creator’s, to the extent contractually agreed upon. Otherwise, IMHO, this repeatedly stated notion & widely held belief here reveals the novices among us.
davboyd said, 9 months ago

MPH, I get the point. But what does any of that have to do with the obvious lack of substance, stalling and repetitiveness we see ad nauseum? Just move it along faster and it would help tremendously.
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

Well, let me say this, BMB:

As I stated previously, I wasn’t visiting here over the past three weeks. It wasn’t until I spoke with Matt late last week that I learned of any of this. I visited and scrolled through the comments since I last posted, and you’ve already stated what I agree with that the discussion here began taking on a particularly offensive tone.

I know, as you do as well, that their is a, shall we say, controversial history between Matt and some who post regularly here. I don’t think it particularly mattered WHAT Matt started out saying in his first post here, we likely would have the same result. That being said, and I’m sure this is no surprise to you, I would likely not have stormed in the way Matt did, but that is really due mostly to the fact that I feel I already have some description of rapport here with the other poster’s. They KNOW me and what I believe and a few of my opinions about the strip. Not having the benefit of posting here regularly, and I’m certain somewhat outraged at the continuing smears and make-believe being discussed about both of us, Matt responded the way he did because he’s a person who loves a good debate but doesn’t believe that personal attacks win the argument. He acted accordingly to defend himself.

As you’ve likely read from late yesterday, I’ve also acted in MY defense by asking Liam to settle this matter about my hiding behind other screen names. To me, doing so is dishonest and I don’t condone the behavior. Especially when it comes to personally slandering someone. As much as we may discuss and argue about here, you really don’t KNOW me. You don’t really KNOW Matt. You think you do because of what he has said in defense of himself after stating his opinions and why he has them. But words MEAN things, you see. Matt’s professional pursuits require that he act in the best interest of defending his reputation and, like the rest of us who comment here using our real names, deserve protection under the law. I, likewise, have volunteered and sacrificed an awful lot for the benefit of the Museum and continue in my work preserving and expanding Chester Gould’s legacy, and also must act to defend myself in protection of my reputation, for the larger interests I serve. You see, its not all fun and games when you’ve invested so much for so long into something so much larger than yourself. One can’t risk letting it all fall apart based on false notions and gossip.
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

Also, BMB, Matt & I are not connected at the hip. Matt has his opinions and I have mine. I continue to state here that I’ll decide what opinions I share about certain topics. I’ll choose when I want to speak up and when I don’t. Do not accept my silence on matters as agreement or disagreement on every topic at hand, BMB. If I chose to be that way, you’d never hear the end of it. I choose my words carefully here. I don’t always agree with Matt and Matt doesn’t always agree with me. We’re just two people, about the same age, who happen to like Dick Tracy. Gimme a break – you know better, BMB, as I’ve stated as much repeatedly here and at Comicspage. As you see, I’m not rising up knee-jerk in defense or agreement with all his comments. I have very set ideas and I focus my commentary where I believe it will do the most good in the grand scheme of things.
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

I’ve tried Matthew and you dismissed it with a wave of your hand.
BB

You said I was “violent with words” and you did not provide an example (and the example you did provide was only one PART of an entire post–context is KING).

I’m still waiting.

MPH
Jeff Kersten said, 9 months ago

Where did I ever say that, Grok? Again, you’re putting words in my mouth I didn’t ever say. Do I admire the man? Yes. Do I consider his larger body of work over his 50+ year career in my opinions of him? Yes, again. I’ve never said such things, otherwise. Puhleese? Your just PO’d that the air has quickly come out of your tired balloon. Gimme a break. You’re going to have to do better than that. The only member here that leaves no question is this cat, DLisagenius.
Sydney Phillips said, 9 months ago

COMPLETELY ABSOLVED of RESPONSIBILITY !
It’s a little tiring to come on the board and see these vaccuous posts signed by one person. It gives more than a Chester Gould “CLEW” on the strategy and techniques used by the “Boys Brigade” from Naperville. “CLOUD OUT” every syllable that hints of the slightest criticizm of the MAN we admire. Young readers who visit the Board must not be exposed to this “heresy”. What matters is Dick LOCHER not the memory of Dick TRACY. Tracy must take his seat at the BACK of the Bus, not up front with our hero. As you see, we fight tooth and hair shirt nails to maintain that arrangement.
Every analysis is couched in coded language to convince “It’s the shrinkage of space, the Editor’s require it, just a very special surreal style (To gloss over artistic incompetense)”, and when as it all comes tumbling down (a house built on cards) and embarassingly there are no more “excuses” to wave, SAY, “Why? It’s only a comic strip”.
The techniques failed on the other board because a few people “stood up”, not willing to see a favorite Author idolised to a point where the WELFARE of the product became LESS important. Deep down, the Boys know that flaws are scattered all over the place, so every move made is to defend and protect. You can kick Tracy but you’ll never pin a donkey tail on their man. They’re never ever seen to praise the “Dick Tracy” comic strip; note, only the WORK produced by their favorite artist. In their lexicon, that folks, is what these 100 or so ‘long legged’ posts are all about.
It’s so mindful of an over emotional High School “Cheering” Squad.
Remember, my friend you’re here to
‘LEARN’ not to give little ‘Peaboy wanna-be a coconut’ lectures to people who where THERE before you ever nestled up to the rubber duckie !
Matthew Hansel said, 9 months ago

Yes, please get rid of the rest of us, so MPH and JK can indoctrinate potential Dick fans with their unwavering insistence, completely unfettered by mundane and petty reality, that this is brilliant and Locher is a genius, now matter how many hundreds of posts they have to make in a day to do it. There’s nothing crazy or scary about it, so stop saying that!
Brilliant! Genius! It worked for the Bush administration and it’ll work for Locher’s Legion!

I’ve never said that Locher was a genius. EVER. Dick himself would not agree with that moniker.

Stop reading things that aren’t there.

MPH