Crime Comics: Alex Segura - Dick Tracy Is Back in Comics!

DATE: 2/3/2026 TIME: 8:00 PM EST CO-HOST: Mike Fasolo CO-HOST: Deanna Destito GUEST: Alex Segura Website: https://www.alexsegura.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexsegurajr/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexsegura.com Dick Tracy at Mad Cave Studios: https://madcavestudios.com/series/dick-tracy/ Dick Tracy Valentine's Special at Mad Cave Studios: https://madcavestudios.com/product/dick-tracy-specials-issue-1/?attribute_variants=Digital Alter Ego Novel (Amazon Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3ZQ70nm Secret Identify Novel (Amazon Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3ZgKGmI Alex Segura analyzes the specific craft and business of writing crime comics, focusing on the revitalization of Dick Tracy and the mechanics of noir storytelling. This session evaluates the technical shift from newspaper strips to modern ongoing comic series while maintaining period-accurate sensibilities. KEY TAKEAWAYS Translation of legacy IP: How to adapt a 100-year-old property for modern audiences by focusing on "Year One" character foundations rather than superficial modernization. Noir character depth: Building a stronger, independent supporting cast to move beyond established tropes and provide psychological motivations for villains. Collaborative scripting: Logistical breakdown of co-writing an ongoing series, including plotting arcs, splitting script duties, and maintaining a unified theatrical voice. Professional persistence: The importance of finishing short-form projects to build technical momentum and confidence before tackling long-form novels or series. Genre subversion: Using "Crime" as a broad tent to incorporate elements of serial killer thrillers, spy novels, and romance within a single title. FEATURED CREATORS Alex Segura: Award-winning author of Secret Identity, Alter Ego, and co-writer of the current Dick Tracy series. FEATURED COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS TITLE: "Dick Tracy" PUBLISHER: Mad Cave Studios DATE: Ongoing (2024-Present) CREATORS: Alex Segura (Co-writer), Michael Moreci (Co-writer), Geraldo Borges (Artist) TITLE: "Dick Tracy: Valentine's Day Special" PUBLISHER: Mad Cave Studios DATE: February 2025 CREATORS: Alex Segura (Co-writer), Michael Moreci (Co-writer), Craig Cermak (Artist) TITLE: "Secret Identity" PUBLISHER: Flatiron Books DATE: March 2022 CREATORS: Alex Segura (Writer) TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Comic Book School crime month 02:03 Alex Segura on career longevity and "overnight" success 03:51 Dick Tracy IP rights and Warren Beatty history 05:12 Origins of the 1931 Chester Gould newspaper strip 06:23 Modernizing 100-year-old source material 07:18 Period piece vs. modern technology in noir 08:04 Creating new villains for the Dick Tracy rogue's gallery 09:42 Using and subverting genre tropes in crime fiction 11:01 Arc-by-arc genre shifts: Gangster war to serial killer thriller 12:10 Seasonal specials and collaboration with Craig Cermak 14:56 The logistical process of co-writing scripts 16:59 Working with IP holders and licensing approvals 18:00 One piece of advice: The power of finishing projects 22:30 Analysis of 6 classic crime tropes 30:51 The evolution and downfall of the "Femme Fatale" 33:33 Street smarts vs. web detectives: Knowledge vs. Wisdom 47:55 The myth of the genius criminal mastermind 55:50 The "Aha Moment" and required crime dialogue 1:00:55 Upcoming session: Brian Haberlin on the color of crime SOCIAL LINKS * Comic Book School Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/comicbookschool * Deanna Destito Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/deannadestito * Mike Fasolo's Substack: https://mikefasolo.substack.com