Dick Tracy HC (1984 Blackthorne) comic books 1980-1989

Volume 1 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from January 1 - June 9, 1946, featuring the "Miss Irma" and "Nilon Hoze" story arcs. Diet Smith, the inventor of the two-way wrist radio, is targeted by colleague Miss Irma and her son, Brilliant, in a deadly scheme of revenge. Then, B.O. Plenty gets mixed up in a bizarre kidnapping-and-marriage scheme by the murderous Nilon Hoze. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 2 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Milton Caniff, Walter Simmons, Dick Locher and Shel Dorf.  Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from June 10, 1946 - November 17, 1946, featuring the "Shoulders," "Wedding of B.O. Plenty," and "Gargles" story arcs. Protection racketeer Gargles uses the musical talents of a girl named Themesong as cover for his crimes, but Tracy and singer Christmas Early come to her rescue. Then, the wedding of Gravel Gertie and B.O. Plenty. Also featuring vintage articles about Chester Gould's working day and his creation of Dick Tracy; an essay on cartoonings Reuben Award by its first winner, Milton Caniff; and a memorial page by Tracy artist Dick Locher for Gould, who passed away in May 1985.  An Enduring Art; Dedicated to the Memory of Chester Gould; The Country's Favorite Detective -- and His Boss!; The Reuben; The Chester Gould Autobiography. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 3 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Shel Dorf. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from November 17, 1946 - April 29, 1947, featuring the "Influence" and "Hypo" story arcs. Tracy meets teen Misty Waters while tangling with the hypnotic Influence. Then, Tracy goes after a killer who poses as a magazine photographer. Also featuring a letter of appreciation from Chester Gould (on Dick Tracy stationery); reprints of vintage public service announcements featuring Dick Tracy; and historical notes from publisher Shel Dorf. An Enduring Art; Why Reprints?; Dear Shel; Dick Tracy Suggests. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 4 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Max Allan Collins, Matt Masterson, Milton Caniff and Shel Dorf. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from April 30, 1947 - July 15, 1947, featuring the Crime Stoppers" and "Birth of Sparkle Plenty" story arcs.    Junior Tracy forms the Dick Tracy Crime Stoppers and helps a young hood turn his life around. Then, the dramatic birth of Sparkle Plenty, the daughter of Gravel Gertie and B.O. Plenty. Also featuring an essay on Chester Gould by his successor as the strips writer, Max Allan Collins; Matt Masterson presents the first segment of his collage of Dick Tracy characters through the years; and an essay on cartoonings Reuben Award by its first winner, Milton Caniff. The World's Most Famous Detective; Why Reprints?; 200 Characters from Dick Tracy 1931-1977; The Reuben; Dick Tracy Crime Stoppers. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 5 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Matt Masterson, Milton Caniff and Shel Dorf. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from July 14, 1947 - September 30, 1947, featuring the "Coffyhead" story arc.  Juniors Crime Stoppers program has worked so well that crooks Coffyhead and Autumn Hews cant find kids to help them steal hubcaps. So they kidnap Junior and Bronko, and soon have Dick Tracy on their trail.   Also featuring Matt Mastersons collage of Dick Tracy characters through the years, and an essay on cartoonings Reuben Award by its first winner, Milton Caniff.  Big-Time Traditions; 200 Characters from Dick Tracy 1931-1977; The Reuben. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 6 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Shel Dorf. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from October 1 – December 10, 1947, featuring the first "Mumbles" story arc. Coffyhead attempts a prison break; Tracy tries to prove that Mumbles and his gang killed a cop. Also featuring Matt Mastersons collage of Dick Tracy characters through the years, and an essay on cartoonings Reuben Award by its first winner, Milton Caniff. Big-Time Traditions; 200 Characters from Dick Tracy 1931-1977; The Reuben. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 7 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Tracy O'Connell. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from December 11, 1947 – February 27, 1948, featuring the "Return of Shoulders" story arc. A strange murder in a park alerts Tracy that Shoulders has survived. A curious call from a locksmith puts him on the trail of wounded Shoulders and a fortune in stolen gems. Also featuring articles from Chester Goulds scrapbook; An essay by Goulds granddaughter; and Matt Mastersons collage of Dick Tracy characters through the years.   The Scrap Book of Chester Gould; My Grandfather, Chester Gould; 200 Characters from Dick Tracy 1931-1977; The Reuben. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 8 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from February 28 – May 21, 1948, featuring the "Mrs. Volts & Sparkle Plenty" story arc.   Mrs. Volts deals in stolen electrical parts until she has a run-in with B.O. Plenty, who inadvertently winds up with her beloved dog. She attacks the Plenty family to get her dog back, and winds up in the clutches of her son Brier, who is an even worse criminal.  Also featuring a profile of Chester Gould, Matt Mastersons collage of Dick Tracy characters through the years, and an essay on cartoonings Reuben Award.  The Scrap Book of Chester Gould; 200 Characters from Dick Tracy 1931-1977; The Reuben. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.

Volume 9 – 1st printing. Story, art and cover by Chester Gould, plus supplemental material by Matt Masterson, Milton Caniff and Shel Dorf. Blackthorne Publishing reprints the original comic-strip adventures of legendary tough cop Dick Tracy and his rogues gallery of freakish enemies. This issue reprints the strips from May 22, 1948 - August 9, 1948, featuring the Brier Volts and Heels Beals story arcs. On the run from Tracy, Brier Volts ill-advisedly attacks nine-foot-tall female cabbie Acres O'Riley, and soon learns that was a mistake. In the aftermath, Acres reunites with her crooked ex Heels Beals, who sets a death-trap for Tracy when he tries to intervene. Also featuring a profile of Chester Gould, and an interview with Dick Tracy fan Mike Masterson.  The Scrap Book of Chester Gould; Matt Masterson Q & A; The Reuben. Hardcover, 72 pages, B&W. Cover price $14.95. Cover price $14.95.