From the leap, Phantom Road has the Twin Peaks qualities Jeff Lemire tends to draw upon in nearly all of his titles and for that, you can't blame him. Lemire knows what he writes exceptionally well and continues to hit pay dirt with this recipe. Read Full Review

With shades of Hotel California ringing in my ears after reading this book, I am intrigued to see where Lemire "keeps on trucking will drive the character forward. Is it just survival or is there something else in play down the line? I wonder what Dom would give for Optimus prime right about now? Read Full Review

Walta delivers some amazing art in the issue. Not only does the art capture the desolation and loneliness of the road, but it beautifully details the world of the characters. Read Full Review

Phantom Road #1 is an incredibly effective visual comic that masterfully creates tone and tension with color saturation and harsh lighting. Its a road you want to travel down. Read Full Review

A great concept executed exceptionally well, Phantom Road #1 is a stellar opening chapter to this new horror series from two of the industry's best talents. Read Full Review

QUICK REVIEW: If you want weird and creepy supernatural sci-fi(?), then Jeff Lemire, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, and Jordie Bellaire have you covered with their new series, 'Phantom Road.' What looks and feels like a low-budget indie grindhouse film, 'Phantom Road' examines the turbulent memories of a long-haul trucker who can't shake the instability of his childhood that's found him following in his father's footsteps. Dom is on the road in a desolate desert setting brought to life by Walta and Bellaire in dusty and beige tones. Walta's sketchy designs give the series a grounded appearance until things get bizarre and threatening. Dom comes across Birdie in a car accident and a mysterious artifact sends them to a strange world like our own but with monsters. It's a bizarre piece of surrealistic fantasy and character study. It invokes a little of M. Night Shyamalan's 'Signs' with the exploitative themes of films like 'Race with the Devil.' It's arthouse terror for comics and definite Read Full Review

From where it starts to how it ends Jeff Lemire, Gabriel Walta, and Jordie Bellaire create a comic book you get lost in with Phantom Road #1. If you're a fan of supernatural horror this is comic book you don't want to miss picking up. Read Full Review

Lemire continues to prove why he is one of the best creative minds in comic books today. His writing is captivating and entertaining, drawing readers into this mysterious world with ease. Gabriel Hernandez Walta's artwork also fits the story perfectly; it has a haunting quality that immerses readers in each scene and captures the full range of emotions felt by Dom and Birdie on their journey. The story moves along at a good pace, leaving readers wanting more after each page turn! Read Full Review

Phantom Road is a strong start on a bumpy dirt road. Lemire's strengths and weaknesses are both on display, and the art does a lot of the foundational work for the story. This is a comic to keep your eye on for awhile. Read Full Review

Phantom Road #1 is a slow start but an interesting one. There's a lot of questions set up but also a focus on the characters and direct danger that gives the issue a bit of a punch. It's a good start though the team has done better. Still, Lemire, Walta, Bellaire, and Wands is a creative team that you know you can count on paying off in the end and based on the start, I'd expect that here too. Read Full Review

If you pick up the first issue of Phantom Road from Lemire and Walta, know that you'll have to be in for the long run. For good or for bad, the first issue is a lot of set up with not enough pay off. Read Full Review

At first, admittedly quick, pass I thought Phantom Road was going to be some Trucker vs Zombie action; something I wouldn't have been adverse to despite the genre being somewhat tired of late. Instead, I was treated to a supernatural horror thriller which is punchy, pacy, and piques the interest. Whilst this debut issue maybe hasn't hooked me completely, I definitely wouldn't say no to seeing more. Read Full Review

Phantom Road #1's familiar premise, identifiable characters, and fast-moving story caught me in its draft and carried me along. It evokes The Twilight Zone and The Walking Dead. Edvard Munch's painting The Scream also comes to mind. As a passenger on this strange journey, I wonder where the series will take me next. Read Full Review

At this point in his career anything that Jeff Lemire puts out is an instant pull. He's in that groove where every premise of his, whether you're into it or not, shines in its simplicity and execution. There's nothing jaw dropping or industry changing in the first issue of this story, but the device is there to hook you and whether you want to or not you'll be pulling every issue in this series until you find out. Full take at:

https://standupcomicreader.blogspot.com/2023/03/phantom-road-1-review.html

8 might be a little generous. It's not bad. It does get better as it goes and does make you feel the dread.

Kind of interesting, maybe a bit too close to the zombie genre.

Jordie Bellaire is the best colorist in comics and this book is another perfect example of why. She has such a deft touch and really nails the important transition that occurs about halfway through. Her colors really pair well with Walta's art and Lemire's script mostly steps back (to it's detriment at times) to let them do their thing.

I know a lot of people liked this book, but to me there was just nothing to it. There was no meat, just a husk of a story. It seems like we are going down the zombie road, but I'm not sure. Frankly, I just don't care about the characters, so I won't be continuing with the book.

Wrong format for the content. Intriguing prologue, not enough reading material and visually muted. It may be a great graphic novel but as a monthly floppy it doesn't work.