Via Popverse, Mad Cave Studios and the Tribune Content Agency have formed a pact for a new Dick Tracy comic book, written by Alex Segura and Michael Moreci, with art by Geraldo Borges (“No/One,” “Thunderbolts”), and editor Chantelle Aimée Osman as creative consultant. Simply titled “Dick Tracy,” the book will be an origin story introducing a new generation to the Depression era detective; it will begin in March 2024.
“Alex, Chantelle, and I have been pursuing Dick Tracy for many years, so to say this is a passion project, even that’s an understatement,” said Moreci. “We love this character, we love this world. And we’re approaching it with great care — we don’t want to make a new Dick Tracy; we just want to make a Dick Tracy that feels rich and layered, that feels suited to our times. We can’t wait to share, with our great partners at Mad Cave, what we have in store.”
Segura and Moreci were originally attached to a Dick Tracy early years series at Archie in 2017, which would’ve featured Thomas Pitilli on art. It was scrapped when it emerged the already existing deal with IDW Publishing’s Library of American Comics imprint (which reprints the original comic strip in hardcover) prevented Archie from publishing their own series. IDW subsequently published two miniseries, respectively created by Michael & Lee Allred & Rich Tommaso, and Michael Avon Oeming & Taki Soma.
The Library of American Comics split from IDW in 2021, apparently opening the door for the once-and-future creative team to gain the rights. Wayne Lown, VP and general manager at TCA, commented, “We’re proud to see Dick Tracy, an all-time classic of truth and justice, return to comic books through our partners at Mad Cave Studios. We look forward to daring new detective cases for this cultural icon, guided by their exceptional team of top-notch creators.”
The comic’s announcement comes several months after Dick Tracy movie director and star Warren Beatty produced (for the second time) a fourth wall-breaking TCM special to retain the rights to the character. In the meantime, the character can continue to be seen in the pages of the daily newspaper strip, currently overseen by writer Mike Curtis and artist Shelley Pleger.
