By Jacob Cordas — On The Stump is a comic that should not work. It has the kind of on-the-nose idea that seems like a rejected South Park pitch: politicians now brutally fight each other over issues instead of debating them. I was morbidly interested but didn’t expect much when I asked to review this. But then I opened the book.

And holy shit. 

I can’t begin to explain how this team made such an amazing book. I can’t. I’ve tried writing this multiple times to see if I could get to the core of what writer Chuck Brown (Bitter Root, Black Panther) and artist Prenzy (Cacciucco Humanano)* did but everytime it devolves into 1600 words that could be summarized simply with a phrase I’ve already used:

Holy shit. 

Brown took a concept that I thought would lend itself to a single issue, silly story and turned it into a beautiful tale of politics, race and religion. He plays with high concept ideas with such ease and expertise. And he never overwhelms the page with dialogue, regardless of how much information we are burning through. This issue takes that to an extreme where multiple pages are completely dialogue free without ever pausing the story while still elaborating on previous established exposition. 

On top of all of that, his natural ability with character voices is reminiscent of some of the best dialogue in comics (Priest and Bendis better keep a careful eye on their throne). You could remove the art reading only the dialogue and every character would come across perfectly.

But then why would you with art this good? Prenzy’s work here reminds me of a more controlled Riley Rossmo. His character designs sing. The uniqueness of shape and aesthetic he brings to every character makes each moment so much more dynamic and specific. I love the fact that it doesn’t matter how far away the character is in reference to our perspective, off shape alone you always know who is who. 

He doesn’t skimp on the action either. This issue gives Prenzy numerous places to let the action go wild and he doesn’t disappoint. Multiple two page spreads are littered through-out this comic with every single one of them being so high energy. I want the page where our protagonists working with the Blacksmiths fight mutants framed on my wall. And somehow that isn’t even the best page. 

No, the best page is when this perfect collaboration unifies all of their skills together.  Early on our hero, Jack Hammer, and one of our antagonists, Thunder Bearer, have a video chat. Each panel is one of the phone screens so all we’re getting is wall to wall facial expressions. And it is just as high energy as anything else in this comic. The dialogue flows so perfectly across the page complimenting each artistic choice. Or maybe each artistic choice compliments each writing choice? It doesn’t matter because well-

Holy shit.

Overall: On The Stump #4 continues an amazing series bringing it to new heights. It is perfectly drawn, perfectly written and perfectly enjoyable. 10/10

*I do want it said that this creative needs to be hired to make either a Steel or Thor comic. Preferably both. Or hell, give them whatever they want. Who am I to tell them what to make? (But if they are taking suggestions, please let it be Steel and Thor.)

On the Stump #4 - REVIEW

On The Stump #4
Writer: Chuck Brown
Artist: Prenzy
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image
Jack and Anna are back on the same team again, just in time to fight their way out of a very unique situation. Thunder Bearer adapts his plans, and Abe recruits his nephew in his dangerous quest for knowledge.
Release Date: August 05, 2020
Buy It Digitally: On the Stump #4

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My name is Jacob Cordas (@jacweasel) and I am not qualified to write this.