Yes, this IS interesting! A “Barry Allen” (the Flash) comment AND 88 Keyes ! Difficult to call it a (excuse me) “Flash Back”, since those 2 characters were years apart. But, as always, I will appreciate the story as it unfolds, and I have confidence in Team Tracy to make it entertaining! And, as we all know here, time-lines are not set in stone!
By the way, Mike didn’t think anyone would figure out who Reggie was that quickly, but he told me that today’s strip would have given away the answer, which I can now see is indeed the case.
For my own edification: Are there still newstands? I would see them in downtown Detroit & in New York City. Time & Life magazines, assortments of newspapers, AND the newest comic books! This was before comic book stores existed (and the only place you could get your comics were drugstores on racks that swiveled!
Since we know this can’t be 88 Keyes (who died of lead poisoning courtesy of a machine gun wielded by none other than Dick Tracy) I’m wondering who this “Mr. Keyes” fellow will turn out to be.
“When Tracy caught up to 88, Keyes had hidden in a cramped tool shack next to a railroad track. Knowing that 88 was armed, Tracy refused to take any chances on the fugitive escaping again. Tracy offered 88 a chance to surrender. When Keyes refused to give an answer, Tracy fired bullets from a machine gun into the shed in an X pattern. 88’s body (and loaded gun) fell out of the shed, ending the pursuit.”
Other sources claim Keyes had set it up as an ambush.
What if, in this universe, that ambush had succeeded.
Still haven’t sussed out whether this Mr. Keyes is a mobster or an honest businessman harassed by petty hoods. Nor is it yet clear how much Reggie really knows (metropolitan downtown newsstand operators of long standing would get to know their regular clientele pretty well). “Barry Allen” may be just a throwaway and not really meant to introduce The Flash into this story arc. I guess I’ll have to wait and see….
It’s all sorts of bizarre that today’s strip with its “Barry Allen” reference runs on the same day that CW’s “The Flash” will introduce Jay Garrick in its “Flash of Two Worlds” episode.
Reggie ? Wasn’t he the blind vendor on the old 1990s series, the Flash, played by Robert Shayne who also played aka Inspector Henderson on the the ’50 show, Adv. of Superman.
Gweedo confused me,Good morning to Lord Raley and all the resta you jamokes !-—————————————————————————-.Good morning Gweedo! Are you implying that I am a jamoke? I hope not. Thanks for the upgrade to “Lord Raley”.
Did anyone catch a ‘date’ on that paper ?Is this a “flash back” ? Could these be Actors at a new Show at a now reconstructed Patterson Playhouse ?Take those inside ‘tips’ from *Mike with a ‘pinch of salt’ . . .
That Message Board (screened by a paper) appearing behind heads (in 2 and 3) might have a concealed Blue Image monitor (?) …Keeping a recording check of ‘on going’ events in that earlier 1940’s time sector ?Keep looking for the “eyes” in that outline of a face on the Message board. Possibly, two lenses needed for depth of vision . . . Clever location !
Don’t believe me ? Well …More important ,,, mosey over to Tracy in that Seattle (Comics Kingdom) paper, and you’ll note Reggie’sCoat and Shirt, are correctly ‘color coded’ – i.e. BLUE . . .
Likely, that’s Diet’s ‘Forward Man’ on the ground ?And for Mr. D another chance to become ‘relevant’ in Dick Tracy again. He can move on (and Up), from that ‘lowly station’, of being a psychological counselor for a mentally troubled Mystra ‘Mindy’ Chimera !
And of course, I say ALL this - with a heavy dose of “Speculation” !And Mike’s “right on”, on one thing, “never before”, have we had Anything quite like THIS in Dick Tracy!
Even though they’ve “blacked out” 88’s Face - in panel 3, you can see from 1. This is not a ‘look-alike’ Actor, but the real thing !
