Phantom Road Vol. 2

Phantom Road #6-10

by Jeff Lemire, Gabriel Hernández Walta (artist), Jordie Bellaire (artist)

Grindhouse horror meets high-concept supernatural fantasy in the second volume of the bold new series!

Birdie and Dom continue their journey through the Other Place in an attempt to safely deliver their ward. But when they find themselves stopping at an abandoned roadside circus, the trip takes another wildly surreal u-turn.

From JEFF LEMIRE (THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS, LITTLE MONSTERS) and GABRIEL HERNÁNDEZ WALTA (The Vision, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D: Old Man Whittier), the Eisner Award-nominated creative team behind the bestselling Sentient series.

Collects #6-#10!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2024

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.

Reviews

[Scott Rhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Jeff Lemire's horror graphic novel series Phantom Road, Volume 2: the egg has hatched; Dom and Birdie discover each other's deepest darkest secrets; Agent Weaver has been taken off the case, but she says, "Fuck that", which is the common refrain of every heroic FBI agent in this type of series; a bit more of Operation Jacknife is revealed, and it has something to do with the Big Bear Truck Stop chain; Dom and Birdie learn that they aren't the only humans wandering the Other Place...

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m still very interested in this story as a whole, but I know Lemire has put this series on an indefinite hiatus and I fear it may end up killing the momentum with this series. If this one ever gets finished or continues, I may need to do a complete re-read of these.

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

The highway down hell continues as Birdie and Dom journey to the Other Place, with plenty of bizarre occurrences to follow. Premise-wise, I love the concept of Phantom Road, a series where a lot of weird stuff can be explored. Gabriel Hernandez Walta is the perfect artist for this who managed to cultivate that eerie aesthetic well with his work on The Vision, but unfortunately the story does seem a little too unambitious to achieve fully on the concept. It doesn't help that the series now seems to be hiatus, so not much here really feels resolved. It'd be nice if Lemire and Walta return to this at some point, but the way this volume went, I don't think I'd care much one way or the other.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one! Strong mystery and solid characters work!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire's weird road trip saga gets even weirder as the egg (?) hatches (?), producing a mind-reading baby putty that can control other putties, which leads to more stress for our long haul heroes (who are still traveling somewhere at the behest of the Hawaiian-shirt man). They also find another human (a non-putty!) in the upside-down, so maybe there'll be a team-up? Oh, and their dark pasts are unlocked to each other, so now they can truly (trauma) bond.

Uh, yeah, and then alongside that storyline, we have the detective who is investigating the murders and disappearances at truck stops. She might have been kidnapped to the upside-down as a child. Her stuff is a little more standard as she's kicked off the case, but keeps sneakily working at it with a dull local deputy.

All told, this second Phantom Road volume is super-duper out there, but not not an intriguing ride. Lemire has a number of plates spinning at this point - I am not confident he'll stick the landing here. Feels like a real Lost situation (are we in Heaven, Hell, or Limbo?). That said, I'll be back for more - and hopefully I'll remember just a smidgen of what I read.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol 2 is just as entertaining and creepy as vol 1. More secrets, depth, character development and gorgeous artwork (which favors early Frank Miller imo). Lemire keeps us guessing and downright puzzled. Banger of a cliffhanger too. Can't wait for Vol 3 to drop!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really awesome, the arc built up so well, I love how it all unraveled and I'm so excited for the next volume 3. This has a really good story and mystery about it. Reminds me of a very gloomy and sad road trip movie but more creative.

[vk chompooming · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful mystery that is in the vein of the tv show Lost.

[Benji Glaab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of read I needed to plow through on a quiet Saturday morning.

There is some masterful character development and intrigue for days with this title.

Lemire has to be one of my top favorite creators, but he's released some major duds lately, good to see they are back in the game.

For a horror book, this looks great. I love the sepia tones for the otherworld, and the atmosphere created really suits my kind of horror read.

