Face to face at the fearful place: the Falls of ReichenbachAbner cool and confident. Victory a mortal lock.Time to strip away the mask, true face now is revealedExperimental creams and salves, scarred flesh that can’t be healed.Tracy stands his ground so calm, at heights that make most shiverKadaver pulls a sharpened blade. Tracy does not quiver.One on one and man to man, prepare for confrontationTracy must save dearest Tess. There is no hesitation.Abner disfigured and grotesque, in body and in mindFor only one he comes undone, to Rikki he is kind.A face no mother could hold dear. “How do you like me now?”A rotting visage thus exposed, the villain takes a bow.Dick Tracy has gone silent, this is no time to jestIn battle now with Abner. Which man shall pass the test?
Abner really likes the drama. He could have skipped the theatrics and he might have killed racy right there in his hotel room. Abner is probably a frustrated actor. He might even turn out to be a successful NBA player as he has this fondness for trash talking his opponents. :)Thanks Pequod for todays poetic recap.
Where did Tracy get the gun. I am sure he wasn’t carrying a gun when he went to Europe or security would have caught him at the airport. Is it that easy to get a gun in Switzerland?
anyone else think Tess will be the one to save him this time? She appears to be the only other one there, and Dick’s always needed to be rescued from Abner in the past……also…..are we ever gonna find out how he survived the concrete submergement?
.Set your dial to BeeGee Broadcasting to hear the fight as it occurs. Blow-by-blow by our own Gweedo. Our special guest ‘Farmboy’ will yodel the results with accompanying accordion music by Vista Bill..
No question whether legal or not in that country, Tracy definitely has a gun. Very hard to tell, but it almost looks like he may have fired it in the last panel.
Gweedo, VB, Pequod et al: I really gotta say, there are days like these when your comments outshine the action! And that’s saying something today, since we have the big [grotesque] reveal.Cheers,Blune.
Aha! Tracy does have a back-up piece, a small-frame revolver, strapped in an ankle holster! (Must have been acquired in Europe, or else shipped over in hold-luggage with some kind of special permit; my money is on a friendly French flic). “Never bring a knife to a gun-fight,” Kadaver!And, speaking of Abner’s true face—ugly, I can deal with; no problem. But drippy? UGH!
Gweedo told blunebottle and I concur,Your praise after a day like today makes being in this business worthwhile !!-———————————————————————-.You brightened the day for me, blunebottle!
Gweedo verbalized,Bee can pinch hit the accordion to fill in for the missing Neil, who very late has informed us that he didn’t take the bloody lessons after all !!!-——————————————————————-.Neil missed out on the finer things in life when he was misinformed about his hearing! What a pity!
Gweedo was quick to note,He sure did, Bill, but I’m sure his career in Tracy archives is a very rewarding alternative to music, which we can handle just fine !-————————————————————————.Plus he was the creator of the Vista Bill line of fashion apparel!
I cannot imagine Chaster Gould turning out a story arc like this one, not even during his decline in the late 60’s when things in Tracyland became truly bizarre.
I like the new team and their restoration of the Tracy Brand after the horrific Locher Era (akin to Batman’s ‘kitchen sink’ period of the 60’s) but it seems to me that there is now a Clear and Present Danger of this strip jumping the shark.
Even better question than where did tracy get the gun is this….how does he think he can arrest abner?!?! tracy has no authority and is more than out of his jurisdiction here. murderers have no jurisdiction, but cops.. even “the worlds greatest detective” do.
As for abner’s face… not QUITE the “reveal’ im sue we all were hoping for, maybe it will be clearer tomorrow…but so far this “last showdown” is a disappointment
Hmmm…here’s a thought I just had…what if cadaver is THISCLOSE to chucking tracy over the falls when private eye tess tracy appears brandishing her pink handgun and fires the final shot that sends abner over the railing and into the falls? Hell if ONE tracy can get a gun into an airplane AND a foreign country with no problems, why not two?!?!
gweedo, he never had reason to suspect anything so why the need for a gun? I have plenty of friends and relatives who are cops and NONE of them carry their guns with them 24/7…ESPECIALLY on vacation
sorry, but this TiME “suspension of disbelief” is stretched a bit too far
the ONLY semi reasonable explanation is that when tracy read the note, he went to the local authorties in town and showed them his credentials and asked to let him handle it on his own “but i’ll need a gun”
if that’s the way it went down (and pretty lame if it is, because id like to see tracy win a slugfest once in a while) then I don’t think the local officers will be too far behind
I like the way this arc has tapped into Holmes (Baker Street and the Fearful Place), Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Rue Morgue, the Paris Opera House and Fleet Street. The diverse settings, coupled with the fact that Tracy was being stalked, rather than chasing the criminal, makes for a refreshing change of pace. I did not care for Kadaver in his first story, but the death traps arc won me over. The Murder Mansion, Death Coach and deliciously diabolical side-kick, Rikki, have all made Kadaver a compelling villain. Abner has had brief encounters with Stiletta, Venus, Gruesome and Bribery, which adds to the rich depth of Tracyville. Will Rikki be brought to justice by Lizz and Sam? She may well be saved as a wild card to be played at a future date.
