To this end, I did a sample page to show the syndicate. Just random images, character shots. Here it is:

A blending of my own style and Chester Gould's. Chris told me the syndicate "adored" it, and we were off -- to a false start.

Ever wonder why I have not had an extended run on Batman, despite the character being one of my top favorites? Most often I have expressed it thus: I am the guy to call when you want a story about two planets crashing into each other. But not so much for detective stories. After three weeks of pondering, I had nothing. A few character bits, maybe, but no STORIES.

Clearly, DICK TRACY was not going to be taken off my bucket list.

So, now you know.

••

One of the walls I ran into is that Tracy villains are not recurring, unlike Batman's. Most of them died at the end of their first stories.

••

At this stage of my career (and based on recent poor experiences) I have no desire to return to the role of Art Robot.