Advance Review: What A Circus! In ‘Phantom Road’ #6

With concerns about the treatment of animals, circuses have largely fallen out of fashion these days. Judging from the state of disrepair of the freak show in Phantom Road #6, the traveling shows haven’t fared much better in the other world depicted in the series.

Trucker Dom and his unexpected passenger Birdie have been stuck in that alternate reality since the story’s open. As this new story arc beings, the pair have been tasked with deliver a baby…something…to a place called Golgotha. They are being pursued by featureless humanoids who seem hellbent on making their drive a one-way trip. The pair come across an old-time circus with something that shouldn’t be there – a campfire.

Meanwhile, in Jeff Lemire’s story, FBI Agent Theresa Weaver and Deputy Donnie  are trying to figure out what happened to Dom and Birdie, why their disappearance seems so familiar, and why Billy Bear truck stops are somehow always involved. For Weaver, there seems to be a family connection as well.

Lemire writes a strong opening to this arc, as the mystery and the tension continue to build. There are no answers in this chapter, which is as expected, but readers will find plenty to enjoy as the plot thickens. It’s great momentum for a series that started out very slowly, but like Dom’s truck, has built considerable momentum since.

Artist Gabriel H. Walta provides plenty to gawk at in the issue, including the scenes in the circus as well as back on our Earth with Weaver and the deputy. The highpoint is a tense back and forth between the two realities as Dom and Birdie are fighting the creatures with a crowbar and baseball bat while Weaver is investigating a break-in in her hotel room. The tension is palpable through.

Jordie Bellaire’s subdued colors in the alternate reality are nicely juxtaposed with the more vibrant ones in our world. Bellaire’s use of reds during a relatively subdued night sequence also helps to keep readers’ attention.

There is much more of the Phantom Road story left to tell, and if this new arc is any indication, it will be a ride worth taking.

Phantom Road #6 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.