Review: Bob Phantom

Thoughts on this one-shot

Out now from Archie Comics is a new one-shot - Bob Phantom.

I had a read, and here are some thoughts on this new comic.

By day, he’s Walter Whitney, a fledgling theater columnist with a wild imagination, but by night he’s Bob Phantom, the “Scourge of the Underworld” — or is he? Using his power to become immaterial, Walt beats up criminals and then breaks the news of his exploits in his newspaper column . . . but New York City is not as it once was, and with less crime that means less news. So, if there’s no crime left to fight, there’s only one thing to do: create enemies. Is Bob Phantom really the Scourge of the Underworld, or its leader?

Script: James III, Art: Richard Ortiz, Juan Bobillo, Colors: Glenn Whitmore, Letters: Jack Morelli, Cover: Tim Seeley, Matt Herms & Variant Cover: Jamal Igle

This was an interesting read, and even coming from reading the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Even so, reading this draws you into the world and the city. With theories and ways to get your head around the story. You feel sorry for Bob. He has an over-active imagination, which doesn’t help, but it gives an interesting look at the news and social media and how we digest it all.

The story is juddering, with a good mix of genre and some fun interactions between the characters. I like the blurring of the lines between reality and imagination here. I do feel that this could be more than a one-shot, though.

I enjoy the art style. It gives me a real Dick Tracy feel and some interesting scenes with good action and movement.
I like the changes in style between what is real and what is in Bob’s head, with some classic action and a grainy colour pallette and feel to it all.

In all this is a good one-shot, but something that you feel could be more.