It may seem like a bit of a stretch, but IDW’s on-going series has something in common with the Muppets movie currently out in theaters: love. Finishing reading the publisher’s latest third book in the on-going series, it’s abundantly clear that the creative team behind the book pours their love of the series into each and every panel. Much like the creative team behind the recent Muppets film, you can tell that every person involved with IDW’s series loves and respects the source material and knows the ebbs and flows which made the source material so successful. Tone, structure, everything is replicated to the finest detail. The result is an experience that gives you that same whimsical giddiness that you used to get as an eight-year old watching Real Ghostbusters, when the opening title song would kick in and you knew that something new and exciting was coming up…
There’s a fine line when love is involved in the creation of something that separates a worthy addition to a series from an overwrought fan fiction that just leaves you scratching your head wondering what the hell just happened. The new Ghostbusters on-going has proven that it firmly lives in the worthy addition side of that battlefield. The nods to Ecto-Cooler, Ghostbusters: Video Game, and tons of in-jokes among Real Ghostbusters fans (pay attention to the billboards during a certain battle scene in the third issue for an abundance of winks and nods) are plenty. And while it may seem like the references would weigh down the narrative and be overwhelming, they’re not… if you notice them, you notice them – but if not, you’re so wrapped up in the engaging running storyline and Erik Burnham’s spot-on dialogue characteristics of each character that you’ll probably notice them on your second, or even third read. Which is quite telling of the quality of the book, you’ll put it down and want to go back and re-read it right away.
Especially telling of the love and detail given to the book are the Walter Peck P.C.O.C. Files in the back of every book. What originally felt like was going to turn into a subplot b-story that ran with the book has now turned into a fun supplement that enhances the entry that you just read. Not only are the files themselves a joy to read, but the “annotations” that are peppered throughout as the document (which has gone through various incarnations of approvals, notes, and redaction through the usual bureaucracy) make the “bonus feature” a robust and fun experience all its own.
While most series enjoy a solid first issue, a drop in the second, and a bit of a lull in the third, Ghostbusters continues to fire on all cylinders and if you’re even a casual Ghostbusters fan, you owe it to yourself to hop on board. Reading each of the past three issues, I’ve felt like I’m reading and being a part of something special, something that rarely fans of licensed properties get to enjoy. It’s a fun ride and I can’t wait for #4.
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Nicely said! Couldnt have put it better!
I’m still waiting on my issue to come in the mail so I can’t comment on issue 3 but I can say I enjoyed the heck out of all the references in 1 and 2! Even the Dr. Who reference!
I agree, the series keeps getting better and better… My only complaint is that as soon as I’m done reading it I have to wait a whole month for the next issue! :-p Keep up the good work Erik, Dan, Triston and the rest of the gang!!! …p.s. One little question though, with the ongoing series in full effect, does that mean no more one-shots and/or mini-series?
It’s tough to say re: one-shots and minis… not really my call. But if the ongoing sells the way TMNT sells (okay, at least in that direction) you’re more likely to see extra material than if it sells closer to Doctor Who (which is a great book, but the lowest selling IDW ongoing right now at a glance – which is why I’m using it for sake of example.)
I’ve asked about the possibility of doing an Annual, though. We’ll see if we can swing that. (:
In any case, pre-orders and strong sales are what keeps the book alive and allows for spin-offs.
Attrition is the name of the game, though, so we’ll shake up where we can. 5-7 is set in an amusement park near Schenectady, 8 has an Egon focus (and one of the best covers EVER.) 9-12 is… going to be a surprise for now. (I am TRYING to keep surprises in the books without cover or solicit spoilers… but in the case of 9-12, the solicits and covers will give away what we’re doing!) (:
If we stay steady in sales (or go up a bit occasionally) IDW’s more apt to consider more product. (:
Also: in regard to the compliments on #3: Thanks!!!
Turtles isn’t a bad book, but it’s no where near as good as the Ghostbusters ongoing (and I’m not biased in that opinion, I have loved every iteration of TMNT for nearly as long as I’ve loved Ghostbusters…), I really hope that you kick their asses in sales :-p …And I’m very excited about what you all have in store for us with these upcoming issues! From just the little bit that you’ve let us know so far I’m dying to read them!!!