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Wow, that’s all one can say
About what’s in the strip today
Forgive me for being flip
But this is a crock of…
After you think you have become inured
Your gaze falls on this loathsome…
What could possess the people at TMS
That they would publish this awful mess
Perhaps they should call a doctor
To check on the comatose Locher
That can be the only explanation
For this sordid abomination
Then again, Panel Two reveals that the cage now contains not a tiger but a giant black fuzzy tribble. In which case Mr. Pops should have a soft landing and be safe…
Tracy and Ennen couldn’t climb up the bars of the cage from the INSIDE to escape - - - BUT, the Clown and Fee Fi just zipped effortlessly UP the same vertical bars from the OUTSIDE (?)
All curtesy Dick Locher “majic” …
Count his CONTRADICTIONS, count them one by one,
The number will surprise you, that Poppy Locher’s done
Four months now he’s seen us grinding, just fussing daily cussing
A beguiling, mezmerizing loafer, with a subtle gloating feeling over a comic strip he’s KILLING !
Who is talking, and where is he? He’s higher than the top of the cage; we can see that much, and if the cage hasn’t morphed since yesterday it reaches almost to the top of the tent. Has someone climbed a tent pole?
Tracy and Ennens were able to stand on the empty space between the bars. Mr. Pops isn’t even between the bars. Is he really falling? Why?
Quick Poll:
When did you first realize that the clown was going to end up in the tiger’s cage in the end?
1) When FeeFi picked him up.
2) When he climbed the cage to get away.
3) When he locked Tracy inside.
4) When this story started.
5) When Locher took over the strip.
The man does like to telegraph things, doesn’t he?
Fee Fi was either shot in the arm pit or in the chest behind his left hand.
Oh, I knew all along that Mr. Pops was going to end up behind bars, but, not behind the bars of a tiger cage.
This strip seems like Dick Locher writes the script for the panels way in advance and then he sends them to Jim Brozman at another location. I almost think that they don’t even see each other at all.
Awesome shot of Mr. Pops in the 3rd panel, seems like from that height, he’d be dead from the free fall he will be taking instead of by the tiger 4 lunch. I wasn’t sure what 2 think of this story at first, but I really liked how the way it’s developed. I guess if u want the Chester Gould artwork and storylines, u’re better off going back and reading the older stuff. With Gould we had lightning in a bottle, the likes of what we’ll never see again. That is why I can’t complain much about the way the strip is now. Yes, it can be disappointing at times, but it still is interesting 2 read. Otherwise if it wasn’t being read, no one would have anything 2 say…
Well here it is Friday and we are still being tortured by this so called plot line. Any bets that we will still have Mr. Pops & co still around this time next Friday? And who didn’t know that Mr. Pops would fall into the cage? Where is PETA and the ASPCA? What has this poor tiger done to deserve this abuse?
Chester Gould must be spinning in his grave seeing what they have done to his strip!
Tracy refused to shoot the dogs in the Baskerville “epic”. Wanna bet no one shoots the tiger before he turns Mr. Pops into Kaboom breakfast cereal? How convenient. Mr. Pops manages to drop his gun on a fortuitous cross bar out of his reach outside the top of the cage. This strip is an emetic.
On the Yahoo D.T. board it has just been reported that SHEL DORF has “passed on” !
Shel was a lifetime Dick Tracy fan and in years gone by one of the few individuals who had a complete Dick Tracy collection. Some will remember him as the Editor of the Blackthorne Dick Tracy comics which reprinted a large block of Gould’s work. Perhaps even more than Spec Productions (the D.T. Fan Club).
In another sphere not only was he a top artist but for years did that impecable “lettering” for Milton Caniff”s Steve Canyon comic strip, up to the time of the latter’s death.
I corresponded with him occasionally and was the happy recipient of photocopies of a few Canyon Sunday pages prior to publication date !
As Mattie will know, Shel’s Tracy “collection” was donated to the Dick Tracy Museum in Woodstock, with our long absent Jeff Kersten as custodian.
The “real” Dick Tracy World has lost another soldier.
Part of Shel’s DICK TRACY newspaper clippings collection is in my computer room, as I scan the Sunday pages for the SUNDAY PROJECT thing that Jeff and I do.
As Jeff pointed out to me the other day, at least poor Shel will no longer have to suffer.
