Ghosbuters (Video Review)

As I’ve said in previous videos, IDW has specialized in licensed properties, but they have a very dedicated approach to it. While there were some various single issues and specials featuring the Ghostbusters, it wasn’t until the team of writer Erik Burnham, artist Dan Schoening, and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado that the comics became an ongoing series.

What makes their approach unique is that they assume that if you’re picking up a ghostbusters comic book, then you’re probably already a pretty big fan of the franchise. So instead of paying homage only to the movies, they also draw from both animated series, the various video games, and even the other IDW comics, treating most of it as actually being in continuity.

But just in case you’re not quite as big of a fan as, well, me, they actually do make plenty of allotments for that as well, so whether you’re a hardcore ghosthead or have barely watched the movies I recommend you check out the above video and take a ride in Ecto-1 for some solid fun!

BREAKDOWN

Let me start with what I didn’t like, which first and foremost was the panel layouts. Almost every single panel of every single page was drawn like it was meant to be the widescreen still of a movie. And with a license like this, I can see why you might want to do that, but man, does it get old. It leaves almost every single page having almost the exact same panel layout, with little to no variation. Even though I think the art works very well for a comic book, this series can get so boring to look at after a time. I mean, this is a comic about weird paranormal shit happening. It’s perfect grounds for getting crazy experimental with the panel layouts, but it just doesn’t happen. There’s also the noticeable amount of what feels like filler writing, as I’ve mentioned, and the somewhat disappointing ending to the series. I also don’t love it when the ghosts get a little too talkative. Ghosts in the movie were presented a bit more like after-images, memories, emotions. These ghosts carry on rational conversations, which is a bit weird. Especially Tiamat, who pretty much just acts like a regular person. Gozer was much more frightening as a Cthulhu-like cosmic entity. But the writing is strong enough that the talkative ghosts don’t end up bothering me that much, and what I like about this series is literally everything else. It captures the feel of Ghostbusters so well, but beyond that it just tells great stories, has great characters, and is honestly a really fun and funny read. I truly feel that if you’re not already a Ghostbusters fan, this comic might just be able to change your mind. And that’s probably the highest compliment I can give a series like this.

Series Recommendation Level: Very High

If you’re a Ghostbusters fan by any stretch of the imagination, this comic should be a fantastically fun and enjoyable comic for you to read. If you’re not, well then who the hell are you? How can you not like the Ghostbusters? Are you a ghost? I don’t think we can be friends.

If you enjoy silly fun sci-fi comics based on movies, I recommend:

• Back to the Future by Bob Gale, Marvelo Ferreira, and various others
• Galaxy Quest: The Journey Continues by Erik Burnham, Nacho Arranz, and Roger Robinson

If you like your horror mixed with humor, I recommend:

• The Goon by Eric Powell
• Fanboys vs. Zombies by Sam Humphries and Jerry Gaylord

Collected Editions

The collected editions get (9) proton packs. You better believe that’s a good thing. I know it probably feels like cheating to rate all the volumes the same, but they do really all come out at about the same level. There are only, unfortunately, 4 issues per volume, but you also get plenty of extra artwork, covers, and script-to-page breakdowns to make them all worthwhile. Plus, they collect a great comic. There are also two hardcover collections that collect pretty much all the same material, but with new introductions, some very pretty packaging, and with the greater convenience of owning two volumes instead of nine. So, sure, two more proton packs for them.

Ghostbusters is collected in the following trade paperbacks:

• Ghostbusters volume 1: The Man From the Mirror
• Ghostbusters volume 2: The Most Magical Place on Earth
• Ghostbusters volume 3: Haunted America
• Ghostbusters volume 4: Who Ya Gonna Call?
• Ghostbusters vol. 5: The New Ghostbusters
• Ghostbusters vol. 6: Trains, Brains, and Ghostly Remains
• Ghostbusters vol. 7: Happy Horror Days
• Ghostbusters vol. 8: Mass Hysteria part 1
• Ghostbusters vol. 9: Mass Hysteria part 2

Ghostbusters is also collected in the following hardcover editions:

• Ghostbusters: Total Containment
• Ghostbusters: Mass Hysteria