Mad Cave will publish a Dick Tracy Veterans Day Special this November. Written by main Dick Tracy series writers Alex Segura and Michael Moreci, with Chantelle Aimée Osman and novelist Keir Graff (in his comics debut), the book features art by newcomer Francesco Scimonelli, colors by Marissa Louise, and lettering by Patrick Brosseau, and will commemorate the holiday with a story revealing Tracy’s own service in World War II.
The official synopsis reads, “Dick Tracy is a soldier on the front lines of the deadliest conflict the world’s ever seen. Today’s assignment is supposed to be easy: Dick’s assigned to protect a camera crew gathering footage of the glories of battle. But there is nothing glorious about war. And this one will haunt the detective-to-be for years to come.”
Segura says, “Michael and I have always wanted to tell a classic war story starring Tracy – and this gives us the perfect chance to craft an adventure that honors the combat adventures we love, while also tipping the hat to the many veterans who have served our country. Don’t miss it.” Moreci adds, “It’s an honor to celebrate our country’s veterans with this issue — and we’ve got something really special planned, in the spirit of Sgt. Rock and classic G.I. Joe, to mark the occasion.”
Graff comments, “I’m thrilled to be making my Dick Tracy debut — and my comics debut! — in the company of legends Michael Moreci and Alex Segura. My contribution adds a new chapter to Tracy’s combat history while tipping a yellow fedora to some of the characters who shot cameras, not guns, during WWII. I offer it in honor of the real-life men and women who served or are still serving. I hope readers enjoy it!”
Incidentally, the original version of Dick Tracy would’ve been a World War I veteran, instead of a WWII one, as he was created by Chester Gould in 1931. A 1991 prose novel by Max Allan Collins, Dick Tracy Goes to War, previously portrayed the mature Tracy as being eager to serve his country in WWII, but getting made exempt because his high-ranking roles in the police department.
The 40-page book will be released on Wednesday, November 11, with a main cover by primary Dick Tracy comic artist Geraldo Borges, and a variant cover by Scimonelli, which you can check out below. It will retail for $6.99, and you will have until October 19 to pre-order it from your local comic shop, or Mad Cave’s site. Issue #20 of the main series will be released in the meantime on September 30.