At another level, important that Bribery gets “wind of” all the present (personality tracking abilities) and pull them into his new forward operation where he could ‘Beef Up’ competence of second string management, with the likes of Ugly Christine, Nah Tey, Matty Square (even Kitty) rather than those modern day incompetents that could only think of Betrayal. And/or, that buying a powerful hand gun was “somehow” of great significance to Business success ? (Remembered as, the ‘only move’ Apollo made in his 2 years?)Gosh ! Even Miss Deal may be back in 2016/17 ?
It’s in a relatively recent time, possibly even present day. There’s a newspaper on display with a color photo on the front. This creative team includes a colorist, doesn’t it? (Or is that just on Sunday?)
Hmm…in the 2nd panel, it appears Keyes is only giving Reggie one coin for the paper. Is he cheating the blind vendor, or is this in the past? lol
By the way here is a Facebook page called “Midnight Mirror” under “News/Media website”, apparently originating in India https://www.facebook.com/midnightmirror
Could all this be a nightmare created by Abner Kadaver?-I’m sure that is the real 88 Keyes, and it’s taking place in the past. The 1940’s, maybe?-I wouldn’t put any importance into the Barry Allen reference; like Reggie, it’s just an inside gag.
If the reference to Barry Allan is just Mike doing a little “name dropping”, which is a well established Dick Tracy tradition – (Gould did it, too.) Then this could well be some sort of flashback. However, they would still need to retcon some things, because the original 88 had definite references to WWII. There was gas rationing, train travel (not Amtrak) 1940’s farming techniques. But, we’ve already seen a modern Nellie in another story, and she is still the starry eyed teenager she was in the original story, so Mike has already retconned her in to the present day. That newspaper appears to cost a quarter, so it’s certainly not today!(I always try to read the existing comments before I write any, so as not to repeat what others have said. I know that today, I did repeat some ideas, but there was just so much here that I wanted to sort out in my own thinking.)
A curious beginning. The original 88 Keyes was no good, but the implication is that the Mr. Keyes we see here is an honest businessman. Could this be an alternate universe, something like a Bizarro World Dick Tracy?
Night-Gaunt49 implied,You weren’t wild in your youth? Maybe more like Wild Bill Hickok?-———————————————————————-.I wouldn’t trade my younger days for a billion dollars!
Gweedo suggested(?),No, and you’re welcome your Lordship. I would call you “Lord Bowler”, but you don’t look like one.-————————————————————————.Not even close, Gweedo!
“I’ve got hoods asking for. . .protection money every night.”Now, that could mean that he is being accosted by hoods every night. But it could mean that the hoods are in his employ, and he’s got them out doing his dirty work every night. Cleverly worded, and, of course, we can’t hear voice inflection.
They may “ask” for protection money, but, like the “offer you can’t refuse” in The Godfather, you don’t realistically have the option of turning down a request for protection money.
The suggestion that he might want to talk to Barry at the police lab also suggests that he is not a rotten egg, unless Reggie is joking but it doesn’t seem that he is.
Hi Gweedo. Guess who was throwing up this morning?I have yet to take a “test”LOL! Just kidding. I think something I ate must not have been digested properly. But seriously it was so horrible. I’m hardly ever sick.Hope you didn’t mind me sharing this “delightful” news with you. I wanted to see how you were doing as well.
Actually, any place there are a lot of immigrants, phone cards are extremely popular still. At least that’s the case in Canada and I’m pretty sure it is the the U.S., too.
News from Mike Curtis (possible slight spoiler as to upcoming stories):
By the way, I know Tracy readers are wondering about Notta Fallar and Abner Kadaver. Notta’s story is scheduled for spring and Abner gets the summer special epic.
I don’t think Reggie’s joking, just a little naive. I am not seeing an evil grimace or anything that resembles one in P. 1, so I could be all wrong about the guy.
Reggie could be naive, though in his position he is a prime candidate for “street smarts.” As for 88 Keyes, he doesn’t look too menacing, but it heard to read him at this point. Deciding factors are being kept from us.