My understanding is that Locher writes the strips and provides Brozman with a rough pencil layout of the artwork and that Brozman is doing the lettering and the final art.
I would imagine that Brozman is either picking up the strips/boards every week (or couple of weeks) or that Locher is mailing them to him (Dick and Jim don’t live that far from each other).
I am myself curious where Brozman came from. It seems logical that he knew Locher, and was picked by Locher rather than TMS, much the same way that Locher was tapped by Gould. Which, given the state of the strip, seems like a bad approach. I think if TMS were to call “open auditions” for a new team on Dick Tracy they could generate some interest and enthusiasm…maybe even enough to get the strip popular again.
There are a lot of big-name cartoonist who I imagine would love a chance to do Tracy (just as they line up to do Batman in the comic books). Though I am sure Tracy doesn’t generate enough income for many of them. But if I were TMS, I would get innovative and do something like contract with different teams and have them do stories…much as Neil Gaiman did with his “Sandman” books. This goes against newspaper desires, to have a steady, unchanging product. But let’s face it, newspapers are on the decline, Tracy is in the pits, and there is nothing to lose by trying a radical approach. If nothing changes, Tracy is on his way out anyway.
Brozman knew Locher’s son, John (who died while assist his dad on Dick Tracy). John and Jim went to school together at Northern Illinois University (where I went to school, too!)
A slight clarification, too, Chet did not pick Locher. TMS picked Locher. Chet just helped convince Dick to take over the art on the strip.
And, I’ve spoken to some TRULY big named cartoonists and they do NOT want to attempt to do Dick Tracy under the current format or editorial guidelines. Several, who would be PERFECT for the strip, have told me they simply will not work under the conditions underwhich the current newspaper industry demands.
But Mattie, you do know from the D.T.Yahoo board that very shortly writer Mike Curtis with top artist Joe Stanton are currently arranging to put up a NEW Dick Tracy story (Return of Willie the 5th and Flyface)
It’s no secret that it’s with a “VIEW” of trying to impress TMS and take on the job when Locher retires next year.
After reading Apollo, I do hope that you’d consider trying to get the Dick Tracy job.
Your story is coherent, the artwork is good, and your hero is doing an actual police investigation. With DT, I’m sure you’d do a better job than the current team.
Chester Gould, a veteran cartoonist, began drawing his most legendary character, the dashing and daring Dick Tracy for the newspaper comics page in 1931. Modeled in the image of the innovative Sherlock Holmes, Gould was inspired to create new crime-fighting technology, including the two-way wrist TV, closed circuit TV police line-up and the engineless car that took Dick Tracy to the moon (both literally and figuratively).
Although many remember him with fond nostalgia, Dick Tracy, now written and illustrated by Dick Locher, continues to be relevant as he combines old-fashioned values with 21st century innovation to capture corporate crooks, computer pirates, polluters, skyjackers, gang members and terrorists.
Comments (44) Jump to Comments Form
jumbobrain
said,
15 days ago
As abstract poetry written and illustrated by preadolescents, this almost works. As a comic strip…bleah.
Flight Suit
said,
15 days ago
Speaking as somebody who’s been thrown into a tiger cage by a giant, I find this strip deeply offensive.
Llewellenbruce said, 15 days ago
The tiger won’t eat Mr. Pops. Clowns taste funny.
Margueritem
said,
15 days ago
I like panel three today, nicely done.
Flight Suit
said,
15 days ago
SPAM:
Everybody please check out my latest blog posts:
http://kraptastrophe.blogspot.com/
Thankew.
Margueritem
said,
15 days ago
Flight Suit, you been hanging out with Teresa at Frog Applause? Speaking of which, where is today’s FA???
achtungkitten said, 15 days ago
Mr Pops looks to startled to even scream.
Flight Suit
said,
15 days ago
Margueritem, I take that as quite a compliment!
LudwigVonDrake said, 14 days ago
Tracy is relegated to play by play commentary.
Carlo Coratelli said, 14 days ago
In the 2nd panel someone have a heart attack. And the clown jump.
WaitingMan
said,
14 days ago
Thank you Mr. Exposition. (with apologies to MST3K)
wndrwrthg
said,
14 days ago
Wow, that’s all one can say
About what’s in the strip today
Forgive me for being flip
But this is a crock of…
After you think you have become inured
Your gaze falls on this loathsome…
What could possess the people at TMS
That they would publish this awful mess
Perhaps they should call a doctor
To check on the comatose Locher
That can be the only explanation
For this sordid abomination
Maxine_Viller said, 14 days ago
I hope the tiger doesn’t get indigestion.
