Dick Tracy by Dick Locher

Tags: DEATH stalks the Circus!!, HEY RUBE!!. Add Tags

Comments (66) Jump to Comments Form

wndrwrthg said, 2 months ago

To the tune of Lorne Greens “Ringo”

She lay face up in the center ring sand
Clutching nothing in her hand
Shot by someone, he knew she was dead
He was a detective it has been said
Not a spark of life in the strip was to be read
“It happened” was all that was said by… Ringo
Ringo, Ringo

He talked to him till we were blue in the face
The days went by, nothing changed in its pace
From the break of dawn to the setting sun
Never moving, not a question for anyone
Hour on hour we watched in boredom
“It happened” was all we were to get from…Ringo
Ringo, Ringo

Then one day we were put to a test
The story moved, maybe a minute at best
He said he was the law and the best by far
But we knew different, he was a faded star
All the life and blood had been drained
“It happened”, came the refrain from…Ringo
Ringo, Ringo

It’s been said Lochers next to none
But his drawings lately are of no fun
Coupled with plots and dialog that surely miss
Readers are left only to twist
Though the strip is such a bore
We all come back for a little more of…Ringo
Ringo, Ringo

The strip has shrunk in numbers throughout the land
Given the touch of Dicks cold hand
Then we’re told new blood is on the way
Spam has been posted day after day
Those who have the temerity to complain
Will never again get to hear that lousy refrain from…Ringo
Ringo, Ringo
Margueritem said, 2 months ago

WW, bravo, sir, bravo!

That elephant has such beady little eyes….
Margueritem said, 2 months ago

Dypak, I forgot the beyond annoying pop ups on the index page.

*
Flight Suit said, 2 months ago

“Witness protection program? No, I’ve been in law enforcement my whole life, but I’ve never heard of this witness protection program you speak of!”

Panel Three:

Well one thing I’ll say in Underwear Girl’s favor is that at least she changes her underwear frequently; The last time we saw her, I believe her lingerie was black. The same may also be true of her hair, though I could be mistaken.

The blanket that’s draped over the elephant’s back, meanwhile, has shrunken dramatically since we last saw it.

Regarding the elephant’s surly demeanor: You’d be angry too, if your tusks had been ripped out.
watcha said, 2 months ago

Well done wndrwrthg!

I think the last panel just destroyed the last few days good work.
VistaBill said, 2 months ago

Are there still people in the audience? I suppose there must be since the girl on the elephant is still performing. I thought the rice crispies that were pouring out of the tent several weeks ago was the audience fleeing. The performers say they are scared. I say I’m confused.
Fearless_Fosdick said, 2 months ago

Hmmm. Witness protection program? You mean the government program where you take on a new identity, relocate to some small, secluded location where you can be out of the public eye, and where you can be safe from predators by being reclusive? Ok, so you decided to hide out by running a circus and being out in front of thousands of people each night and traveling across the country…hmmmm….what made you choose this versus getting a slot in the CBS fall prime time lineup?
LudwigVonDrake said, 2 months ago

“I’m afraid for my life so I’m just going to ride this elephant around the big top until my nerves calm down.”
Lewreader said, 2 months ago

Being in the Witness Protection Program requires that I tell everyone of this fact
WarehouseEyes said, 2 months ago

I think Locher should be in the Witless Protection Program, because if we ever get ahold of him….
tcambeul said, 2 months ago

Hey, Flight Suit, Larry, The Cable Guy, did star in Witless Protection.
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Yawn! What time is it? Wow did I oversleep! Last thing I remember is sitting at the table when I heard a commotion behind me. Wait! Now I remember. Someone with a sinister look in his eyes snuck up behind me and put a pink handkerchief over my face. What day is it? I hope I haven’t missed OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! Oh Joy! It’s still only September. My place must be bugged. I’ve got to be very careful or I’ll risk being knocked out again, perhaps a fatal blow this time. I fell so alive, ALIVE I SAY!!!

BB
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

PASTE UP PANEL ALERT !

Brozman (like another adolescent friend) is learning all of Locher’s “tricks” of the Trade —

The Elephant we see today will reappear in paste up form this FRIDAY (9-11-09)

While the perspective of the “tent” from 9-04-09 will be reused tomorrow in panel 3 … flags flying an all !

