Stumptown is coming to your living room squawk box very very soon, but if you can't wait, then open up Rucka's terrific dark, moody, noir-filled graphic novel. Featuring a tough as nails, down-on-her-luck lady private eye stumping down the back alleys of Portland. I'm not big on most graphic novels, but this one's got it and got it good. If this is volume one, when can I Get my greedy hands on volume two.

<em>Stumptown</em> Volume 1 is Greg Rucka doing exactly what I read him for: hard-boiled disaster women fighting crime. Dex Parios is a private detective with a gambling addiction and debts that need paying, debts that are called in by Sue-Lynne, the owner of the local casino whose granddaughter has gone missing. I like Dex a lot; she's as irreverent as she is competent and unlucky, which means that it's <em>fun</em> to see her crashing around trying to solve cases. The story feels like it's a glimpse into a community; the people Dex meets know each other, acknowledging acquaintances and asking about Dex's brother (who she loves dearly, but is also referred to with an ablist slur at one point) in a way that doesn't take up much space but still feels like it's rooting the story in its characters. I also liked that Dex is explicitly questioning her sexuality, although fair warning: there are a couple of explicitly homophobic characters.

The art is mostly fine, the colour palettes are mostly muted and flat, which I've mentioned before is my thing, but sometimes it's hard to tell the characters apart when they've changed hairstyles, and sometimes there are really basic continuity errors like bandages disappearing between panels.

<em>Stumptown</em> has the same feeling as the run of Kate Bishop being Hawkeye/an LA PI, just with fewer superpowers, which means that it's perfectly enjoyable, but not necessarily going to stand out if you read a lot of pulp detective stories. I enjoyed it though, so if you wanted an example of the genre, this is pretty good!

[Caution warning: ableist slurs, homophobia]

Love the grit and humor of the main character. She harkens back to detectives of old in the noir era. A highly entertaining graphic novel that will be sure to delight fans of mystery and suspense.

RATING; 2.5 STARS
DNF @15%
2011 (reissued 2019); Oni Press
(Review Not on Blog)

I wanted to read this graphic novel as the previews to the television show looked good. I watched the first episode and I just didn't gel with the characters and story. I tried this graphic novel and it was the same thing, with some story adjustments. I am not sure how much as I did not finish it. It is a noir-ish genre which I normally like.

**I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

Thanks net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this graphic novel in return for an honest review. I heard about the tv show adaption and really want to watch it and thought it would be a great opportunity to read the graphic novel.
I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down and almost read it in one setting. I really like mysteries, so this graphic novel really worked will with me. The artwork was nice, and the story was interesting. It was action packed and intense and really a nice read. The characters such as Dex were enjoyable as well. I will probably read the rest of the series to see where the story will go.

I originally picked up this book because I had seen the promo for the TV series. I'm a fan of both graphic novels and mysteries so why not combine the two and see how they mix? I'm happy to say I found the story line interesting and original and the main characters very entertaining. I really enjoyed the reading experience even though I'm not sure I'd like it everyday. Greg Rucka has done an excellent job of joining the two genre without losing anything from either.

This was great! I'm usually not a big fan of graphic novels - just not my style, but I loved this one. I'm excited to see how well the new TV show does with it.

Wait and See, But I Expect Good Things

So, here's a question for you. This is Volume 1, a complete story arc, and there are at least three more volumes to come. As a starter, would you rather have a strong main character, good supporting characters, a solid noir vibe, snappy patter, and hints of an interesting backstory, even if that came with a lite actual mystery, or would you prefer a tightly plotted, twisty, and water tight plot?

Well, here you get the former. Our heroine Dex was strong from page one and never wore out her welcome. I'd be happy to go on ride-alongs with her no matter what the story ends up being. But if this Volume is any indication the plots are going to be B grade TV, "Law and Order", quality. Actually, that's not entirely fair. The first half of this has the pace and build of Spade or Marlowe, and I was getting pumped that this might be the first detective, p.i. comic to really get it right. It's the second half, that switches over to monologuing, confessing, and gut spilling, that feels rushed and implausible and that gets too tidy, too fast.

But in the meantime the tale was a good ride. And as I say, I'll take snappy and engaging characters over dry labyrinthine plot any day. Definitely worth checking out, and worth looking at Volume 2.

(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Stumptown by Greg Rucka is another perfect example that should open reader's eyes the fact that comic books are not just about super powered costume heroes.

Dex Parios is a private detective in Portland, Oregon with a bad gambling problem. She is a pretty good investigator but the gambling and the drinking and the guilt keep her down. Her current losing streak has her in heavy debt to the Confederate Tribes of the Wind Coast for $18,000. But now, maybe Dex has an opportunity to get out from under.

Sue-Lynne is the head of the Wind Coast's casino operation and Dex and Sue-Lynne have a past that usually doesn't work in Dex's favor. But Sue-Lynne has a problem, something she can't go to the police about and Dex might just be able to help out, for a price. All her debts forgiven at the casino and Dex will work the case for Sue-Lynne.

Sue-Lynne's granddaughter is missing. It seems a pretty simply case of a runaway and young naive love. Dex knows something about that. But it could be alot more and if Dex isn't careful, she could end up dead.

Greg Rucka is a writer, the fact that he uses comics as a medium is a testament to his storytelling ability. Dex is a well rounded character and Rucka take the time to develop her as well as the plot. This makes Stumptown a really good comic that literally would have been just as enjoyable as a novel.

