US publisher Mad Cave Studios has delivered a first look at their new Dick Tracy comic book series, produced in partnership with Tribune Content Agency and New Wave Comics.
The iconic sleuth returns in this series debut landing in comic shops in April, from bestselling and award-winning authors Alex Segura (Secret Identity) and Michael Moreci (Barbaric), and renowned artist Geraldo Borges (Nightwing), with creative consultation from Chantelle Aimée Osman (The Rejects), colour by Mark Englert, and letters by Jim Campbell.
For over 90 years, the evolution of Chester Gould’s detective Dick Tracy has gone from comic strip to a radio show and merchandise, all the way to hitting the big screen in 1990 – so mark your calendars, the coveted crime icon returns with Dick Tracy #1 on 24th April 2024.
In the new series, offering a new era for the iconic detective, in the aftermath of World War Two, America stands frozen, waiting for the next shoe to drop. In The City, a brutal murder draws the attention of rising star detective Dick Tracy, who soon discovers the bloodshed is just the beginning of a complicated web that threatens to ensnare everything he cares about.
Blending the classic elements of the Dick Tracy world (including his iconic villains, supporting cast, and unforgettable watch radio) with a hardboiled and realistic take, Dick Tracy #1 kicks off a fresh and modern take on the iconic detective that remains true to his rich history.
Dick Tracy #1 features six different covers, Cover A featuring art from Geraldo Borges and Mark Englart, connecting cover B by Brent Schoonover and Nick Filardi, cover C by Shawn Martinbrough and Chris Sotomayor; a blank sketch cover D, and retailer incentive covers by Francesco Francavilla and Dan Panosian.
“The world of Dick Tracy is rife with complex characters, twisted motives, and dangerous corners,” says writer Alex Segura of the project, who’s also the bestselling and award-winning author of Secret Identity, “and we really want to lean into the essence of what Chester Gould created without trying to imitate Dick Tracy’s creator. What Michael, Geraldo, Chantelle, and I are cooking up is a very noir and hardboiled take using all the ingredients fans are familiar with – hopefully creating something that feels fresh and vibrant while honoring what’s come before. We don’t just want to tell a fun Dick Tracy story – we want to craft a great crime saga, too. Thanks for joining us on this ride.”
“Our goal in making a new Dick Tracy comic isn’t to be kitsch or try to recapture what Chester Gould did so masterfully – I can’t even presume to have that gift,” says writer Michael Moreci. “Instead, we want to take the essence of what makes Tracy work and recalibrate it for both new and audiences alike. Dick Tracy is a crime comic–that’s its roots. It’s populated with colorful and dangerous villains, takes place in a seedy city–we cherish that feel and tone, much like we cherish the works that Dick Tracy itself inspired (Criminal, LA Confidential, things like that), and it’s due time that this terrific story gets the treatment it deserves.”
“Dick Tracy is definitely one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time with a unique rogue gallery,” enthuses artist Geraldo Borges, whose credits over the past 20 years and more span projects for DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Dynamite and Top Cow, and who’s also cofounder of the Chilean art agency, Artists Go. “So we have the chance to introduce Dick Tracy to new readers and bring him back to long-time fans, respecting Chester Gould´s original stories and following the roots of the character, but trying to do something fresh and new.
“The story written by Alex, Michael and Chantelle allowed me to play with Chiaroscuro, a strong black and white contrast,” he adds. “And talking about contrast, It will be awesome seeing the yellow and bright Dick Tracy coat and his cartoonish villains side by side with dark streets and a grounded book.”
“This isn’t your grandfather’s Dick Tracy, though it will absolutely have all the elements you know and love,” says Creative Consultant Chantelle Osman, also acquisitions editor at Lake Union Publishing, and the former editor of Agora Books, an award-winning imprint focusing on socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from publisher Polis Books.
“Having the opportunity to introduce Chester Gould’s beloved character to a whole new generation of readers is an honour, and Alex, Michael, and Geraldo are absolutely the creators to bring Dick Tracy, Tess Trueheart, and all your favourite villains into the twenty-first century.”
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, US Comics
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