REVIEW: GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #4

Warning: may contain spoilers.

GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #4

Release Date: September 30, 2015

Writer: Erik Burnham

Art: Dan Schoening

Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letters: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Tom Waltz

Covers: Dan Schoening & Luis Antonio Delgado (regular), Erik Burnham & Luis Antonio Delgado (subscription)

Proteus takes The Real team, but he’s soon to come undone by a visit from another demigod and Janine Melnitz, Ghostbuster.

GRADE: B+. And it ends as it began, wrapping up to tie into the episode “Janine Melnitz, Ghostbuster.” While bringing this story to a satisfying conclusion, this issue mostly served as a glimpse into what the creative team has in store for the boys in gray in upcoming books. Overall, the story wasn’t one to set the Ghostbusters world ablaze, but it was a fun diversion from the usual ghost blasting. The true worth of this series may not entirely be felt until the future storylines come to fruition and deliver their respective payoffs. But, for Ghostbusters fans, this was another enjoyable installment by Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening and Luis Antonio Delgado.

This issue came with 2 covers, seen below. What did you think of this issue? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

REVIEW: GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #3

Warning: may contain spoilers.

GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #3

Release Date: August 26, 2015

Writer: Erik Burnham

Art: Dan Schoening

Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letters: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Tom Waltz

Covers: Dan Schoening & Luis Antonio Delgado (regular), Joe Quinones (subscription), Chris Uminga (retailer)

Ray investigates The Real team’s dimension as Proteus’ dog gets closer, guided along by a mysterious cloaked woman.

GRADE: A. Not much happened in terms of story with this issue beyond more theorizing and explanations between the characters over the dimensional transference and the threat they face. But, even an issue almost entirely devoid of action is never done under Erik Burnham’s excellent scripting. There was an appearance by The Real’s Slimer and Janine, and a cameo by the crew from Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime, as well as Dan Schoening’s continued peppering of Easter eggs all over the pages.

This issue came with 3 covers, seen below. What did you think of this issue? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

REVIEW: GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #2

Warning: may contain spoilers.

GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL #2

Release Date: July 29, 2015

Writer: Erik Burnham

Art: Dan Schoening

Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letters: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Tom Waltz

Covers: Dan Schoening & Luis Antonio Delgado (regular), Evan “Doc” Shaner (subscription)

As the two sets of Ghostbusters attempt to figure out why they were targeted by Proteus, Proteus unleashes two hounds to try and find where the Real team wound up in order to deal with them properly.

The Extreme team.

GRADE: A. A lot of talking going on in this issue, but none of it was ever boring. Erik Burnham has managed to make pseudo-science interesting to read as the two teams of ‘busters interact with each other. This issue opened with a cameo scene by the Extreme Ghostbusters in one of the first alternate universes Proteus investigated looking for the Real team, which is sure to please a lot of fans of that short-lived follow-up series to the original cartoon.

Talking to yourself is perfectly healthy; especially if you're actually there to talk to.

But, probably the best part in the issue was the two-page spread featuring alternate versions of the guys in various universes. Amongst them were the original designs and later Slimer! designs for the Real team, several versions of how the team appeared in various video games over the years, the Peoplebusters from the “Flip Side” episode of Real, the Filmation version, the anime version from Tokyo ESP episode 3, a shot from the “Ghost Wrestlers” episode of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, and Dan Aykroyd’s original concept designs.

From top: Ghost Smashers concept, Rock 'n' Wrestling, Peoplebusters, Sanctum of Slime, Ghostbusters II Sega and NES versions, Filmation, Ghostbusters Pachinko, Tokyo ESP, original Real concept, Ghostbusters: The Video Game stylized versions, Slimer!

As always, Dan Schoening’s artwork was spot-on, making every character seem like it jumped off the screen and into the comic. For the hardcore fans paying attention, scenes were littered with references to the various facets of the franchise making fun little Easter eggs to find. And without Luis Delgado’s excellent coloring to set the tone for each scene, none of that would matter. The only negative was Delgado made a bit of a goof and colored in Real Ray’s jumpsuit with Real Peter’s colors, but you could probably write that off as an acknowledgement of the frequent bloopers found in the cartoon episodes.

This issue came with 2 covers, seen below. The Subscription Cover was based on EC's Vault of Horror #25, part of a theme of classic covers re-imagined for that month. What did you think of this issue? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

REVIEW: GHOSTBUSTERS GET REAL #1

Warning: May contain spoilers.

 

GHOSTBUSTERS GET REAL #1
 

Release date: June 17, 2015

Writer: Erik Burnham

Art: Dan Schoening

Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letters: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Tom Waltz

Covers: Dan Schoening & Luis Antonio Delgado (regular, convention, Nerd Block), Erica Henderson (subscription)

The first issue to IDW's ongoing series.

When IDW acquired the Ghostbusters license back in 2008, they had a bit of trouble finding their footing; producing two lackluster mini-series. Things changed when they began releasing a series of one-shots, before finally beginning a new ongoing series by Erik Burnham and Dan Schoening. Set in the movie universe and following Ghostbusters: The Video Game, the series was well-received by fans new and old. 

The series was rebooted with a new #1 when the main cast was trapped in another dimension and replacements were filling in for them, running an additional 20-issues before ultimately ending again. However, just in time for both franchises' 30th anniversaries, IDW released the crossover everyone dreamed about: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters. 

Now, IDW gives us another unlikely combination, as their Ghostbusters team-up with the versions from The Real Ghostbusters animated series. A primordial god named Proteus has a grand scheme and aims to remove the Real Ghostbusters from the equation before they can think about stopping him. However, a good turn the Ghostbusters performed saves them and has them ending up in the IDW Ghostbusters' universe.

GRADE: A+. While the Real team had shown up in a fashion during the ongoing (particularly through Easter eggs drawn by Dan Schoening), this is the first time they've been central to an IDW comic. As the primary team for the duration of IDW's ongoing series, the creators here continue to bring their A-game in respect to that franchise.

Story-wise, not much happens beyond setting up the rest of the series. However, what a set-up it is. Erik Burnham's writing is as spot on as it has been for the duration of his run on the main book. The dialogue is sharp and crisp, blending comedy with pseudo-science almost as if he actually wrote the movies himself. This story also builds on the previous crossover mini, utilizing the teleportation device the team used to send the Turtles back to their own universe as a potential way to send the Real team back.

But the standout portion of the book is Schoening's artwork. He gets a chance to shine by rendering all characters in the Real universe as if they were drawn by the Korean animators who worked on the show; although you can see a bit of his style shining through. And his style is in all its glory with his IDW standard characters. If anything, this series will showcase Schoening is not just a one-trick pony and can adapt his style as required.

Luis Delgado's colors drive everything home. Everything in the Real universe keeps shadows minimal as the were in the show, but he adds more to those characters when they're in the IDW universe. In fact, all scenes in the Real universe almost seem as if they were ripped straight off of the show's DVDs. While the contrasting styles are a bit jarring, it works as well as it did when the Turtles had their own crossover in animated form for their 25th anniversary (however, in contrast, the comic is a lot more respectful of their 80s counterparts).

This issue came with four covers. What did you think of this comic? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page by clicking the link at the top of the right-hand menu.