DELL FOUR COLOR #96: DICK TRACY (1946)

Each issue of the Dell Four Color comic book featured a specific character or television show, often before getting its own title.  The first series (1939-1942) had twenty-five issues and included such characters as Don Winslow of the Navy, Smilin' Jack, Terry and the Pirates, Jiggs and Maggie (Bringing Up Father), Moon Mullins, Gang Busters, and Captain Easy; Dick Tracy was featured in three of the issues.  The second series ran from 1942-1962 and had over 1300 unique issues, and featured many of the earlier characters, as well as the likes of Wash Tubbs, Harold Teen, Mr. District Attorney, Gene Autry, The Gumps, Uncle Wiggily, various Zane Grey westerns, Francis the Talking Mule, Tom Corbett Space Cadet, and many issues devoted to very young readers featuring Santa Claus, Mother Goose, the Easter Bunny, and others; Dick Tracy appeared in at least three of the second series issues.

Tracy, a tough, honest cop who often utilizes the latest scientific techniques in crime solving was created by Chester Gould in 1931; the comic strip is still continuing and will soon reach its 95th anniversary.  Tracy has become imbedded in American culture through radio, films, television, books, satires, and many tie-in products.  The Tracy is strip is known for its bizarre villains, often violent action, and the many death death traps that Tracy has escaped over the years.

This issue of Dell Four Color reprints strips from 1940 and 1941.  In it he meets Yogee Yamma, a con man who uses gas to hypnotize women for financial gain; Pearl Erad, who uses stolen government blueprints to make weapons to sell to America's enemies; and Deafy Sweetfellow, who operates a stolen bicycle ring and gets Junior involved with his operation.  Criminals big and small, major and minor, all with one thing in common -- a willingness to scoff at the law and put innocents at risk.  As always, Tracy proves that criminals will always get their comeuppance.

Enjoy.

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