Ghostbusters, Volume 5: The New Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters (IDW Collected Editions) #5

by Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening (Artist)

The Ghostbusters are gone, spirited away by some dastardly demons from another dimension! But spectral shenanigans haven't ceased in the city that never sleeps, meaning a new group will need to step up and don the proton packs. Will the New Ghostbusters be able to rescue their predecessors, or will they share the same fate?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, Horror, Fantasy, Ghosts, Paranormal

104 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2013

About the author

Erik Burnham is a Minnesotan writer and artist that first broke into comics with a series of humorous short stories in the Shooting Star Comics Anthology. These stories featured his original creation, Nick Landime, and culminated in a one-shot: Nick Landime vs. the World Crime League, published by Shooting Star in 2005.

Off and on, in this same time period, Erik also produced a short run of an online strip, The Down Side, until technical issues wore him down. He aims to return to the strip one day.

In 2007, Erik found produced work for two other anthologies – a short humor piece for History Graphics Press’ Civil War Adventures #1, and a horror story for Gene Simmons’ House of Horror #3, produced by IDW Publishing.

This lead to several other projects for IDW, up to and including his critically acclaimed run on the ongoing GHOSTBUSTERS comic book.

Erik has worked on other projects not related to comic books, and hopes one day to share those with the public at large. In the meantime, he still lives quietly in Minnesota; any rumors about this being because he’s completely afraid of the forty-nine other states (and Canada) remain unverified at this time.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven’t read any Ghostbusters comics before (and after this I won’t be reading any more!) so I’m not sure if it’s just this volume or if the entire series is like this but for a book calling itself “New Ghostbusters”, it sure uses a lot of old stuff from the two movies!

The setup is that the original four Ghostbusters - Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston - get arbitrarily thrown onto some floating rock in another dimension so four new Ghostbusters, led by Janine Melnitz (their receptionist) have to fill in until their inevitable return. Merchandising rights are at stake or something stupid.

Let me backtrack my opening gambit: besides Janine, we’ve got Kylie Griffin (who works at Ray’s occult bookshop), FBI Special Agent Melanie Ortiz and Ron Alexander all of whom I don’t recognise so I suppose they’re legit new.

But everyone else is taken from the movies - besides the original team and Janine, Walter Peck and Jack Hardemeyer both appear, as does Janosz, who, once again, is the focal point of some bad spirits. Even the ghosts are olde worlde spooks like Vigo! And what do the new Ghostbusters do? Same stuff as the old Ghostbusters: blast ghosts (but never crossing the streams!) which comically (in theory only) leads to collateral damage.

Ghostbusters was a great movie (the second was a lesser clone of the first) because of the chemistry between the group - Peter, Ray and Egon were terrific! This new group? No chemistry at all. Janine’s ok with her bristly attitude but the others are blanks, even Ron Alexander, who’s supposedly a rogue, is a personality vacuum!

That and the generic nature of the story made reading New Ghostbusters a real drag. It’s not funny, imaginative, and it doesn’t take any chances - it’s the very definition of blah!

The one good thing was seeing the familiar designs for the toys appear in the backup feature of the book. I loved those Ghostbusters toys growing up! That mailman with the toothy midriff, the bent over football player with a mouthy back, the dustbin man with wasp wings who put the bin on his head and an insect’s head poked out the top! Ah, nostalgia...

[Kyle Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comics featured female Ghostbusters and the world didn't lose its mind? Amazing, I know.

So, in Vol. 5 of the ongoing Ghostbuster comic, the gang gets zapped off to Limbo and it's up to the ladies to take care of business in their absence. Led by Janine the secretary, the "New Ghostbusters" must endure the city's attempts to give them a sexy makeover with short-shorts and photoshoots while also sorting out ancient ghosties at the same time. It's a little on the nose with the satirical sexism but it's a critique that feels apt considering how some guys responded to ladies starring in the new film. (A film I have not seen yet at the time of this review.)

Vol. 5 is actually one of the more enjoyable chapters in the Ghostbusters comics, as it gives the supporting characters a chance to take the spotlight. It's fun stuff.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. A promising premise, but it kind of failed on the execution which makes it frustrating. You can see the potential, but it's wasted. It doesn't help that I did not like the art style at all (suffers from same face syndrome).

