Dick Tracy #1: What a Detective!
Creative Team
writers: ALEX SEGURA & MICHAEL MORECI
artist: GERALDO BORGES
colorist: MARK ENGLERT
letterer: JIM CAMPBELL
publisher: MAD CAVE COMICS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Dick Tracy #1 has all of the fixings necessary for a great detective drama. From shadowy figures, to tense shoot-outs, this is a great premiere issue for the man in yellow’s return.
An American icon dating back to the 1930s, Dick Tracy returns to his classic detective work for a mystery centered on the killing of a reporter and city official.
When one thinks of “classic” noir stories there is often a cocktail of elements required: a murder to solve, deep shadows and intentional lighting, and of course a charismatic lead. Luckily, writers Alex Segura and Michael Moreci have managed to come up with a great script for this series premiere that stays true to the character without needing to deviate into feeling “modern.”
The dialogue is well designed in tone and word use and keeps that aged feel without isolating readers. From a storytelling perspective, there are aspects that feel familiar but fresh at the same time and this is very much an attribution to the art that is well-paired with the script.
In this issue are rainy scenes, nighttime conversations, and of course a violent set piece that kicks off the entire story. The city feels big as the core characters collect information to solve the crime and there is a vibrant feel that jumps off of the pages.
Artist Geraldo Borges and colorist Mark Englert as a visual duo work effortlessly. The character designs pay respect to comic strips from Dick Tracy’s inception while also having their own flair and depth. Just flipping through the pages and the art creates well paced and wonderfully drawn panels that enhance the reading experience.
Final Verdict
Comic book fans, or fans of crime thrillers, have a fantastic new story to follow with this first issue. The writing is sharp and the art is a perfect moody balance for a noir story worth checking out. While Dick Tracy as a character may be nearly 100 years old, that doesn’t mean he’s done solving crimes and luckily for comic book readers, many aren’t tired of reading about adventures from the classic detective.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.5 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.5 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.5/10 |