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psykobilliethekid's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
soupisreading's review against another edition
4.0
*A copy of this book was given by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
“I gamble, I drink, I smoke, and I’ve got a car that runs half the time. I just took out my second mortgage, half my bills are past due, and my mentally retarded brother pulls a steadier income than me [….] My word is all I have.”
It opens in a strange way, with Dex getting into so much trouble I wondered if I had been given the wrong volume. It starts with flashbacks, 24 hours, 8 hours, then it only becomes chronological. I didn’t hate it, but I was very confused.
Dex is around 30, gambled a number close to 5 digits, reckless, flirtatious, and has close to nothing going well in her life. When she receives a mission from Sue-Lynne to find her missing granddaughter in return to pay back her debts, she is left with close to no choice. The chase results in hitmen, bad luck for Dex, family drama, more bad luck for Dex and elements that hold a lot more depth than I expected this graphic novel to have.
The protagonist, Dex, has made some questionable life decisions however she is incredibly brilliant. She isn’t Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, instead, she is more of a mess however her misfortune and personality pays off. Despite her tough exterior, she has a caring side that she shows towards her brother. I hope to understand their relationship more in the next few volumes of the series as it did strike me as odd how her brother reacts to Dex coming back all bloodied and beaten up from time to time.
I believe the best part of the book is the second half of it. The first half was rocky, it was difficult to understand what was happening due to the time jumps, it was difficult to differentiate some characters but the second half becomes raw. You’re able to see things from the other characters’ perspective and it makes you (well, me) feel sorry for them and try to understand them in a way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m still blown away by the ending despite it being a few months since I read it.
“I gamble, I drink, I smoke, and I’ve got a car that runs half the time. I just took out my second mortgage, half my bills are past due, and my mentally retarded brother pulls a steadier income than me [….] My word is all I have.”
It opens in a strange way, with Dex getting into so much trouble I wondered if I had been given the wrong volume. It starts with flashbacks, 24 hours, 8 hours, then it only becomes chronological. I didn’t hate it, but I was very confused.
Dex is around 30, gambled a number close to 5 digits, reckless, flirtatious, and has close to nothing going well in her life. When she receives a mission from Sue-Lynne to find her missing granddaughter in return to pay back her debts, she is left with close to no choice. The chase results in hitmen, bad luck for Dex, family drama, more bad luck for Dex and elements that hold a lot more depth than I expected this graphic novel to have.
The protagonist, Dex, has made some questionable life decisions however she is incredibly brilliant. She isn’t Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, instead, she is more of a mess however her misfortune and personality pays off. Despite her tough exterior, she has a caring side that she shows towards her brother. I hope to understand their relationship more in the next few volumes of the series as it did strike me as odd how her brother reacts to Dex coming back all bloodied and beaten up from time to time.
I believe the best part of the book is the second half of it. The first half was rocky, it was difficult to understand what was happening due to the time jumps, it was difficult to differentiate some characters but the second half becomes raw. You’re able to see things from the other characters’ perspective and it makes you (well, me) feel sorry for them and try to understand them in a way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m still blown away by the ending despite it being a few months since I read it.
thisisthelion's review
4.0
A comic with a protagonist who is a P.I. and she literally kicks ass? How am I not going to love it?
scripturient's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
briesespieces's review
4.0
This was very well written!! Count me as a Greg Rucka fan henceforth. I loved Dex' character and how everything was so in your face and gritty. I really enjoyed it. Might go on to read the next volume.
hmetwade's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Violence
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Stumptown, Vol. 1: The Case of the Girl Who Took Her Shampoo' by Greg Rucka with art by Matthew Southworth is an older graphic novel series that has been turned in to a TV series starting this fall (tomorrow night as I write this). I've thought for years that this would be a good property for television, so I'm excited to see it.
Dexadrine "Dex" Parios is a struggling PI in Portland. Struggling because she has an autistic brother to care for and a bad habit of losing at gambling. When a local casino owner calls in a favor, Dex is off to find a missing daughter. Dex learns early on that the young woman left in a hurry, and there are some unsavory types hunting her down. Dex gets beat up and shot along the way, but uses her wits to figure out what happened.
Dex is the kind of character that finds herself in trouble a lot, much of it is her own making, but that makes her good at enduring and finding ways out of trouble, too. The story meanders a bit, but is as solid as other mystery fiction I've read. Matthew Southworth takes a gritty style and shows a Portland I'm familiar with, but on the dark side. I enjoyed revisiting this series, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a decent detective caper.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Dexadrine "Dex" Parios is a struggling PI in Portland. Struggling because she has an autistic brother to care for and a bad habit of losing at gambling. When a local casino owner calls in a favor, Dex is off to find a missing daughter. Dex learns early on that the young woman left in a hurry, and there are some unsavory types hunting her down. Dex gets beat up and shot along the way, but uses her wits to figure out what happened.
Dex is the kind of character that finds herself in trouble a lot, much of it is her own making, but that makes her good at enduring and finding ways out of trouble, too. The story meanders a bit, but is as solid as other mystery fiction I've read. Matthew Southworth takes a gritty style and shows a Portland I'm familiar with, but on the dark side. I enjoyed revisiting this series, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a decent detective caper.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
posies23's review
4.0
This is a realistic, well-written graphic novel (I still call them comic books) series. Greg Rucka, who has a reputation for writing strong crime material, continues to impress here. There are no super heroics, no costumes or capes, just people doing the best they can to get by. STUMPTOWN follows a missing persons case through its various twists and turns, with interesting characters and a strong narrative drive. The art is realistic and gritty when it needs to be, and expressive and clear when it suits the story. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and look forward to reading more.
iceberg0's review
3.0
Rucka always produces solid work and this is no exception. Interesting characters in a somewhat pedestrian plot but pretty enjoyable nevertheless.
duparker's review against another edition
5.0
Great riff on the PI comic. The characters seem fleshed out and the art is randomly detailed and vauge depending on the mood and scene. Great fun to read.