REVIEW: ‘Specter Inspectors’ Issue #2

Specter Inspectors #2 is a spooky, kid-friendly comic from BOOM! Studios imprint BOOM! Box. Created and written by Bowen McCurdy and Kaitlyn Musto with art by McCurdy and letters by Jim Campbell. The second issue of the new series sees the In-spook-ters visit the Cape Grace Library as they seek out information on their new demon friend’s name.

This issue felt like it started rather abruptly. It didn’t really help settle me back into the story to the point of me being slightly confused initially. I usually have no interest in long-winded exposition or recaps, but the total absence makes me wish there was at least something. Fortunately, the issue rolls along smoothly from there, offering a classic phantasmic circumstance with a wailing lady ghost in the library’s restricted section. The event is not much of a thriller itself, but it makes for a swell vehicle for continuing to illustrate the characters’ personalities.

Ko and Gus still don’t get a ton of expansion to their personalities, but I do appreciate when Ko gets shown as a big scaredy-cat and when Gus’s “I don’t care” facade gets broken down. Noa gets to show off her supernatural inclinations, though, attuning herself to the ghost meandering about the library. However, it’s empathy that’s her true power, and I look forward to her empathy and love continuing to shine through as the crew works to excise the demon from  Astrid.

Beyond that, the issue mostly serves to continue setting up what is to come. This is fine with me because the last few pages indicate some deeper troubles abound, and a flashback sequence proves the town’s hauntings are quite serious. I very much look forward to seeing the plot and the characters continue to grow.

Something that stood out to me in this issue was just how much I appreciate everyone’s fashion choices in Specter Inspectors. I love Gus’s one shoulder being a different color on their shirt and the slight frill of Noa’s sleeves. I also appreciate that Astrid rolls her pants in a similar way to how I like to. It’s small details, but these bits of the illustration help further enamor me to these characters.

The colors also continue to impress, maintaining the creepy green vibes throughout, but adding a new motif in the flashback was smart to distinguish the time period as “really old.” The red accents also make it clear there’s something very sinister going on. Additionally, while the nature of Astrid’s possession is a tad confusing from the writing side, it is very clear on the drawing side, and I really appreciate the nuances with her hair, face, teeth, and posture that make all the difference. A moment specifically with her eyes was very well done.

I adore the lettering in this comic as well. It’s just a great font for the type of story being told, and the dialogue boxes when possessed Astrid is talking perfectly connote the tone you’re meant to read the dialogue in. I also really appreciate the number of panels, and even pages, where there is no text at all, especially at the emotional end of the issue. The art can tell the story all on its own here, and it certainly does.

Specter Inspectors #2 is a tad confusing to jump back into, but the direction it continues to move the great story and characters in is well-appreciated. I look forward to the next issue and continue to hope the series can perhaps carry on beyond its currently limited run.

Specter Inspectors #2 is available wherever comics are sold.