Rucka’s love for the mystery genre comes through in the first issue of “Stumptown,” but his uncompromising commitment to creating stories that only he could tell shines through. Paired with animated artwork from Justin Greenwood, the story of ne’er do well female detective Dex Parios is vividly imagined and exuberantly engaging.
Written by Greg Rucka
Illustrated by Justin GreenwoodGreg Rucka’s fan favorite private eye is back in a new ongoing series illustrated by Justin Greenwood (Image Comics’ The Fuse)!
Things never go according to plan for Dex Parios–it doesn’t matter whether it’s work or play. When a weekend of soccer fun (both playing and watching!) turns ugly, it’s up to Dex to get to the bottom of the violence before a heated rivalry transforms into an all out war!
This is my first encounter with the “Stumptown” universe. Going into the story cold means that you will be missing out on some interesting history; Dex struggles with gambling addiction and has worked as a private investigator since the inception of the series. I could have done with a, “previously, in Stumptown…” segment, but not one compiled by the people who do that for Mad Men, though (those things are useless). Even without knowing about previous episodes, it is easy to become invested in Dex and the city she calls home.
The setting of modern-day Portland is one of the stars of this series. The Pacific Northwest city serves as a lively backdrop for this punk rock whodunnit. The story has a true sense of place. From the sprawling green spaces to the crowded street outside the stadium, “Stumptown” is alive. Greenwood’s visual portrayal of the city is only one of his successes in this issue; every aspect of Greenwood’s work has attitude and punch. There is nothing timid about his illustration, instead there is a boiling energy that builds tension in every panel.
One of the strongest scenes in this books takes place at an afternoon soccer game. Together, Rucka and Greenwood capture the atmosphere of a raucous sports stadium perfectly. The team recreates everything from the bloodthirsty yet lighthearted cries from the stands, to the deafening chorus of crowd chants in two dimensions, which is an incredible feat. You can almost smell the sour jars of vinegar where pickles float and the processed ‘cheese’ atop corn chips that becomes inexplicably enticing near the end of the second half, or your third beer — whichever comes first. We are allowed to join in the unifying experience of rooting for the home team. Scrawling lettering dominates the panels mimicking the deafening nature of a crowd sing-screaming in unison. There is no need for discussion of why the fans are doing what they are doing; there is an etiquette that everyone catches onto without being told what to do. This an incredibly engaging device that truly brings the audience into the experience.
Greenwood’s characters are intense and believable. This is especially true in the game that starts this issue. The women playing soccer look like athletes, not Barbie dolls in shin guards. It seems believable that they could take a hit from a fellow player, or throw a shoulder themselves. I would personally love to see a few more female super heroes that looked like these women.
The supporting cast of this series is diverse and deep. As much as they stand out as individuals they create moments for Dex to really come into focus through her interactions with them. Rucka and Greenwood portray Dex’s soccer teammate, Tracy Hoffman, as a brash, feisty woman with no patience for defeat. Her behavior provides fantastic contrast for Dex’s devil-may-care attitude. CK, a member of the opposing team from Seattle seems powerful and cunning. Dex is allowed to have a pleasant interaction with her that helps readers understand that the main character sees herself as above all the conflict created by the Seattle/Portland rivalry that everyone seems so caught up in.
Similarly, Ansel, Dex’s little brother, gives her the opportunity to soften and connect with the audience. The warmness of the siblings’ interactions makes it easy to care about them. Ansel is remarkable in his own right. The team’s thoughtful portrayal of a character with Down syndrome is both sensitive and subtle. They don’t lean on tropes, but allow Ansel to have his own voice and personality, developing him as an individual. Dex is proud to be his champion, but never seems to see him as anything other than her peer.
Continued belowRucka’s ability to connect with a disconnected protagonist anchors this new story arc.While Dex Parios is the central character in this series, her personal history established in other installments of the series is largely absent from this issue; however, through Rucka’s well realized portrayal of her the audience is immediately given a very good sense of her character. Dex is brazen but kind, competitive but reasonable, and she’s sort of a walking contradiction. The seeming oppositions within her personality makes her seem more realistic and relatable. She totally seems like she was that badass slacker girl in the back of your civics class who had no time for your googly-eyed “I got such a crush on you” routine. I kind of love her.
Rucka allows scenes and themes to do double work in regard to characterization. It is no coincidence that Dex is her team’s defender. That need to protect seems to be a key component of her personality. She is fiercely loyal and unafraid to speak up for those she is close to. Her role as the goal keeper also highlights her lone-wolf tendencies and her willingness to put herself in high-pressure situations. It is this status as a defender that makes the final event of the issue seem like a very promising start for this arc. The crime that will be the focus of this story affects Dex on a personal level; someone she cares for has been harmed. This means that she will be motivated by what she will likely perceive as her failure to protect those closest to her, and stop at nothing to solve the case.
Final Verdict: 8.1 – Sportastic crime story that is only just less brutal than getting in an elevator with an NFL player.