Score two more on the way to the Richard Locher Hall of
‘reproduction’ fame.

Meanwhile our friend “wndrwrthg” is moved to break into pointed and compelling verse. I’d say even better than the last !
kab2rb said, 2 months ago

What happens if nothing changes same story line Oct. 4th?
Carlo Coratelli said, 2 months ago

What happens? It’s the end…
rhutch436 said, 2 months ago

…yawn…smack…
kreniigh said, 2 months ago

Is October 4th the day this conversation between Tracy and Ringo finally ends?
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

Well it’s good to see BASSMANBOB back, even if it’s not quite the old “bassmanbob” the one the Mattie encounter has now inflated into CAPS.

That’s one common denominator among Tracy fans of whatever stripe … . Gould’s magnatism pulls them back.

Ask Mattie ! He’s been through the “EXERSISE” more often than most !

Good to see you BASSMANBOB ! I’m smiling under my Dick Tracy hat.

PS Where is GROK ?
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Good to be back Sydney. I’m so happy that the de-programming I went through has helped me to understand things better. I see things correctly now. Life is good! All stories are good. All hands are drawn well. All endless dialogue is good. The anticipation I now feel for OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! is causing a tingle to go down my leg!

I feel reborn!!!!

Thank you to those who took the time to intervene on my behalf.

Thank you!!!

BB
Carlo Coratelli said, 2 months ago

Sidney, can you give me again the link for the Dick Tracy strip preview? Thanks.
JanCinVV said, 2 months ago

Welcome back BASSMANBOB. Missed you.
IGoPogo2 said, 2 months ago

So let’s see - October 4th is an anniversary of the Gould strip. Dare we guess it’s actually going to be aknowedged?
jumbobrain said, 2 months ago

Wow, I just got back from Burning Man, and I find that skipping the strip for nine days makes its pacing work.
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

WHAT HAPPENED ? Every one wants to know since Locher introduced the line, Mattie too has been fanticicizing on what he’d like to see HAPPEN on Oct. 4

Ludwig, morrow, Carlo and the others will be dissapointed, it was simply –

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING !!!

(time out – “jtpozenel” can stop reading here - no wish to snap his attention span)

O’Reilly was right on what Obama “saw” in health care. He observed that ONLY Obama could SEE it ! Had he read the Oct 4 strip he might have said the same thing -

Only Mattie can “SEE” – It’s invisable to you and ME

All those “Sugar Plums”, The dasterdly new villain revealed, the action, the suspense etc, etc, just like in the old days. To US they WON’T exist. not even to Jeff (I suspect ?). I feel happy for Mattie ! What a thrill and privalidge ! While the rest us us can only SEE the same standing “still” scenario we’ve watched for three months (?)

I looked for the now famous signature with the small “e”, but surprisingly it wasn’t there, only the regular “Brozman” and “Locher” ones ? Guilty of a lack of “clarity” in communicating ?

So why then (?), as he had implied, would Mattie need “permission” to show his finisned art if no one else had a copyright on it ?

But then, I remembered the movie “The Invasion of the Body Snatcher (?) No ! I even postulated, Ghost writing/art (?) Was Mattie secretly “ghosting”? Yet, not the slightest clue was there in the strip, no Hansel “finger prints” anywhere, AND I used my Dick Tracy Spy glass too !
The strip was the usual dull, it lacked STYLE,

I’m sure MHP could have done a better job.

I’m dissapointed !

Then, I got a call from Judy and she reminded me of Tess’ Credit Card “scam” - - suddenly, it dawned on me - -

In local parlance, some call that play, “BIG-ING UP” themselves ! (?)
SQUIDBREAKER said, 2 months ago

I’d rather come up with my own identity so even the police don’t know.

A.
morrow said, 2 months ago

Dear Liam: Yesterday, I asked you about the practice of “spamming” on this hallowed site. I see it is still allowed. My neighbor is having a yard sale next month and asks if he can use your website to promote it? He even asked about sending you a “genius” fee. I said that would help.

