Archie Comics‘ Co-President/Editor/Writer/PR person Alex Segura went to Twitter earlier today to say that there will not be a Dick Tracy. A “mistake on the licensor’s part” is the cause. Tribune Content Agency discovered a “preexisting licensing deal that precludes” this project. The series was announced in early December.

Co-written by Segura and Michael Moreci, it would have featured art by Thomas Pitilli, colors by Dee Cunniffen, and lettering from Jack Morelli. The first issue also featured variant covers by Francesco Francavilla, Kyle Baker, Cat Staggs, and Michael Walsh. The comic series was to kick off in April 11, 2018.

Its focus was on the earlier years of the detective, “square one,” with a blend of the classic Dick Tracy and a “modern and dark noir feel.”

"Due to an unfortunate error on our part, Tribune is sad to announce that there will not be a DICK TRACY comic book series from Archie Comics … (1)

— Tribune Content Agcy (@TribuneAgency) January 16, 2018

"While we had high hopes for the book and Archie Comics negotiated the deal in good faith and is not at fault, we discovered a preexisting licensing deal that precludes us from continuing with this project … (2)

— Tribune Content Agcy (@TribuneAgency) January 16, 2018

"We apologize to Archie Comics, the very talented creators and their many fans." (3)

— Tribune Content Agcy (@TribuneAgency) January 16, 2018

I'm not going to say much else about this. Co-writing a DICK TRACY comic was a dream come true for me, and getting the chance to work with Michael, Tom and @ArchieComics was an amazing experience. Sometimes things just don't line up. On to the next thing. Thanks, as always.

— Alex Segura (@alex_segura) January 16, 2018