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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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
fierygecko's review against another edition
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stuhlsatzg's review against another edition
2.0
Not my jam. I’ll give the second one a shot because it’s based in Portland and a quick read.
erincataldi's review
5.0
Wow, I fell write into this book and was sad when I stumbled out of it at the end. Dex Parios is a private investigator and she's really stepped into it this time. Her gambling debts have gotten ahead of her and the owner of the casino is calling Dex in to make good on them. Her granddaughter has gone missing and she wants Dex to clear her schedule immediately and find her. Easier said then done. The granddaughter was running with some bad people and its only going to get worse before it gets better. Gritty, witty, and all around bad-ass. I want to continue reading this series and I definitely want to watch the TV adaptation. So glad to have a new graphic novel series to devour. I'm all in!