With all respect,

Morrow
Dennis Smith said, 2 months ago

He should have asked Tracy if he had ever heard of fingerprints or handcuffs-Duh–Dick Tracy was a lot more fun to read in the 1950’s when Sparkle Plenty came along and Junior Tracy was the police sketch artist.
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Thank you everyone for welcoming me back! I was not well but I’m feeling much better now. It’s amazing what a little time in therapy can do for a person. Up to a week ago Oct 4 2009 was just another day to me. But now, OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! is the hope for the future! The excitement I feel about that day makes me want to break out in song!

The sun’ll come out
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
Bet your bottom dollar
That OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
There’ll be sun!

Just thinkin’ about
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
‘Til there’s none!
When I’m stuck a day
That’s gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,

Oh

The sun’ll come out
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
So ya gotta hang on
‘Til OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
Come what may
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
I love ya
OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!
You’re only
26 days
Away!

Oh, we are so blessed to be able to witness greatness on OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!!

BB
OldHipster said, 2 months ago

A tip of the hat to you, wndrwrtng, for such a fine take off on that song. No wonder they call you genius.

As for the elephant, now HE looks as bad as the tiger did, as if the tiger had a severe case of constipation.

One of these days, it’s all gonna come to an END!

Think about it.
wndrwrthg said, 2 months ago

Welcome back BASSMANBOB!!!!! Great little ditty. Does something occur on OCTOBER 4,2009??????? Thank you Margueritem, Watcha and Sydney. That has been fermenting in my mind since they first introduced…Ringo, Ringo…Ringo. A belated thank you to you Sydney for Sunday, though that post has since been removed, why I cannot imagine. There are powers at work here that we can only marvel at.
FLAG ALL SPAM. THIS SPACE FOR RENT!!!!! REASONABLE RATES!!!!
BUY ONE GET NONE FREE!!!!!
leakysqueaky712 said, 2 months ago

That elephant sure has a scowl on its face.
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

BASSMANBOB.

If you keep that up soon you’ll get notice of “draft” to seve in the Dick Locher Praetorian Guard.

Unlike the strip of Oct. 4, two well known personalites are likely to sign it.

Conscripts are highly valued in every religion. With some luck, who knows a strip of original art may well come your way.

PS: Hope it’s not one with a “paste up” panel (?)
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Sydney, it would be an honor to serve under such great leadership, AN HONOR I tell you! I’m not only talking about the current leadership but the leadership to come. Oh, the stories that I would hear to spellbound me! Oh, OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! can’t come soon enough!

Excuse me, it’s time for my shock therapy!

BB
mumbles said, 2 months ago

Is it 10-4 yet??
mumbles said, 2 months ago

why is my comment in a rectangle??
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

BASSMANBOB

I know you’re in a private institution for treatment. Perchance could it be “Leafy Dale” ? Locher you may recall recomended it for “Don Quick Oatie” back in 2006

Back then he had a “thing” for Windmills but I hear he escaped again, and now his delusion is to write and draw the Dick Tracy comic strips. Between shock treatments did you hear anything ?

I hope the current Author’s are safe ! (?)
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Sydney, Sshhh, They’re everywhere. The walls have eyes!
Matthew Hansel said, 2 months ago

Dear Powers That Are:

I’ve noticed that several of my postings related to “WATCH THIS SPACE ON OCTOBER 4, 2009” have been deleted.

I would like to know WHICH of the terms of service I have violated which would indicated that they deemed to be removed.

Several posters here have implied that they are my relatives, a few posters have put up defamatory comments about me on this site, and yet their posts still remain.

The double standard is getting annoying.

MPH
avenger09 said, 2 months ago

Hello mr matthew. why you so much want we to watch on october 4 2009. why this so importat two you. why you sound so madd. I am looking forward to seeing what happens on october 4 2009. please no get madd.
RichardT said, 2 months ago

Well this sensless plot makes sure that the death of the trapeze girl happened for no reason. It’s as ridiculous as parading a witness that you want to hide in front of thousands of people every weekend, all over the U.S.

I keep trying to set my standards low enough to be able to appreciate the stories in this strip. Just like in limbo contests, DT keeps dropping the bar on me.
BASSMANB0B said, 2 months ago

Please don’t get mad at me. I’m so excited about OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! I promise to be good, really I do! I have OCTOBER 4, 2009!!!! circled on my calender. Please PLEASE don’t be mad at me and make me disappear again. I’l be good, I promise!

