Sometimes I find my lack of knowledge about comic books to be borderline embarrassing. I wonder how many fans, myself included, find themselves drowning in all the comic books being published today. I inadvertently find myself missing out on some fantastic comic books.
Lately, I’ve been getting into Mad Cave Studios. I didn’t realize they’d been around since 2014, and I find myself dumbfounded that I hadn’t read much of anything they’ve put out until the last couple of years. One of the things I keep telling fans is that for the comic book industry to continue growing, we have to look beyond the hot titles and creators who often receive all the attention.
I often feel that I don’t cover enough comics outside of the Big Ones, and I have made a conscious effort to look beyond what I might usually read. Recently, I covered Mad Cave’s L.A. Strong and I enjoyed their recent Whatever Happened to Crimson Justice? And looking forward to Speed Racer and Racer X.
I sat down over the past few days and read two of their more unusual series up to the most recent issues. Licensed properties goes back to the very beginning of comic books, but one of Mad Cave’s Dick Tracy is not one many fans will know much about today. Ask anyone above a certain age, and they fondly recall both characters, but your newer fan probably not so much.
Mad Cave Studios breathes new life into Dick Tracy, delivering a fresh take on the legendary trench coat-wearing sleuth that honors his classic origins while venturing into unexplored narrative ground. The series unfolds within a meticulously crafted 1930s criminal underworld, seamlessly blending traditional hard-boiled detective fiction with contemporary storytelling sensibilities that highlight Tracy’s unwavering ethical code and tireless crusade against corruption.
Alex Segura and Michael Moreci masterfully capture the detective’s distinctive character, presenting him as an uncompromising law enforcement officer whose personal depth elevates him beyond mere archetype. Geraldo Borges’ visual storytelling strikes an impressive balance between precision and atmosphere, employing strong linework and moody color schemes that pay homage to Chester Gould’s original design while making the material feel relevant for modern readers.
My stance on Dick Tracy has been one of neutrality. I liked what I saw from time to time, but outside of the 1990 Warren Beatty movie (which I did enjoy), I haven’t had much interaction with anything Dick Tracy. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the Mad Cave series, but a bit disappointed when I reached the last one. Much of what made Dick Tracy so fantastic over the decades you get within the series.
Spoiler, but much of one! It is known that after being engaged to Tess Trueheart for 18 years (our time, not Tracy time!), they eventually having a daughter—Sparkle Plenty Jr. Here, it’s at the very beginning of their relationship and it’s rather fun watching it evolve and become what it will one be—but hopefully not too long!
It should be noted that Mad Cave has a day-and-date release on Global Comix. Yes, when it hits the comic shops, it’s also there. I recently wrote a piece about why I think comic shops make too big a fuss about digital editions. However, other comics are also available on the day of release, such as Hoopla.
Global Comix is a fantastic way to sample comics from Mad Cave Studios and other publishers on the platform. If you enjoy them enough, you’ll add them to your shop next time. And, if you, like, me are always looking for fun, innovative reads—you can’t go wrong with Dick Tracy.
About Author
