Ghostbusters #1
Written by Erik Burnham
Art by Dan Schoening
Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado
PCOC pages by Tristan Jones
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Dan Schoening, Luis Antonio Delgado, Nick Runge, Alan Robinson
IDW Publishing
Release Date: September 28, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

“Who you gonna call?” That’s right, folks. Ghostbusters #1 begins a new ongoing series from IDW Publishing. I know what you’re thinking…didn’t someone try to do this a while back…like several times? Yeah, but not like this. Someone really watched their movies, didn’t you Erik Burnham? He perfectly captured the nuances of all the original characters. It’s like you can hear them talking. No, I didn’t really hear them. Geez, I’m not quite THAT crazy. But wow, I felt immediately immersed in the story and really embraced his dialogue between the characters. Simply well done, sir.

Even the art by Dan Schoening was a great match. I would normally have thought it a bit interpretive but it really fit the needs of the comic. The bolder lines and minimal detailing left the reader to concentrate on the script. But that doesn’t mean it was lacking. Not at all. Perfectly rendered small panels complement the larger, more populated panels to create an excellent stage for the reader to witness the plot unfolding.

And unfold it does, as a simple trip to trap a ghost leads us to one of the most beloved of all the characters from the movie series. That’s right, it’s [spoiler withdrawn, hehe] What? You expected me to ruin the surprise? Get real. We don’t see a lot of each of the original Ghostbusters, mostly just Winston and Venkman in this issue. But I cannot wait to read more. The story is wide open and I have no idea where it’s going except there was a mention of The Third. That doesn’t sound good, now does it? It’s no “Gozer” or anything, but it most likely isn’t going to be pretty.

But seriously, if you liked the movies, then buy this. It’s like the original writers were helping Burnham with his plot. Hey, wait…did they? No, probably not. But still, it is an awesome beginning to what most certainly better be a long lived series. You hear me, IDW?! But just to make sure, go get this series because it’s fun, it’s well written and most of all ‘cuz I said so.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to read the short lead-in of Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission in the back of the comic, it’s by Walter Peck. It’s obviously going to be a separate series or a big part of this one…or maybe both. And what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in malevolence!