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Ghostbusters: IDW Hardcover Collections
Ghostbusters: Total Containment
Pshychokinetic energy is on the rise and the boys are as busy as ever! But a new contract engineered by Walter Peck limits their ability to bust ghosts in the city. As they take their act on the road, a new team swoops in to give them some competition. This oversized, deluxe hardcover collects the first 16 issues of the ongoing Ghostbusters series, and includes all PCOC pages, a backup story, and an art gallery.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2014
6 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Erik Burnham
692 books75 followersErik 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 17, 2020
This is easy: you love Ghostbusters?
Then buy this now. Right now!
Fantastic character designs and illustrations. Charming, well-written stories.
This is the Ghostbusters, their stories continued like you always wished.
I loved this and can’t wait to read more.
Then buy this now. Right now!
Fantastic character designs and illustrations. Charming, well-written stories.
This is the Ghostbusters, their stories continued like you always wished.
I loved this and can’t wait to read more.
November 11, 2015
This entire collection is my new gold standard for comic book movie continuations. If you've got a movie franchise, and you're looking to expand upon it with a comic book sequel? Look to Ghostbusters for how to do it. It's an incredible piece of work, which just makes the fact that this hardcover is so beautiful that much more noteworthy. I could wax lyrical about the way this hardcover was put together for ages. It has embossed elements on the front and back cover, the spine is brilliant (and lines up with the second hardcover volume, so that's great), and it's just... it's a really damn nice thing to have. Though, to be fair, I'd expect no less from IDW - their stuff comes at a premium for a reason.
So then - the continuing adventures of Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Peter Venkman, and Winston Zeddmore. The Ghostbusters. They bust ghosts and it makes 'em feel good, or so I'm told. Found illustrated within these pages, there's a surprising lack (perhaps for legal reasons?) of the actual actors' likenesses. Which is why I'm so impressed that, despite that, these guys look just like their characters. They manage, in a high-exaggerated style that perhaps invokes comparisons to The Real Ghostbusters cartoon show, to make the guys look exactly like they do in the films, but without actually rendering the faces of Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, or Ernie Hudson. It's superbly done, and breathes the kind of life into the cast that a more traditional, straight-from-the-celluloid aesthetic might not.
The story takes place a considerable amount of time after the films - even after Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which remains pleasingly canon for those among fans who would consider a sort-of "Ghostbusters III". The Ghostbusters are busting ghosts as ever, but mounting legal trouble - in particular with the Stay Puft corporation, who blame Ray for choosing the image of their mascot as the physical manifestation of Gozer. Basically, every time Gozer shows up, Stay Puft loses customers - and, after another bout with the Marshmallow Man, the Ghostbusters are kicked out of New York.
There's a lot of warmth, wit, and humour in these stories, quite befitting the Ghostbusters legacy. Familiar human faces are all here, with Walter Peck, Janine (their secretary), that guy who says "he is Vigo!" (that's the only thing I remember him doing, shush), and the Mayor (the Mayor) all showing up in significant capacity. But there's also a surprising amount of... darkness. It plays to the undertones the series always had of hellish otherworlds and parallel dimensions, dragging in more than mere ghosts for the gang to bust. Despite the cartoonish illustrations, some of the monsters in this series are properly disturbing... wretched, ugly beasts; creative foes that really cement that this is a new era for the Ghostbusters, and not just a redo of the old stuff. And yet, it stands apart from works that you'd call "expanded universe" - no, this really is more Ghostbusters, it just isn't... more Ghostbusters. That won't make sense typed out, will it? Erm... it's a good thing. Imagine I made what I just said sound like a good thing.
So, there's biggie baddies. There's a Ghostbusters road trip. And then there's the new team of Ghostbusters, which... well, I don't want to spoil. To be fair, I don't much want to spoil any of this. If I can ask you to trust me blindly on one thing, it's this - you should read Ghostbusters: Total Containment. This is a book that I think I can unequivocally recommend to anyone who thinks positively of Ghostbusters, in any capacity. It's just so crackling with energy and filled with likeable characters, moments, scenes... it goes above and beyond the call of duty and provides the sort of film continuation that in many ways bests the silver screen source (I said in many ways, please note, not in all ways, thankyou). IDW has always had some of the best licensed material on the shelves, but Ghostbusters blows a ton of their best stuff out of the water. I love this book so, so much. The fact that it is such a nice thing to have, as well as read... it is, in a way, heartwarming. As cheesy as that might sound.
