With the Kickstarter campaign for the remastered softcover collection of Dick Tracy: 1961-1964 now live from Clover Press and the Library of American Comics, we are delighted to be joined by cartoonist Howie Noel.
Hi Howie, it’s so wonderful to have you here with us.
Thank you for having me!
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Howie Noel and I’m a cartoonist who’s had the dream opportunity to draw Dick Tracy officially for the newspapers and now Clover Press.
Can you tell us when you first discovered Dick Tracy?
When I was very young I was reading the newspaper with my Dad. I was immediately obsessed with the character and the world that Chester Gould created.
How would you describe Dick Tracy?
A good man in a bad world working to make it safer for other innocent people.
You recently worked on the Dick Tracy newspaper comic strip. What was that like?
A dream come true. It’s everything I dreamed of as a kid.
What is it about Dick Tracy that made you want to be involved in the comic?
He’s always been my favorite comic hero and I associate the character with my Dad. Both worked in the big city and wore a fedora, suit and trenchcoat. Whenever I draw Tracy, it’s like I’m back hanging out with my late father and it’s the best feeling.
Do you have a favourite Dick Tracy character?
The Brow. He’s my favorite rogue and I love his design. He’s also one of the most vile and cold villains in fiction.
As a creator, do you prefer writing or illustrating?
I enjoy both. I really love telling stories.
Do you have a favourite Dick Tracy comic/strip?
I love the 1988 Hammerhead story by Locher and Collins as it’s one of the earliest I can remember reading in the newspaper. Also the Sunday comic when Dick Tracy lifts and throws Steve the Tramp is iconic to me.
How did you get involved with Clover Press’ reprint of the classic 1960s Dick Tracy Strips?
I’ve been looking to work with Clover Press for a long time so I reached out to them and then magic happened.
What can you tell us about Clew and The Salesman?
Clew is my private detective comic strip where it’s almost all bad guys featured in the story. With Clew, he’s a private eye so he walks the line of the law and it’s fun to write and draw a character like that. It’s a love letter to film noir, Humphrey Bogart and newspaper comic strips. You can read it at my website hcnoel.com.
The Salesman is my tribute to my late Dad and an ongoing thing I always work on for his memory.
Can you tell us what projects you are working on?
I have a new long term art project that I can’t say anything about yet but hopefully soon! It’s a very exciting time.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
Thank you for reading my interview and I hope you’ll check out the new reprints of Dick Tracy by Clover Press. It’s truly an honor to get to draw a cover dedicated to Chester Gould. He inspires me daily.
We would like to say a big thank you to Howie for chatting with us and wish him the best of luck with the remastered softcover collection of Dick Tracy: 1961-1964.
Feel free to check out the Kickstater campaign for remastered softcover collection of Dick Tracy: 1961-1964.
