In 1931, Chester Gould created a character that would change comic strip history forever. His name was Dick Tracy. Yellow fedora, chiseled nose and chin, red and black striped tie, this hard core detective has since become a household icon of justice.

Created by Chester Gould in the summer of 1931, the hero was originally called "Plainclothes Tracy" and didn't have the distinguishing facial characteristics or clothing that everyone familiarizes him with having now. Submitted to Captain Patterson of the Tribune in August of '31, the publisher liked the idea, but wasn't to keen on the name. That's when it was changed to "Dick Tracy." Dick being slang for policemen at the time. Before Gould knew it, his creation was in print. First appearing on October 3, 1931, and then later picking up on a daily basis on October 12th.

The strip began with Tracy coming to the delicatessen owned by Tess Trueheart's father Emil. Emil, a smart businessman, had been saving all he could in the family safe upstairs. It was that safe that the two criminals were after that night. They broke in, and shot Emil when he tried to prevent the robbery, making history by featuring the first murder ever to take place in a comic strip. It was then that Tracy swore to avenge Emil's death and joined the police force. And the rest, as they say, is history.

This site is dedicated to that detective, his friends, the hundreds of villains he's faced, and also the numerous movies, serials, and collectibles that have spawned from this strip. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to tell me your sentiments on it either via e-mail or by signing the guestbook below. © Dick Tracy and all related images are a copyright of Tribune Media Services.