Then again, Panel Two reveals that the cage now contains not a tiger but a giant black fuzzy tribble. In which case Mr. Pops should have a soft landing and be safe…
Unless he’s really a Klingon in disguise.
idarke said, 14 days ago
Tune in tomorrow for more “Adventures of People in the Same Room as Dick Tracy”!
toadwest said, 14 days ago
Jumbobrain has an inkling, the dialog looks like some sort of haiku.
Sydney Phillips
said,
14 days ago
Tracy and Ennen couldn’t climb up the bars of the cage from the INSIDE to escape - - - BUT, the Clown and Fee Fi just zipped effortlessly UP the same vertical bars from the OUTSIDE (?)
All curtesy Dick Locher “majic” …
Count his CONTRADICTIONS, count them one by one,
The number will surprise you, that Poppy Locher’s done
Four months now he’s seen us grinding, just fussing daily cussing
A beguiling, mezmerizing loafer, with a subtle gloating feeling over a comic strip he’s KILLING !
BillTA said, 14 days ago
Didn’t we see it coming that he was going to be done in by the tiger?
CougarAllen said, 14 days ago
Who is talking, and where is he? He’s higher than the top of the cage; we can see that much, and if the cage hasn’t morphed since yesterday it reaches almost to the top of the tent. Has someone climbed a tent pole?
Tracy and Ennens were able to stand on the empty space between the bars. Mr. Pops isn’t even between the bars. Is he really falling? Why?
-Cougar :{)
Fer Lefer said, 14 days ago
… why Mr. Popo’s gun is smoking in Panel 2?
… who forgot perspective classes in panel 2?
… and who wants Locher and Brozman in that very cage?
whardin1960 said, 14 days ago
Told ya so.
James7344 said, 14 days ago
Quick Poll:
When did you first realize that the clown was going to end up in the tiger’s cage in the end?
1) When FeeFi picked him up.
2) When he climbed the cage to get away.
3) When he locked Tracy inside.
4) When this story started.
5) When Locher took over the strip.
The man does like to telegraph things, doesn’t he?
jtpozenel said, 14 days ago
ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz……………
Joe Allen Doty said, 14 days ago
Fee Fi was either shot in the arm pit or in the chest behind his left hand.
Oh, I knew all along that Mr. Pops was going to end up behind bars, but, not behind the bars of a tiger cage.
This strip seems like Dick Locher writes the script for the panels way in advance and then he sends them to Jim Brozman at another location. I almost think that they don’t even see each other at all.
Froxkrybra said, 14 days ago
Awesome shot of Mr. Pops in the 3rd panel, seems like from that height, he’d be dead from the free fall he will be taking instead of by the tiger 4 lunch. I wasn’t sure what 2 think of this story at first, but I really liked how the way it’s developed. I guess if u want the Chester Gould artwork and storylines, u’re better off going back and reading the older stuff. With Gould we had lightning in a bottle, the likes of what we’ll never see again. That is why I can’t complain much about the way the strip is now. Yes, it can be disappointing at times, but it still is interesting 2 read. Otherwise if it wasn’t being read, no one would have anything 2 say…
VistaBill said, 14 days ago
I want the pig on wheels!
JPBecker said, 14 days ago
Well here it is Friday and we are still being tortured by this so called plot line. Any bets that we will still have Mr. Pops & co still around this time next Friday? And who didn’t know that Mr. Pops would fall into the cage? Where is PETA and the ASPCA? What has this poor tiger done to deserve this abuse?
Chester Gould must be spinning in his grave seeing what they have done to his strip!
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Fee Fi looks alot like Daddy Warbucks today.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
“Use the force, Fee Fi, use the force”.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Mr. Pops was glad he wore his anti gravity suit today.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Dick hoped to one day get a job as a color commentator.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Agent Ennis knew it was time to call Apollo the Defender to clean up the mess.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Mr. Pops realized too late that he should have accepted the offer to join the Dick Tracy Staff.
