REVIEW: 'Good as Dead' #1 by Maria Lapham, David Lapham, and Dee Cunniffe

 

Good As Dead #1

Writer: David Lapham, Maria Lapham

Artist: David Lapham, Dee Cunniffe

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: September 17, 2025

Cover Price: $7.99

SERIES PREMIERE

FOR FANS OF STILLWATER AND THAT TEXAS BLOOD

The Emissary Bridge has always connected the citizens of Port Lindon to hope and opportunity. But when one man shockingly sets himself on fire, the bridge now brings something else to the town: CERTAIN DEATH. Comic book icons DAVID & MARIA LAPHAM (the Eisner Award-winning STRAY BULLETS) present a haunting story of crime, justice, death, and how far a small town will go to keep its secrets.

Score:

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

Good as Dead by Maria Lapham, David Lapham, and Dee Cunniffe is a gritty slice of rural noir where no one comes out clean. Set in Port Lindon, a small town steeped in corruption, the story unfolds in the tradition of Justified, Ozark, and Fargo. The Laphams juggle a sprawling cast—too many at times—but the quirky, morally gray characters keep the chaos engaging.

At the heart is a crime family led by a ruthless matriarch, her grip on the town challenged by the construction of a new bridge and the watchful eye of a troubled sheriff. The result is a narrative that’s overstuffed yet never dull, fueled by generational grudges, backroom deals, and sudden bursts of violence.

Visually, David Lapham’s sharp, expressive linework paired with Cunniffe’s warm, earthy colors captures the grime and danger of Port Lindon. The action hits hard, from brutal brawls to larger-scale calamities, all rendered with a kinetic, rough-edged energy.

Messy but magnetic, Good as Dead is a crime drama that thrives in the gray areas, delivering a feverish and enthralling read.