BB
LiamC said, 2 months ago

Matthew, posting the same comment every day is spamming. And since virtually every other post on today’s page has made some reference to October 4th, it’s clear the reminder about the date is not necessary.

In regards to your other comments, please continue to use the flagging function and “Contact Us” forms to bring offensive material to our attention.
mumbles said, 2 months ago

Liam, why are my comments in this rectangle?? Just curious, since no one responds.
Sydney Phillips said, 2 months ago

RichardT,

Loosely, this sory is 1) A Crime and 2)Tracy stands in a ring with one “tit-bit” (thanks Grok) of information nudging the story forward each week. Mostly, litle “dead end” items of no account. There is no other discernable movement!

Then after several weeks of the same thing over and over we have “SUMMING UP TIME”, like in a Court of Law - - we’re about there now an we’ll HEAR what happened – what we’ve wanted to know now for several weeks.

Then, you’ll find it’s Barb Els who did the killing, (and hear this), to PREVENT the now dead Louise from killing Ringo, because she Barb wanted to do it herself. I’m still rolling over laughing at this simplistic nonsense.

That’s not all, the whole Circus are THE bunch of Crooks looking to kill Ringo and that’s EXACTLY where he was HIDDEN by the FBI in their witness protection program ;-P

TMS should investigate how a story, so “ba-ba baby” ridiculous like this one, ever got into the Dick Tracy strip.
Flight Suit said, 2 months ago

OK, I have received a response from uClick Support regarding the disappearance of my comments! I am told that my previous account, “flightsuit,” (all one word) was removed because I had posted defamatory comments. I don’t believe I’ve done so, but I gotta give The Powers That Be some credit, ‘cause they advised me to keep this in mind when posting under my new “Flight Suit” (two words) identity.

This means they’re aware that I did a sneaky little end-run around their system, and they’re being cool about it. That says a lot, ‘cause many other administrators of Web communities would not be at all tolerant of such behavior.

So thank you, uClick/GoComics for being cool!

PS: Mumbles, your comments are inside a rectangle because they ran out of trapazoids.
Matthew Hansel said, 2 months ago

Liam:

I’m so glad that you clarified that for me…I was previously unaware that promoting the anniversary of the strip underwhich I was commenting on was considered “spam”. This is a definition of the word with which I was not previously familiar. I didn’t know that promoting the strip was in fact considered spam.

Now that I am cognizant of this definition, I would respectfully request that you delete each and every one of the comments that are posted here daily about the quality of the strip. Since the strip is almost universally panned by those that post here everyday, and since by your reasoning posting the same comment (or even a variation of it) everyday is “spam”, then surely you would have to agree that all of the consistently negative comments about the pace of the storyline, the quality of the artwork et. al. would meet your definition of spam.

I know that GoComics is interested in equitable enforcement of its “User Agreement” and does not wish to appear arbitrary and capricious, so, since the POINT has been made by all those that get their daily giggles out of panning the strip, and since they’ve had years to make their point, I would ask that you please remove this “spam” from the board as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

MPH
shstrng said, 2 months ago

I request that every time Ringo says’ It Happened!” it be deleted cuz I think it is spam.

Flightie - Maybe it was the people over ar FBOW who were complaining about you?

mumbles – Your comments are in a rectangle because you made them. On my computer the comments that I made show up in the rectangle.
LudwigVonDrake said, 2 months ago

Sigh…
Matthew Hansel said, 2 months ago

How is asking for equitable treatment disingenuous? Surely you don’t believe that the CIVIL RIGHTS movement and EQUAL RIGHTS movement are “disingenuous”?

MPH
wndrwrthg said, 2 months ago

Mattie, civil rights and equal rights do not exist on this board. Even the right to free speech does not exist as this is a private forum. What you seek is control, and you try to do so by seeking to play a victim. You are not being unfairly discriminated against, as other posters have been, seemingly at the instigation of a certain party. If comments are posted daily that vilify the quality of the art and story here, that is fair game as we the consumers are commenting on the product being presented. As consumers we have that right at least.