literary gluttony

★★★☆☆ (3.5 Stars)

A chance encounter on a lonely stretch of highway leaves two strangers bound together by an impossible mystery. As reality begins to bend around them, familiar roads become unsettling, forgotten places bleed into the present, and every answer only uncovers deeper questions. Phantom Road, Vol. 1 is the beginning of a supernatural horror story that leans heavily into atmosphere, unease, and the promise of something much larger lurking just beyond the next bend.

Jeff Lemire has become one of those creators whose name immediately catches my attention. Whether he’s writing deeply emotional character studies or unsettling horror, there’s always a sense that he’s building toward something meaningful. Phantom Road feels very much like the first step into one of those journeys.

The strongest aspect of this opening volume is undoubtedly its sense of mystery. From the very first pages, it becomes clear that something is profoundly wrong, but the story resists giving away too much too quickly. Instead, it steadily layers questions upon questions, inviting the reader to piece together clues while remaining just out of reach. It’s the kind of storytelling that keeps you turning pages because you need to know what’s happening.

While the narrative doesn’t provide many concrete answers in this first volume, I found myself more intrigued than frustrated. This is clearly a story that’s playing the long game, establishing its world rather than rushing toward revelations. By the time I reached the final page, I was already looking forward to diving into the next volume to see where everything leads.

The real standout, however, is the artwork.

Every page is absolutely gorgeous. The illustrations perfectly capture the eerie, liminal atmosphere the story is striving for. Empty highways, unsettling landscapes, expressive character work, and clever use of color all combine to create an almost dreamlike sense of unease. Even during quieter moments, the visuals carry an undercurrent of tension that elevates the entire reading experience. There were multiple pages where I found myself lingering simply to appreciate the artwork before moving on.

Because this is only the opening chapter of a much larger story, it naturally feels more like setup than payoff. Readers looking for a complete, self-contained narrative may find themselves wishing for more answers before the volume ends. Personally, I didn’t mind. The mystery was compelling enough that I was happy to let it unfold at its own pace.

Overall, Phantom Road, Vol. 1 delivers an intriguing start to what feels like a much larger supernatural mystery. While it spends most of its time laying the foundation rather than offering major revelations, it does so with confidence, an eerie atmosphere, and absolutely stunning artwork. It’s left me with far more questions than answers—and for once, I don’t mind one bit. I’ll definitely be picking up the next volume.

Devour or Nibble?

Nibble.

If you enjoy slow-burning supernatural mysteries, unsettling atmospheres, and comics where the artwork is every bit as important as the story, Phantom Road, Vol. 1 is worth picking up. Just know you’re stepping into the beginning of a much larger mystery. It may not answer many of your questions yet, but it does an excellent job of making you eager to keep reading.