I hope this is an ongoing series, but if Lemire wraps this in a 3rd volume that's fine by me also

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a fast read. By the sound of it it's all but canceled so can't expect more, sadly. It was just starting to get into something good, or at least more involved and interesting, not just questions.

[Timothy Patrick Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

*This 'review' is for both Volume 1 & Volume 2 of Jeff Lemire's Phantom Road series.*

"HOLY SMOKES!"

Oops... this one's on me, folks. I for some reason really thought that Volume 1 & Volume 2 would be the full Phantom Road story. That is definitely not the case. Hell, these two barely scratch the surface. I really liked the Twilight Zone feel of it all, but none of the characters managed to really click for me. I'm sure future issues will build upon them and the story to create something singularly fascinating, but where it's at now, there's just not enough.

So, despite feeling bad about rating an unfinished story (but not really feeling bad at all), I'm going with a middle of the road (get it) rating for both. I'll definitely revisit the whole story once it's finished, but until then... here we are.

"GGK--"

5/10
[2.5 Stars, Rounded Up]

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live look at my face multiple times while reading this volume 😮😮😮

I’m sorry but how am I the first goodreads user to give this five stars? It deserves five MILLION stars. It deserves ALLLLLLL the flowers.

You never quite know exactly what’s happening next. There’s a lot to follow, quite a few characters to keep track of but it’s worth it. I have no fuckin clue what’s going on and I LOVE IT. I can only imagine what kind of conspiracy is unraveling before our eyes.

The art by Gabriel Walta is so good and freaky and clever. The panel structure and use of color makes the complicated story easier to follow. Jeff Lemire has got to be the best comic writer working. His mind 🤯 The story feels so unique while playing off of common tropes like the rogue FBI agent and the strangers united by some cosmic otherworldly task.

There’s not a ton of ~action~ but I don’t find it particularly slow. There’s always a lot of information being imparted to the audience. So many twists and reveals packed into five issues. A super fun read that will leave you begging for more. I’m on my hands and knees, please hiatus don’t take too long.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phantom Road, Volume 2, by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta, is described by the publisher as “grindhouse horror meets high-concept supernatural fantasy!”

So, you know, they’re on a road, like The Road, and also like Sweet Tooth, but not like Cat Stevens’s “road to find out;” nope, and not Dorothy’s Yellow Brick Road. nope. those sweet coming-of-age fantasies are long gone in dystopian dust and haze. But Our Heroes Birdie and Dom are on their way in a big Mad Max semi carrying Precious Alien Cargo--to Golgotha--where Jesus was crucified, a place of suffering and sacrifice--but they stop at an abandoned circus site, which admittedly had surrealistic possibilities, including what they accurately describe as a “walking cartoon,” a big teddy bear (but watch out; think: evil clown territory).

And who is also on the road? Agent Weaver of the FBI, a badass woman who is going to figure this mess out, I betcha.

Lemire could not actually legally use the whole Build-A Bear franchise, but that’s the joke he has in mind, haw, and we do finally conclude this volume at Billy Bear One, where we meet Hugo Hamm, of Project Jackknife, meant to be an amazing cliffhanger. Ugh. I’m out, in part because I can only handle one zombie apocalypse story at a time.

Can’t I say anything nice? Well, okay, the artwork from Walta is great, as Lemire attracts world-class artists to help him visualize his sketchily conceived worlds, invented as he goes. So, sure, it looks nice, except for the aforementioned pillsbury dough zombies. And Jordie Bellaire is one of the best colorists in the world. But sure, if you like Mad Max and grindhouse horror, have yourself some fun. Whee-ha!

[Estibaliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

I obviously enjoyed this second volume, but I'm a bit on the fence with the whole series. Mostly, because I don't know if there's going to be a continuation, and so far there's been lots of questions, but very few answers.

Still, the atmosphere is spot on, especially if you pick this as a Halloween read, and that alternative universe keeps being both spooky and intriguing. The side plot with the FBI agent feels a bit formulaic and stereotyped, but still enjoyable.

