If you like private eyes with muddy cleats, then Stumptown is the perfect comic for you, and even if aren't a scarf-waving soccer fan, you should check out Stumptown for the compelling characters and plot. Stumptown has made a strong return to the comic stands, and Greg Rucka and Justin Greenwood are a winning team. Read Full Review

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. Read Full Review

If youve been patiently awaiting Stumptowns return, I highly doubt youll be disappointed with this first issue. Dex is probably one of the coolest characters out there, between her compassion and overall badass-ness. Now that Ruckas ongoing prowess has been released, I have high hopes for the direction of this series. 8 out of 10 Read Full Review

A great look into the personal life of Dex Parios that might not be the best place for new readers to begin, Stumptown #1 is certainly a welcome sight for longtime readers who have been waiting for the series return since the end of volume 2. Im ready to settle in for the long haul for sure. Read Full Review

This issue isn't the best jumping-on point. It hinges pretty heavily on the relationship between sleuthing heroine Dex and her brother Ansel, and holds more weight if you have familiarity with the two characters. But seasoned readers will find plenty to like here, as Rucka takes an ordinary soccer match and uses it to slowly ramp up a sense of unease and tension leading towards Dex's next big case - one with a more personal touch. Read Full Review

Honestly, most of this comic takes place at this Timbers match, and you are inundated with the hooligan lifestyle, but it does have its charm. The real genius of this book comes in Rucka's ability to develop character. The relationship between Dex and her brother, who has some form of mental illness, is a shining example of Greg's abilities. He brings you in to his character's lives without forcing them upon you. He's always been one of my favorites and seems to be keeping pace here with this title.Overall, it's a solid book, if you can get past all the soccer references. I say give it a shot of you're a fan of Rucka's work or just looking for something to break the mundane superhero cycle. Happy reading! Read Full Review

The art by new artist Justin Greenwood is a mixed bag however; theres a great sense of kinetic energy during the initial football match and he effectively manages to create the raw and intense atmosphere of a live football match. When it comes to the characters themselves however they seem very rough around the edges, which is a shame given how human Rucka makes the characters feel. I dont feel the art is bad however, the story is framed well and as stated he evokes a great sense of atmosphere, his style will most likely just require a bit of adjustment which will hopefully improve as the series continues. Read Full Review

If you've read the first two volumes of Stumptown then you know exactly what to expect from this book and you wont be disappointed in the least. If youre a new reader, the great news is that this series is very accessible and by no means do you need to read the other volumes first in order to understand the story this time around. A fairly by-the-numbers plot with relatively weak visuals are saved by Ruckas ability to write great dialogue and build compelling characters and relationships. Read Full Review

I understand the need to build the characters and accept new readers into this story as well as the ones that already know the world, but this first issue wasn't enough to make me come back for more. Read Full Review

I was excited to see the return of "Stumptown," but if I was a new reader and picked this issue up, I might be a little perplexed to see why people have enjoyed this comic up until now. It's not bad, but it's nothing out of the ordinary either. Looking back at the first "Stumptown" mini-series from 2009, that's a comic that started strong right out of the gate and grabbed my attention in a way that didn't let up until the story was over. Right now, I wish this series had a similar hook. Read Full Review