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This compilation volume of "The New Ghostbusters" was decent in spurts, though I think I'm still getting used to the new art style in comparison. In this volume, Ray, Winston, Egon, and Peter are abducted by demon ghosts and trapped in another dimension, while Janine, alongside some newer characters, are tasked to banish ghosts and try to save the guys. It's an interesting story at heart, and I loved the fact that Janine's in action - kicking ghost butt and taking names, but I'm not sure if I'm connecting to the newer characters as well as the familiar ones. It's a decent story that ends rather abruptly, but I would be willing to see what the next volume has to offer. I just wish it'd held my attention a little better. I noticed that it's linking up to the storyline of the movies, so that's at least a bonus for those who are already familiar with the franchise, but it may be harder for some who aren't familiar to get into it.

Overall score 2/5 stars.

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher IDW Publishing.

[Will Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting team book made up of characters from the films and the recent comics. Being primarily a female team, it’s hard not to compare this to the line-up from the Ghostbusters reboot that featured a gender-flipped cast. Overall, I like this team more. For one they aren’t carbon copies of the original team, and their backgrounds in the occult, the CIA, and the Ghostbusters themselves make them interesting individually and provide interesting plot hooks for the main story. It’s a shame this status quo ended this volume. I would have enjoyed seeing more.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun continuation on the Ghostbusters series, but this one introduces some FEMALE Ghostbusters, who have to take the lead when the original team is mysteriously pulled into another dimension! For all those haters out there who had issues with the female Ghostbusters movie, well most of you are probably chauvinists because this group of bad ass ladies step up and save the day!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ghostbusters have been kidnapped, and that leaves the women to hold the fort. A fun read, that looks at the strengths of the women in the ghostbusters lives. It really adds to all of their characters. Their dynamic is a lot of fun. A good read.

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original Ghostbusters are trapped in another dimension, so Janine assembles a substitute team, leading to one of the most entertaining volumes of IDW's Ghostbusters run! Also a bonus Real Ghostbusters story! (A-)

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun continuation of the Ghostbusters tale, the Ghostbusters are kidnapped by a ghost leaving an unlikely team to take up the mantle to do battle with the ghosts and get the heroes back. So much fun with some lively artwork.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excited by the synopsis, disappointing follow-through.

[Colin Parfitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read but a very simple conclusion that isn't a decent payoff for the set up.

Disappointing.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many graphic novels today, this is a reprint collection of IDW's monthly Ghostbuster comic book series.

I'm going to start with the art -- it IS a graphic novel, after all.

The artwork takes on a very cartoon-y look -- much like a 1990's Saturday morning television cartoon. At the start, I was really put off by this, but as I got in to the story a little more, it bothered me less and less. However, it never really felt consistent -- a panel here and there, a character, suddenly there would be something that just didn't look 'right' (or have the same 'off' look as the rest) and I'd cringe a little bit. If I were to pick up this book or the comic off the shelf at my local store and just flip through it, I'd probably pass on it -- there just isn't anything about the art that makes me WANT to look through it, even though the art is appropriate for this kind of story.

As to the story.... While this is labeled as "volume one" there has clearly been some kind of story line before this (and all TOO clearly, there will be more). I Don't know who any of these characters are. They don't look a think like the characters from the movie I remember. Fortunately, the goal of 'busting' ghosts is still the same, and the crazy contraptions seems to be the same. This series starts off with the regular Ghostbusters (whoever they are) getting sent off to a different dimension and some big baddies terrorizing the city. Some of those who have a connection to the Ghostbusters are asked to step up and take on the ghost-fighting position. Someone who had apparently been connected to the team but was sent to prison is released and is part of the team.

These "new" ghostbusters are actually a pretty interesting team -- their spirit and zest are written in such a way as to remind me of Ackroyd, Murray, Ramis, and Hudson and would probably have been better off without the inmate character. He seemed to be the buffoon that the art style was created for.

Stylistically, the story might also have been much more interesting if we did NOT see the other dimension that the ghostbusting team was sent to. Those sections were a drag on the more interesting story with the new, impromptu team.