My biggest questions here is what is really going on with that bear being and the Hawaiian shirt guy? Who is good and who is evil, and, just in general, what's going on?

Hopefully we'll eventually get to find out... and I'll still remember what's happened so far...

[Jeremy J. Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume covers issues #6 - 10. The mystery of the main story is haunting - bits and pieces are starting to come together, but still things are slowly unfolding. It sure had me hooked when I bought the first issue! Sometime later I saw my public library had volumes 1 and 2 which puts together issues 1 - 10. Thank goodness for libraries, sure saves me a ton of money. Comics are not cheap anymore! I've heard that the creators went on 'hiatus' but Phantom Road issue #12 comes out this May, so it must have been a short hiatus. Anyway, if you like post-apocalyptic type stories, mystery like the X-files, shady bad guy/good guy characters, FBI agents, cops, and hints of spiritual weirdness, I think you'll like this one.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will we finally get answers in the next trade? This series has been filled with a lot of questions and not much substance. Somehow I still keep coming back and I am intrigued but arguably we are exactly where it was when the story started. Honestly the entire book was kind of intense for all the main characters. The baby that hatched is also pretty crazy. This finally moves the plot forward after the last couple of world building chapters. The sign of a good book is that you want to keep reading right. Well then this must be a mind blowing book because I can't wait for the next volume. Unfortunately I have no clue when that will be.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent series continues in volume 2. Lot's of crossing over between 2 "worlds," lots of intrigue, and more foreshadowing than you can hit with a bloody crowbar. The only disappointment, as I write this in June, 2025 is having to wait apparently until October for the next volume! Luckily there is a ton of other stuff to read in the meantime... even by the same author. No worries, though; good things come to those who bide their time (and mix their idioms).

[Geve_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.
The man back story tragic son dies because father is careless.
The woman backstory RAPE, wow so surprised.

Why is the fbi involved. This feels like a late 90s early 2000s b horror movie or short fiction, that could theoretically be pulled off, but is absolutely not in this case. I don't know if I'll keep reading.

[Michael Kocinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never read much by Jeff Lemire--thought I'd give this a try. It's meandering and slow. And with the short break between volumes it's easy for me to forget details. I stuck around after volume one for Walta. After reading volume two I'm not sure I'm coming back.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm disappointed. I was beginning to get into this, but it is on indefinite hiatus. And even worse, it ended on a cliffhanger. I doubt I'll be interested enough to return if it ever comes back.

Two stars.

[Braulio Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire siempre tiene muuuuuuucha calidad. Me hace falta la conclusión para saber si este entra como uno de mis cómics favoritos. Recuerdo lo mucho que me entusiasmó Mazebook y cómo el final me dejó frío.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books like this are why I look for standalone, one-shot stories. Sounds like it will be a while for this to get wrapped up, if ever. And in my search for info, I found that Lemire is also pausing the Bone Orchard Mythos books. Ugh.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very much intrigued by the story but I’m not really sure that I’m being satisfied by what is happening. And finding out that the story is on an indefinite hiatus and may not really progress for some time is a real knock on the teeth when the story leaves you with such extreme cliffhangers

[Sem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was cautiously optimistic but this hasn't really done much and I did read Bone Orchard Tenement since the first volume, so now I'm cautiously pessimistic. But maybe a little bit hopeful.

[Wesley Verhoeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED MORE NOW WHAT HAPPENS??!

[el · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for volume three, the trickle of info about what's going on is addictive.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another weird horror book from Lemire where the point seems to be to stretch the limits of readers' patience (especially now with this "hiatus" I've read about). I liked this, though can't really make sense of the story. The art is excellent throughout.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still an interesting read, and the story gets richer. The art is still excellent.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

devastated that this seems to be on hiatus

[Raul Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again 3 stars cause I cannot give a review until I get some answers