Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for December 11, 2012

Great.

We’re back to “Batman”.

This is supposed to be “Dick Tracy”.

Moprnin’ all!It appears Broadway has the same idea as some of the more bloodthirsty readers.(Sorry, but I like Stephanie/BP – including the fact that, under the mask, she looks like a normal person, and not the standard comic-book uber-babe.)

Zounds but Belle is spry for someone 100+ years old!

LOVE IT!!!

Since brothers sound alike, and often have similar quirks, isn’t it time for BB to gloat with a WAAAK!, WAAAK!, WAAAK!?

Isn’t it amazing that she was able to go to just the right place to find one woman out of all the people in Cook County?

……but now I’m pretty sure she’ll live….because the storyline has seemingly become can Tracy save her in time? And Dick always succeeds! When someone good has been killed, it always seems to happen out of the blue….kind of for shock value, I guess. And NightShade09, I really like Stephanie, too….she seems like a really nice and well meaning girl, as well as a fun one. What I still don’t get is, why a total babe like Belle hooks up with a criminal as old and dorky as Broadway..it looks like money is not the only attraction there…..

oh, I heard a rumor that this adventure will conclude with tomorrows strip….JUST KIDDIN!!!!!

“Mista B”……Mike should’ve had her say “Mista Bates”, lol

Great drawing of Broadway Bates in that last panel!!!

Good morning all…

I’m watching and waiting. Mike and Joe have a way of surprising us!

I now “hear” Belle with a heavy ’Joisy" accent and can understand how in a twisted way she looks up to Broadway as if he were a father figure and protector, as well as co-conspirator and paramour. Will Tracy and the MCU be able to foil the Belle-and-Bates plan, or is well-meaning but tragically confused Stephanie truly doomed to serve as an example of foolish good intentions gone fatally wrong?

Wait a minute, wait a minute. I’ve been following this storyline with interest, as many of you have pointed out that it is based on real-life events (the cos-playing movement on the streets in Seattle and other cities.) But I have a problem with today’s first panel:How does Belle have the skills to swing from the roof of one building to the ledge of another building in a modern city?Batman and Green Arrow do that sort of thing regularly, but their secret lairs are fitted out with special work-out equipment, and they maintain a strict training regimen. Even Zorro had training. In Disney’s version, it was stated that Don Diego had three years at the University in Spain, where there was “an emphasis on riding, gymnastics, swordsmanship. . . duels”. In the more recent Zorro movies, Anthony Hopkins put Antonio Banderos through weeks of intense training before he was ready for his first foray as Zorro.What kind of training has Belle had? She has just been tagging along with Broadway Bates, and only just thought up the idea of sewing herself a costume a couple of days ago.She is basically a moll; it doesn’t seem likely that she would be able to swing on roof-tops without getting hurt.

In through the window comes an evil treatSwinging to the ledge, sure on her feetBelle greets her pal, Broadway BatesBlood in his eyes: masked nonsense he hates.Peering out through his monocle lensManiacal violence brings sinister grinsOn the smug kissers of Belle and BroadwayPlotting and planning Piranha’s last day.Little they know yet soon shall they careCinnamon’s been atop the MCU’s lairSpoken to Tracy, who knows too bloody wellBates’ penchant for violence with a blowtorch from hell.Shall there be disruption of the violence they scheme?Will Tracy arrive with his crime fighting team?Or maybe an Other with hands that shoot lighteningShall make a bold entrance that for criminals is frightening.One thing is certain: Violent crime does not pay.May virtue and justice carry the day.

Good Morning Detectives!Yeah, this storyline isn’t my cup of tea either, but I don’t think it’s bad enough to give the comic up. Besides, there IS a point behind the story and why costumed crime-fighters aren’t supposed to be “real.” It’s looking like this arc will wrap up by Christmas anyway. You guys can hang on THAT long!

Give up the comic? Come on, Guys. Relax. It IS only a comic strip. Some days are great; some not so good. Some stories appeal; some do not. At least to everyone. I think this little episode is fun…and it’s going to lead to some really ugly crime stuff before it’s over.

I’m enjoying the current storyline myself, but I can understand if some think it “too silly”. My big question is, what did DT say to CK on the MCU’s roof? Did he convince CK that wearing a costume to fight crime wasn’t the way to go? Is he thinking of maybe smoking out Broadway and Belles plans using the “costumed meddlers” after hearing about Bates hatred of them from a certain other cities police commissioner?

Hmmm, I wonder if they ever did reveal “Broadway” Bates’s real name. Norman? Is that you?

Yes. Today’s artwork is stunning.

the story is coming right along nicely

I’m liking this story. And I like how Belle has been getting around by climbing on roofs and down walls and stuff. She even has a mini-utility belt. COOL!!

I just noticed the pigeon on the ledge at Belle’s feet. That’s a real nice attention to detail, that makes this strip fun to read every day.

Well, technically the bigger question is why she just doesn’t come in the front door, right? The answer is because this is a fantasy COMIC STRIP…….I mean, c’mon….do you guys ask why mice and ducks and pigs can talk and drive cars in other strips, too, lol?

Amazed that non of our resident artists haven’t attempted to draw Belle in a Moon Maid type costume yet though, ha ha………

Belle climbing buildings in her little Robin costume? I’m all in!

Now I’m completely lost, but I’ll stick with it. Gotta make sense at the end!

I’m loving this story.

Also, nice work on the rhyme, Pequod77.

Thanks tommygunner, Gweedo and Chief Patton! Great artwork and story development. I love the attention to detail and the way the threads are coming together. The light snowfall suggests holiday cheer, even as this duo gives us the chills.