If you can't own this hardcover in particular, then I recommend this series regardless. But, yeah, for those of you who value deluxe volumes, this one is a glorious example. It isn't quite as bulky as some library editions can get, but it has enough heft to feel like a heavy thing despite being perfectly readable. So... yeah, no questions asked, this book is one of my favourite things, and the series inside is properly excellent. My thumbs are pointed t'wards the sky and ever higher on this one - I really love it.
So then - the continuing adventures of Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Peter Venkman, and Winston Zeddmore. The Ghostbusters. They bust ghosts and it makes 'em feel good, or so I'm told. Found illustrated within these pages, there's a surprising lack (perhaps for legal reasons?) of the actual actors' likenesses. Which is why I'm so impressed that, despite that, these guys look just like their characters. They manage, in a high-exaggerated style that perhaps invokes comparisons to The Real Ghostbusters cartoon show, to make the guys look exactly like they do in the films, but without actually rendering the faces of Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, or Ernie Hudson. It's superbly done, and breathes the kind of life into the cast that a more traditional, straight-from-the-celluloid aesthetic might not.
The story takes place a considerable amount of time after the films - even after Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which remains pleasingly canon for those among fans who would consider a sort-of "Ghostbusters III". The Ghostbusters are busting ghosts as ever, but mounting legal trouble - in particular with the Stay Puft corporation, who blame Ray for choosing the image of their mascot as the physical manifestation of Gozer. Basically, every time Gozer shows up, Stay Puft loses customers - and, after another bout with the Marshmallow Man, the Ghostbusters are kicked out of New York.
There's a lot of warmth, wit, and humour in these stories, quite befitting the Ghostbusters legacy. Familiar human faces are all here, with Walter Peck, Janine (their secretary), that guy who says "he is Vigo!" (that's the only thing I remember him doing, shush), and the Mayor (the Mayor) all showing up in significant capacity. But there's also a surprising amount of... darkness. It plays to the undertones the series always had of hellish otherworlds and parallel dimensions, dragging in more than mere ghosts for the gang to bust. Despite the cartoonish illustrations, some of the monsters in this series are properly disturbing... wretched, ugly beasts; creative foes that really cement that this is a new era for the Ghostbusters, and not just a redo of the old stuff. And yet, it stands apart from works that you'd call "expanded universe" - no, this really is more Ghostbusters, it just isn't... more Ghostbusters. That won't make sense typed out, will it? Erm... it's a good thing. Imagine I made what I just said sound like a good thing.
So, there's biggie baddies. There's a Ghostbusters road trip. And then there's the new team of Ghostbusters, which... well, I don't want to spoil. To be fair, I don't much want to spoil any of this. If I can ask you to trust me blindly on one thing, it's this - you should read Ghostbusters: Total Containment. This is a book that I think I can unequivocally recommend to anyone who thinks positively of Ghostbusters, in any capacity. It's just so crackling with energy and filled with likeable characters, moments, scenes... it goes above and beyond the call of duty and provides the sort of film continuation that in many ways bests the silver screen source (I said in many ways, please note, not in all ways, thankyou). IDW has always had some of the best licensed material on the shelves, but Ghostbusters blows a ton of their best stuff out of the water. I love this book so, so much. The fact that it is such a nice thing to have, as well as read... it is, in a way, heartwarming. As cheesy as that might sound.
If you can't own this hardcover in particular, then I recommend this series regardless. But, yeah, for those of you who value deluxe volumes, this one is a glorious example. It isn't quite as bulky as some library editions can get, but it has enough heft to feel like a heavy thing despite being perfectly readable. So... yeah, no questions asked, this book is one of my favourite things, and the series inside is properly excellent. My thumbs are pointed t'wards the sky and ever higher on this one - I really love it.
August 12, 2016
I loved this! Erik Burnham has a great grasp on the characters, and Dan Schoening's art is FANTASTIC! The stories were fun, the ghosts strike a great balance between scary and humorous, and the dialogue really feels like the movies. As far as the art is concerned Dan Schoening's style perfectly captures all of the characters. The action scenes are dynamic, and he packs them with little nods and easter eggs to find.
Any fan of Ghostbusters will like this book!
(This hardcover contains the first four TPBs.)
Any fan of Ghostbusters will like this book!
(This hardcover contains the first four TPBs.)
October 25, 2014
Since we never will get a 3rd Ghostbusters movie, what better way to continue on the story from the movies and video game than this collection of Ghostbusters Stories.