Do I see a little flip-floppy on your assessment of the Keyes man ?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from graduate studies, it’s to hedge everything you say. Still, I have to point out that there are possible cues, even if they can be taken both ways. I didn’t even clue in to the other interpretation until Ken pointed it out.
cpalmeresq almost 9 years ago
Yes, this IS interesting! A “Barry Allen” (the Flash) comment AND 88 Keyes ! Difficult to call it a (excuse me) “Flash Back”, since those 2 characters were years apart. But, as always, I will appreciate the story as it unfolds, and I have confidence in Team Tracy to make it entertaining! And, as we all know here, time-lines are not set in stone!
Jonathan K. and the Elusive Dream Girl almost 9 years ago
Good morning to ✯✯ Vista Bill Raley ✯✯ and everyone.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 9 years ago
.Good morning guys!.81 years old minus two weeks.
Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
By the way, Mike didn’t think anyone would figure out who Reggie was that quickly, but he told me that today’s strip would have given away the answer, which I can now see is indeed the case.
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
Is that paper behind Reggie in the second panel “The Sentinel?”
As in, “The Daily Sentinel,” published by Britt Reid?
22ph almost 9 years ago
Are we in someone’s dream?
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
Why’s the paper titled “The Midnight Mirror?”
[ Possibly a hint that we are in a dream? ]
Reminds me of the old radio series, “Night Beat,” starring Frank Lovejoy.
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
“Crime Wave In Third Week” rings a bell, too.
cpalmeresq almost 9 years ago
For my own edification: Are there still newstands? I would see them in downtown Detroit & in New York City. Time & Life magazines, assortments of newspapers, AND the newest comic books! This was before comic book stores existed (and the only place you could get your comics were drugstores on racks that swiveled!
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
Hmmm …
… could this be a glimpse into a world without Dick Tracy?
“It’s A Not-So-Wonderful Life” …?
jonahhex1 almost 9 years ago
Since we know this can’t be 88 Keyes (who died of lead poisoning courtesy of a machine gun wielded by none other than Dick Tracy) I’m wondering who this “Mr. Keyes” fellow will turn out to be.
Ashmael almost 9 years ago
Good morning, DY fans!We are in a parallel universe, I suppose.
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
… where “88 Keyes” never got Tommy-Gunned down.
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
Could Mike be riffing on this “Garfield” story from 1989 …?
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
“Why “88 Keyes,” I wondered …
From The Dick Tracy Wiki …
“When Tracy caught up to 88, Keyes had hidden in a cramped tool shack next to a railroad track. Knowing that 88 was armed, Tracy refused to take any chances on the fugitive escaping again. Tracy offered 88 a chance to surrender. When Keyes refused to give an answer, Tracy fired bullets from a machine gun into the shed in an X pattern. 88’s body (and loaded gun) fell out of the shed, ending the pursuit.”
Other sources claim Keyes had set it up as an ambush.
What if, in this universe, that ambush had succeeded.
Sisyphos almost 9 years ago
Still haven’t sussed out whether this Mr. Keyes is a mobster or an honest businessman harassed by petty hoods. Nor is it yet clear how much Reggie really knows (metropolitan downtown newsstand operators of long standing would get to know their regular clientele pretty well). “Barry Allen” may be just a throwaway and not really meant to introduce The Flash into this story arc. I guess I’ll have to wait and see….
AnyFace almost 9 years ago
It’s all sorts of bizarre that today’s strip with its “Barry Allen” reference runs on the same day that CW’s “The Flash” will introduce Jay Garrick in its “Flash of Two Worlds” episode.
ComicGuy808 almost 9 years ago
Team up of Dick Tracy and the Flash ?
