In today's Dick Tracy (7/15/2024), I ventured a joke based on an allusion to Raymond Chandler. In the midst of planning for a confrontation with Pravuil Gabriel, Sam Catchem observes (after Tracy notes plans for backup) that "blackmailers don't shoot." Tracy, with a smile, tells Sam "don't believe everything Raymond Chandler writes." The allusion, of course, being to the title of a well-known Raymond Chandler short story.

Of course, some damn idiot on GoComics comes up with: "Why the snark against Chandler? At least he can write a concise story." Thus, of course, missing the entire point of the joke in their haste to sneer.

Sheesh.