On The Stump #1

Image Comics

Writer: Chuck Brown

Artist: Prenzy

On The Stump #1 is a brutal, dark take on American politics that left me shocked by the over-the-top violence and striking metaphors.

Chuck Brown, Prenzy, and Clayton Cowles have come together to create a satirical take on sensationalist politics. In their world, politics are decided not by debates, but by literal fistfights. Politicians fight on a giant stump with crowds of bloodthirsty viewers to get their bills passed. Even elections are decided by these brutal fights. Outside of the ring, politicians rig fights and even murder those who oppose them to stay in power. In On The Stump #1, protagonists Senator Jack Hammer and FBI Agent Anna Bell Lister work together to bring down some of the corruption that surrounds them.

The concept is neat and the execution is fantastic. There are tons of moments throughout the issue that mirrors modern-day American politics. Chuck Brown and Prenzy do an excellent job of capturing the essence of real-life politics in this ridiculous world that they created. The corruption, sensationalism, and attacks on the press are all captured in this issue, making On The Stump #1 simply chilling to read at moments. At the end of the issue is an essay that brings readers back home, touching on the urgency that citizens should be feeling.

The over-the-top idea is brought to life by over-the-top violence. Prenzy captures the brutal political scene perfectly with art that never holds back. The fights are harsh, with fantastic panel layouts and composition. The action is easy to follow, making this issue read at the pace that it needs to be. The brutality of On The Stump #1 doesn’t end in the ring either. One murder, in particular, stands out as especially grotesque, made complete with chilling lettering by Clayton Cowles. The visuals do more than complete the package. They enhance it, making the script hit as hard as it needs to for this book to be successful. The end result is an uncomfortable book that readers won’t be able to look away from. Be warned: if excessive gore isn’t for you, you might want to pass on this one.

On The Stump #1 is a shocking first issue that eerily mirrors modern-day politics. The creative team has done a fantastic job of establishing this world. It doesn’t hold back, and the relevance only makes this book hit harder.

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