Last Time

In Mad Cave’s last installment of the Dick Tracy saga, our intrepid detective was in the midst of investigating the deaths of reporter Langdon Marsh and City Alderman Emil Truehart. With the assistance of tenacious reporter Tess Truehart, daughter of the slain Alderman, Tracy is pursuing the case with fervor. This has not gone unnoticed by the criminal underbelly of the city, who would prefer that Tracy and Miss Truehart cease their investigation—permanently.

Mumbles

Undeterred by the danger, Tracy and Tess have been diligently following the clues left behind by the late Alderman. Their investigative efforts have led to the capture of one of the members of the criminal element, a man known as Mumbles. They hope that he will provide them with further leads, provided they can understand his statements. Tracy intends to keep Mumbles in custody until he reveals pertinent information.

Meet Pat Patton

It appears that Tracy and Truehart aren’t the sole parties intrigued by the restaurant homicide. Pat Patton, a former military comrade of Tracy’s, is hot on the heels of the culprits, propelled by a personal vendetta. He is on a quest to avenge his brother’s demise, probing into the identities of the involved parties. His quest intersects with Tracy’s as Langdon Marsh, who recently passed away, was among the last to have conversed with his brother. Patton is resolute in his pursuit of the facts surrounding the incident, unafraid to confront any potential suspects.

Comic book cover featuring Dick Tracy in a yellow trench coat and fedora, holding a gun, with an urban backdrop. Text at the top reads, "Dick Tracy #2".

A comic page showing a cityscape, a man walking along a pier, and another man standing with a crowd. Text boxes narrate about shadows, raindrops, and memories, ending with "In the wake of things we started. A comic book page showing two men in a conversation outdoors. The man in a purple suit, hat, and glasses talks to a man in a gray suit, black hat, and brown gloves, while others are present in the background. A comic page shows detectives confronting a maniacal figure. A fight ensues, leading to intense close-combat action. The scene is dramatic with shouts and sound effects illustrating the conflict.

Interpreting Mumbles

Meanwhile, Tess had been analyzing the recordings of Mumbles’ attempts at speech during his interrogation. She thought she might have discerned a pattern—and a name. This would have been significant if Mumbles had received the protection Tracy had anticipated. Unfortunately, he hadn’t foreseen the corruption within the police force, which led to Mumbles being targeted by Flat Top. Encounters with him rarely conclude positively. They also don’t occur without reason. Evidently, someone intended to silence the uncommunicative criminal permanently—through lead poisoning. One thing is for sure, Mumbles wouldn’t be speaking out of turn again.

War is Coming

The news will undoubtedly be a disappointment to Tracy upon discovery, and the criminal factions will be equally displeased. The demise of Mumbles signals that someone has significant connections within the police force, potentially surpassing those of the other organizations. This act serves as a stark warning to rival syndicates that a conflict is imminent.

Thoughts

The second issue stirs a sense of familiarity and nostalgia for Dick Tracy fans. The emblematic wrist radio reminds us that while Segura and Moreci are presenting the character to a new audience, they haven’t forgotten the fans from Tracy’s golden age. This is further highlighted by the appearance of the classic Tracy villains: Mumbles, Flat Top, Prune Face, and eventually, Big Boy. Brought to life by the talented Geraldo Borges. Together, the creators excel at blending the narrative to engage both new and long-time followers. It’s gratifying to realize that this is just Issue 2. The story is just beginning.

You’ve Got Spunk

A few additional thoughts: The dialogue between Tess and Pat is captivating. Calling Tess “Honey” and expecting no reaction is a mistake. As someone married to a strong-willed woman, I value the tenacity that Alex and Michael infuse into her character. I envision Pat observing Tess and thinking along the lines of Lou Grant’s words to Mary from the Mary Tyler Moore Show, “You’ve got spunk! I HATE spunk!” (Yes, I’m that old.)

Even Heroes Struggle

I also value the flashbacks Tracy experiences from his time in the war, vividly brought to life by the aforementioned Mr. Borges. They provide insight into what drives Dick Tracy, while showing that even the most heroic individuals grapple with challenges.

Mad Cave Studios Dick Tracy, Issue #2 by Alex Segura, Michael Moreci and Geraldo Borges is available now where great comics are sold.