Clover Press has been rolling out its stunning archival editions of Dick Tracy, and the 1961–1964 volume arrives with a cover that stops you cold—sleek, stylish, and unmistakably noir. That striking artwork comes from none other than Howie Noel, an artist whose expressive linework and storytelling instincts make him a perfect match for Tracy’s hard‑boiled world.
Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with Howie to talk about his creative process, the legacy of Chester Gould’s legendary detective, and what it takes to reinterpret a classic character for a modern collector’s edition. From visual influences, personal stories, to design challenges, we’re pulling back the curtain on how this cover came to life.
So grab your trench coat, adjust that fedora, and let’s crack open this case file with Artist Howie Noel.
Artistic Inspirations
GVN: Thank you for sharing just a bit of your day, Howie. Since this is our first opportunity to chat, let’s start with your artistic origins. When did you first take an interest in art, and whose work inspired you to pursue that vocation?
HOWIE: Thank you so much for the chat. Ever since I was born, I remember drawing. It was what I loved most. My mother was an artist, and creativity was very encouraged in my home.
Finding an Artistic Voice
GVN: Your career spans comics, illustration, animation, and character design. Looking back over your artistic evolution, what key moment or project first made you feel like you had truly found your artistic voice?
HOWIE: I remember getting the chance to draw my comic strip for my school newspaper in South Williamsport, PA. It was awesome to draw a little story and get a reaction from my classmates when they’d read it. Getting to it on a global scale now is wild and humbling.
A Family Connection
GVN: So, let’s get into the reason we are conversing today, and that is your cover work for the Clover Press softcover book: Dick Tracy: 1961-1964. As any fan of Chester Gould’s hard-boiled detective knows, Dick Tracy is an iconic character with a long visual legacy. I read the blurb in the Press release where you talked about your personal connection to the character and how it involved your dad. I think that is a great story and would love for you to elaborate for our readers. In addition, did that connection influence your approach to this cover?
HOWIE: Absolutely. My Dad is my biggest inspiration. He’s always my hero and we’d always read Dick Tracy in our local paper together. My Dad was a salesman and commuted for the week to NY from PA. He always wore a trenchcoat and a fedora and the best suits so I always associated him with Dick Tracy and that world from another time. I’d redraw the Tracy strips from the paper and put him in my versions as the star. I’d also include some of his work friends. He was the best audience an artist could ask for as he always marveled at what I drew. Drawing Dick Tracy brings me back to the times I’d draw him in the strip. Everytime I draw something inspired by Chester Gould’s creations it’s like my Dad is with me again.
Bringing Both “Familiar and New”
GVN: The Clover Press softcover edition of Dick Tracy: 1961–1964 covers a fascinating era in the strip’s evolution. As you worked on the cover, how did you capture the tone and energy of that specific period while still bringing something distinctly “Howie Noel” to the artwork?
HOWIE: I like how Tracy evolves through each decade and wanted to portray that in my cover. It’s always important for me to honor Gould when I draw something related to his characters. I want it to feel familiar and yet new. And I think its my genuine love for the characters and property that shine through and help my pieces connect with fellow Dick Tracy fans.
Capturing “Classic Dick Tracy”
GVN: Your artistic style blends expressive character work with bold, graphic storytelling. What artistic decisions—composition, color palette, line work—were most important in shaping your Dick Tracy cover?
HOWIE: I wanted the piece to work with the slipcover first. I knew I needed a striking image for that and I wanted it to be a classic Dick Tracy portrait. Also, as it’s an official cover and a dream come true, I wanted to draw as many characters as I could – especially the Rogues. I really wanted a nighttime mood to my cover and always love the chance to have some light highlights to characters’ teeth and eyes to help express the vibe. Also, in this era, Gould’s art is very bold and striking and I had that inspiration as well.
Focusing on Traditional
GVN: When working with a property as historically significant as Dick Tracy, did you at all consider how to balance honoring the original aesthetic with pushing the imagery into fresh territory for modern readers, or did you try to keep it more traditional?
HOWIE: I’m a traditionalist in that I always think if Tracy doesn’t look like Tracy, then he’s not the character. In my opinion, he’s the best designed comic strip character in history and his profile is iconic. And while I can do new things with the character in the new stories, I think it’s important to always make sure he looks like himself but draw it in my individual style that still respects Gould’s original work.
“A Fun Challenge”
GVN: You’ve built a career on creating original characters and worlds. How does working on a legacy character like Dick Tracy challenge or expand your creative process compared to developing your own creations?
HOWIE: It is honestly a fun challenge. When drawing or writing a classic and beloved character, I’m never looking to subvert fans’ expectations or doing anything horrible and shocking. I look to respect what came before and respectfully do something new while keeping the character true to what they are. Tracy is a good man who is trying to make his city safe for other good people. That’s now so refreshing as ‘shades of grey’ characters have flooded pop culture. Dick Tracy inspires me now as much as it did when I was a little kid reading it in the paper.
What New Fans Will Discover and Old Fans Will RE-Discover
GVN: Thank you again, Howie, for your time. In closing, what do you hope longtime fans and new readers feel when they see your cover for this volume, and what do you think it communicates about the era of stories contained inside?
HOWIE: For longtime fans, I hope my cover art of reminds them of their memories reading the strip either in the paper or the classic comic book reprints. I hope it takes them back to the moment they first saw what I consider the greatest hero in comics. For new fans, I hope they’re inspired to read everything they can from Chester Gould’s works on the World’s Greatest Detective. I hope they experience the joy I do.
Huge thanks to Howie for sharing his process, his passion, and the Dick Tracy‑level attention to detail that brought these covers to life. If you haven’t grabbed the book yet, the Kickstarter campaign is now open. This edition is a standout piece for any collector who loves the grit, style, and unmistakable punch of Chester Gould’s world. You can check it out here.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