If you should decide to read this book, you must go in to it realizing that it is an on-going comic serial and that there is no real conclusion. Anyone who has read more than a few of my reviews will know that I do NOT like books that are not complete stories. I'm all for leaving the audience/reader wanting more, but not at the cost of not writing a complete story. Most likely, if you are interested in reading this series, you are willing to wait and buy the graphic novels because it's less expensive (I assume) and you can read four issues at a time, but think of the graphic novel as a semi-regular comic with on-going story.

Over-all...I was surprised that the story captured my attention. I liked the new characters. The art grew on me.

(originally published at Looking For a Good Book blog (http://lookingforagoodbook.wordpress....)

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The New Ghostbusters Volume 1 is a full color collections of several comics. Although listed as volume 1, this is obviously a continuation of a previous series since quite a few characters have a richer history and background that we get only a short blurb about.

The story begins with the Ghostbusters being abducted one by one to a different dimension. With them gone, arch nemesis Walter Peck lights up on an idea to replace them with Ghostbusters associates: Janine Muntz, the wisecracking New York ghostbuster secretary, Kylie Griffin, manager of Ray Stantz's occult book shop, Ron Alexander (a conman with a history in previous volumes), and FBI special agent (think X-Files) Melanie Ortiz. In a way, each of the women is linked to a Ghostbuster (Janine has a crush on Egon Spengler, Kylie is like Ray's long lost daughter, and Melanie Ortiz is a tough as nails love interest of Venkman).

The girls (and guy) fight ghosts somewhat ineffectually while Walter Peck glamorizes them by giving them uniforms that show more leg, promo opportunities, and tie-ins. Meanwhile the boys try to figure out how to get back out of their dimension.

The book features excellent stylized illustrations of the ghostbuster universe. The writing is decent with a lot of cute quips and definitely a good feel of the GB universe. The characters did feel like themselves. As well, there were cameos from the movies (e.g., Dr. Janosz Poha and Slimer in the background) that showed a great nod for the franchise.

I think the book let me down in two places. One, it ended on a cliff hanger and there seemed to be quite a lot that wasn't discussed or resolved suddenly. It didn't feel like an arc and I dislike when collected volumes don't finish arcs. Two, the story really didn't go anywhere. It seemed to be more about the quips and the visual gags with various 'monsters of the week' rather than expounding on the great GB universe.

What I did like is that the side characters themselves were very interesting - I wanted to go read previous stories in this series to get more information on them.

The book also included two little one page side stories and each chapter was prefaced with a 1-3 page side story featuring a ghost caught in the containment chamber.

Received as an ARC from the publisher.

[Eoghann Irving · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this volume (The New Ghostbusters Volume 1) is a bit miss-leading. What it really is is the first story arc of volume 2 of IDW's monthly Ghostbusters comic. As such it references events and uses characters from the run to date and it will leave you on a cliffhanger ending because... you're supposed to get the next monthly comic (or the next collection).

If you go in understanding that, there's quite a bit to like about this. This clearly a continuation from the original Ghostbusters movie with most of the characters showing up in some role, along with a supporting cast that the comic has built up.

The art takes a very cartoony approach which I actually appreciated. You know who you're looking at but aren't distracted by it not being a perfect representation of the character from the movie. It also allows for very expressive faces. And that matters because they're trying (and mostly succeeding) to hit the comedic tone that Ghostbusters mined so effectively.

The story in this volume involves the original Ghostbusters being abducted by some sort of dead spirit and the supporting cast coming together to make a replacement team. Meanwhile city hall is maneuvering to take advantage.

All decent stuff and it leads to some solid comedy moments. But it also feels like a wasted opportunity because there's no real depth to the core mystery so the plot (such as it is) just hops from scene to scene.

Still, it's a light, easy, read and it made me smile a few times. If you're fond of the Ghostbuster's concept and feel like the sequel (and threatened third movie) really haven't made the most of the material, this is probably worth your time.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