Sydney Phillips
said,
14 days ago
And “JPBecker” realized too late that the story would not be over for another 2 and a half weeks (i.e. Nov 24)
fishbulb
said,
14 days ago
Tracy refused to shoot the dogs in the Baskerville “epic”. Wanna bet no one shoots the tiger before he turns Mr. Pops into Kaboom breakfast cereal? How convenient. Mr. Pops manages to drop his gun on a fortuitous cross bar out of his reach outside the top of the cage. This strip is an emetic.
Sydney Phillips
said,
14 days ago
On the Yahoo D.T. board it has just been reported that SHEL DORF has “passed on” !
Shel was a lifetime Dick Tracy fan and in years gone by one of the few individuals who had a complete Dick Tracy collection. Some will remember him as the Editor of the Blackthorne Dick Tracy comics which reprinted a large block of Gould’s work. Perhaps even more than Spec Productions (the D.T. Fan Club).
In another sphere not only was he a top artist but for years did that impecable “lettering” for Milton Caniff”s Steve Canyon comic strip, up to the time of the latter’s death.
I corresponded with him occasionally and was the happy recipient of photocopies of a few Canyon Sunday pages prior to publication date !
As Mattie will know, Shel’s Tracy “collection” was donated to the Dick Tracy Museum in Woodstock, with our long absent Jeff Kersten as custodian.
The “real” Dick Tracy World has lost another soldier.
R.I.P. Shel !
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
Fishbulb, that explains Mr. Pops fingers.
BASSMANB0B said, 14 days ago
R.I.P. Shel.
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-shel-dorf6-2009nov06,0,6615852.story
Matthew Hansel
said,
14 days ago
Part of Shel’s DICK TRACY newspaper clippings collection is in my computer room, as I scan the Sunday pages for the SUNDAY PROJECT thing that Jeff and I do.
As Jeff pointed out to me the other day, at least poor Shel will no longer have to suffer.
RIP
MPH
Matthew Hansel
said,
14 days ago
Joe Allen Doty:
My understanding is that Locher writes the strips and provides Brozman with a rough pencil layout of the artwork and that Brozman is doing the lettering and the final art.
I would imagine that Brozman is either picking up the strips/boards every week (or couple of weeks) or that Locher is mailing them to him (Dick and Jim don’t live that far from each other).
MPH
jumbobrain
said,
14 days ago
RIP Shel indeed.
I am myself curious where Brozman came from. It seems logical that he knew Locher, and was picked by Locher rather than TMS, much the same way that Locher was tapped by Gould. Which, given the state of the strip, seems like a bad approach. I think if TMS were to call “open auditions” for a new team on Dick Tracy they could generate some interest and enthusiasm…maybe even enough to get the strip popular again.
There are a lot of big-name cartoonist who I imagine would love a chance to do Tracy (just as they line up to do Batman in the comic books). Though I am sure Tracy doesn’t generate enough income for many of them. But if I were TMS, I would get innovative and do something like contract with different teams and have them do stories…much as Neil Gaiman did with his “Sandman” books. This goes against newspaper desires, to have a steady, unchanging product. But let’s face it, newspapers are on the decline, Tracy is in the pits, and there is nothing to lose by trying a radical approach. If nothing changes, Tracy is on his way out anyway.
Matthew Hansel
said,
14 days ago
Brozman knew Locher’s son, John (who died while assist his dad on Dick Tracy). John and Jim went to school together at Northern Illinois University (where I went to school, too!)
A slight clarification, too, Chet did not pick Locher. TMS picked Locher. Chet just helped convince Dick to take over the art on the strip.
And, I’ve spoken to some TRULY big named cartoonists and they do NOT want to attempt to do Dick Tracy under the current format or editorial guidelines. Several, who would be PERFECT for the strip, have told me they simply will not work under the conditions underwhich the current newspaper industry demands.
MPH
Sydney Phillips
said,
14 days ago
But Mattie, you do know from the D.T.Yahoo board that very shortly writer Mike Curtis with top artist Joe Stanton are currently arranging to put up a NEW Dick Tracy story (Return of Willie the 5th and Flyface)
It’s no secret that it’s with a “VIEW” of trying to impress TMS and take on the job when Locher retires next year.
DonnieTevault said, 14 days ago
Matt:
All joking aside…
After reading Apollo, I do hope that you’d consider trying to get the Dick Tracy job.
Your story is coherent, the artwork is good, and your hero is doing an actual police investigation. With DT, I’m sure you’d do a better job than the current team.
countoftowergrove said, 12 days ago
I called it!