Check it out!

I requested this after watching (and enjoying) the first episode of ABC’s new television adaptation, and found myself if enjoying the graphic novel just as much! This dark, gritty crime story has engaging characters and a gripping plot, and I look forward to reading the next installment.

Thanks to the publishers for sharing this one. I really liked it, and will probably buy the next volume so I can keep reading. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

My introduction to Stumptown by Greg Rucka was through the commercials for the tv show based on the comic. It looked interesting, so I watched the first episode. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the dialogue. When I discovered it was based on a comic, I decided to give it a read.

Upon reading Stumptown, I noticed some differences between the comic and the show, but the essence of the story was the same. Dex Parrios, a PI in Portland, is hired to find the granddaughter of the woman in charge of the Native American casino, to whom Dex owes around $17,000. As she begins her investigation, Dex discovers a lot more than she bargained for, as she crosses paths with two thugs who try to kill her, and the family of a man who may be the head of MS-13 in the Pacific Northwest.

While the missing person mystery was engaing, two things stood out in Stumptown: the characters and the city. Portland is a beautiful city, and to have it be the setting for Dex's various investigations is pretty cool. I enjoy a unique setting, and it seems like we'll be getting a bit of a tour of Portland through Dex's investigations. The characters are fantastic, and while it's Dex who gets the majority of the attention, Ansel (her brother with Down's Syndrome), Grey McConnell (a friend), and Tracey Hoffman (a police officer and friend), and Sue-Lynne (the head of the casino for the Confederated Tribes of the Wind Coast) add a lot of depth to the series. In fact, in its own way, Stumptown reminds me of two of my favorite detective shows, Longmire and Justified. Both series took place in non-traditional settings (Wyoming and Kentucky) and both had outstanding supporting characters who felt just as real as the lead character.

Having finished Stumptown Vol. 1, I'm looking forward to reading the other three volumes, and hope that Rucka returns to the series soon. I'll also continue to watch the tv adaptation to experience the further adventures of Dex Parrios. I highly recommend this book to fans of detective/mystery stories, particularly if you like your heroes a little disheveled and rough around the edges, and your setting to stray from the traditional big city cookie-cutter. One last thing, this book is a reissue of a volume published several years ago.

I received a review copy of this book from Oni Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This comic is SO SO good. I can almost touch the grit that this comic gives off, it's so tangible. The characters are so well done, especially the main character and those close to her. I read this a few days ago and it's still on my mind, which is rare to say the least. I get such strong film noir vibes (The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler). I kind of adore the main character for the strength she has and all of her flaws. I believe she's lesbian as well so yay, rep!

Anyway, I highly recommend if you need a gritty detective comic in your life, which everyone kind of needs during the fall. I'm looking forward to the next volumes.

5/5

Very cool graphic novel. Great art, interesting story, complex protagonist. I was drawn into the mystery and was interested to find out what was going on. I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to net galley.com, Greg Rucka and One Press for the advance PDF file for my honest review.

Totally got into "Stumptown Vol. 1", liked author Greg Rucka's style with it, just the meat and potato of the story, with enough added ingredients to enhance the story for the reader and makes it worth it to read.

I don't read many graphic novels but when I do it's for the change of pace from reading words and need to read them more often than I do.

Dex Parios is a private investigator, whom owns Stumptown Investigations, she takes care of her special needs brother Ansel and is barely getting by due to her gambling problem. Found the storyline realistic, believable also, as she is approached by the owner of the casino to help find her missing granddaughter and she would wipe out her gambling debt in return.

Dex is a likable character, you got decent storyline in she goes searching for the missing granddaughter, it's got an intertwining storyline, which has a father forced to make a choice and definitely will read more of this series.

This was a really great story.

A solid mystery, lots of twist and turns, plenty of suspense and tension and a good ending, all brought to life by great artwork.

The story follows Dex who is a PI with a battered car and a serious gambling habit. When her debts get too high the casino owner offers to wipe them clean if Dex can find the casino owner's granddaughter who has gone missing, but other people are out to find her and Dex takes this case unknowingly putting her own life at risk.

I thought the artwork was great with jagged edges and dark colouring. This really conveyed the grittiness of the story. All together this was an excellent read.

Copy provided by Oni Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a pretty decent noir styled mystery. Maybe it’s because it’s set in Portland, but it reminds me of Grimm, only here the bad guys are mere mortals.

The art is very nice. The story is decent. It’s a fast read. Short version = a woman PI is challenged with finding the granddaughter of a well known woman. She believes an equally well know “businessman” and/or his family may be connected. It’s a complete story, no cliffhanger here.

I liked it enough, I might check out the new television adapatation - which I had no interest in before reading this book.

This is a great graphic for mystery lovers! Dex is a strong lead and will keep you entertained through her journey. Definitely recommend to purchase, especially for fans of the new tv show.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I was really excited that this series became a TV show and, to be honest, I enjoyed the first episode more than this graphic novel. You know what they say "the book is always better," but in this case I think the graphic novel was a little boring and didn't do a great job of fleshing out the characters.

Generic PI - "likeable" in that overdone Joss Whedon way - proves herself to be capable as she gets embroiled in a missing person's case. Generic crime story, boring twists, not at all interesting. Rucka all over basically. Nothing original, nothing compelling - not badly put together but just so meh, I couldn't give a toss ever.