May 25 (2002-05-25) – August 17, 2002 (2002-08-17)
Phantom Investigators is an Americanchildren'sanimated television show that aired onKids' WB in 2002, premiering on May 25 and ending on August 17 for 13 episodes.[1] It was created using a special mixture ofstop-motion (used for the main cast and the other citizens),puppetry (used for many of the supernatural creatures that are encountered), and live-action (used mainly for ghosts).[2] The show was co-created by Stephen Holman, known for his work onJoe Normal forMTV'sLiquid Television andLife with Loopy forNickelodeon'sKaBlam! which ran during all the duration, and Josephine T. Huang, known for her work onBump in the Night andJames and the Giant Peach.
In 2024, the series became available on the Indoor RecessYouTube channel.[3]
The show revolved around four 13-year-olds who attend Lugosi Junior High School inSan Francisco. The group is known as The Phantom Investigators, or "P.I.s" for short, who solve supernatural mysteries that occur all over town ranging from ghost hauntings to demonic encounters. While leading double lives as P.I.s, the group must also balance everyday issues such as homework, personal hobbies and friendships.
Daemona Prune, the leader of the Phantom Investigators. She is the only member who hides their identity by donning a mask and trench coat. Though lacking in supernatural powers, she utilizes her knowledge of the paranormal along with an assortment of gadgets to identify paranormal entities and vanquish them; voiced by Courtney Vineys.
Jericho, the most laid back of the Phantom Investigators who loves physical activities such as skateboarding and martial arts, and utilizestelekinesis; voiced by Alecsander Kocev.
Casey, the most academically inclined member of the Phantom Investigators who has a love for sci-fi movies and canshapeshift into anything; voiced by Andrew Decker.
Kira Jones, the most empathic member of the Phantom Investigators who dreams of being a famousDJ with versatility intelepathy that allows her to communicate with others, probe minds, and influence people; voiced by Amber Ross.
Wad, a gum-chewingsprite who was once a pixie named Todd but was demoted to a sprite as a punishment for his mischief; voiced byStephen Holman.
Jinxy, a bad luckdemon who reluctantly at times helps the Phantom Investigators by offering information about the Nether Realm and its entities; voiced by Stephen Holman.
Professor Felix Navarro, mentor to the Phantom Investigators, he supplies the P.I.s gadgets and vehicles from time to time to help with their investigations; voiced byRichard Cansino
Mr. & Mrs. Prune, Daemona's parents who are unaware of Daemona's double life as a Phantom Investigator; voiced by Dave Mallow and Jessica Gee respectively.
Mustafa, a former janitor of Lugosi Junior High turned ghost that resides in the school and offers information about the school and the paranormal to the P.I.s; portrayed by Stephen Chirazzi.
Mary Prune, Daemona's Grandmother, a member of The Mystery & Horror Book Club at Lugosi Junior High back in the 50's but in reality was a Phantom Investigator with telepathic abilities.
Hal Prune, Daemona's Grandfather, a member of The Mystery & Horror Book Club at Lugosi Junior High back in the 50's but in reality was a Phantom Investigator with teleportation abilities.
Phantom Investigators only ran for 6 weeks before Kids' WB pulled it from their schedule and replaced it withX-Men: Evolution. Holman would say in a2019 podcast interview that its cancellation came despite it being the top-rated program in its time slot because it failed to catch on with the demographic the network wanted. Kids’ WB wanted to attract and maintain a strong viewership with young boys.Phantom Investigators was attracting more and more girls and losing the boys each successive week. After the cancellation, Sony cut the funding to the show killing any chance of finding a new network to take it on. The remaining episodes eventually aired outside the United States, first debuting onTeletoon in Canada.
Birthday Presence (airdate: May 25, 2002) - The most popular school kid suddenly finds himself haunted as he plans his annual birthday bash.
The Year of the Snake (airdate: June 1, 2002) –Tamagotchi like virtual pets become the fad around town but seem to have a hold over whoever plays with them.
Stall of Doom (airdate: June 8, 2002) – One of the bathroom stalls at Lugosi Junior High contains a gateway to the Nether Realm that sucks in students.
Were-Dog (airdate: June 15, 2002) – While disguised as a dog, Casey gets bitten by a werewolf and ends up unable to change back.
Demon Driver (airdate: June 22, 2002) – The team investigates an old car that was built with possessed parts and turns its driver into a reckless maniac.
Omega Pizza Pi (airdate: June 29, 2002) – Pizza deliverers are being terrorized by the ghosts of a 1960s fraternity under the control of a pizza-based demon.
Thank Wad – Wad is given 24 hours to prove he's worthy of restoration to his former status by dealing with a serious situation seriously, otherwise he'll remain a chewing gum sprite forever.
Ghosts on Film – The ghost of an actor from an old black and white movie believes they are a space tyrant and exits through aVCR looking to conquer the real world.
Skating the Plank – A local skateboarder makes themself a skateboard from the remains of a pirate ship and is then haunted by the ship's captain.
From Egypt with Love – A mummy contacts the Phantom Investigators to help him cross over into the afterlife.
Haunted Dreams – As Kira considers quitting the team, a girl comes to them suffering from haunted dreams.
The 5th P.I. – A new kid at school leads the P.I.s to think they found a new member, but he ends up being a Nether Realm cop intent on arresting them.
Secrets Exposed! – Someone from Navarro's past returns and leads to some revelations about him and his connection to the Phantom Investigators.
^Perlmutter, David (2018).The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 454.ISBN978-1538103739.
^Erickson, Hal (2005).Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 611–612.ISBN978-1476665993.
