Roly Poly: Phanta’s Story

On a quest to have her wishes granted, a young woman takes on all foes in the near-future city “Neo-Seul” in this visually arresting but emotionally hollow graphic novel. Phanta, characterized by not much more than martial arts skills and bad-girl attitude, descends into a tech-drenched underworld to obtain “wishing stars” from a woman called Dealer. There, she encounters Dealer’s troop of henchgirls. Each of the 30-plus pages of the fight that ensues is a masterful work of illustration and graphic design, but of style absent substance. Glimpses of Phanta’s past and her relationship with a boy, known by his Instagram handle, Soon Kickss, aren’t cultivated enough to resonate with readers. Throughout, the visuals’ focus on Phanta’s body often feels objectifying, and matched with the unmoored Korean setting and sound effects, it comes off as fetishistic. Bold, Manwha-inflected art packed with details, a perfect psychedelic palette, and clever use of Phanta’s social media (her cell phone is her constant companion) provide texture but can’t make up for this graphic blast’s shortage of human connection and uncomfortable currents of cultural appropriation. (Aug.)