Both the 1989 “Batman” and the 1990’s Batman cartoon had the same set up as Dick Tracy. A mixture that made it very hard to guess what time period it was. I could also add “Gotham” too who did mix it up.
Gangland stuff a red herring, and the real killer is her husband for the insurance? The pepper spray on the omelette might be to mask the fact that the spray has been recently used for something else.
I read Jim’s explanations yesterday (all three times he was forced to repeat himself) about Tracy being about 50, and time being fluid for the sake of keeping the strip flowing. Still, it is quite interesting to see Tracy and Pat in distinctive 30s style haircuts, using obviously old fashioned telephones (especially Pat’s) while our bereaved husband is right out of the mid-70s, in style and life style (apparently a “house-husband”)
Another thing – these are the “official” Sunday colors, and sure enough, Tracy is in blue-gray tones, as many here have stated the early 30s colors were.
This looks like it could develop into an actual mystery, with clues and an explanation from Tracy how he solved it at the end. I kind of wish we had the benefit of the whole two weeks, instead of just getting to this part of it now.
Ah clue. Pepper spray in an omelet? Don’t think that works. Odd event, must be a clue. Husband broke and wife ’s insurance will pay $600,000 total plus any personal insurance = MOTIVE!
RevoLucian is the screen name of music composer Lucian Piane, who is RuPaul’s composer and arranger for his stage shows. He also worked on the movie Hairspray. He has several albums. I doubt if it has any connection to Revell Oswald Lucian mentioned in today’s strip, just an interesting coincidence.
Today’s comments, and particularly the responses from Weegel (Jim Doherty), have pretty much clarified all the basic points. It does look as though Scooby “Young Michael Douglas” Hart will turn out to be behind the murder of his wife. My only possible contribution would be to observe that he wished he was himself the gunman and directed Rev O. Lucian to make the shoot particularly grizzly (six shots, some at least to her face, though we were spared the gore in the artwork).I also confess that I completely missed “Rev O. Lucian,” and in trying to figure out “Revell Oswald Lucian” got bogged down thinking back to a U. Illinois Classics professor noted for his very right-wing views (back when the John Birch Society was a flashpoint), Revilo P. Oliver (“P for palindrome,” some would say)….
Neil Wick almost 5 years ago
Good morning™, news breakers!
Finally, some clues!
AnyFace almost 5 years ago
Motive? ✨
Cheapskate0 almost 5 years ago
Is he really spraying pepper spray into the omelet?
avenger09 almost 5 years ago
Hart could star in Scooby Doo
His clothes and hair are mighty cool
The hair and cars of Dick and Pat
Prove the story goes way, way back
The 30’s would be correct it seems
An error free strip lives just in my dreams
HarryCK almost 5 years ago
Good morning™, grieving widowers !
I never knew pepper spray could be used that way. I hope his throat doesn’t close up from contact.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 5 years ago
Both the 1989 “Batman” and the 1990’s Batman cartoon had the same set up as Dick Tracy. A mixture that made it very hard to guess what time period it was. I could also add “Gotham” too who did mix it up.
fredville almost 5 years ago
like, hubby – aka employer of contract killer – wouldn’t KNOW about the life insurance policy…..
Yngvar Følling almost 5 years ago
Gangland stuff a red herring, and the real killer is her husband for the insurance? The pepper spray on the omelette might be to mask the fact that the spray has been recently used for something else.
Trespassers W almost 5 years ago
I suspect the use of pepper spray was so that he could produce tears on cue at the “surprising” news that his wife was dead.
Ken in Ohio almost 5 years ago
I read Jim’s explanations yesterday (all three times he was forced to repeat himself) about Tracy being about 50, and time being fluid for the sake of keeping the strip flowing. Still, it is quite interesting to see Tracy and Pat in distinctive 30s style haircuts, using obviously old fashioned telephones (especially Pat’s) while our bereaved husband is right out of the mid-70s, in style and life style (apparently a “house-husband”)
Another thing – these are the “official” Sunday colors, and sure enough, Tracy is in blue-gray tones, as many here have stated the early 30s colors were.
This looks like it could develop into an actual mystery, with clues and an explanation from Tracy how he solved it at the end. I kind of wish we had the benefit of the whole two weeks, instead of just getting to this part of it now.
Ken in Ohio almost 5 years ago
Maybe he improvised, and grabbed the pepper spray to use on himself, so he’d have real tears for Tracy to observe.
Knightman Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Now, how to catch him???
jrankin1959 almost 5 years ago
Uh-huh…
conradcool almost 5 years ago
The death benefits sound like motive and the spicy omelet is the clue.
Ray Toler almost 5 years ago
No wonder there is so much crime in Tracy’s city. Look how backward and old fashioned Tracy’s Department is.
Sportymonk almost 5 years ago
Ah clue. Pepper spray in an omelet? Don’t think that works. Odd event, must be a clue. Husband broke and wife ’s insurance will pay $600,000 total plus any personal insurance = MOTIVE!
WilliamVollmer almost 5 years ago
$300, 000 total benefits sounds extra large, even today.
tripwire45 almost 5 years ago
Would Hart off is wife for the insurance money?
Ray Toler almost 5 years ago
RevoLucian is the screen name of music composer Lucian Piane, who is RuPaul’s composer and arranger for his stage shows. He also worked on the movie Hairspray. He has several albums. I doubt if it has any connection to Revell Oswald Lucian mentioned in today’s strip, just an interesting coincidence.
Don Bagert Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Tracy is using a cordless phone, though ;-)
Don Bagert Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Will we get to the Suburban Slasher in time to finish next Sunday, or is that case for a “later interview”? :)
CynthiaLeigh almost 5 years ago
Pepper spraying an omelette? Hubby had his wife killed, right?
Weegel almost 5 years ago
Anachronism hunters, here’s another (or, if you prefer, you can take it as further proof that the era is NOT specifically the 1930’s).
The FBI didn’t have a “Ten Most Wanted List” until the 1950’s.
Ray Toler almost 5 years ago
No poem from Pequod today?
kantuck-nadie almost 5 years ago
Well that was a nice ending to that. Not all shoot-em-ups, and dragging in the bad guys. Tracy also shows his compassionate side too.
Cheapskate0 almost 5 years ago
Weegel: I think you are Jim Doherty. Love the artwork.
Any chance Joe Staton could be persuaded to make the regular series look more this way?
brackishboy almost 5 years ago
Visually, today’s strip is a retro delight.
BreathlessMahoney77 almost 5 years ago
Odd, that the town would just have one officer in a patrol car, given that they’ve virtually declared war on local organized crime.
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
Today’s comments, and particularly the responses from Weegel (Jim Doherty), have pretty much clarified all the basic points. It does look as though Scooby “Young Michael Douglas” Hart will turn out to be behind the murder of his wife. My only possible contribution would be to observe that he wished he was himself the gunman and directed Rev O. Lucian to make the shoot particularly grizzly (six shots, some at least to her face, though we were spared the gore in the artwork).I also confess that I completely missed “Rev O. Lucian,” and in trying to figure out “Revell Oswald Lucian” got bogged down thinking back to a U. Illinois Classics professor noted for his very right-wing views (back when the John Birch Society was a flashpoint), Revilo P. Oliver (“P for palindrome,” some would say)….
Cavenee Lonnie Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Really like your work Jim. Glad you’re back, even if for a little while. Hope you stay around though!