Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for August 11, 2013

Méliès replaces Bardoll, his timing Oh so rightArriving with raised weapon as Ghote announces flight.The bosses made unhappy by turns lately transpiredBardoll flung to his demise, thus Méliès was hiredTo change events’ trajectory, to make right what’s gone wrongScattered puzzle pieces set back where they belong.Unwise to mess with a Moon Man whose head’s shaped like a bubbleGhote picked the wrong day to have his say, permanent is his trouble.Realizing too late he’s sealed his fate, Ghote begins to stewGlobe for a head, Méliès has said, “Oh my! What shall we do?”Ghote does not care for just where this situation may endGazing all about the room his eyes can find no friend.

Will you Junior, will you?

I remember as a kid. That we called kids with a bad case of zits, “pizza face.”

Ghote is a ghonner

Oh no, poor Junior has gotten into the thankless business of drawing Dick Tracy!

I fear Junior’s words (last panel) will in due course have to be construed as ironic. Meanwhile, the soft-spoken, globular-headed, pock-marked enforcer, Méliès, is ready to tidy up affairs. Irony no. 2: that could get messy.

Méliès seems very ominous. I have to agree with those who think Ghote may be a goner. Also, another fantastic rhyme, Pequod77. Thanks!

Actually, it should be The Trip in the Moon. “Le Voyage Dans Le Lune”

I take it that “leaving their employ” is not a viable option!

…again the talented pequod does more poetic magic….way to go

If our newbie villain’s head was a bit more elliptical, we might have Egg Fu. (Who did have a tad better complexion I believe.)

It’s great to finally learn about the people backing Sail and Ghote. But what is their ultimate goal?

Terrific weaving of last week’s ending and teasing the new week. The Granary…must be close to the farm. Nice to see these disparate parts of the story coming back together. I love Melies BTW—much more fearsome than say, Abner Kadaver…

Mr. Melies would seem to be. . .

A “cold hearted orb, that rules the night!”

But seriously, folks,

Would Junior realistically take on a side job so casually, while his wife is still missing and his life is in an uproar over possible sightings of his first wife, presumed dead? That seems a bit of a stretch to me. He is acting here as if nothing is amiss in his life.

What story is being referred to in the next to last frame? Is this an old Locher arc?

I’m thinking that PeterSandy has it right. The reference about the old granary seems to be to the final Dick Locher story. But, did the granary collapse? I don’t remember.

Tracy took Dr. Mordred to the granary for shelter from the storm. More recently, Mysta parked next to what remains of the granary. She was discovered there by Sparkle the next morning.

Ken in Ohio: Two hits, back to back! Amen and amen!

Well, Flight Suit, I’ll take the opportunity to thank Mr Staton here for this and all his past work that I still remember well including his DC Comics series like Green Lantern, Plastic Man, and Golden Age Justice League. Anyone remember that Joe Staton drew the death of Bruce Wayne?

As for Melies, wonderful timing since I finally got around to seeing Hugo. Martin Scorcese’s appreciation and respect of film history really showed in his homage to Melies. Nice to see Mr. Staton also pay tribute to him (thanks for that too!).

The granary was flooded, but must not have completely collapsed.Why doesn’t the whole Tracy family seem more worried about Sparkle’s disappearance – , going on TV, pleading for any information, etc.?

Ken said:But seriously, folks,Would Junior realistically take on a side job so casually, while his wife is still missing and his life is in an uproar over possible sightings of his first wife, presumed dead? That seems a bit of a stretch to me. He is acting here as if nothing is amiss in his life.-——————-

I was thinking the same thing. Isn’t anyone really concerned about Sparkle’s disappearance? Overall, I am enjoying this story line. But there seems to be so little attention to finding Sparkle.

Georges Melies! An inspiring, pioneer filmmaker and the inspiration for my favorite film of recent years, “Hugo!” The new “Dick Tracy” never ceases to amaze me, and I hope all who can will join me in voting for this strip to win the Harvey!

“Wishes to leave our employ” is reminiscent of the line in Goldfinger where James Bond asks about Jill Masterson. “She left my employ” was Goldfinger’s response. She had died from his painting her gold all over.

After visiting the Granary, you could have a picnic at New Street Corner Lake!

Love Melies’ ominous delivery, very threatening by it’s lack of a direct threat. Also threatening is the reference to “our employers.” The Apparatus? Or someone else? After all, they’re really interested in keeping Moon Maid. Why? What does Melies’ superiors have in mind for her?One Sunday strip, and sooo many questions!

Good morning everyone…

This is so suspenseful. It gets better every day!

How does a guy like that wear a t-shirt?

I think NightShade09 is correct. Junior has obligations to meet. Also Pat, Sam, Lizz, & Tracy probably told him to get out of the office and let them work, his constant, “Have you heard anything?” questions were becoming annoying.Nice to see he has Honeymoon with him. It must be Summer break. I will assume Jewel is with her grandparents. One has to wonder about the safety of leaving her in the proximity of Attitude Plenty.

Today’s Herman strip is so fitting...

I’ve often found some of the head/face designs of DT characters a little unusual — but this guy is the weirdest of the lot. Whoever designed “the living Moon head” should be dragged out into the street, tarred, and feathered!

No one else has mentioned this yet, but there is a very big “fourth wall break” in today’s strip. The new character is designed after a piece of real life movie animation, and a poster for that movie is on the wall behind said character in the strip.

@Keith Robey

I’ve often found some of the head/face designs of DT characters a little unusual — but this guy is the weirdest of the lot. Whoever designed “the living Moon head” should be dragged out into the street, tarred, and feathered!^^Ummm….. the whole idea was to make the criminals as ugly as the crime, it’s been a mainstay of this strip since the late 30s; you are definitely in the minority here, Melies is by far the best DT Villain in YEARS

Hmm, with Melies my suspicion of Retik and stella Luna is renewed

I wonder…could, perchance, Melies be the father of….Charlie Brown?!?

In the true style of Chester Gould’s (villain) grotesque’s this new member has his place among them!

Méliès replaces Bardoll, his timing Oh so right

Arriving with raised weapon as Ghote announces flight.

The bosses made unhappy by turns lately transpired

Bardoll flung to his demise, thus Méliès was hired

To change events’ trajectory, to make right what’s gone wrong

Scattered puzzle pieces set back where they belong.

Unwise to mess with a Moon Man whose head’s shaped like a bubble

Ghote picked the wrong day to have his say, permanent is his trouble.

Realizing too late he’s sealed his fate, Ghote begins to stew

Globe for a head, Méliès has said, “Oh my! What shall we do?”

Ghote does not care for just where this situation may end

Gazing all about the room his eyes can find no friend.