Thanks to Vista Bill, 22ph, Night-Gaunt49, Gweedo, blunebottle, Willy007, Chris Colvard, Chris Sherlock, Ray Toler (matinee today!), JPuzzleWhiz and abdullahbaba999 for the kind words. Very much appreciated!
Later, I’ll head to Raven Theatre to catch Direct from Death Row the Scottsboro Boys, featuring the award-winning scenic design of this board’s very own Ray Toler. Looking forward to it. Cheers!
This is the best strip that I’ve seen, because the Crimestoppers cell can be read easily. Dick Tracy is my favorite comic and that is the only thing that would be great to have improve. Nice clear text would probably keep even more dedicated readers to this comic.
Inside the green circle I see a disturbance in the water that indicates a possible discharge of a gun or, perhaps the way the water is moving and splashing from Tracy back to Abner ?
Good observation. I think it’s the smoke rather than water, but that kind of starburst of straight lines indicates an impact of some kind. Since Abner is talking (rather triumphantly) and Tracy is bent over and not talking, it’s possible that Abner has just stabbed him or slashed him with that knife.
And now that I come to think of it, where in the strips did it say that Tracy didn’t have a gun?
It definitely never said that. There has been much speculation in the comments here that he probably didn’t have a gun, but it was never anything more than speculation.
JPuzzleWhiz noted that I stated,That’s assuming if, by “what,” you mean she’s more than weird! ;o)-————————————————————————.Beyond anything we simple mortals would ever imagine, JPuzzleWhiz. Take another look at Abner Kadaver. Is that anything you would even conjure up in your mind?.
.Tune into the BeeGee show brought to you by Big Media Broadcasting for the upcoming round in the Battle of the Century featuring Dick Tracy vs Abner Kadaver! Featuring Vista Bill on the accordion with our special guest conductor, our own Neil Wick, blow-by-blow commentary by non other than the very popular Gweedo assisted by “farm boy” yodeling the match as it progresses. Another exciting radiocast from BMB. Tonight’s show will be sponsored by Neil Wick with a special offer for listeners for his line of fashion apparel! Yes, it’s all happening here!.
Pequod over 7 years ago
Face to face at the fearful place: the Falls of ReichenbachAbner cool and confident. Victory a mortal lock.Time to strip away the mask, true face now is revealedExperimental creams and salves, scarred flesh that can’t be healed.Tracy stands his ground so calm, at heights that make most shiverKadaver pulls a sharpened blade. Tracy does not quiver.One on one and man to man, prepare for confrontationTracy must save dearest Tess. There is no hesitation.Abner disfigured and grotesque, in body and in mindFor only one he comes undone, to Rikki he is kind.A face no mother could hold dear. “How do you like me now?”A rotting visage thus exposed, the villain takes a bow.Dick Tracy has gone silent, this is no time to jestIn battle now with Abner. Which man shall pass the test?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
.Good morning fellow DT and Kadaver Fans!.
22ph over 7 years ago
A face that only Rikki could love.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
The Password is …
“Deteriorated.”
22ph over 7 years ago
Abner really likes the drama. He could have skipped the theatrics and he might have killed racy right there in his hotel room. Abner is probably a frustrated actor. He might even turn out to be a successful NBA player as he has this fondness for trash talking his opponents. :)Thanks Pequod for todays poetic recap.
fredville over 7 years ago
well, it’s not like he was GQ material before…..just a bit uglier now……well, alright…..quite a bit……
22ph over 7 years ago
Where did Tracy get the gun. I am sure he wasn’t carrying a gun when he went to Europe or security would have caught him at the airport. Is it that easy to get a gun in Switzerland?
seanyj over 7 years ago
Yikes! What does Rikki see in this guy? Put your mask back on Abner!
fredville over 7 years ago
anyone else think Tess will be the one to save him this time? She appears to be the only other one there, and Dick’s always needed to be rescued from Abner in the past……also…..are we ever gonna find out how he survived the concrete submergement?
