Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 23, 2021

Good morning™, friends!

Chief Patton’s “special assignment” promises to finally set this story in motion, but what I want to know is why his name is painted on the glass of his door so that it only reads right from inside his office with the door closed. It’s another example of the confusing world of mirror images.

Everything seems off today, the illustrations, the coloring, the shading, Pat’s ridiculously weird flat fingertips. Almost looks like a mirror universe Tracyville, which is not a bad idea.

Good morning™, job reassigners !

Will Tracy’s eyes go pie-wide when he finds out what this special assignment is ?

What this stale strip needs is a major jolt! Which regular character are you willing to sacrifice in the name of breathing new life into the stories.

I vote we knock off Mad Mindy!

I was beginning to wonder when we’d see Tracy again.

Isnt it amazing how Pat Patton used to be Tracy’s bumbling, stumbling partner but is now his boss? How did he get promoted to Chief of Police over Tracy?

Uh oh…..special assignments usually wind up with dangerous results…………

Tracy: “Sounds good. I was just about to hand out bonuses to the team for their great work on the Aquarius case. Now I can keep the money. More donuts for me.”

Next panel: (Tracy) "Thank God, Chief. Honeymoon wanted to drag me to the theater to see “The Tempest” with that old ham Vitamin Flintheart."

(Chief) “Your assignment will be going to the theater and protecting Vitamin Flintheart.”

(Tracy) “NOOOOOOOOOOO!”

That’s 3 with cream, 4 black, and a dozen donuts.

H’m. Who’s doing the inking here? I know Shelley Pleger was taking a break…

Where’s the fire chief? I thought he was the Police Chief! Sorry guys!

Anyone want to guess Tracy’s facial expression in panel 3?

Get your tickets for The Tempest. Today is Shakespeare’s 457th birthday.

Happy Birthday to the Bard!

https://cdn.britannica.com/w:1100/90/215990-131-3356570D/Shakespeare-Reading-oil-painting-William-Page-1873-1874-Smithsonian-American-Museum-Art.jpg

Bradshaw: “Where’s the fire?” Nick Danger: “In your eyes, Lt. Bradshaw!”

First of all, I like the art work today. Also an appearance by Pat Patton, now chief, whoSam Ketchum replaced on the force. And Neil is right the story begins,

1-CAP’N PAT: Be a love and send Tracy in. Also, order another case of Irish Mist. I’m feelin’ a mite homesick don’t ya know…

2-DT: Wanted to see me, Cap’n? CAP’N PAT: Well, don’t you be lookin’ splendid in those velvet pants now? You might find them to be a mite warm on your new assignment though, boy-o.

3-DT: REALLY? ARE YOU SENDING ME TO MIAMI TO INFILTRATE AND BRING DOWN A CUBAN GANG OF SMUGGLERS AGAIN?

CAP’N PAT: There you go again, always a hop and a step ahead of your captain. NO. This is an intelligence and evidence gathering mission. Just bring your old captain back two boxes of Cohiba Behike 52’s.

DT: That’s the same assignment you gave me last month, Cap. When are we going to make a bust and why are we concerned about Miami crime anyway?

CAP’N PAT: Ahhh, don’t you be reminding me of when I was a young pup! It will come clear to you soon, boy-o. Likely as not, after I’ve retired to Miami or gone into the WitSec program.

DT: OK. I suppose this is another Top Secret Mission just between us?

CAP’N: There’s a good lad. Now be gone with you and may the ground rise up to meet your feet. And that blessing means I won’t be paying your airfare. DT: Sigh. I know…

Does special pay come with this special assignment?

What “special assignment” could Chief Patton have for his former partner, the Chief of Detectives and head of the Major Crimes Unit? Whatever it is, it will mostlikely plunge Tracy into the main storyline, as suggested by *Neil Wick *, above. Maybe something to do with the reappearance of Abner Kadaver?