Dick Tracy and American Culture - (Morality and Mythology, Text and Context) by Garyn G Roberts (Paperback)

About the Book

In October 1931, Dick Tracy made his debut on the pages of the Detroit Mirror. Since then America's most famous crime fighter has tangled with a variety of protagonists from locations as diverse as the inner city and outer space, all the time maintaining the moral high ground while reflecting American popular culture.
Through extensive research and interviews with Chester Gould (the creator of "Dick Tracy"), his assistants, Dick Locher (the current artist), Max Allan Collins (who scripted the stories for more than 15 years) and many others associated with the strip, Dick Tracy as a cultural icon emerges. The strips use of both innovative and established police methods and the true-to-life portrayals of Tracy's family and fellow cops are detailed. The artists behind the strip are fully revealed and Dick Tracy paraphernalia and the 1990 movie Dick Tracy are discussed. Dick Tracy's appearances in other media--books, comics, radio, movie serials, "B" movies, television dramas, and animated cartoons--are fully covered.

Book Synopsis

In October 1931, Dick Tracy made his debut on the pages of the Detroit Mirror. Since then America's most famous crime fighter has tangled with a variety of protagonists from locations as diverse as the inner city and outer space, all the time maintaining the moral high ground while reflecting American popular culture.

Through extensive research and interviews with Chester Gould (the creator of "Dick Tracy"), his assistants, Dick Locher (the current artist), Max Allan Collins (who scripted the stories for more than 15 years) and many others associated with the strip, Dick Tracy as a cultural icon emerges. The strips use of both innovative and established police methods and the true-to-life portrayals of Tracy's family and fellow cops are detailed. The artists behind the strip are fully revealed and Dick Tracy paraphernalia and the 1990 movie Dick Tracy are discussed. Dick Tracy's appearances in other media--books, comics, radio, movie serials, "B" movies, television dramas, and animated cartoons--are fully covered.

Review Quotes

"excellent...highly readable...the text is punchy, determined, giving a slam bang comprehension of what Gould and Tracy were all about...copious illustrations of comic strips...super biography about Gould himself...fascinating, and well illustrated...definitive book on all-things-Tracy"-Classic Images; "the first comprehensive history of Dick Tracy...will be warmly received and enjoyed by many"-Choice; "comprehensive"-Journal of the American Association of School Librarians; "marvelous...thoroughly comprehensive...highly informative...very enjoyable"-Journal of Popular Culture; "a wealth of descriptive material"-Inks; "profusely illustrated...readable and very entertaining"-The Armchair Detective; "provides a broad survey of the Dick Tracy phenomenon"-AB Bookman's Weekly; "well worth reading"-Daily News (Bowling Green, Kentucky).

About the Author

Garyn G. Roberts is a multiple award-winning author, university and college faculty member and administrator. He is the author of a number of articles and books on diverse American culture topics. He lives in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.