22ph over 7 years ago
Did Tracy shot Abner in the last frame?Abner seems to have a suicidal tendency
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
.“Come back Farm Boy! You agreed to yodel the results! It’s almost showtime!”.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
.Set your dial to BeeGee Broadcasting to hear the fight as it occurs. Blow-by-blow by our own Gweedo. Our special guest ‘Farmboy’ will yodel the results with accompanying accordion music by Vista Bill..
charliefarmrhere over 7 years ago
No question whether legal or not in that country, Tracy definitely has a gun. Very hard to tell, but it almost looks like he may have fired it in the last panel.
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
Oh, so he does have a gun. Tracy is momentarily taken aback by Abner’s appearance, but he won’t give up that easily.
blunebottle over 7 years ago
Gweedo, VB, Pequod et al: I really gotta say, there are days like these when your comments outshine the action! And that’s saying something today, since we have the big [grotesque] reveal.Cheers,Blune.
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
Aha! Tracy does have a back-up piece, a small-frame revolver, strapped in an ankle holster! (Must have been acquired in Europe, or else shipped over in hold-luggage with some kind of special permit; my money is on a friendly French flic). “Never bring a knife to a gun-fight,” Kadaver!And, speaking of Abner’s true face—ugly, I can deal with; no problem. But drippy? UGH!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Gweedo told blunebottle and I concur,Your praise after a day like today makes being in this business worthwhile !!-———————————————————————-.You brightened the day for me, blunebottle!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Gweedo verbalized,Bee can pinch hit the accordion to fill in for the missing Neil, who very late has informed us that he didn’t take the bloody lessons after all !!!-——————————————————————-.Neil missed out on the finer things in life when he was misinformed about his hearing! What a pity!
willy007 over 7 years ago
That’s one ugly mug. Er profile.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Gweedo was quick to note,He sure did, Bill, but I’m sure his career in Tracy archives is a very rewarding alternative to music, which we can handle just fine !-————————————————————————.Plus he was the creator of the Vista Bill line of fashion apparel!
Chris Colvard over 7 years ago
That Abner profile… I’m about to go to bed, and now I got that haunting me. brrrr
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Gweedo also noted,To which I heartily concur !-————————————————————————.Great minds…?
stsparky over 7 years ago
It’s likely phony as well.
btmosley over 7 years ago
I cannot imagine Chaster Gould turning out a story arc like this one, not even during his decline in the late 60’s when things in Tracyland became truly bizarre.
I like the new team and their restoration of the Tracy Brand after the horrific Locher Era (akin to Batman’s ‘kitchen sink’ period of the 60’s) but it seems to me that there is now a Clear and Present Danger of this strip jumping the shark.
crobinson019 over 7 years ago
Abner’s face not only would stop a clock, it would drive it Cuckoo….
tsull2121 over 7 years ago
Even better question than where did tracy get the gun is this….how does he think he can arrest abner?!?! tracy has no authority and is more than out of his jurisdiction here. murderers have no jurisdiction, but cops.. even “the worlds greatest detective” do.
As for abner’s face… not QUITE the “reveal’ im sue we all were hoping for, maybe it will be clearer tomorrow…but so far this “last showdown” is a disappointment
Hmmm…here’s a thought I just had…what if cadaver is THISCLOSE to chucking tracy over the falls when private eye tess tracy appears brandishing her pink handgun and fires the final shot that sends abner over the railing and into the falls? Hell if ONE tracy can get a gun into an airplane AND a foreign country with no problems, why not two?!?!
tsull2121 over 7 years ago
gweedo, your mom loves YOU doesn’t she? that’s pretty much the same lol
tsull2121 over 7 years ago
gweedo, he never had reason to suspect anything so why the need for a gun? I have plenty of friends and relatives who are cops and NONE of them carry their guns with them 24/7…ESPECIALLY on vacation
sorry, but this TiME “suspension of disbelief” is stretched a bit too far
the ONLY semi reasonable explanation is that when tracy read the note, he went to the local authorties in town and showed them his credentials and asked to let him handle it on his own “but i’ll need a gun”
if that’s the way it went down (and pretty lame if it is, because id like to see tracy win a slugfest once in a while) then I don’t think the local officers will be too far behind
flowerpainter over 7 years ago
I think I liked the mask better…
Major Matt Mason Premium Member over 7 years ago
Last guy with a mug that bad, got et by rats! ;D
William Bednar Premium Member over 7 years ago
Dr. Phibes returns?
Kip W over 7 years ago
Hit him, Tracy. You’ve got gloves on.
