I get Rucka’s enthusiasm for Stumptown. It’s his thing, he’s proud of it, he wants everyone to be excited for it so he does this silly final issue where he wraps things up and sets up the next story. But he doesn’t do those things well. Rucka’s been in comics more than long enough and…

Oh, wow. I think this issue might be the worst independent comic I’ve ever read. At least put out by a recognized publisher. Rucka embraces television standards all right, as in “A-Team” stupidity. Most of the issue is a car chase, with Southworth doing double page spreads. The only thing worse than a lazy digital…

Southworth has a co-coloring credit this issue, which might explain why all of a sudden the coloring has to do sixty percent of the art’s work. It’s not just shadows, it’s perspective on people, it’s depth, it’s terrible. Sadly, the corresponding rise in writing quality–when Southworth’s art gets even worse–doesn’t happen here. So it’s not…

The art gets worse this issue. Much, much worse. Southworth quits drawing noses all of a sudden. And the comic being in color does nothing to help it. In black and white, Southworth would have had to do some work, to finish an object. Instead, he lets the colors fill in the blanks and they…

I was trying to figure out what was wrong with this issue of Stumptown–other than Greg Rucka being really too excited with the idea of a rock and roll case for his detective (he and Matthew Southworth pace the comic like a detective show) and then I noticed. Southworth drew this comic on a computer.…

The last page of this issue threatens more Stumptown in a really cute way. It’s on the movie theater marquee, with letters missing. I say threatens because I’ll probably read it and not enjoy it and not get anything out of it. I think I thought of about six ways private investigator could have gotten…

Did it take me three minutes to read that issue? I’m not sure. There’s nothing worse than a boring all-action issue. I suppose we get to hear about the big secret behind Stumptown’s mystery, but it’s pretty boring. Rucka has no talent for making the mundane seem intriguing. Mostly what he gives the reader this…

I’m mildly tempted to use this space to discuss innovative private investigator storytelling, specifically The Big Lebowski and “Eyes.” If you hadn’t guessed, Stumptown–as a detective story–has failed to make an impression. Right now, with Stumptown, I’m concerned with two things. First, is Dex gay? Second, does she know the guy her brother works with–I…

Hmm. It reads well. Stumptown definitely reads well. Rucka doesn’t go cheap on content either, it’s a solid length read for a modern comic book. He introduces a lot of characters, some backstory… he gets a lot done here. I like this Matthew Southworth art too. They’re clearly going for a gritty, realistic feel and…