October 17, 2024
IDW is an interesting comics group. They take beloved already established properties and start spinning their own lore & continuity with em so that the casuals will be hopelessly lost if they decide to just pick up one of their books because of the brand recognition.
That being said, I love what they do with the blasters of boogeymen here.
The characters are written pitch-perfectly, the plots they go through win me over with their unique mix of mundane meets mystical, and the monstrosities they tackle have that wonderful je ne sais quois of grotesque & neon-glow appealing that triggers a happy reaction in my brain.
They are definitely their own thing, leaning more towards the beloved movies, but they manage to loop in Easter Eggs and references to their own franchise, notably the Real Ghostbusters & Extreme Ghostbusters toons as well as the video game they had back in 2009 ("Why does your nametag still say 'Rookie?'"). Funnily enough, they ALSO throw in references & Easter eggs to things you wouldn't expect to show up like Blues Brothers, Doctor Who, the 80s TV miniseries of It, X-Files, and so much more!
If it weren't for the fact this beast of a book was so massive and my physical TBR selections mocking me from my desk every night, I would immediately try to get the next volume.
...
BUSTIN' MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!!!!
That being said, I love what they do with the blasters of boogeymen here.
The characters are written pitch-perfectly, the plots they go through win me over with their unique mix of mundane meets mystical, and the monstrosities they tackle have that wonderful je ne sais quois of grotesque & neon-glow appealing that triggers a happy reaction in my brain.
They are definitely their own thing, leaning more towards the beloved movies, but they manage to loop in Easter Eggs and references to their own franchise, notably the Real Ghostbusters & Extreme Ghostbusters toons as well as the video game they had back in 2009 ("Why does your nametag still say 'Rookie?'"). Funnily enough, they ALSO throw in references & Easter eggs to things you wouldn't expect to show up like Blues Brothers, Doctor Who, the 80s TV miniseries of It, X-Files, and so much more!
If it weren't for the fact this beast of a book was so massive and my physical TBR selections mocking me from my desk every night, I would immediately try to get the next volume.
...
BUSTIN' MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!!!!
September 8, 2022
A collection of comic book adventures of the Ghost Busters after the first movie but before the second. Walter Peck returns as a government bureaucrat in charge of licensing ghost busters. The boys also go on a tour of the U and catching ghosts in other cities. In Roswell, NM, they just don't find ghosts, but apparently alien ghosts!
One of the best gags is when when Ray Spentz gets help from his spirit guide, Jake Blues.
One of the best gags is when when Ray Spentz gets help from his spirit guide, Jake Blues.
March 23, 2021
A fun continuation From the movies. They captured the Ghostbusters individual personalities. Their known personalities drive mainly episodic encounters with a series of ghosts with a mix of familiar faces from the movies.
Aside from a ghost busting road trip across America that was full filler, I had a great time.
Aside from a ghost busting road trip across America that was full filler, I had a great time.
February 19, 2023
I definitely forgot how good this whole series was. I will definitely be looking for more and was really surprised at how much I had forgotten from previous readings. I will never understand how I forgot that the one ghosts method of fighting is to just launch ghost children as projectiles like she’s Miss Trunchbull though. Because that is amazing and now my favorite ghost.
March 3, 2023
Starts off great, but the road trip arc (basically single issues in a new part of the USA fighting a different ghost each time) was not as good. Things pick up again when they are back in New York though.
October 18, 2016
THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME! From the ghost of John Belushi as Joliet Jake to the Beldar Dinner, I loved this book. The story was good. The art is cool. I wish I owned this book. I even like (most of) the new characters.
February 16, 2017
So much fun. Characterization of the original team are spot on.
November 2, 2015
I really enjoyed these reprints of the ongoing series. I am not a fan of how the double-duo is drawn. As much as they did not match the movies, I much preferred the artwork of The Real Ghostbusters. In saying, the stories put out by IDW more than make up for, what is in my opinion, very poor character artwork. The stories strive to capture the original movie atmosphere and use all our favorite (ad disfavorite) characters, and then some. IDW's Ghostbusters is well worth the purchase price.
May 31, 2014
I have yet to find a Ghostbusters product I didn't love. You don't need to have seen or read anything about the series to be able to enjoy this but if you have then you get so much more out of it. It is nice to see them tying up the movies, comics and video game world into a single canon. Plus the real ghost of John Belushi turns up. Can't get better than that.
May 15, 2016
Loved it! The art is excellent, and the storylines are actually quite good. I was surprised at all the touching/emotional/insightful scenes with each of the main characters. This isn't your average comic book!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews