Richard is having a very bad week. His fiancée dumped him. His friends are losing their minds. And his job truly sucks.

As Phantasm, Richard is the sidekick to Mr. Marvelous -- Chicago's most beloved superhero. Unfortunately, Mr. Marvelous also sports Chicago's most inflated ego, endlessly reminding Richard of the realities of the "hero/sidekick" dynamic: Mr. Marvelous is to be worshipped... while Phantasm is to remain a bit player. Cleaning up the mess. Or risk being replaced.

Along with his colleagues -- Mustang, Jolt, Atlas, and Frostbite -- Richard is beginning to realize that not only are his ilk disrespected by the heroes they work with, but they're ignored by the media and taken for granted by society, as well.

How much can these five sidekicks endure before they decide they've had enough? And then what???

• TPB
  11/28/2022