Reggie ? Wasn’t he the blind vendor on the old 1990s series, the Flash, played by Robert Shayne who also played aka Inspector Henderson on the the ’50 show, Adv. of Superman.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 9 years ago
Night-Gaunt49 cautioned,Keep that meter running Not so wild anymore Bill!-——————————————————————————-.wild?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 9 years ago
Gweedo confused me,Good morning to Lord Raley and all the resta you jamokes !-—————————————————————————-.Good morning Gweedo! Are you implying that I am a jamoke? I hope not. Thanks for the upgrade to “Lord Raley”.
SYDNEY PHILLIPS almost 9 years ago
Did anyone catch a ‘date’ on that paper ?Is this a “flash back” ? Could these be Actors at a new Show at a now reconstructed Patterson Playhouse ?Take those inside ‘tips’ from *Mike with a ‘pinch of salt’ . . .
That Message Board (screened by a paper) appearing behind heads (in 2 and 3) might have a concealed Blue Image monitor (?) …Keeping a recording check of ‘on going’ events in that earlier 1940’s time sector ?Keep looking for the “eyes” in that outline of a face on the Message board. Possibly, two lenses needed for depth of vision . . . Clever location !
Don’t believe me ? Well …More important ,,, mosey over to Tracy in that Seattle (Comics Kingdom) paper, and you’ll note Reggie’s Coat and Shirt, are correctly ‘color coded’ – i.e. BLUE . . .
Likely, that’s Diet’s ‘Forward Man’ on the ground ?And for Mr. D another chance to become ‘relevant’ in Dick Tracy again. He can move on (and Up), from that ‘lowly station’, of being a psychological counselor for a mentally troubled Mystra ‘Mindy’ Chimera !
And of course, I say ALL this - with a heavy dose of “Speculation” !And Mike’s “right on”, on one thing, “never before”, have we had Anything quite like THIS in Dick Tracy!
Even though they’ve “blacked out” 88’s Face - in panel 3, you can see from 1. This is not a ‘look-alike’ Actor, but the real thing !
At another level, important that Bribery gets “wind of” all the present (personality tracking abilities) and pull them into his new forward operation where he could ‘Beef Up’ competence of second string management, with the likes of Ugly Christine, Nah Tey, Matty Square (even Kitty) rather than those modern day incompetents that could only think of Betrayal. And/or, that buying a powerful hand gun was “somehow” of great significance to Business success ? (Remembered as, the ‘only move’ Apollo made in his 2 years?)Gosh ! Even Miss Deal may be back in 2016/17 ?
Kip W almost 9 years ago
It’s in a relatively recent time, possibly even present day. There’s a newspaper on display with a color photo on the front. This creative team includes a colorist, doesn’t it? (Or is that just on Sunday?)
EvilHenchman almost 9 years ago
If 88 Keyes here is a fake, it might be Putty Puss.
Starman1948 almost 9 years ago
A sunny morning to all.-—————A good story with twists and turns no doubt.-—————May your day be filled with blessings my friends.
Don Bagert Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Hmm…in the 2nd panel, it appears Keyes is only giving Reggie one coin for the paper. Is he cheating the blind vendor, or is this in the past? lol
By the way here is a Facebook page called “Midnight Mirror” under “News/Media website”, apparently originating in India https://www.facebook.com/midnightmirror
Can't Sleep almost 9 years ago
Could all this be a nightmare created by Abner Kadaver?-I’m sure that is the real 88 Keyes, and it’s taking place in the past. The 1940’s, maybe?-I wouldn’t put any importance into the Barry Allen reference; like Reggie, it’s just an inside gag.
Captain Colorado almost 9 years ago
“Barry Allen”? Is there going to be a Dick Tracy/Flash crossover?
abdullahbaba999 almost 9 years ago
Good Morning to Reggie & Mr. Keys….and all the Fans, thanks for the tips..TBC..