One thing I liked about this volume is that the continuity is right in line with the original movies. The characters are the same ones we're familiar with: Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, and Egon Spengler. Also, the bit characters in the backgrounds are the same: Janine Melnitz, the receptionist, and even Walter Peck, the officious guy from city hall that causes so much trouble in the first movie. Unfortunately, the story involves Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, and Winston (the Eddie Hudson character) being abducted by ghosts or spirits or something and taken off to another dimension, which requires the creation of a new team of ghostbusters to be formed to serve as ghost protectors for New York City, as well as fulfilling numerous talk show and licensing requests. These new ghostbusters aren't much fun at all (other than perhaps Janine, bristling at having to wear a uniform of short-shorts to boost the team's sex appeal). One of them is an ex-FBI agent, one is an occult bookstore clerk who's an expert on the supernatural, and the fourth is an ex-member of a competing company. The story involving this makeshift force just isn't all that interesting and they make little headway in figuring out what happened to the originals or how to get them back. The artwork is very cartoony--this looks like it was intended to be a Saturday morning cartoon, actually. And the story isn't complete by volume's end. A bit of a disappointment. **ARC provided by NetGalley

[Lucie Paris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the title, indicating that it's the first volume, there is nothing related to the beginning of the Ghostbusters. The reader finds himself immediately plunge into the world of Ghostbusters at a critical moment where they are kidnapped by monsters.
As a results, I found it a little difficult to get into the story.

Then, as the main heroes are abducted by demons, a new team stop in their shoes to save the city of ghosts attacks.
Despite this attempt to bring some fresh blood, I was a little disappointed by the characters. Apart from Janine who reparties are fun, the rest of them are a bit flat.

Last disturbing point: the story ends with a cliffhanger. If it is perfect to make you want to buy the next issue, it's annoying because it leaves the reader with many unanswered informations. I felt like reading an unfinished story that ran in all directions.

In the graphic aspect, it's very cartoonish. The drawings are colorful, rather interesting, and leave quickly recognize the characters of the movie.

However, this comics gives me mixed feelings. I liked the idea of ​​finding the characters in the movie in a graphic novel but the outcome is not what I expected.

Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...

[zxvasdf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think movies were better in the 80's. We weren't disillusioned by easy availability of special effects. These things were difficult, concerted efforts involving models, creative wizardry, and blood and sweat. It seemed there was a bigger payoff for the efforts, and it seemed like magic at the time.

I saw the second movie first. I became obsessed with slime afterwards. The image of a storm gathering above a skyscraper always stayed with me. I loved Venkman's caustic humor, Egon's absentminded genius, while Raymond seemed like a foil between the two. The black guy in 80's movie is almost always token. It was magic, the smell of toy slime and its feel on my fingers while Vigo tried to take over the world.

Now this book, it ain't that. While the art is really great, reminding me of the art style you would find in the much under-appreciated Walt Disney animation Atlantis, it fails to bring the atmosphere of doom and gloom. Instead we are given a Saturday morning cartoon vibe, to otherwise serious ghostbusting.

Despite this, it is still something I enjoyed reading and I think it'd be cool for my little kiddos to pick up on later on when they refuse to watch older movies because they don't look as cool. (It's happened.)

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit, when I saw the title, I thought it would be some sort of reboot of the Ghostbusters. Upon closer inspection (reading the blurb), I found out that the guys have disappeared and Janine has rounded up some help to keep the business going and figure out what happened to the real Ghostbusters. Those of you who have only seen the movies will recognize Janine, their receptionist who answered the phone with "Ghostbusters. Waddaya want?" The other members of the new crew come from the comic book adventures in volumes 1-4 of this series. There is Agent Ortiz of the F.B.I.; Kylie Griffith, who runs Ray's occult bookstore; and Ron Alexander, who stole schematics of the proton packs and tried to run his own ghost busting service. The original team's arch nemesis, Mr. Peck, is back and eager to exploit the new team with the help of the deputy mayor's office. Between press appearances, photo shoots, and dealing with the liaison assigned to them, the team tries to find out where the guys have been abducted to and by whom.

It was fun and entertaining, but I would have enjoyed it more if the original guys had been present on more of the pages.

I read a copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Fallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so apparently this book really isn’t technically a Volume One since it precedes a series that involves more back story than this one provides. This is just Volume One of a new story arch. So that explains a lot of missing information. Aside from all that this comic follows the “new” Ghostbusters after the regular ones disappear, and it is an interesting mash, especially when the city gets involved and decides to market a ‘sexier’ Ghostbuster image. So this story entertained my kiddo than it did for me. I love Ghostbusters, watched the movies, watched the cartoons, but this just didn’t do it for me. Maybe I’ve grown up beyond the target audience, but the younger ones apparently will love this and laugh. There were some funny moments that may be chuckle, and the art was alright as well. There are also some many stories mixed in, one is an 8 page short about what it’s like once the ghost are trapped. What’s great about these newer comics is that they are also available on Kindle, which is awesome. So again, this is ok, not the first in the series, but easy to follow.

