Ghostbusters: The New Ghostbusters

by Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening (Illustrations)

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? Collects Ghostbusters (2013) #1-4!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

104 pages, Paperback

Published June 14, 2016

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

[Marianthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently this is a bind up of issues 1-4 from the IDW Ghostbusters and takes off with the abduction of the 'original' Ghostbusters and all that this ensues for the city of New York, and most importantly their receptionist (and total badass) Janine Melnitz. Janine along with Kylie Griffin, special agent Melanie Ortiz and Ron Alexander take over the role and try to keep the city as ghost-free as possible.

Sexist shit happens because the mayor is a dick and wants to make some major money off the team but I love how all sexist bullcrap is shut down immediatly.

The art was incredible! Such great detail, clean and beautiful, reminiscent of comic books I used to read as a kid. It gave me all the nostalgia feels especially with those intense colours that were absolutely fantastic.

The story was extremely captivating from the very first moment and cannot wait to get my hands on the next volume. I mean.. I hope there's one because it does end on a cliffhanger of sorts. Anyway, the I clearly loved this so much that I thought of actually buying it. Pick it up if you can, it's loads of fun.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Ghostbusters: The New Ghostbusters' by Erik Burnham collects issues 1-4 of the IDW Ghostbusters series from 2013. It's a timely story considering the subject and the upcoming movie release.

The Ghostbusters have been captured and have vanished. Months go by and there is still a need for a team to deal with the spirits of New York, so receptionist Janine Melnitz, goth Kylie Griffin, and special agent Melanie Ortiz take over the role along with Ron Alexander, who has been in jail for impersonating the Ghostbusters. The mayor has stupid ideas for promoting the new team (like putting them in shorts and making them endorse products). Meanwhile, the original team may not be all that gone after all.

I like the characters and the few times I've read these supporting characters, I've wanted them to have a bigger part to play. It's a fun outing, and the art is pretty good. The humor is right where it needs to be. Recommended for fans of the original movie.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Alice Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started the book, I thought, "Meh!" But then, the book made a real criticism of misogyny and sexism and I was hooked. I liked how the guy asked the female Ghostbusters to wear small shorts, but the one male got to keep his overalls. Sadly, that's hardly a stereotype of our overly sexist society. I mean, look at the outfits Marvel and DC female superheroes always wear... *raises an eyebrow* Then there was the criticism of all the idiotic comments goth girls have to deal with on a daily basis, from so-called insults like "vampire" or "witch" to words like "spooky" or "freak." Btw, calling a goth girl a vampire is probably more of a compliment than you might think, so if you meant to be insulting, you may want to try again... *smirks* Janine has always been my favorite, btw. When I was little, she was the only one I had as a toy, and I still loved her in this book.
The graphics were fun. The whole book was fun.

[Joel Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book combines characters and elements from the first and second Ghostbusters films and characters and details from the animated shows: The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters.

Long story short: The Ghostbusters are taken to another dimension. Hence, Janine Melnitz from the movies and animated series and Kylie Griffin from Extreme Ghostbusters continue the Ghostbusters legacy with two others.

This new Ghostbusters team is three-quarters female and one-quarter male. However, all of them are capable, interesting, and just as fun as our regular team and leagues, better than what we got in the 2016 film.

Unfortunately, the story overall lets everyone down.

For example:
It's unclear why Janosz (in a mental institution since the events in the second film) used to be the middle-man in exchanging four people in our dimension for two others in another and how evil ghosts are involved.

A Scandinavian ghost appears to Janine to give her hints which don't seem relevant to the story.

Yeah, the story still needed work.

Getting a majority female team without disrespecting or belittling the original group was an excellent idea. And it was interesting when Walter Peck (returning from the first film) worked with the NY government to micromanage this new team.

But, again, the idea of how the villains got into our world, their motivations, and why Janosz is involved hurts the book.

However, with that said, I recommend that fans of Ghostbusters read it at least once.

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Released before the recent Ghostbusters remake/reboot, this story features the female-dominant ghostbusting team that the film should have perhaps gone for. I’d not read any of the other stories in this series, but the character introduction page at the beginning brilliantly and effectively brought me up to speed with who’s who and how they fit into the backstory.
The adventure itself was split between the original team’s attempt to return home and the new team’s attempt to function despite the sexist corporate management of them. This was funny, insightful and with a decent ghost to bust. My only gripe is more of a personal one in that I did find the artwork to all that to my liking.

[Timothy Pitkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I think the writing could be bit more humurous the story itself is not a bad one as we basically get a crossover between the old Ghostbusters and the New Ghostbusters as we see the Original team was captured and Janine has to start a new team after some new ghosts start popping around. I do like the designs and that they are a combination of legendary monsters like Beowulf and Grendel as long with some that are just ghosts of serial killers. I do wish the collectors the ones who stole the team got a bit more focus as they just show back up and are defeated really fast.

[WyrmbergSabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable, very refreshing and probably what the film should have been.
Sexist comments shut down, badass Janine (we always knew she was) nods to the original films, and a decent storyline that introduces a new group of Ghostbusters.
Give me more.

[Matthew Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever link-up between Extreme, OG and International, with some brilliant artwork and every character getting something to do. The beginning / first issue is a bit laboured, but it just flies by after that, and the Real Ghostbusters bonus story is a real treat.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad to see that the story that began in Ghostbusters: Who Ya Gonna Call? was continued here.

All the Ghostbusters (Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston) have been captured and dumped in another dimension. Three months passed and Janine Melnitz, Kylie Griffin, and Melanie Ortiz with the forced assistance of Ron Alexander are the new Ghostbusters. They have some difficult jobs, but have been doing okay but still miss their friends and mentors. Kylie ends up at the "Hospital" where she encounters the Dr. who gave up his soul to the evil spirit that controls the collectors. The Ghostbusters figure out a way to return to New York just in time. Now that there are two ghostbusting teams, what is New York going to do?

The illustrations were great in this book and it brought back memories of the original movies that I watched many years ago. This book would be enjoyed by young and older persons alike, especially those that saw those original movies.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest reveiw.

[Mainon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in advance of the upcoming movie (which I am eagerly anticipating).

In this one, the original Ghostbusters have all been kidnapped by spirits and taken to some sort of alternate dimension. So the ladies have to step into their shoes, and try to get the boys back while holding other ghosts at bay.

Unfortunately, I didn't get sucked into the story. The women felt like placeholders for the real thing, and the story was a little muddled. (I'm still not entirely sure exactly how these kidnappings were arranged, or why.) I enjoyed the subplot with the mayor trying to convince the ladies to wear short shorts and do publicity appearances, though. All in all, this was just an OK read for me.


I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a superior GB comic – ignore the fact it's being sold as the one where females take over the job of busting ghosts, as while they do it's not those new women in the cinema. Things get a bit weaker when our heroes return, but before then we have something that stands as reasonable dialogue, for once we don't mind the artwork looking nothing like the main characters as the main characters are busy elsewhere, and we don't get the world's worst 'comedic' efforts from the writers. It still exists in an arc so far removed from the average GB fan it's talking to a diminished audience, and it really isn't exactly genius level, but its partner publications have struggled to get even to this quality.

[Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghostbusters: The New Ghostbusters is a fun and goofy comic from IDW. When the Ghostbuster are abducted by ghosts, a new group led by Janine attempts to fill-in. The story is rather weak and the New Ghostbusters don’t really do anything; as most of the problems sort of resolve themselves. However, there’s some interesting satire and a couple of funny comedy bits. But the overall tone is a little too lighthearted and jokey; robing the ghosts of their sense of danger. Part of this is due to the artwork and its comically exaggerated character designs. Yet despite its problems, Ghostbusters: New Ghostbusters is an entertaining graphic novel full of action and zany antics.

[Preston Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just can't get enough of this rendition of the original Ghostbusters. Don't worry, it's not some "new" Ghostbusters concept like the new movie coming out, but it takes place in the IDW Ghostbusters setting, and it works great as usual. The more and more I read from Erik Burnham, the more I enjoy the Ghostbusters. I just bought a lot of the comics he's written through Humble Bundle, and while I have a lot to catch up on, I can't want to get started. Pick this book up if you like the IDW Ghostbusters, even though it's not out yet, I know these books are better than the new movie.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Note: this is a review for both Ghostbusters : who ya gonna call, and Ghostbusters :New Ghostbusters *

I fully admit I'm not the biggest ghostbusters fan, but these were enjoyable, solid. The artwork is somewhat cartoon-like, yet crisp and clean. Admittedly, I probably enjoyed these more than the new movie coming out in the next few months.


I received an advanced copy of this from NetGalley.com and the publisher.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the Ghostbusters (Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston) have been "peoplenapped" to another dimension. Months passed and Janine Melnitz, Kylie Griffin, and Melanie Ortiz with the forced assistance of Ron Alexander are the new Ghostbusters. Thing go awry, but finally, the boys return just in time to help with a crazy man and his possessing entity. Now that there are two ghostbusting teams, what is New York going to do?

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not read comics in a very long time but have been enjoying dipping my toes back in.

This is the 2nd Ghostbuster comic I've read and it continues to be good and satisfying. I'm still not used to the way Venkman looks but the art is otherwise gorgeous.

There's a bonus 8pg story at the end which was a special treat. What happens to the ghosts after they're put into storage?

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this comic in exchange for my honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishing this is more what the new ghostbusters movie was about

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as I thought! I recently read a Back to the Future graphic novel and it almost put my brain out of business.