Ken in Ohio almost 9 years ago
If the reference to Barry Allan is just Mike doing a little “name dropping”, which is a well established Dick Tracy tradition – (Gould did it, too.) Then this could well be some sort of flashback. However, they would still need to retcon some things, because the original 88 had definite references to WWII. There was gas rationing, train travel (not Amtrak) 1940’s farming techniques. But, we’ve already seen a modern Nellie in another story, and she is still the starry eyed teenager she was in the original story, so Mike has already retconned her in to the present day. That newspaper appears to cost a quarter, so it’s certainly not today!(I always try to read the existing comments before I write any, so as not to repeat what others have said. I know that today, I did repeat some ideas, but there was just so much here that I wanted to sort out in my own thinking.)
kantuck-nadie almost 9 years ago
Well, this is interesting. Barry, AND 88 keys?
I cannot wait to see what comes from this new thread.
But for now, I’m going to absolutely enjoy Flash tonite. Jay is coming!
Jerry1967 almost 9 years ago
A curious beginning. The original 88 Keyes was no good, but the implication is that the Mr. Keyes we see here is an honest businessman. Could this be an alternate universe, something like a Bizarro World Dick Tracy?
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 9 years ago
Night-Gaunt49 implied,You weren’t wild in your youth? Maybe more like Wild Bill Hickok?-———————————————————————-.I wouldn’t trade my younger days for a billion dollars!
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 9 years ago
Gweedo suggested(?),No, and you’re welcome your Lordship. I would call you “Lord Bowler”, but you don’t look like one.-————————————————————————.Not even close, Gweedo!
Ken in Ohio almost 9 years ago
“I’ve got hoods asking for. . .protection money every night.”Now, that could mean that he is being accosted by hoods every night. But it could mean that the hoods are in his employ, and he’s got them out doing his dirty work every night. Cleverly worded, and, of course, we can’t hear voice inflection.
Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
They may “ask” for protection money, but, like the “offer you can’t refuse” in The Godfather, you don’t realistically have the option of turning down a request for protection money.
The suggestion that he might want to talk to Barry at the police lab also suggests that he is not a rotten egg, unless Reggie is joking but it doesn’t seem that he is.
coratelli almost 9 years ago
88 Keyes it’s alive?
avenger09 almost 9 years ago
GWEEDO!!! OK, I’ll do it! give me a wee bit of time to email it to you!
Number Three almost 9 years ago
Hi Gweedo. Guess who was throwing up this morning?I have yet to take a “test”LOL! Just kidding. I think something I ate must not have been digested properly. But seriously it was so horrible. I’m hardly ever sick.Hope you didn’t mind me sharing this “delightful” news with you. I wanted to see how you were doing as well.
avenger09 almost 9 years ago
GWEEDO! You got mail!
overtop almost 9 years ago
Bring back another guy killed in the 40s. Any chance we’ll ever see a new villain, or would that be too creative?
Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
Who buys phone cards anymore ?
Actually, any place there are a lot of immigrants, phone cards are extremely popular still. At least that’s the case in Canada and I’m pretty sure it is the the U.S., too.Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
News from Mike Curtis (possible slight spoiler as to upcoming stories):
By the way, I know Tracy readers are wondering about Notta Fallar and Abner Kadaver. Notta’s story is scheduled for spring and Abner gets the summer special epic.
Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
I don’t think Reggie’s joking, just a little naive. I am not seeing an evil grimace or anything that resembles one in P. 1, so I could be all wrong about the guy.
Reggie could be naive, though in his position he is a prime candidate for “street smarts.” As for 88 Keyes, he doesn’t look too menacing, but it heard to read him at this point. Deciding factors are being kept from us.Neil Wick almost 9 years ago
Do I see a little flip-floppy on your assessment of the Keyes man ?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from graduate studies, it’s to hedge everything you say. Still, I have to point out that there are possible cues, even if they can be taken both ways. I didn’t even clue in to the other interpretation until Ken pointed it out.Maximara over 2 years ago
Who spotted the Flash reference?