topdragon's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

In 1990, the film “Dick Tracy” was released. It starred Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Madonna, and a bunch of other big-name stars. I have no evidence to support this, but it seems likely that this anthology, also published in 1990, was commissioned as a way to help market the film. Regardless, the choice of Max Allan Collins to edit the collection, along with prolific anthologist Martin H. Greenberg, could not have been a better one. Collins had taken over the writing of the Dick Tracy comic strip in 1977 when Chester Gould retired and had been at it for the 13 years prior to this book’s appearance. As a life-long fan of Dick Tracy, there can’t be many humans out there with a better understanding of what makes the world of Dick Tracy what it is.

Rarely have I read an anthology that I have enjoyed more than this one. Usually, they include some fine stories, some mediocre, and some best left on the cutting room floor. Not so with this one. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed all but one of the stories included here and that one is by an author that is often troublesome to me. But even then, it wasn’t “bad”. Hats off to Max Allan Collins and Martin Greenberg for their selections. The order in which the stories are presented is also well thought out. The very first story is entitled, “Origins” and written by Mike Resnick. It’s actually told from the point of view of a young, struggling writer named Chester Gould who meets a real-life detective who ultimately becomes a model for his new idea for a comic strip.

From there we have stories from the early Dick Tracy years in the 30s and 40s but also more contemporary versions in a more modern age. We get to revisit villains from the strips such as Mumbles, Blowtop, B.O. Plenty, Gravel Gerty, Vitamin Flintheart, and Putty Puss but also read about brand new villains created just for this anthology. Some are written from some POV character other than Tracy himself. In addition to the aforementioned opening story featuring Chester Gould there is also one from the viewpoint of his wife, Tess Trueheart Tracy, and one from son "Junior".

The authors here are a real who’s who of speculative fiction and include [a:Ed Gorman|4844|Ed Gorman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387477873p2/4844.jpg], [a:F. Paul Wilson|20561|F. Paul Wilson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1210613635p2/20561.jpg], [a:Wayne D. Dundee|355659|Wayne D. Dundee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1363728740p2/355659.jpg], [a:Barry N. Malzberg|76288|Barry N. Malzberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1384119469p2/76288.jpg], Ric Myers, [a:Stephen Mertz|237193|Stephen Mertz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442461481p2/237193.jpg], [a:Edward D. Hoch|50319|Edward D. Hoch|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Rex Miller|2910096|Rex Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1301813531p2/2910096.jpg], [a:Mike Resnick|54475|Mike Resnick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1324507257p2/54475.jpg], [a:Ron Goulart|43248|Ron Goulart|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1232934840p2/43248.jpg], [a:Barbara Collins|223628|Barbara Collins|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Henry Slesar|12539|Henry Slesar|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:John Lutz|100512|John Lutz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510690471p2/100512.jpg], [a:Terry Beatty|258596|Terry Beatty|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Wendi Lee|258597|Wendi Lee|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Francis M. Nevins Jr.|1965004|Francis M. Nevins Jr.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379619059p2/1965004.jpg], [a:Josh Pachter|1032588|Josh Pachter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586377883p2/1032588.jpg], and [a:Max Allan Collins|12014|Max Allan Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1362011010p2/12014.jpg] himself.

For fans of the original Dick Tracy comic strips or for those new to the character and just want a flavor for what it was all about, this collection is an ideal read. Highly recommended.

hydrangea's review

Go to review page

4.0

This book is a collection of stories featuring Dick Tracy, throughout the century. There are many different villains throughout it.

I read this book quite some time ago, but I've re-read it a couple times since then. All of the stories were good, rating 3 stars or over in my opinion.
More...