Luke Owen reviews The New Ghostbusters #2…
The ghost of a notorious killer has begun to haunt New York, and The New Ghostbusters have to stop him before he can pick up where he left off! Meanwhile, the Original Ghostbusters compare notes—trying to figure out where they are, and how to get home…
I was a big fan of last month’s debut of The New Ghostbusters and I am happy to report that the brilliance carries over into #2.
The issue’s story is fairly simple, but it’s a really fun read. The New Ghostbusters are now set up with former Ghost Smasher Ron Alexander but there are problems arising already in the group. Ortiz doesn’t like Alexander’s methods, Janine doesn’t like Alexander in general and the group are being forced into spending more time doing publicity shoots than actual ghost busting. There’s some great banter between the characters as you would imagine and a decent villain who sadly isn’t given a massive amount of panel time. The plot thread with Janosz, set up a few issues ago, is also back again and it should make for a great story arch (even if it has been a little forgotten about).
Everything I loved about last month’s issue is here again. The writing is great, the artwork is brilliant and the in-jokes are phenomenal. You can tell that Erik Burnham grew up a fan of The Real Ghostbusters cartoon series, with subtle nods to the toys in the last issue and the Ghostbusters’ plans for escaping their purgatory stasis by using a method once used in the show. As someone who also grew up on a healthy diet of that show, it’s a real crowd pleaser – but it doesn’t overshadow and spoil the enjoyment of those who didn’t.
I said last month that I’d like to see more of Kylie, but sadly we’re still not getting all that much from her. She’s getting better development than Ortiz (who seems to be there just to make up the numbers) but there’s been no mention of her previous experience or her interesting back story from The Extreme Ghostbusters. Either they’re not acknowledging that cannon (which would seem weird given how they acknowledge everything else) or Burnham is just glazing over it. It’s not a major problem per say, but it does bug me slightly that he goes to great efforts with everything else, but not her.
The subplot of the New Ghostbusters doing photo shoots is interesting and it could lead to some good comedy – but it does seem a little passé to have a group of men parading the female Ghostbusters round like they were meat. I’m not down on the plot point don’t get me wrong, but it just feels out of date. Having said that, it did remind me of some of the work over at Ghostbustersnews.com…
Regardless of some of the issues I have with it, The New Ghostbusters #2 is a brilliant comic. Erik Burnham may just be my favourite writer at the moment and his work here is nothing short of genius.
I should also note that the bonus The Real Ghostbusters comic is quite cute and made me feel very nostalgic for my childhood toys. When you read it, you’ll see what I mean.
Originally published March 13, 2013. Updated November 6, 2019.