I did receive this book for free for an honest review!

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the real Ghostbusters are trapped in another dimension, it's time for a back up team to take their place and try to figure out what is going on. The backup team consists of Janine, their secretary, Kylie Griffith, who runs Ray's bookstore, Special Agent Melanie Ortiz and convict Ray Alexander. If you don't know who most of those characters are, there is enough background given to fill you in.

This graphic novel contains 4 issues of the series with a short secondary story that follows the adventures of a ghost into the containment unit.

The art is caricature of the characters from the movie, and there are references in the background to the movie and the original series. The fourth included issue wraps up the previous three, but feels like a filler with more exposition than previously, and it does end on a cliffhanger. This made it less than satisfying for me, but I found the first 3 issues fun, with government bureaucrats attempting to market the new team and make money off of them.

[Lorien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea there was a Ghostbusters comic series, until I was browsing my local library sale, and the second I saw ladies on the cover I knew I had to own this. Regardless of what volume it was, I wanted to get a glimps of the new movie coming out. While I'm pretty sure this has nothing to do with the movie coming out, seeing ladies capturing ghosts--and refusing to dress down for it--was brilliant just the same.

The comics really capture the essence of the guys in brown running around with giant vacuuming cleaners on their back and blowing stuff up, as well as the clever lines that I grew up loving. Seeing their snarky secretary take over after the guys get abducting was hilarious and well done. She was great and now I wanna try to get my hands on the next volume (as well as the previous 4) to see what they're going to do with 8 ghostbusters!

Definitely a must-read for fans of the movies (even just the first one like me; I haven't seen the second) as well as newcomers. It's hilarious and you don't even have to have read a single volume before hand.

[Scott wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

volume 1 is a misnomer. this is the first collection of the second arc of IDW's monthly ghostbusters book.

The regular ghostbusters get sucked into limbo for months and Janine, FBI Agent on leave (from the first arc), a former rival ghostbuster (also from the 1st arc) and a new version of Kylie from Extreme Ghostbusters team up to pick up the slack.

It's a got solid art that bridges the gap between the the film and comic series. The writing captures the feeling of the movies and the new characters do feel dynamic.

The plot however is a little too episodic and leaves a lot unresolved at the end of the collection.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of The Ghostbusters and found the dialogue to be funny, although the plot meandered a bit too much for my tastes. The characters are interesting and I liked the twist with new female Ghostbusters. In the coming issues I am sure there will be more development with them.

The artwork for this piece was similar to a Saturday morning cartoon, which I think is a great way to attract younger readers. While I might not recommend this title to an older reader looking for the same quirky feel of the Ghostbusters from my generation (the original), it is a fun reboot of the series for a new group of readers.

[Ian Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The new direction was a bold move by Burnham, which worked to a degree. We got to see Janine's character growth and get properly introduced to characters previously seen. The storyline works reasonably well, but you do miss the ghostbusters presence at times. And the ending was a bit too easy and neat, and a little similar to the ending of the previous volume. The artwork continues to amaze. The next volume will need to up the ante to hit the heights of the first two.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this was a pretty awesome story. I've been a fan since the first movie came out when I was 5, so I'm a little biased in my opinion. I thought this had the feel of the movies, but added a lot more to the continuing adventures of the guys.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some minor quibbles with the artwork but otherwise loved the story. Janine's always been a favorite character of mine.

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

its the Ghostbusters, but without the guys, abducted by ghosts, a new team steps in, janine, an FBI agent, Ray's shop assistant and a competitor. The story was ok, but not great, the only character who really stands out is Janine. ok, nothing special.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have posted my review of this book in my blog, The Itinerant Librarian.

Read the full review at my blog. Just click on the link: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume takes me back to the Real Ghostbusters TV show in spirit and feel. Enjoyable stories with background and development for the reader to explore. Fun read!

Read NetGallery edition.

In 2017, I read the Hoopla version.

[sixthreezy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I did any other volume of Ghostbusters except for maybe the first. This was really cool, and well done.