Eliot Ness was the agent under the command of one of the mafia research groups during the Seca law, who together with his untouchables, managed to arrest the Capone and inspire Dick Tracy Tracy

Him Special agent Eliot Ness Is one of the most famous federal agents in the history of the police bodies of USA. Under the command of a group of agents of Department of the Treasury and in a hostile and corrupt environment, dismantle the power of racket In ChicagoThe city of North America West that had changed its nickname City of the wind for the World Crime capital.

After The untouchables And their leader may collect tests to imprison To the CaponeHead of the criminal empire of Chicago for a decade, he transferred reality and became part of the American Collective Imaginary.

In the 1930s of the twentieth century, Chester Gouldcomic artist, he launched a new one comic attraction Based on the real stories of the crimes. These stripes have been published daily in the newspaper Detroit Mirroras well as in other newspapers such as Chicago Tribunefrom the 4 October 1931.

Using Eliot Ness as a model, Dick Tracy was born, who had numerous faces at the cinema. For decades, Eliot Ness and his fictitious alter ego would influence the perception of the United States of detective work, the fight against crime, both common and ordinary, and the courage of the agents dedicated to persecuting criminals.

The story of Eliot Ness and the untouchables

The special agent had several virtues such as intelligence, ability and, mainly, honesty and integrity, the values ​​that had remained intact throughout his career. After arrested Capone, he continued his career as the leader of public security in two other cities infested with organized crime, as well as Cincinnati y Cleveland.

When the Ley VolsteadFederal agents were responsible for chasing the smugglers who introduced alcoholic beverages illegally from Canada and Europe. Inside the Department of the TreasuryTHE ProhibitionTHE Coast guard and the Customs officethey had set up to Joint strengthBoth intelligence and operations against organized crime.

These criminals controlled the entire commercial activity and the legal companies had to make them a tribute, even with numerous local salary authorities, so it was necessary to create police units outside their reach to pursue crimes, as in the case of the city of Chicago.

The special agent Eliot Ness created a group with several agents, who were called the untouchables, to stop the maximum exponent of the crime in Chicago al Capone. In 1930 The Prohibition Office if he incardinated inside the Department of Justice And, moreover, the president Herbert Hoover He declared the war on the underworld.

In that context, he was responsible for stopping criminal operations and seeking evidence that would have offended Capone. On the other hand, but coordinated with Ness, Financial agents They investigated Tiscally Capone and his activities, as can be seen in the film Eliot Ness’s untouchables (1987), directed by Brian de Palma and interpreted Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro or Andy García among other things.

Both investigations were fruitful and Capone was accused of tax evasion and, moreover, more than five thousand infringements to the dry law. Together with Al Capone, the agents were able to retain a large number of garments from the Chicago criminal organizations.

The birth of Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy, as indicated above, was created by Chester Gould In 1931. Initially the character was called Borghese tracyBut Joseph Medill PattersonOf the Chicago Tribune, he suggested the final name and an initial story in which Tracy joins the police after the murder of his girlfriend’s father. The comic had an immediate success, generating derivative products such as toys and novels.

Since its institution, the comic has been characterized by its graphic violence, which has attracted criticism, but also distinguished it from the other comics. In 1946THE Bidirectional radio bracelet watchOne of its most famous icons, which was conceptual precursor of cell phones and intelligent watches. Later, he evolved into a clock teel. The eccentric inventor Diet Smith It seemed a key support in these technological innovations.

During the 50 yearsThe comic has addressed current issues such as Youth crimeTHE television and the corruptionCombining the criminal drama with aspects of the protagonist’s domestic life. Tracy was portrayed by living in a luxurious way, which generated controversy, and Gould replied with a story in which the character faced accusations of corruption.

THE 60s marked the beginning of the call Spatial period of the comic. Tracy and his allies were traveling to space vehicles, visited the moon and knew Moon Maid, a lunar woman with whom the young woman married Tracy’s adopted son. This phase incorporated futuristic technology, but was detached from the roots of the urban police of the comic, some readers alienated. During this era, the comic tone became more critical of the American judicial system, which also generated controversy.

In the 70sElements have been introduced to modernize the comic, as a new hippie partner called Groovy Grove and visual changes in the main character. However, the popularity of the comic has decreased e Gould retired in 1977.

After his retirement, Max Allan Collins y Rick Fletcher They took the reins of the comic. The new team has eliminated elements of the space period, turned to the judicial system with a less cynical vision and revitalized and bad classic characters with family stories. They introduced new characters such as Afro-American detectives, criminal surgeons and anti-tracy journalists. Collins also humanized the bad guys, giving them names, stories and offspring.

In the 2000s, several creative teams continued to maintain the strip active, too Joe Staton y Mike Curtiswhich mixed nostalgia and modernization. Spatial elements have reintroduced, although with a more realistic approach, and have crossed with other classic comics. They also added tributes to the royal police through new sections such as the Tracy’s fame room.

Dick Tracy remains a historical strip that has reflected the evolution of American culture and graphic narrative, from urban crime to science fiction and from social criticism to humor. In fact, it remains fully active in the 21st century.

Today, for the police departments and federal agencies in the United States, Eliot Ness symbolizes that, regardless of how difficult the circumstance, the environment or the mission is, the plaque continues to represent the tradition of honesty, integrity and ethical behavior for all those who serve and protect citizens.