Jelfring Premium Member over 7 years ago
Tracy can’t shoot until he knows where Tess is.
Morrow Cummings over 7 years ago
Looks like Abner spent too much time with Michael Jackson’s doctors. He should have gone to the dentist more, also.
Ray Toler over 7 years ago
Switzerland has relatively lax gun laws apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Switzerland
jrankin1959 over 7 years ago
I dunno… the mask gave Abner some “character” of sorts. Now he looks more like an extra on “The Walking Dead.”
jlwilliams360 over 7 years ago
How Do You Like Me Now… The Heavy https://youtu.be/sVzvRsl4rEM
abdullahbaba999 over 7 years ago
Thanx PQ, this IS a blast from the past, will they go over the falls?? TBC
Pequod over 7 years ago
I like the way this arc has tapped into Holmes (Baker Street and the Fearful Place), Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Rue Morgue, the Paris Opera House and Fleet Street. The diverse settings, coupled with the fact that Tracy was being stalked, rather than chasing the criminal, makes for a refreshing change of pace. I did not care for Kadaver in his first story, but the death traps arc won me over. The Murder Mansion, Death Coach and deliciously diabolical side-kick, Rikki, have all made Kadaver a compelling villain. Abner has had brief encounters with Stiletta, Venus, Gruesome and Bribery, which adds to the rich depth of Tracyville. Will Rikki be brought to justice by Lizz and Sam? She may well be saved as a wild card to be played at a future date.
Thanks to Vista Bill, 22ph, Night-Gaunt49, Gweedo, blunebottle, Willy007, Chris Colvard, Chris Sherlock, Ray Toler (matinee today!), JPuzzleWhiz and abdullahbaba999 for the kind words. Very much appreciated!
Later, I’ll head to Raven Theatre to catch Direct from Death Row the Scottsboro Boys, featuring the award-winning scenic design of this board’s very own Ray Toler. Looking forward to it. Cheers!
Scott Coons over 7 years ago
This is the best strip that I’ve seen, because the Crimestoppers cell can be read easily. Dick Tracy is my favorite comic and that is the only thing that would be great to have improve. Nice clear text would probably keep even more dedicated readers to this comic.
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
Inside the green circle I see a disturbance in the water that indicates a possible discharge of a gun or, perhaps the way the water is moving and splashing from Tracy back to Abner ?
Good observation. I think it’s the smoke rather than water, but that kind of starburst of straight lines indicates an impact of some kind. Since Abner is talking (rather triumphantly) and Tracy is bent over and not talking, it’s possible that Abner has just stabbed him or slashed him with that knife.Neil Wick over 7 years ago
And now that I come to think of it, where in the strips did it say that Tracy didn’t have a gun?
It definitely never said that. There has been much speculation in the comments here that he probably didn’t have a gun, but it was never anything more than speculation.AnyFace over 7 years ago
For the duration of the run of this story …
… I’ll be pimping Discotek’s Official SHERLOCK HOUND box set, 26 episodes, bilingual, COMPLETE.
[ You can tell that anime legend Hayao Miyazaki had a hand in these episodes, as there are aircraft … ]
For a dub produced in the mid-1980’s, it’s really good, if a bit low-key.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Way more expensive than I’d like, but Figma just came out with this gorgeous, highly poseable SHERLOCK HOUND figure in June …
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Not sure if the car is a separate accessory or not …
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Just confirmed that the SHERLOCK HOUND figure comes with the car.
Wicked Awesome~!!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Has Abner put on another mask, or has he developed gangrene of the skull? He looks a fright!
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Just to be thorough …
Opening credits to “Great Detective Holmes” (“Sherlock Hound”) in Japanese, with English subtitles.
I think some of the music (… original score by Macross composer Kentaro Haneda) might be available for download on iTunes.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
JPuzzleWhiz noted that I stated,That’s assuming if, by “what,” you mean she’s more than weird! ;o)-————————————————————————.Beyond anything we simple mortals would ever imagine, JPuzzleWhiz. Take another look at Abner Kadaver. Is that anything you would even conjure up in your mind?.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
.Tune into the BeeGee show brought to you by Big Media Broadcasting for the upcoming round in the Battle of the Century featuring Dick Tracy vs Abner Kadaver! Featuring Vista Bill on the accordion with our special guest conductor, our own Neil Wick, blow-by-blow commentary by non other than the very popular Gweedo assisted by “farm boy” yodeling the match as it progresses. Another exciting radiocast from BMB. Tonight’s show will be sponsored by Neil Wick with a special offer for listeners for his line of fashion apparel! Yes, it’s all happening here!.